{"id":48826,"date":"2021-03-26T10:27:33","date_gmt":"2021-03-26T14:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=48826"},"modified":"2021-03-30T08:08:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T12:08:19","slug":"bishops-mantle-brothers-and-sisters-lent-me-your-ears-listen-hear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2021\/bishops-mantle-brothers-and-sisters-lent-me-your-ears-listen-hear\/","title":{"rendered":"Bishop’s Mantle: ‘Brothers and sisters, Lent me your ears \u2013 listen, hear’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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This column by Jim Bishop ’67 was published in the March 20, 2021, Daily News-Record.<\/em> Jim has graciously “lent” us his blessing to share<\/em>, as well as a few photos capturing the loveliness of his garden — and his own “dear heart,” Anna.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMarch, when days are getting long, Let thy growing hours be strong, To set right some wintry wrong.\u201d \u2013 Caroline May<\/strong> (1820-1895)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, dear hearts, there are some signs of hope as we muddle through the murky month of March, even as we mark the first day of spring and gravitate further into the Lenten season, culminating with Easter on April 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bulbs awaken in the Bishop garden.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Foremost among the positive signs: While the vexing virus is still stalking its weary prey, more people are getting vaccinated (including Anna and me; got our second shot \u2014 Moderna \u2014 from the Virginia Department of Health earlier this month). While restrictions remain in place, and rightly so, we grasp at the possibilities that lie ahead to reconnect with people and favorite activities that have escaped us for so long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd then my heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils.\u201d \u2013 William Wordworth<\/strong> (1770 \u2013 1850)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for that encouraging word, Bro. Bill. Clumps of bright yellow Narcissus pseudonarcissus seemed to break forth into joy almost overnight at our domicile, providing a colorful backdrop to winter drabness. Forsythia, hyacinths and tulips are raring to add their colorful tableau of early spring delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Anna Mast Bishop ’67 with Lenten flowers.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

While Lent intersects with first signs of early spring \u2014 a time of promise, renewal and exuberance \u2014 it\u2019s also a season of paradox (is the plural paradoxi?). It\u2019s a time that many engage in introspection, fasting and penitence and cut back or seek to eliminate those impediments and practices that stand in the way of nourishing our souls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even while entering expectantly into this quest for energizing freshness, I must stop and admit that I am not all that I say I am \u2014 or even envision myself to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I may not administer the death penalty with a wooden cross, but I am still capable of crucifying my fellow human beings. Today it\u2019s done almost as effectively with razor-sharp words, deadening silence or smoldering anger and resentment toward those who have wronged me, knowingly or unwittingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do any of us allow animosity, doubt, worry and lethargic self-satisfaction to absorb our being? Life is meant to be lived to the fullest, not halfheartedly endured, the persistent coronavirus aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I propose that Lent is intended not so much to \u201cgive up\u201d as it is to \u201ctake on.\u201d In this vein, I suggest that \u201chope springs eternal\u201d and takes on new meaning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n