Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem

That's David Noregard, the President of IntegrityUSA, on the left. Michael Hopkins, one of the past Presidents of IntegrityUSA, on the right.

This picture was taken in the midst of a discussion of The Consultation in Chicago. If you look closely, David is slack-jawed with astonishment. Michael can barely believe what he has just heard.

This is the moment when the information has sunk in. David, ever the Minnesotan, is under-reacting. You can't see it, but that pen in his hands is in a death grip. Michael, however, has utterly collapsed in disbelief.

See, now, why I love this church?

Did either of these two men storm out in complete disgust? Did they throw up their hands and throw in the towel?

No, they did not. They could have, and no one would have blamed them. But, they did not.

Indeed, they both hunkered down with the rest of the committee, rolled up their sleeves, and worked on a strategy to deal with the problem.

Sort of puts me in mind of the gospel for this Sunday - a little pictorial reflection on the words of Jesus:

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.' (Luke 13:34-35)

I'm in Nashville right now, having traveled all day from Chicago to get here, and had the first round of meetings with the Episcopal Women's Caucus.

We start bright and early in the morning and work straight through the evening. We'll finish up on Saturday noon and then I'll make my way back to New Jersey.

There is much work to be done in the fields of the Lord. Jesus is trying to gather God's children together as a mother hen gathers her brood under her wings.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.