Intention and Hope (Midweek Message)

Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message

Intention and Hope

May 30, 2018

We recently worked with Peter McBennett to do a remodel of the bathroom attached to our master bedroom, to make it more accessible for Elena.  I delayed doing it for more than a year, fearing the disruption in our lives, and worried that accessibility would be even more reduced during the project.  I also took time to really find out exactly what would respond most easily to Elena’s specific needs.  But once we started, things went smoothly and quickly.  There were several surprises for me. 

One was that once the project started, both Elena and I got all excited, looking forward to the project’s completion and wondering how it would be.  Before we started, we were like school kids dragging their feet on an unwelcomed trip to the principal’s office.  But once we had moved into our guest bedroom and our original bedroom had turned into a construction site, we were like giddy children looking forward to a birthday or Christmas morning to unwrap presents. 

Another has been just how much joy and optimism Elena has regained after starting to use the new bathroom, including a slide-in spa tub with water and bubble jets, water warmer, and drain pump.  This recovered radiance far surpasses the seemingly minimal amount of regained autonomy and dignity provided by the remodel.   

What I take away from the experience is this:  while we usually dread change, sometimes it is necessary.  We must never let our dread and fear of the inconvenience and pain associated with change get in the way of a calm and rational assessment of our needs, and working out an intentional plan going forward to better meet them.  This applies whether to our personal relationships and family life, or our communal life in the church and larger community.  Repentance, or what the Prayer Book calls “Amendment of Life,” is one example:  putting aside harmful or destructive habits or ways of behaving, and seeking healthier ones.   A willingness to attempt innovation in liturgy, in vestry by-laws, or in public policy at the local, state, or national level is another example.  Intentionality helps overcome the inconvenience of change; and hope for new things to come always lovingly pushes aside our grief for the loss of the way things were. 

I think this is what Jesus was saying in his parable about wineskin and patches:  you don’t put new wine in old wineskins because they’ll burst.  You put patches of old cloth onto old tattered garments because new patches will tear them even worse.  Intentionality and hope:  it’s about looking forward and not backward, about a willingness to hold your nose for the duration of the change in expectation of fresher, cleaner air after the dust settles.  In any case, expect pleasant surprises. 

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Tony+