Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for* those who make peace.
—James 3:13-18
Today is the feast day of Dr. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965): organist (Bach scholar), philosopher, theologian, Lutheran pastor, writer, physician, and humanitarian. While we may certainly critique some of his thoughts regarding social constructs, the divinity of Jesus, and the role of colonialism, Schweitzer nonetheless stands out as a tremendous humanitarian who contributed greatly to the betterment of humanity (noted by his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952). In one of his books, The Philosophy of Civilization, Schweitzer writes of the need for a “reverence for life”, of holding compassion for all living things. I am reflecting on this from a small island off Maine’s coast, an island whose trails Maria and I have walked over the past 3 weeks. The great forest of trees around us; the deer, mice and mink that call this place home and cafeteria; the stark granite boulders buttressing the shoreline; the vast waters teeming with fish, whales, seals, crab, lobsters, and dolphins; and the skies providing a backdrop for terns, gulls, cormorants, osprey, eagles, hummingbirds, orioles, and bard owls (to name but a few). This island makes us walk quietly, listening much more than we talk. The island leaves us in awe, primarily because we are surrounded by its beauty and power. We are living IN nature much more than we are taming it, or shaping it to meet OUR needs. The land and sea call out for us to stand in awe - this great work that God’s hand has shaped - yet only if we can step out of our own way and truly stand inside it. This is God’s cathedral.
One of my great challenges in life is knowing when to “stop doing” and just “be”. I often notice that this is not my issue alone. When is enough enough? Why do we chop a few trees to build a home, only to think that we could chop thousands more, put in a development and make a fortune? Then to make millions, only to discover that BILLIONS would be so much better? Our envy and greed causes us to go from the good life for many to a glorious life for a few. That’s what I read in the Epistle of James. Written somewhere between 50 A.D. and 150 A.D., this letter addresses a community that is relying too much on human desires and not enough on the spiritual life based on wisdom. Being smart is about making an axe; being wise is about knowing whether it should be a tool or a weapon. The same is true for technology, wealth, political power, and natural resources. I think sometimes we all let our “smarts” get out ahead of our “wisdom”. For me, this is a risky (sometimes dangerous) place to be. Moving through our world with a “reverence for life” might just help us all - perhaps even save us all.
Musical Reflection - J.S. Bach - Fugue in A minor - performed by Albert Schweitzer
Lord, always remind me that as a child of the flood, I have a unique capacity for empathy for those who find themselves alone, soiled, and damp on the cots of disaster. In the mirror of your Love, show me again what my “Yes Face” looks like. Amen.
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