The Meyer Minute

The Meyer Minute for February 7, 2020

People ask, “Where are you and Diane going to live in retirement?”

We love America but after this week I want to live someplace else. Let’s review this week. What does the Super Bowl half-time say about the change in America’s culture? What happened to marching bands? The State of the Union speech and reactions, impeachment proceedings and press conferences, all show us politicians refusing to show respect to their opponents. At the National Prayer Breakfast, Harvard professor Arthur Brooks said, “Contempt is ripping our country apart. We’re like a couple on the rocks in this country. Ask God to take political contempt from your heart. And sometimes when it’s too hard, ask God to help you fake it.” When the President spoke, he said, “Arthur, I don’t know if I agree with you.” (New York Times, February 7; A18). I’m distraught by the deterioration of our public culture. Where can I escape this madness?

I still hear the echoes of last Sunday’s Gospel. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:3-9).

Life is hard today, complicated and confusing, but theologically our situation is simple. A classic definition of sin is “man turned in on himself.” Picture in your mind an adult in fetal position. Who am I? What’s to become of me? Symptoms of turning in ourselves include promiscuity, consumerism, narcissism, apathy, greed, chaos, and distrust. “Our self-centeredness turns our fellow man into our competition” (Heather Choate Davis, “Man Turned in on Himself,” 44). “Every group that isn’t your own becomes a threat. In a diverse society, such thinking is increasingly dangerous and divisive” (Barna Trends 2018, 120).

So where will I live in retirement? In Jesus’ words and in His Church. “Almighty God, You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen.” (Collect for Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany.”

The Meyer Minute for February 5, 2020

“Hey Opa, what are you doing?” “Oh, hi, Connor. Just looking at Facebook.”

“Opa, you always tell us you don’t like smartphones. You say, ‘Put down that darn thing and look at me.’ And here you are with your face in the phone!”

“Yeah, Connor, but I’m looking at one of the videos you put up. Listen to it. ‘Thank you to the people who donated to me and made me half-way to my goal. Some people who donated are Great-grandma, Aunt Pam (and others)…. So I’m shaving my head on Thursday the 5^th for St. Baldrick’s. The money I raise will help kids who have cancer. Thank you.’

“Connor, you’ve got a good camera presence, and I’m proud of you. Proud that you’re doing St. Baldrick’s. But you know what really makes me feel good?”

“No, Opa. What?” “That you’re saying, ‘Thank you.’ You’ve put up several videos about St. Baldrick’s and you say ‘thank you’ in every one of them. In one way or another, everything we have has been given to us, and so we are thankful, especially to the people who are donating to help fight childhood cancer. I can’t begin to imagine how thankful for your help are the kids and their parents who are fighting cancer.”

“Opa, are you getting your head shaved?” “Uh, no. I want to, have done it for many years, but in the next months the Seminary’s communication people will be taking retirement pictures. They want my hair on.” “So Opa, you won’t be trying to raise more money than me?” “I surrender. You outraised me last year, and this year I’m donating to you. Hope our friends will help you out too.”

“Opa, will you do it next year?” “Yes sir, Connor! And I’ll come tomorrow evening and see youyou’re your head shaved.”

PS: Here’s a link to St. Baldrick’s.

The Meyer Minute for February 4, 2020

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