My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2
November 14, 2020
Dear St. Philip’s family and friends,
Antoine de Saint-Exupery tells an amazing story, entitled The Smile[i]. While nobody really knows, the thinking is that his story is probably autobiographical. Antoine was a fighter pilot, and fought in the Spanish Civil War, then later in WWII against the Nazis. While fighting, he was captured and imprisoned. His captors treated Antoine so inhumanely that he came to the awareness that they were going to execute him. He literally trembled with fear. He searched his pockets for a cigarette. Finally, he found one, and tried to steer it to his mouth. He was shaking so badly that he could barely set it between his lips.
Antoine searched for a match, but he did not have one because the captors had stripped them from him. So, he looked to the jailer. The jailer did not make eye contact. It is difficult to connect with a human being whom you know will be executed. Antoine called out to get his attention, saying “Have you got a light, please?” The jailer responded, and moved closer, and as he reached out to light the cigarette, the jailer looked into the eyes of Antoine. They connected, eye to eye; they locked onto one another. Antoine smiled. He wrote, “In that instant, it was as though a spark jumped across the gap between our two hearts, our two human souls. I know he didn’t want to, but my smile leaped through the bars and generated a smile on his lips, too.” The men continued to smile at one another. Then, he asked Antoine, “Do you have kids?” Antoine quickly pulled out photos of his children and family. The jailer, too, had a family. He showed Antoine his children, and he described his hopes for each of them. Both men’s eyes filled with tears.
Suddenly, without another word, the man opened the cell and silently led Antoine out of the prison, then quietly through back routes, and out to the edge of town. There, he released him. The man turned around, and went back toward town. Saint-Exupery exclaims, “My life was saved by a smile.”
We are living in quite challenging times, especially as Christians. Because of our public health situation and our personal health conditions we wrestle with how to connect with our neighbor and our loved ones, yet still stay socially distanced to protect their health, the health of our loved ones, and our own health. Our political environment provokes us to find language to express ourselves authentically, with words that ring clear and true, so that we are beacons, bringing light and hope in our corner of the world. Because our church building is closed, we have awakened to what we had been taking for granted, but we are also motivated to find helpful ways to reach out and connect with others.
Smile! Let’s connect--really see each other, eye to eye, and listen to each other. Let’s pay attention--soul to soul, human being to human being, even through masks, computer screens, differing points of view, and racial and cultural diversity. Take heart, and let the love of Jesus Christ endure in us, sustain us, and heal us, liberate us, save us!
As we enter our season of stewardship, let’s renew our hope. Let’s rethink all that we have taken for granted. Our lives are so good! Every good gift comes from God. [ii] Let us rejoice in God’s blessings with heartfelt gratitude. Let us rejoice in the love of God through Jesus our Lord.
Brothers and sisters, smile! Count it all joy!
Peace and joy be always with you. +
Rev. Michelle