On these late summer, early fall Sundays we’re considering some virtues for vicissitudes—certain ways of acting amid all the changes and upheavals of our times. We’ve looked at resilience, empathy, patience, and sacrifice—complex topics, important characteristics, greatly needed in these days. We develop such virtues through great work and by the grace of God and we exercise them often at great cost ad only by the grace of God.

And now, halfway through a list of ten virtues, we come to…politeness.

Politeness?

Is this a virtue at all—and if so, what kind of virtue?

Is politeness simply a way of hiding our bad intentions, of covering up our shadow side?

Or can it lead us into deeper relationship—especially with people who are a challenge for us?

SCRIPTURE LESSONS       Genesis 1:24-31; I Corinthians 12:14-27

SERMON:      “Virtues for Vicissitudes: Politeness”

The Rev. William Lovin preaching

ANTHEM:      “Behold the House of God”               Richard Proulx