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Morning Reflection
July 11, 2025
Shall we gather at the river?
Where bright angel feet have trod
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God
Yes, we'll gather at the river
The beautiful, the beautiful river
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God
Soon we'll reach the shining river
Soon our pilgrimage will cease
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace
Yes, we'll gather at the river
The beautiful, the beautiful river
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God
Reflection: Rebecca Northington
This hymn is a favorite of my family. We have gathered on the St. Lawrence River on the border of New York and Ontario, in a region called the Thousand Islands for well over a century. Brought here to escape the heat of the cities and to seek serenity in nature, our family found a home that would transcend generations of jobs, locations, tragedies, technological change, wealth, poverty, and everything in between. The native people of this place have called it the “Garden of the Great Spirit” for over a thousand years. There is no avoiding the greatness of God here, for everywhere you look is another marvel of creation.
Written in 1864 by Robert Lowry, originally from Philadelphia incidentally, this hymn was sung every Sunday of the summer for generations here. As children we assumed the river was our river, though Lowry was inspired by Revelations 22, and the River of Life as shown to John by the Angel of God. As I consider the impact of the lyrics on all of us throughout my life I think more of John the Baptist, and of baptism and preparation. Coming here requires a fundamental shift in thinking and approaching one's day. The chores are endless. Living on an island comes with its fair share of effort – effort to get groceries, water, electricity, WiFi, and so on. The growing season is short and intense here. Tending the gardens, and fighting off everything that would like to grow instead is a battle. But a normal day includes a good deal of physical labor, food preparation, and if you are disciplined about your hours, time spent reading and/or writing.
For all of our instincts to make life easier through ingenuity, I believe humans crave work that they can see and appreciate. This place provides that simplicity. I believe many of you reading have places you go seeking that same very humble routine. It is almost primal to be nostalgic for a simpler pace of life. I think we see it across our nation today. When our world feels breakneck in speed, and terrifyingly fast in its technological advances, AI for example, many of us would like to cling to a more-simple life. Society and technology are changing so quickly it is hard to know the rules, it is hard to have expectations, and all of this contributes to an overwhelming tide of anxiety for people both young and old. This anxiety can foster a feeling of fear that can contribute to some tricky responses. Some people look backwards with rose colored lenses forgetting what progress can achieve. It seems safer to champion tradition over innovation and this can contribute to resentment of those who are changing, who are open minded to what tomorrow brings.
The river, as I see it, is a reset, almost like a mini baptism, washing away the effects of the world. I don’t think it is progress we have to fear, but how progress can change us as individuals. Where is God for us when we are using AI? Are we still fundamentally the same people: thinking, loving, compassionate and human? I am glad to be living in 2025. I am glad to have a washing machine and a dishwasher that work, most of the time. That was not the case a generation ago. It gives me more time to tend my garden and carve out moments to read. But when I am here, my focus shifts. I see, hear and smell differently. The cold, clean water has awakened me. It has washed away the fear. I hear its “melody of peace”. It has brought me clarity and relief.
In the Baptismal prayer from our BCP, we ask for “an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works”. When I picture John baptizing on the banks of the Jordan, I see the water washing away the distractions of the world, refreshing and re-booting each willing party. This activity is an opportunity to realign ourselves with what matters most, to begin to prepare once more, ourselves, our lives, our hearts, for God’s work in and through us. I hope we can all find a space or place this summer to do that work of re-setting and realigning ourselves with God’s will, with love and hope in our hearts, resisting the temptation towards fear.
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