Gathering of the Lodge

What would surprise Jesus?
Perhaps Jesus would be surprised and pleased to see that the children of God gather to support those who walk for peace. That is exactly what happened Sunday night. Children who call God by different names, who worship in different places, and with different traditions. Yet all were called as people of one spirit to bless the walk of the Buddhists of the New England Peace Pagoda. Accompanying them for part of the walk is our neighbor Al.
They will walk from Hiroshima to Tokyo. Their purpose is to encourage the Japanese government not to rescind the prophibition against a standing army. As put in their constitution: "The government shall not act belligerently on behalf of the people."
Each of us presented Al with a small stone, a piece of our community for him to leave with the people of Japan. While most came from the neighborhood, Paul and I brought stones we had collected by the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The circle of stones is very wide, as is the love of God.
The evening did put me in mind of a book called "Circle of Stones." This book suggests that women might consider gathering at the lodge to honor the right of passage of girls into womanhood. That as we gather at the lodge, and pass the secret knowledge of women, that the young woman feels the love and care and support of the lodge.
So it seems to me, the lodge gathered this night to show Al support and love and care in this journey. Not a lone journey, but a journey of community, for the community. Not the community of Montague alone, but for this blue and green orb that is the home of us all.
This lodge is very inclusive. We were Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, male and female. This lodge does not ask that we have been long-time members. Paul and I have only been here a few months. We were received with the same hospitality as those who have been long-time friends.
This was no official body of any church. No committee planned and voted. Rather, the community, the lodge gathered, because it is the responsibility of the lodge to bless and support this venture.
This would surprise Jesus. It certainly surprised and blessed me.