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Wednesday Wanderings

A little journey through this topsy-turvy journey of joys and sorrows and hopes and dreams with plenty of grace from God along the way.

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Evidently, it was on this day two hundred years ago, that the first commercial railway opened in the United States. On October 7, 1826, the Granite Railway began operation in Massachusetts, partially to haul the granite blocks needed to construct the Bunker Hill Monument, commemorating the respective Revolutionary War battle. So, reading through this little history lesson brings me back to the railroad track that remains behind the field surrounding the home base of the family farm in northwest Ohio.

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This upcoming weekend, we’ll celebrate World Communion Sunday, which oftentimes reminds me of our honeymoon to Italy, starting off in Rome to see the usual tourist spots of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica, along with the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps; but the actual relaxation and awe-inspiring serenity didn’t really take hold until we got to Venice…a whole ‘nother culture in comparison to the Eternal City of Rome.  

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Recently, I saw an image of the Westerheversand Lighthouse in northern Germany, for the first time. It’s supposedly one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country, and a scenic icon for the region (just 60 miles south of the border with Denmark). As ships were becoming stranded in the nearby treacherous North Sea, construction began 120 years ago, and would be run by the German people until 1978, when it became fully automated. The stories that could be told, I’m sure, of the keepers of such life-saving light.

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This week, we begin our fall Bible study with the Gospel of John, a treasured portion of Scripture for many Bible-readers and weekend-worshipers and God-adorers. It seems to have its fair share of captivating imagery and memorable texts: from the start with its own retelling of our human beginning with the grace of Christ thrown in, the “I Am the bread of life” and “I Am the good shepherd,” not to mention perhaps the most famous verse of all in John 3:16. And then there’s the story of Lazarus, the account of which does not appear anywhere else. But thanks be to God this Gospel writer insisted on including a portrayal of Jesus in his empathy and compassion as well as death-defying triumph.

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So, here we go again: Rally Sunday combined with Make a Difference Sunday and add in “God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday, just to make things even more interesting to start our new year, of sorts, of choir rehearsals, Bible studies, meetings, and multiple Sabbath worships. And such is the fuller calendar reality for many faith communities, whether those of our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) expression, or otherwise. What is also the reality of “God’s Work. Our Hands.” is that it is brought to life far more frequently than just the weekend after Labor Day for many of our siblings ELCA congregations.