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Diary 18 August
Bishop Packard’s article for the web diary does not appear
this week since he is in Moscow, Russia. He is looking forward to sending his regular article the last week of
August.
Mildred González
Administrative Assistant
Diary 11 August
I found myself listed as a "no show" on Tuesday.
I had anticipated driving up to Newport, Rhode Island, for the graduation ceremonies at the Naval Chaplains School,
but instead found myself, because of an intestinal virus, being acquainted with nearly every restroom on I-95,
North. As I think of it now those moments were not filled with sympathy for the valiant effort my body had undertaken,
but "could I remain on schedule?"
I find that chaplains, even with mandatory physicals, live
in a world that is more often in this illusory state of being, impervious to illness and conditions of the body.
The irony of this is powerful since we spare no moment advising others to be centered in spirit, mind, and body.
I think this is because we love our work and a vocation really has no defining hours. The ministry just is your
life. But it isn’t.
God blesses the breath we take, the miracle of the DNA that
underwrites our bones, and intimately knows the lifeblood that courses our veins. He is not called in at the last
minute when we get serious with an adult disposition. Somehow I am a perpetual student of this truth. I still think
it is a cosmic event if I have to absent myself from a service; I should have never started on that trip up the
highway. We don’t have to go far to witness the persistence of this point. After one of the most productive and
successful General Conventions, our Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold, was diagnosed with prostate cancer during
a routine physical examination. We give thanks for the very early diagnosis and the certainty of pending, corrective
surgery on September 11th. I know you will list Frank and his wife Phoebe in your prayers.
Please understand my reference to Bishop Griswold’s condition
in this context. The last thing any of us after such a joyous celebration of the Church were expecting was that
our leader would have a health challenge. But it happens. We have borrowed these temples to house the Spirit’s
blessedness and sometimes despite our noblest intentions they "fray" a little, as my grandmother used
to say. Bishop Frank is now including preparations for an operation in his daily life and putting aside monthly
calendars. He is a model in this as he was in Denver.
Dr. Andrew Weil, medical doctor, botanist, and commentator
has written that we must not think of our "lifespan", but instead of our "healthspan." At base
this is the ultimate stewardship. As it says in the Psalms when we "number our days" we give glory to
the Lord.
I still look forward to getting to Newport on a better day.
+gep
Diary 4 August
Week of the Feast of the Transfiguration
Almost lost in the opening days of the month, the Feast of
the Transfiguration nearly slips by. I always had difficulty getting a congregation together for a Celebration.
Everybody was on vacation. But as with all seminal moments in the life of Our Lord this Feast Day remains a signpost
on the road of our lives if we are wise to know of it.
In the midst of the ordinary Jesus takes some disciples to
the mountain where they witness Him in an extraordinary moment. When I last visited Russia there was a rendition
of this holy event depicting Christ firmly on the ground and all about him lifted up. How ingeniously appropriate.
The Incarnation of Our Lord dignifies Creation so that it is lifted and presented to God. There is always the possibility
of that.
My trip to New Orleans-Baton Rouge had such transfiguring
moments. During the farewell service for CH Mark Gasquet from his parish of 27 years, it was noted that following
Our Lord's example, Mark had endeavored to set the work of the parish "in the midst" of the world. Through
his time in the Army Reserves, advocacy in substance abuse, and prison work he had elevated those worlds high enough
for all to see. I heard the catch in his throat when, during a liturgy of parting, he handed over pastoral care,
saying, "and I have endeavored to the best of my ability to…" Sometimes your arms get tired holding up
that load, but he did, and with God's help.
When we gathered in prayer outside The Louisiana State Penitentiary
at Angola even CH Jackie Means our Director of Prison Ministries was impressed. Jackie (me included) had never
seen the likes of such local parish support. I counted 30 persons holding hands in that parking lot as we lifted
up to God those who were a few feet away on death row and nearly a mile away on the sprawling acreage of our nation's
largest prison. Angola, and Louisiana, has the distinction of the largest life-term population as well. Put these
two facts together and upon entering "The Farm" one has the uneasy feeling that the immaculately kept
grounds by teams of inmates, supervised by guards on horseback, is an updated version of a plantation right down
to Africans (Americans) there for a lifetime.
The Eucharist in such a place indeed "transfigures"
the setting. The chapel is located in the center of the largest complex and only accessible through five locked
gates. Angola, because of its hot and humid climate, is connected by elevated, fenced in "runs", which
courses you past hundreds of inmates as you walk to any destination on the grounds. Some came to service, many
others did not. Still, over 200 inmates and friends (called "outmates") were present and enthusiastically
so for a Baptism and five Confirmations. You have the forlorn feeling that not much has happened as you re-enter
the enormity of the prison after worship, but then you watch the Faithful, God's transfigured hope, leave too,
all destined for a variety of places and emissaries to the world. +gep
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