Daily Prayer, 2 February

Ever since chaplains have gone to sea we’ve been expected to help offer education and training to the crew. Being what the Navy calls a “Religious Professional” I naturally include some religious education whenever I can, as I did in the following prayer. I updated the numbers, but left it otherwise unchanged, because I think the lesson is more widely applicable.

HAPPY GOUNDHOG DAY!

Happy Groundhog Day, everybody! Today, unfortunately Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means—for the east coast at least—six more weeks of winter. This is not unusual. In 125 total chances, Phil has only predicted an early Spring 18 times, and I should add has been accurate at a rate lower than one could reasonably expect by randomly guessing. But what do you expect from a rodent?

The tradition of Groundhog Day comes from German culture and has its roots in the Christian Holy Day of Candlemas (for Orthodox Christians it’s the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple). Celebrated since the 4^th century, the feast recalls the story found in the Gospel accounts of Jesus being brought into the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth in accordance with Jewish law and custom. This is why Groundhog day is February 2^nd—it’s 40 days after Christmas.

We’ve been at sea for most of those 40 days and we have many more before we pull into port again. It might feel like Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow is being cast over us, making things seem rather dark. Not to mention that the repetitive nature of our daily routine may make it seem like we’re stuck in the movie Groundhog Day.

The truth is, however, that no matter what that quadruped does or sees, from here on out the daylight hours are gretting longer, the days will be growing warmer, and the nights get shorter. The joy this holiday brings is that no matter how long Winter lasts, Spring is coming. Not even Punxsutawney Phil can stop it.

Mark Twain is credited with saying “I am an old man, and have known a great many troubles, most of which have never happened.” If he did say it he was echoing the sentiment of the Roman philosopher Seneca who wrote that “there is nothing so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness it is in expecting evil before it arrives.”

It isn’t that we shouldn’t prepare for trouble—we run drills and train to do just that very thing—but we cannot let our worries about what might happen blind us to the things that are happening, effectively darkening our vision. We’ve got to stop worrying about what we can’t control so that we can focus on what we can control. So forget about Phil, and pack a coat.

LET US PRAY

Almighty God, you created the heaves and the earth and all that is within them, and though the earth be shaken and the mountains fall into the sea, though the waters roar and are troubled, we will not fear, for You are with us. And you are also with our families back home. You, O God are our refuge and our peace. Help us to let go of our worry and of things beyond our control, give us the strength, courage, and wisdom to do that which we can and ought to do for ourselves and for each other, for you are our strength and our salvation.

AMEN