oldest friend Eddie when he married Kelly on Bainbridge Island in the summer of 1999. That long weekend was magical to me for so many reasons. It was an event that brought –together two worlds: a childhood friendship that started when we were in kindergarten in 1973 and an adult friendship that exists to this day between two married men raising their own children thousands of miles away. That bow tie was Ed’s gift to me and tying its knot reminds me of our lifelong friendship in two chapters: one as boys and one as men.
Regardless of your own personal experience with bow ties, hopefully it is easy to envision that it is one piece of fabric that forms a loop on each side after the knot is tied in the middle. Tying a bow tie is relatively simple: it requires the same level of skill as tying shoe laces. Wearing a bow tie projects confidence, creativity, and these days, uniqueness. Just as a bow tie projects simplicity and complexity in our fashion, perhaps it can serve as an analogy for contemplating the simple yet complex mystery of the Kingdom of the Triune God.
Once it is tied, the fabric of the bow tie can represent the infinite Trinity. One loop symbolizes the reign of God that existed through all eternity before the life of Jesus. The other loop symbolizes the reign of the Holy Spirit which is the gift promised to be with us for all eternity after the life of Jesus. The knot in the middle represents the very brief, earthly reign of Jesus’ life that brings—and holds—together these two infinite worlds for us. We know from scripture that Jesus is our entry way into God’s Kingdom which extends eternally from the past and into the future. By embracing Jesus at His Baptism and by letting Him go at His Ascension, we can be swept into His beautiful, infinite storm of Love.
Many of us only wear bow ties at weddings and they are likely to be merely clip-ons. No shame in that! The analogy still holds. Spring is a time for many weddings: the loving union of two souls and, hopefully, the joyful introduction of two different families, traditions, and possibly cultures. Like the knot of a bow tie holding together the two fragile loops of fabric, it is the love between the couple that holds their lives together. And, as with the Trinity, looking with the eyes of our faith we can see how the tie represents the Lover, the Loved, and the boundless Love that holds them together.
This overflowing love is called AGAPE, which is the highest form of love there is. Agape spells out God’s immeasurable and incomparable love for humanity, which is pure, unconditional, sacrificial, and perfect. Agape love invites us to Advocate for the marginalized, be Generous, reject Anger, seek Peace, and Endure all things in Christ. We learn to love like this when we embrace Jesus and work daily to model our earthly life after His. Our lives can be chaotic at times and the winds of the Holy Spirit don’t always look like smooth sailing. But, as with the steady knot of a bow tie, Jesus brings these two worlds firmly together, calms the stormy sea, and leaves us with tranquility, peace, and hope.
On this Ascension Sunday, as another Easter season draws to a close, I wish you all the peace promised by the Risen Christ!
Rob Kehn
Parish Business Manager
