On Sunday, The Rev. Stephanie Spellers preached at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. In her opening remarks, she commented, “I should be exhausted, but instead I am excited”. This seems like a good phrase for me right now, with the admission that some days, like today, the exhaustion might be a little greater. Normally, I get up and check the news, and then spend some time reading scriptures and prayers appointed for the day. This morning, I started off with “Ministration at the Time of Death”.

Almighty God, look on this your servant, lying in great weakness, and comfort him with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I then glanced at the news, with Karl Barth’s recommendation to “hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other” in mind. I pray for the people in the path of Hurricane Matthew. I pray for our elected leaders and those running for public office, including myself.

The Vice Presidential Debate last night did not capture my attention. Instead, I tried to get a little sleep. Unfortunately, the dog barked much of the evening. I turned to the lectionary for this coming week. In 2 Timothy we read

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.

I think that pretty much sums up my reaction to the debate and to a lot of the political discourse this election cycle.

The Gospel for this coming Sunday is Luke 17:11-19, the story of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, but only one of the returns to thank him. As I think about a friend on death’s door, about the damage of Hurricane Matthew, and of the political malaise in our country, it seems very easy to overlook or forget the moments of blessing. Yet I will drive to work this morning, seeing the leaves start to turn color, the beauty of the hills, and I will think of e.e. cummings:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes