Ayeka - where are you?

As the Jewish Holidays draw near, I reflect on Rabbi Klienbaum's drash @CBST from a couple of years ago.

Simply put, she challenged us to look into God's question to Adam: "ayeka?" - "where are you?"

Marc Gellman (Where Are You, Adam? http://www.firstthings.com/article/1996/05/003-where-are-you-adam) writes that in this season of Ayeka we are asked to:

• render a spiritual accounting not of our careers, but of our compassion;
• not of our wealth, but of our wisdom;
• not of our gains, but of our gifts;
• not of our physical fitness, but of the fitness of our souls.

Where am I?  Where are you?

L'shanah tovah tikatevu

Transitions: Back to Work!

After a long break, I began a new full-time job this week.  Although I maintained a lot of structure and schedule to life while I was home, the transition has required everything from figuring out the wardrobe (it's NYC, so black is it), the shoes, the bag to carry, where the Metrocard is, which trains to take, when to leave the house, etc.

I'd forgotten how exciting it could be to work in Manhattan, particularly work in a very active part of the island.  The last job kept me in the Wall Street / Broadway canyons. While it could get busy and had its share of tourists, it never quite felt exciting.

The Chrysler Building
from 41st Street

Now I'm on 42nd Street:  a block from the Chrysler Building, two blocks from Grand Central Station, 3 (in the opposite direction) from the U.N. Friday afternoon, a huge parade of protesters made its way down 42nd Street, past our building...drums, chants, whistles, and lots of literature being passed on.  Did you know that "There are 200 million fewer Chinese Communists"?  Busy, busy, busy.  True NYC hustle 'n bustle.  LOVE IT!

I found myself channeling "Sweetness" (aka Walter Payton) as I dodged, wove, hustled, twisted, and broke through the crowds to make my way across town to the office.  I've discovered the banks, drug stores, salad bars, restaurants, gardens/outdoor plaza's, and a sundry stores and markets, all within a few blocks.

In the mornings, I've explored a variety of ways getting to the office, working to find the most efficient pathway.  So far I have it down to 50 minutes, door-to-door, but know I can shave a few more minutes off of that time.  In the evenings, I explored the plethora of pedestrian tunnels and underground passages to make my way to any number of train choices.  That'll come in handy on bad weather days and days I just don't want to deal with above ground crowds.

I will definitely miss the routine of the last few month:  Mass in the morning, job hunting, volunteer work, long walks in the afternoon, cooking dinner.  But right now, I'm welcoming the routine of the new job.  It's a welcomed transition.

Faith Grows Old With Us

The Communal Penance Service was tonight.

I'm always left feeling deeply touched and slightly surprised when I see older people participating: writing their confession on a slip of paper to take to the Priest, asking for absolution, then adding their paper to the communal urn where it will be burned at the end of the service.

I'm surprised because I believe older people have it all figured out and live life completely, divinely: well past the transgressions of youth.  I suppose that's what I want to believe.  I must admit, I've met one or two older people who don't fit that description - far from it!

Perhaps it's my hope that the years will leave me wiser and more certain, having made my mistakes early and not doomed to repeat any.  Wishful thinking, I suppose.

When I see older people making confession, my heart is touched.  I'm reminded that life is a process and we are never fully complete.  We must keep reaching out and asking forgiveness.  We must keep trying hard to live our lives as loving, faithful people.

Faith grows old with us.  How surprisingly touching.