The Rant, opps – This Life

Rather the Chant for us all

Wednesday 12 February 2025

Frozen

Frozen Like So Many Hearts!

Will They,

like the Lake in Spring,

be Turned to

Thanksgiving, Joy, and Hope!

Jeremiah 6:13-14

For from the least to the greatest of them,
everyone is greedy for unjust gain;
and from prophet to priest,
everyone deals falsely.
They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,
saying, ‘Peace, peace’,
when there is no peace.

Romans 12:9

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;

…

Words of Grace For Today

…

We’ve all heard again that famous, or infamous, Rant, I am Canadian. With quiet music building to swells of patriotic music Joe states his case:

Hey, I’m not a lumberjack or a fur trader

I don’t live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dogsled.

and I don’t know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I’m certain that their really, really nice.

I have a prime minister, not a president.

I speak English and French not American

and I pronounce it about, not aboot.

I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack.

I believe in peacekeeping not in policing.

I believe in diversity, not assimilation.

And I believe the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.

A toque is a hat.

And a chesterfield is a couch.

And it’s pronounced Zed, not Zee, Zed.

Canada is the second largest landmass

The first nation of hockey

and the best part of North America.

My name is Joe

and I am Canadian.

Reality

Given Trump and his threats and actual tariffs that will do great damage to our economy, one can understand the call to be patriotic.

At the core of our problems, though, we do not find economics or politics, but good old fashion love, faith, and hope, expressed as empathy and care for all people, especially the poor.

So ours is not a rant but a chant backed by any number of great pieces of music, for example “Canticle of the Turning” (ELW 723) by Rory Cooney, to the lively Irish folk tune used as a rugby match song:

(Need a reminder? Check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QeTmRCpW4 )

I am a Christian, Chant

Hey, I am not a crusading knight, nor a desert ascetic.

I don’t hold exorcisms, live in Corinth or Bethlehem or Nazareth.

I have a pastor and a bishop, not a coach or a guru.

I speak many native languages, but not Latin or Sanskritic.

I proudly were a cross on a fine chain around my neck.

I believe in peace not in war or violence.

I believe in respecting and welcoming diversity, not excluding strangers or foreigners.

I believe the fish is a wonderful symbol of faith, as is the boat.

I’m not concerned with how people pronounce words, but that we share the radical Word of God.

God’s favour is not won by what we do or say or believe, but is God’s free gift given to us.

We can refuse it and we do, sinners that we are. But God keeps saving us over and over again, making us saints able to do miraculous things for others, especially the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the outcasts, refugees, strangers, and especially children.

Christianity may be worldwide and messed up in many places, sometimes even here at home, but it is the gift of life,

the gift of life abundant for all people.

We may be getting fewer in number, but being a follower of Jesus is the best part of life.

My name is not important because God knows it and everything about me and still loves me. I’m not ashamed of my name, yet it’s not what I’m proud of.

I’m proud that I bear Jesus’ cross and Jesus’ name,

For I am a Christian.