One of the best sermons I ever heard was delivered by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, prioress of Holy Name Monastery, at the Vigil Service for St. Scholastica. Here’s the ending of it.

“Contemplation is not something we DO; it is what we ARE. . . . In the desert, two very different kinds of birds thrive. The vulture sees nothing but dead and stinking carcasses. The hummingbird seeks the lovely blossoms of the cactus plant. The vultures live on the dead past. The hummingbird lives on the fragrant present. Each bird finds what it is looking for. So, too, do we. It’s a choice we make.”

I talked to Sister Roberta about her homily, and she repeated the message: contemplation is about being, not doing. That’s something that should be obvious to Lutherans who emphasize that we are saved by faith, not works, but it isn’t. Our lives, including our church lives, are often obsessed with things that need doing. Rarely is there time set aside just to be who we are made to be by God, just enjoying the divine presence.

Instead of the divine presence (or the humming bird’s fragrant present) we are busy with all sorts of things. And we get upset about many things. And frustrated because more things aren’t done or because they aren’t done our way or . . . Well, it just goes on and on. That’s the vulture picking over the dead past.

All right, hummingbirds, let the vultures have their carrion. We’ll enjoy the sweet presence of the Lord. Take time just to be.

Read Luke 10:38-42 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne