Prophetic, creative actions

11Sep
Sing to the Lord a new song,
  his praise from the end of the earth!
Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
  the coastlands and their inhabitants.
Let the desert and its towns lift up their voice,
  the villages that Kedar inhabits;
let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy,
  let them shout from the tops of the mountains.
Let them give glory to the Lord,
  and declare his praise in the coastlands. 
- Isaiah 42:10-12


Whether operating from a platform of high visibility or in the niche of the quotidian or the in-between, pioneers and prophets enhance, advance, challenge, and open our spiritual and intellectual consciousness. Their inspiration can significantly transform our responsive awareness and actions. 


Harry Thacker Burliegh, an African American singer, composer, and arranger, was a visionary pioneer who we celebrate today. Despite congregational opposition, Burliegh became the first African American soloist at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Manhattan (in 1894). He created the first formal orchestral arrangements of over 100 Negro spirituals. Traditional “black” music thus became available to classically-trained musicians, contributing to the enormous popularity of the genre from the 1920s and 1930s onward. 


I recently read an exciting, incitful book about prophetic spirituality. Joan Chittister’s The Time Is Now - A Call to Uncommon Courage tells us that prophecy sets out to deconstruct present situations and conditions. Quoting from the book: 


Prophetic spirituality is an attitude of soul. It is not a set of spiritual “practices,” a collection of dogmas, however time honored. The person with the soul of a prophet sees what the rest of the world either cannot see or does not want to see, and uses that vision as a compass through life. The prophetic spirit comes to see the world as God sees the world—and responds to it accordingly. Like the biblical prophets of old, they speak peace for the nations, justice for the oppressed, equality for humankind, care for the earth, dignity for all, and holy integrity…


Calling prophecy “stern stuff,” Chittister describes it as examining the present in the light of the future. It occurred to me that the Trinity community is doing just that. A few examples.


The Rector Search Committee is studying and responding to the past and present in order to guide the church into its next leadership phase. 

The Trinity clergy interprets the words and actions of prophets ranging from those of the Old Testament through those of contemporary times, and, vitally, urges we act with the courage that real prophecy demands. 

Sisters Community Solar will help Orleans Parish residents reduce their electricity bills through an innovative solar project. 

The Mahjong Classic provides nourishment with its support of Loaves and Fishes 


We are surrounded by prophetic, creative actions whether delivered to us and the wider community through music, Daily Meditations, the power grid, Scripture, or efforts to alleviate hunger, and more, the spokes of which can have endless reverberations.


Musical Reflection - Deep River - Kim Kenny Green


Dear Lord, help us listen to what the prophet confronts us with: the deep-down goodness of our common call to holiness, to love our neighbor, to commit to the fullness of life and health of communities. Amen.

Prophets

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