Osler's Razor

This morning I went to St. Stephens (aka the Neil Alan Willard House of Jesus) for some sustaining. I needed it-- this week has seen some disheartening moments, some of which were particularly hard. I do, though, always have a plan B.

We baptized babies this morning, in the swift-flowing Minnehaha Creek behind the church. It was whole and pure and moving, part of the spirituality of those who are unashamed of their faith and the true shape of God's world.

Recently, Neil Alan Willard told me a story about that church. One evening, the Edina police called to relay a complaint from a neighbor, who found the church bells annoying. We all know that sound, don't we? Sometimes there are two tones, as the clapper hits either side, each beautiful and essential; the Two Great Commandments in song form, to love God and to love one another without reservation or selfishness.

It may seem silly that someone found the church bells annoying, but how is that different than how the challenging parts of our faith are ever received? Many would want to silence it, not discuss it, push aside what is not... convenient.

They do not want to be discomforted by the ringing truths of what Christ taught.

In the end, of course, those who impose silence to prevent the spread of the message of God's love always, always, always lose. We remember, this week, Dr. King, but who were those who urged him to not disturb the peace? They were famous in their time. They even won out (for a moment, anyways) more often than not. Silence was kept in Alabama, in Mississippi, in Texas, and in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

In the end, though, the song of Christ's love and the flow of the river wash the silencing away; the frequency of God's creation is one of love, of worthy discourse, of Christ's loving challenge to the settled and powerful. The Mississippi is strong, because it draws from the many creeks. I stand in just one, I hear only one bell, but the water by my feet and song of the bells are more than I am or ever will be, and are never, never ashamed or predictable or silent.