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Groundhog Day, Kairos
Groundhog Day, Kairos Entries in Kairos (2)
Everyone's Entitled to My Opinion About . . . Groundhog Day
Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 12:54AM Annie Dillard opens her book, Holy the Firm “Every day is a god, each day is a god, and holiness holds forth in time.”
It may be hard to connect Bill Murray with the phrase, “holiness holds forth in time,” but Harold Ramis’ 1993 instant-classic Groundhog Day is sublime, and for those with ears to hear, the God of eternity is speaking through this comedic gem.
When an unpredicted blizzard prevents Phil from returning to Pittsburgh that night he goes to sleep in a bed’n’breakfast only to wake up--again--on the morning of February 2nd, where yesterday’s events march in lock-step repetition. Only Phil seems aware that they are living the day over again. It becomes clear that only Phil is, in fact, living the day over, and he is destined to live the same day again and again--perhaps 10,000 times or more until . . . what? The curse of a life with no destination takes its toll on Phil until he at last learns the lessons hidden in a single day.
The scenes in a bowling alley and a diner are deep theology hidden in comedy like jelly inside a doughnut, and for those with ears to hear, the Holy Spirit is speaking, again and again. That’s why in my opinion you should watch the film and listen to the voice of God.
Monday's Meditation: The Right Time
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:18AM You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5: 6 – 8)
Sometimes little words slip past us like water through our fingers. In this passage the little words are, “at just the right time.” These words reveal that the Father’s idea of the right time is radically different from ours.
The whole world had rebelled against God. His voice had gone out to all nations and through all generations, calling us home. The Creator had never stopped extending the invitation to return. He revealed himself in every morning mist, and in the cloud of stars we call the Milky Way. In every generation he sent visionaries and poets to describe the beauty of living in harmony with the Creator. But we would have none of it. We were unwilling, and unable, to see or hear.
These three Holy Spirit-inspired verses from Paul’s letter show us that God’s view of the “right time” is when we are powerless. Even if we had wanted to return to the Creator, we were unable.
The lesson for disciples is not simply that God is gracious (though he is). It’s not simply that he accomplishes redemption when we cannot (he does). No. For those who take seriously the possibility that we can imitate his goodness and character, the lesson is that the right time to act is when others cannot.
How often I have waited for others to meet me halfway. If I am going to help someone, I require a “show of good faith.” I’ve walked away from people in need—materially, emotionally, spiritually—because I thought they weren’t interested in helping themselves. The lesson of the gospel is, in part, that God acted first, without any guarantee that his extravagant love would be received. He risked rejection because action had to be taken.
As his disciple, am I willing to do the same?