CHRIST IN WINTER:
Reflections on Faith For the Years of Winter…
I posted this originally
on January 26, 2011, five years ago. Joe Frazier has now heard the
well-deserved, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Joe Kennedy doesn’t need
a grandfather to teach him to drive because he has his license now. I think
about them both every day, because in the years of winter, that is the way we
stay warm.
JOYFULLY SUBVERSIVE
I have a friend named Joe
and a grandson named Joe. The friend is Joe Frazier—“Singin’ Joe,” the
baritone, not “Smokin’ Joe,” the boxer, although I’m sure “Smokin’ Joe” would
be a good friend, too.
The grandson is Joseph
Patrick Kennedy, who is 12 years old today. Both Joes are “joyfully subversive,” a phrase someone applied to Joe Frazier when
we were on a cruise in September with The Chad Mitchell Trio, the best folk
group of the 1960s, in which Joe sings baritone. Joe is also the vicar/priest
of St. Columba’s Episcopal Mission in Big Bear Lake, CA.
The following hymn I wrote
in honor of their birthdays. Actually Joe Frazier’s birthday was Jan. 14, and
that was the day I started writing this, so today, on grandson Joe’s birthday,
I finished it.
I sing it to the tune of
R. Kelso Carter’s “Standing on the
Promises,” a hymn perhaps unknown to Episcopalians like Joe Frazier, since
they are better known for “sitting on the
premises.” [Old preacher joke. I can resist any temptation except a bad
joke.] Since it is traditional to note the biblical foundations for hymns, I
have done so, line by line.
Happy birthdays, you
joyfully subversive Joes.
JOYFULLY SUBVERSIVE
Joyfully subversive as we
laugh and sing [Judges
5:21.]
To the work of God divine
our gifts we bring [John
9:4.]
Carried to the righteous
fray upon God’s wing [Isaiah
40:31.]
Joyfully subverting as we
go. [Romans
12:2.]
CHORUS
Joyful! Subversive!
Let us join our voices in
God’s loving song [I
John 4:8.]
Subversive! Joyful!
Standing firm against
injustice we are strong [I
Cors. 16:13.]
VERSE 2
Subverting hate and
prejudice with love divine [Romans
8:38-39.]
Offering to each hopeful
mouth the bread and wine [Luke
22:19.]
With god’s children
everywhere we shall dine [Mark
2:16.]
Joyfully subverting as we
go [Romans
12:2.]
CHORUS
Joyful! Subversive!
Let us join our voices in
God’s loving song [I
John 4:8.]
Subversive! Joyful!
Standing firm against
injustice we are strong [I
Cors. 16:13.]
VERSE 3
Joyfully subversive we
stand with the poor [Matthew
25:31-46.]
And beat our fists against
oppression’s heavy door [Galatians
3:1.]
We’ll sing and work until
injustice is no more [Isaiah
11:6. Amos 5:24.]
Joyfully subverting as we
go [Romans
12:1.]
CHORUS
Joyful! Subversive!
Let us join our voices in
God’s loving song [I
John 4:8.]
Subversive! Joyful!
Standing firm against
injustice we are strong [I
Cors. 16:13.]
VERSE 4
When they draw a circle
tight to hide within [Galatians
3:23.]
When they say we can’t
come in because we’re sin [Galatians
3:28-29.]
We shall draw a circle
that will take them in [Acts
10:28.]
Joyfully subverting as we
go [Romans
12:1.]
CHORUS
Joyful! Subversive!
Let us join our voices in
God’s loving song [I
John 4:8.]
Subversive! Joyful!
Standing firm against
injustice we are strong [I
Cors. 16:13.]
VERSE 5
When our days of marching
here will be no more [Matthew
25:23.]
We’ll keep singing as we
land on heaven’s shore. [Luke
6:20.]
While those we served and
loved shall open up the door [Revelation
21:25.]
Joyfully subverting as we
go. [Romans
12:1.]
CHORUS
Joyful! Subversive!
Let us join our voices in
God’s loving song [I
John 4:8.]
Subversive! Joyful!
Standing firm against
injustice we are strong [I
Cors. 16:13.]
JRMcF
I tweet as yooper1721.
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