Transcript for February 1010 by Bob Kleinheksel

Ah, another day of parties and passions, the day of the carnivale, the celebration of the flesh –and partiality given to fat and excess. Let us dwell in revelry, song and dance, the freedom to move, to think new thoughts, to risk, play and laugh-even for a short while, and even if some squirm in unspoken resistance or quiet sheepishness. For would not all this be another kind of reverence along with all the dark-draped solemnity we have observed? A stark contrast to what is supposed to be church?!

Might the full human repertoire of feelings, drives, tendencies, giftedness and behavior belong in church – instead of sidelining the seemingly pious, quiet and righteous sentiments and rituals alone for Sunday observances? To make a bit more unhidden a fuller humanity, a deeper, wider and more honest community that expands out to greet all people no matter who they are and where they have been! Amen to that!

We acknowledge all as sacred and real and one. All that we are and feel, all that we do has its place. Every day of the week. There is, indeed, a place and time for every season under the sun – as those of old have written. We understand the challenge and balance of being in-between, on the way, confused, conflicted, seduced, convicted about this world: For on the one hand, if it were all easy and fun and seductive, that would be easy. We would be Mardi Gras people all the time, neglecting essential features of our humanity and relationships with those around. We would forget, perhaps, the plights of the world’s peoples – including our own neighbors in need – or the distant tragedies happening daily which make people phantomlike in their fears and forgottenness. If the world were all challenging and joyless, that would be no problem. Still, where would the laughter then be? When would the toasting glass be raised? Each must find a place, the balance, to allow space for all modes, all moods, all possibilities to fling our follies and sing the songs, to mete out justice – and through it all to live in peace and confidence and humility. So let it be.

To God within as new realization, dawning insight as to the depth and wisdom inside; to God between – in relationships, in passion and in the exchange of touch, taste, sexes and souls…The God known in walking side-by-side as friends and lovers – in laughter and tears. To the God beyond in majesty and mystery – all nature from cells to stars, from quarks to lazy prairie. Isn’t magnificent? That our heartbeat is the universe thrumming away – joining the pervasive hum evident and reverberating across billions of years!

We pause at this time to remember the troubles and anxieties people face. The death, the loss, the divorce, the ache of grief; ones angry, the ones with little or no hope. Those whose lives are far from the familiar shores of home. The violent ones and those harmed through violence near and far. We remember. We include, we reach out, we care –in thoughts, prayers, intentions and actions: All things to weave compassionate care and kindness to gentle and heal the world.

Acting with affection, let us live and gather now as to be an encouragement to others – a beacon of inspiration and vitality; let us be emerging humans on the way, in love, as love. Let us dare and party; let us risk and cry and pray. Let us feast before we fast as some anticipate the days of penitence and contemplative discourse. We are grateful for another chance to live and love – and we gather, sing, dance, make music and make love this day in honor of saints and sages across time who risked and feasted, who made wine, who poured ointment on feet, who broke the rules of Sunday and Sabbath – and to all those who continue to turn the world upside down. Amen.