tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44264871434366119022024-02-07T03:32:25.073-06:00PresbymomPresbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-25737157574858224342023-02-04T13:07:00.000-06:002023-02-04T13:08:59.665-06:00AI and God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-pJnTr2N6KrW8Uh0iVTDY2MWeLr0nM1Uoi235o0RLG0xn29sE8njm8OeIVzDALDf6WIyk_yqn7p9mmLxINgBiN9ICYVklhKdWqc1TT2aoRofkukQBYeUJKG2eBgVVWe8s_cTTmNFI-ofN4UZ8Fy-H7ddzl3lg9Ct2Vbq18YBtLZtXuadwqBNIQ1KVA/s4032/5ECF0C04-B4A4-45DE-A469-3A34B48FC89C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-pJnTr2N6KrW8Uh0iVTDY2MWeLr0nM1Uoi235o0RLG0xn29sE8njm8OeIVzDALDf6WIyk_yqn7p9mmLxINgBiN9ICYVklhKdWqc1TT2aoRofkukQBYeUJKG2eBgVVWe8s_cTTmNFI-ofN4UZ8Fy-H7ddzl3lg9Ct2Vbq18YBtLZtXuadwqBNIQ1KVA/w400-h300/5ECF0C04-B4A4-45DE-A469-3A34B48FC89C.heic" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">As I sat in a frozen community this week, I was restricted to an electronic world and <br />communication through screens. Yet, I found a few forgotten friends and a few new ones.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Technology warned me before the storm to prepare! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">My daughter thanks Alexa after an interaction is finished – “you just never know” she says. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Science fiction abounds with horror and fantasy of artificial intelligence becoming human – enhancing or replacing us as the wise dominant species of the known world. As a pastor who began my career in artificial intelligence (AI), it brings me pause as our world shrinks, bends and redefines what we ‘know’.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">This week that took the form of articles on AI writing sermons. Is this ethical? Effective? Helpful or the end of church as we know it? The concept of papers being written by this other intelligence was safely removed from my realm of existence until it wasn’t. I happily type along and let my word processor correct my spelling and suggest word replacement or improved grammar. It should be no surprise to me that we have now taken that next step of the automated ability to create from the blank page.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">After all, my first dips into the AI world were teaching a computer to make the same decisions, humans make. It took hours and was considered the world of the computer nerd with my whole job at one point being to teach other humans how to teach their computers. Yet, now way more can be accomplished or known by SIRI, Alexa or whatever technology you carry in your pocket. Our artificial tools can easily grasp and learn from tidbits of overheard conversations, searches and preferences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Are these tools replacing humanity or redefining it? Phyllis Tickle wisely said that the world periodically goes through reformations. She framed these as cycles that come more and more frequently and are magnified at each iteration in how they transform the world including our faith. And, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. But are we hanging on to the way things were so much that it turns into a negative corruption of Church?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Are churches and faith becoming a force of good like the Force in Star Wars or moving to a world of Matrix and Borg where computers wash away our individuality or control and limit our interactions with the world and one another. Are they letting us continue business as usual but shortcut the integrity and grit of working through issues and faith ourselves? Or, are we in some blended world like Avatar where a hybrid can meld with humanoid or ‘true’ humans? Or, or, or! If our entertainment industry can imagine it, you can bet our scientists and innovators aren’t necessarily far behind. Can we fathom using tools to help and nudging the lines of when the tools become beings that need to be acknowledged and credited? How?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">And, where is God in all of this? Can the Holy Spirit work through an AI sermon? Through a robot? Can God transcend the differences in a hybrid? The risk is letting visceral and immediate reactions dominate the discussion proclaiming how technology has destroyed so many experiences such as playing in the yard or running outside until dark or destroyed our university learning experiences. Instead, how do we adapt and improve blending, reforming? What about the break-throughs that now not only identify life-threatening diseases but cure them? What about the new relationships founded through social media, the more diverse exposures? What about the online worship that became the life-line in our isolated world of early pandemic times?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The tools are changing and the world with it more and more speedily. As a pastor, I preach that we can see God looking at us through the eyes of everyone we meet. God dwells in and through all to connect us. Yes, we often abuse, misunderstand or misuse this, but the Holy Spirit, Ruach, the breath that connects us each and every one turns us back again and again. How that mysterious force is at work through us and our tools is above my pay grade. Thank God! Buckle up and see where the Holy Spirit is re-writing our scripts and weaving us together in a koinonia we can barely fathom. God’s Holy Communion feeding the world by showing with an amazing abundance that love encompasses all. With AI, and every other thing we can imagine, create or encounter God is still meeting us where we are and pulling us beyond closer and closer to one another. God is blurring our ‘knowns’ and forcing us to look at definitions of what it means to be human, once again pulling at us with words like neighbor and love. Have you thanked your Alexa today? May God’s Force Be With You. Amen.<o:p></o:p></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-38677748960690263472023-01-02T11:08:00.002-06:002023-01-02T11:11:15.027-06:00The Blessed Invisibles<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhenEib8TghOJwWa3csT5XE5Mt986GU5qvr1IGR-w74NzOXcQb3o1-cU7jAk1kzjttgpcld1ZkE50Wd5xVXNvkV2GzBedgYw-mJki5QS8MEBB-OGCDVpq24i7Sibqh6F95Xt3Gs66fwLavE80Qe04rOTlEQjnfmsqVjKKfTGaKxfRourET4DZizVO0w/s4032/0AC2E025-E471-48EC-9A2B-4CB4E35BAAA1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhenEib8TghOJwWa3csT5XE5Mt986GU5qvr1IGR-w74NzOXcQb3o1-cU7jAk1kzjttgpcld1ZkE50Wd5xVXNvkV2GzBedgYw-mJki5QS8MEBB-OGCDVpq24i7Sibqh6F95Xt3Gs66fwLavE80Qe04rOTlEQjnfmsqVjKKfTGaKxfRourET4DZizVO0w/s320/0AC2E025-E471-48EC-9A2B-4CB4E35BAAA1.heic" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">This second Sunday of Advent</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">, that yearly season of waiting, we look to <br />first things. The Good News, the baby is coming. How do the gospels start the story of the good news – the blessed story of Jesus among us?</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Matthew begins with a genealogy and an angel convincing Joseph not to divorce Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Mark begins with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of one to come and then Jesus’ baptism<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John – begins with - In the beginning was the Word and eventually gets to John foretelling one to come after whose sandals he is not worthy to tie.