Eric’s Sunday Sermon; Who Are You?

Hello, my name is Eric and I am….

It seems well settled that probably less than 30% of people who believe in a God go to community worship frequently. It also is pretty realistic to say that percentage may be less among Christians. Go figure that one.

So it is interesting to note that this author writes a Sunday Sermon that began to get some spirituality time for those non-attendees. It may be best suited for Christians. But I really don’t thinks so. I do not normally cite passages. Yet I am quite certain that a Christian can see the scripture areas we talk about. And we hope that people are open on a theory basis theology of the East and Native Americans and African. (like never ending soul, Tawa and of course we learn so much through Ubuntu)

So I look to who is Eric? To maybe see more about you. If I am puffed up and “in charge” of the situation and I know full well that I am nervous and anxious if I can do the job well then I must have passion on you when you are in charge. Is our mask of bravado ever really us? That truly is a remarkable place to visit.

The Hero

The list goes on but watch a couple of Comic hero movies. The cool ones like Flash, Green Arrow and Batman have the character needing to keep one part of their life hidden with a mask. Of course it is ludicrous, anyone could see behind the mask. Which reminds me of the addict or drunkard. Do they really think that others cannot tell about their inebriation? And in a funny way a radical anti-government person or even a Bible thumper.

Just a slip here for thought. Does someone who does good for others but stays anonymous wear two masks or one.

Aren’t you a parent, child or sister or just one? I am sure that some around you think you to be a confidant or friend and others that think you as their teacher. And do not in any way lose sight of significant others and love in amore.

Too much fun this morning as my boy was brushing his teeth. He could see me in the mirror as I snarled mightily and looked all pissed off. The boy responded in kind (as best you can while brushing teeth which actually makes you smile – just reality) so the battle was set! Who could antagonize and intimidate with the look on their face? Today I won as he giggled first. Fun with masks. Who are we?

It would be so nice if I were just my name. But my name was given without condition or expectation. Maybe that is why it is clear when someone says “given name”.

Empathy is really cool if you just lay down your rifle and find comity with it. Now let us get all googly oogly. If I truly empathize with you, and I can, who am I when I am with you? Do I lose my soul and it resides in you. I think that is a place more emphasis on. Perhaps I am fired up and healthy and here you come all sick, terrified and full of worry. Just theoretically here, if through empathy I can give you healing from me to you, perhaps that would give you wellness that I have.

Ok, let us get back to us normal people.

Who is a daughter without relation back to a mother? Adoption included. Not a biological spot here. There is a strange notion that women will marry someone who is like their father. Who is she? A perpetual daughter or wife or mother? Am I dad or buddy when the boy beats me in soccer?

And so we move along. Never, except in rare mode not thinking about who we are. Then we are at a party for children and someone asks “what do you do?” I propose that if you answer with what you do for a living, it probably is a mask, we understand that concept but is there a lesson to learn here in that situation. I just gave up and starting answering “I am Gabriel’s dad”. Of course it goes further. “I mean for work”. And so I try to soften and I just throw out that I am a writer and a strategist. And of course it goes further and they inquire what kind of writing. Who I am there is complicated. I preach out loud in my own writings, and I write legal position papers and the like to supplement strict legal positions as a ghost. “Can I get you another…. Is the normal response as well it should be as their eyes glaze over.

I dawn my backpack and walk the mile to my canyon trail. On the street getting them maybe I am a walker without a license or car to get to where I am going to hike. In the canyon maybe I am a hiker or maybe just one more homeless that live thereabouts in tents. I go into the city and wear pretty fancy clothes, all woven wool and Egyptian cotton shirts and silk ties, cool suspenders and spit polished shoes.

Is that me?

Walking in probably the largest canyon. Fifty pounds on back and one hundred degrees and five miles to go. And I am someone else. Body surfing in the waves at Laguna Ca. And I am someone else. When the boy wakes up with a fever at two in the morning I am someone else. When the tax man comes by and accuses me of owing the National debt I am someone else. In the kitchen making God’s gift to spaghetti I am someone else.

A preacher man? A philosopher?

I am not a jack of all trades I am the master of all trades ;-) Because I have mastery over my self. Not myself but my self.

First allow us to go back to the face game. What face will you wear today? One that you control or one that controls you?

Just last Thursday we had a roofer come by to do some roofing – ridges and valleys and a hot mop and mastic in some places. I spoke with him just a bit and he asked me if I had been a roofing contractor. In order for me to wear that face I studied the “glossary” for roofing. The nomenclature if you please. Simply by nailing the vocabulary of the trade you can become that for a spell – please do not make me go up ladders though ;-) The vocabulary is there in every trade/Genre of life. Lawyers even can teach us how to talk to a cop? Certainly you can learn Trial Attorney – your honor, the well the gallery the jury and witness box, and the bench. Just study a certain brain surgery for two hours memorizing terms, shoot the operation is the easy part!

So it comes to pass in my early dotage that I am finding who I am and who others are to me. Sure I make mistakes but I for the most part love. I am not comfy doing the other, well except for competition which my heaven will have much of.

Full circle and I say I am glad to be me. All of the above faces of me. Front side, rear side and up side downside and inside is me. And I thank you if you read this for now we are a part of each other who we are.