Doing Immediately What Is Required

Studying the works of the late Dietrich Bonhoeffer (executed April 9, 1945 by order of Hitler) in addition to reading interesting biographies and personal accounts about his life, I have learned that one of his favorite Psalms was Psalm 119. One of the readings for today out of the Daily Lectionary, interestingly enough, is from Psalm 119, “Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments . . . Let your steadfast love become my comfort and let your mercy come to me that I may live.” (verse 73-80)

Having been alerted that the next two weeks are going to be hard, we are living in a time where we stand very much in need of God’s steadfast love, comfort and mercy. The Beaufort City Council and Mayor Billy Keyserling have passed an ordinance requiring residents of the city to stay home except for visiting the grocery store, pharmacy or essential work. Residents can work in their yards and walk the neighborhoods, but it is clear that our local civic leaders are hoping to eliminate as much social contact as possible. Now the governor has issued the “Home or Work” mandate. There are 24 more days in the month of April. In order to adjust to the ordinance and mandate, it will be important to tackle the balance of April one day at a time, washing our hands, not touching our face, practicing physical distancing and committing ourselves to what the authorities ask us to do.

Even before today’s ordinance and mandate, all of this was very much on my mind Friday morning when the worship service for Palm Sunday was recorded in the sanctuary. I wanted to address the matter during my homily, but made a glaring mistake. Did you catch it? The gospel lesson was about Jesus directing/sending two disciples to a nearby village to look for a donkey and  a colt and they did immediately what was required of them. Immediately. No questions, hesitation or back talk. They began their search, again, “immediately.” There was a sense of urgency.

Well, the great orator that I am (tongue in cheek), I began by telling a story about a time when I was invited as a guest to enjoy an hour flight over Beaufort, Charleston, Mr. Pleasant and the shoreline of the Isle of Palms. What impressed me about the flight was looking down and seeing all the water that surrounds our community and Charleston area. There are creeks, rivers, sounds and shorelines of the ocean everywhere. What I intended to do but did not do was to make the point that looking down and seeing so much water helps us understand why it is important to evacuate when the authorities tell us to evacuate. Storm surges on incoming tides are dangerous!

From here, I then wanted to make the point that it  remains important to follow the ongoing guidance of our public health officials, medical professionals, government authorities and civic leaders as we negotiate the encroachment of the coronavirus. Otherwise, there is the danger of the virus running rampant. If we follow directions from authorities and evacuate when strong storms come our way, if we comply with current ordinances and mandates regarding the coronavirus, doesn’t it make sense as Christans that we comply with the directives and guidance we receive from Jesus?

If you listen to the homily and the opening episode about flying over Beaufort and seeing the abundance of water in the low country, you may well wonder why I shared the story. There appears to be little to no connection between the story and the gospel leading one to ask, “What was Keeler talking about?” Oh well, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter are just around the corner. Let’s see what the preacher has to say then.

With that said, in consultation with Aaron Miller and others, the decision has been made that asking people into the sanctuary to record portions of a worship service appears to disregard the appeals and guidance of those who govern and those with medical expertise. Short messages will be recorded at my residence for the end of the week. Emails will announce how you can access the messages via YouTube and the church’s website.

Looking to tomorrow, Tuesday is going to be a big day. Our son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Weslie, are headed to Coastal Carolina Hospital where we anticipate the birth of our 8th grandchild, Alice! Also, I have a very interesting story to share tomorrow evening. Kay helped me reconnect over the weekend with an old friend, Sam Deputy, from my days of study at Florida Southern. It will leave you with a smile on your face and in your heart. Now, it’s time to say good night and head home. Stay safe! Stay well! Let us be good and responsible citizens of our community as we pray tonight for the steadfast love, comfort and mercy of our Lord. In Christ +
—
Steve Keeler, Pastor
Sea Island Presbyterian Church
Post Office Box 966
Beaufort, South Carolina 29901

www.seaislandpresbyterian.org

843-525-0696  Work
843-812-4207  Cell