Epiphany: Anna #16

 

A decree went out

  from Caesar Augustus. (Luke 2:1)

Dear Anna,

I see you will be reading Cicero, in Latin I presume. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion (5 editions from 1536-1560 published in Latin and French), makes much of Marcus Tullius Cicero. In particular, Cicero becomes for Calvin an example of man at his best, gaining through nature, a certain knowledge of God. 

One gets a feel for how Cicero and Calvin played their roles in the formation of our own constitutional republic. Cicero bravely and repeatedly sought to preserve Rome’s Republic; but in the end, Julies Caesar puts an end to it. Our founders saw our own fledging republic with its natural rights (to protect the individual from the mob), constitutional government (all bound by a higher law), and a separation of powers (to keep us free from tyranny) as a fulfilment of Cicero’s endeavors. Calvin warns of our own will to power—that no person can be entrusted with singular power. 

Near a half century after Cicero, “a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire Roman world should return to their hometown to be taxed” (Lk 2:1-3).  That’s how it is when tyrants rule. They bully people about.

I will be interested to hear your take on Cicero.

Love, PAPA

 

Epiphany: Anna #15

And so arrived in.” Rome.

           The believers came as far as the Forum of Appius

 and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them,

           Paul thanked God and took courage. (Acts 28:14-15)

Dear Anna,

Thank you for sending me your Spring semester syllabi. I see you have two courses from your favorite teacher: The Roman World and Latin II. From his syllabus, I can see he is a very special kind of teacher. I would like to learn from him. But, then again, I would have to know my Latin.

Which reminds me, thank you again for that very special Christmas gift you gave to Grammy and me—that jump drive with you reading our favorite Bible passages first in English and then in Latin, from your very own translation.

When you come home, I hope to hear a play-by-play around the fire pit. Tell me all about that great city where the Apostle himself made his way: “And so we arrived in Rome.” Maybe you can tell of “the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns.”

Love, Papa

 

 

Epiphany: Pricilla and basketball.

 

In a race,

   athletes compete.

   (First Corinthians 9:24)

Last night, Grammy and I watched your Baylor Bears compete on the basketball court against Kansas University. The TV camera kept showing Chip and Joanna Gains rooting like crazy for Baylor—that kept Grammy’s attention. Baylor won.

We looked for you in the stands. The gym was packed. I said, “I don’t think she is there.” Grammy said, “She is probably studying.” Which caused me to wonder again why I always choose game over study. Maybe it had something to do with growing up in a pastor’s home—a home in which movies and dancing were “worldly amusements,” and therefor forbidden. Somehow, in that home, football and basketball did not count as “worldly.”

When the Giants moved their team from New York to San Francisco, my parents took me to Seals Stadium to watch. My dad, your great grandfather, turned to me and pointed to center field and said, “Son, that’s Willy Mays.” It’s all his fault.

Much love,

Papa

Epiphany: Anna #14

 The Lord seeks justice

     for all who are oppressed.

      (Psalm 103:6)

Dear Anna,

I read your papers. The one on the Indian occupation of Alcatraz, brought back all sorts of memories for me. Grammy and I lived in San Francisco in those days—the late 60s. A close friend of ours, Ellen Bear (I wonder where she is now?) was a nurse and spent time on the island providing medical assistance to the tribes. She would come back with stories filled with deep concern and activist passion. Lots of activist passion in those days.

Anyway… where was I. I drifted off for a spell. Oh yes, back to your paper. I love your first paragraph, beginning with: “Islands have stood as symbols of resistance and freedom for hundreds of years.” Then you speak of Liberty Island with its Statue of Liberty and Alcatraz, an island of imprisonment. And you spoke of Snake Island and its “brave Ukrainian fighters” resisting the powerful Russian invaders.

What if we held all three of these islands in our consciousness: 1) Liberty Island with her Statue of Liberty—America at her best;  2) Alcatraz with her Indian occupiers reminding us of our faults; and, 3) Snake Island, reminding us that liberty is still worth the fight.

Love, PAPA