I often visit parishioners in hospitals and institutions. Keep these rules in mind during visits.

• Less is more. Sick people do not need long visits. Over two visitors are too many.
• Keep visits upbeat and positive. Don’t tell horror stories about how your Aunt Edna died from the same affliction.
• Practice proper hygiene. Wash hands before and after the visit.
• If the sign says No Visitors, this means YOU.
• Give medical personnel space to do their jobs. Exit a room during care.
• Never sit on the edge of a hospital bed. Check a patient’s hand for IV lines before holding it. Avoid IV stands, catheter lines, and drainage bags.
• Visit on the patient’s timetable, avoiding early mornings and late nights.
• Honor confidentiality. Do not share details without the patient’s blessing.

If in doubt, then do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Northside Church’s back-to-school worship series was titled Sight Words. We explored sacred terms inspired by historic Christian worship, including nave.  

The nave is the main part of the sanctuary where the congregation worships. It comes from the Latin term, navis, which means ship. It gives us the English word, navy. A ship was an early symbol of the Christian church with several origins and meanings.

The church is the ship of salvation, safely bearing God’s people through earthly turmoil to heavenly reward. Traditional images depict Saint Peter at the helm, and a ship is one of the symbols associated with the Big Fisherman. 

Church architecture evolved over the centuries. Some churches designed their sanctuaries to resemble ships. The Northside Church sanctuary was inspired by the neo-Gothic tradition. The arched, wooden ceiling resembles a ship’s hull and keel. 

Ship imagery also recalls the story of Noah’s Ark, which is reflected in sacred architecture and theology. The church as refuge provides protection from the world’s watery chaos.

The church is a sanctuary of worship and safety; but Christians are in the Search and Rescue business, too. The Holy Spirit calls us to seek the lost and to rescue the perishing. We launch into turbulent waters to join God in ministry.

Nave: The Latin word that we didn’t know that we needed to know.

HBO Max recently released a four-part series, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose. The documentary explores the rise and fall of the baseball legend.

I idolized Rose during my childhood as one of MLB’s greatest players. The 1963 Rookie of the Year became the 1973 Most Valuable Player. He earned three National League batting titles, setting records for hits and games-played. His dedicated work ethic earned him the nickname, Charlie Hustle.

The athlete’s intense play showed no mercy. He collided full-speed with American League catcher, Ray Fosse, to score the winning run in the 1970 All-Star Game. Fosse recovered from his injuries but never regained his previous prowess.

Rose set a National League record in 1978, hitting safely in 44 consecutive games. The streak ended at Fulton County Stadium when Gene Garber struck out Rose in the 9^th inning. The Red whined in a post-game interview that Garber pitched to him like it was a World Series game—a strange comment from a man called Charlie Hustle.

Rose coached for Cincinnati after retiring as a player. Rumors of gambling on his own team surfaced in the late 1980s. Witnesses claimed he even placed bets from the Reds’ clubhouse. He denied the charges but accepted a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989. The following year he served five months for tax evasion.

His 2004 autobiography, Pete Rose: My Prison without Bars, offered a qualified confession. He finally admitted to betting on the Reds after fourteen years of false denials. The former coach justified his actions by claiming he only bet on the team to win.

Rose wants the MLB to reinstate him in order to be admitted into the Hall of Fame. The HBO Max series represents yet another attempt to rehabilitate his reputation; but his words and attitude suggest he remains unrepentant. Former teammate, Joe Morgan, said, I know I haven’t seen a genuine apology from Rose yet. Nor have I seen any contrition.

Pete Rose doesn’t seem to understand basic principles taught to children. Take responsibility Don’t lie. Admit mistakes. Say, I’m sorry. Repentance comes from the heart and informs actions. Even forgiven people deal with consequences.

Charlie Hustle & the Case of Pete Rose does not change this baseball fan’s mind. Keep the bum out!