Death, Taxes, and the End of Time

In the Episcopal Church there are few certainties. One of these has to be the annual "Every Member Canvass," or "Stewardship Campaign," or "Pledge Drive."
There are probably many other names for this time of the Church Year, and some of these cannot be shared in polite society. Most of these alternative descriptors are prefaced with words such as, "Not again," "They always want more," "They spend too much," "This year we are staying the same," or "We give enough already." These are not the words of the cheerful giver, but admit it, you probably have made or have heard similar comments.

Today was an unusual Sunday. Fr. Foss had to take on in his sermon the Stewardship business, All Saints Day, a double Baptism, the memory of the dearly departed, Revelation, and the Beatitudes. But that is not enough of a challenge, lets throw in the "church militant," Desert Storm, and the guilt of growing up with "Southern" prejudices.
All this presents a problem. The problem of time.


And I am not talking about the fact that by setting our clocks back this morning we had an extra hour of sleep. No, I have to bring up the fact that today's sermon ate away 23 of the 60 minutes we gained.
It is at times like this that I have to sit back and remember that time may not exist, at least below the Planck scale according to this article. If you don't read it, here is one choice quote,

“The meaning of time has become terribly problematic in contemporary physics,” says Simon Saunders, a philosopher of physics at the University of Oxford. “The situation is so uncomfortable that by far the best thing to do is declare oneself an agnostic.”

While squirming in your pew, please try to consider another solution to the problem of time. Just think of yourself as playing a role in this old John Prine song, (I give you the option of the lyrics, or a YouTube of someone singing John's song pretty well).

While out sailing on the ocean
While out sailing on the sea
I bumped into the Saviour
And He said pardon me
I said "Jesus you look tired"
He said "Jesus so do you,
Sit down son
'Cause I got some fat to chew"

Chorus:
Everybody needs somebody
that they can talk to
Someone to open up their ears
And let that trouble through
Now you don't have to sympathize
Or care what they may do
But everybody needs somebody
that they can talk to


Well he spoke to me of morality
Starvation, pain and sin
Matter of fact the whole dang time
I only got a few words in
But I won't squawck
Let 'em talk
Hell it's been a long long time
And any friend that's been turned down
Is bound to be a friend of mine

(Repeat chorus)

Now we sat there for an hour or two
Just eatin' that Gospel pie
When around the bend come a terrible wind
And lightning lit the sky
He said so long son I gotta run
Appreciate you listening to me
And I believe I heard him sing these words
As he skipped out across the sea

Chorus:
Everybody needs somebody
that they can talk to
Someone to open up their ears
And let that trouble through
Now you don't have to sympathize
Or care what they may do
But everybody needs somebody
that they can talk to
John Prine "Everybody" from "Diamonds in the Rough" 1972

Here's a version from Ohtis,


Oops, there goes more of that time we gained last night.

And don't forget to send in those pledge cards.