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">It’s no wonder so much of our beloved memories of The story come from Luke – we have heard that the elderly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth are expecting a baby and an angel has appeared to Mary. After being told not to be afraid by an angel, we join the story. Listen to the living word from <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Luke 1:39-55 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">39 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, <b><sup>40 </sup></b>where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. <b><sup>41 </sup></b>When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. <b><sup>42 </sup></b>In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! <b><sup>43 </sup></b>But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? <b><sup>44 </sup></b>As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. <b><sup>45 </sup></b>Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">46 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord <b><sup>47</sup></b>and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, <b><sup>48 </sup></b>for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, <b><sup>49 </sup></b>for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. <b><sup>50 </sup></b>His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.<br /><b><sup>51 </sup></b>He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. <b><sup>52 </sup></b>He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. <b><sup>53 </sup></b>He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. <b><sup>54 </sup></b>He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful <b><sup>55 </sup></b>to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Blessed Invisibles<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This is the story of Fayette – it’s not my story. It comes from Jan Richardson who heard it from Janet Wolf – pastor of a Methodist Church in Nashville. At this church, there were diverse members – those with doctorates and those who hadn’t finished third grade, those with vacation homes and yachts and the houseless living on the streets. Those with power in the community and those without – the unseen, invisible. As Janet described the diverse church welcomed all walks including one person struggling with mental health who framed it as the church for – those of us who are crazy and those who think they are not.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">A woman named Fayette found her way to the church and attended the new member classes. When they talked about baptism I like the way Pastor Janet described it, “this holy moment when we are named by God’s grace with such power it won’t come undone.…” Fayette would ask again and again in class – and when I am baptized, I am…?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“The class,” Janet writes, “learned to respond, ‘Beloved, precious child of God, and beautiful to behold.’ ‘Oh, yes!’ she’d say, and then we could go back to our discussion.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The day of Fayette’s baptism came. This is how Janet describes it:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Fayette went under, came up spluttering, and cried, ‘And now I am…?’ And we all sang, ‘Beloved, precious child of God, and beautiful to behold.’ ‘Oh, yes!’ she shouted as she danced all around the fellowship hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Two months later, Pastor Janet received a phone call.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Fayette had been beaten and assaulted was at the county hospital. So Janet went and saw Fayette from a distance, pacing back and forth. When she got to the door, she heard, ‘I am beloved….’ She turned, saw Janet, and said, ‘I am beloved, precious child of God, and….’ Catching sight of herself in the mirror—hair sticking up, blood and tears streaking her face, dress torn, dirty, and rebuttoned askew, she started again, ‘I am beloved, precious child of God, and…’ She looked in the mirror again and declared, ‘…and God is still working on me. If you come back tomorrow, I’ll be so beautiful I’ll take your breath away!’</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This story sticks with me resonating with the story of the women from Luke. Mary and Elizabeth would have been like the Fayette’s of our world. There but not really seen – the invisible women of the world. And yet these women proclaim and give birth to the Good News that brings light to the world.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The cast aside old woman who brought nothing of worth and was likely thought of as being punished for something with her barrenness probably led a lonely, isolated life not accepted in society and a pregnant young maiden who has yet to do anything of worth. Hardly the power couple and yet – the babe leaps and Mary sings! Blessed are you Elizabeth thinks but who am I to receive such an exalted visit from the mother of our Lord?</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You see Elizabeth, like Fayette – needed to be seen. She had been invisible her whole life, she can scarcely believe that she has been blessed with a child and now this young maiden comes to her. Beloved, precious child – me too? The mother of the Lord honors me? Wants comfort and community from and with me? John leaps in the womb and Elizabeth an invisible, unseen women of little worth blesses Mary. <i>In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!</i> Given that welcome and embraced in love, Mary bursts into song.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Another invisible woman whose song carries on the winds and resonates in our bones – Mary’s Song. Not one of peace at all. The song that shouts out for the invisible and the unseen of the world is set to beautiful notes and sung in incredible arrangements. Yet, it is a grungy, powerful demand that the world see. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We often portray Mary in our living manger scenes as a calm demure, quiet maiden – Mother Mary gentle and mild – trusting, obedient (and weirdly enough usually silent)– perhaps this holds if we only listen to the first part of the wondrous Magnificat – <i>“My soul glorifies the Lord <b><sup>47</sup></b>and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, <b><sup>48 </sup></b>for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, <b><sup>49 </sup></b>for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”</i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But this unwed, pregnant, poor teen girl is not done! This is the beginning of the transformation – the upheaval Jesus brings to and demands of the world. See! Behold – what is spoken in this song is the longest quote of a female in the New Testament. And the words are a demand for justice – far from demure, settled unseen on the sidelines but rather a demand.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> German theologian </span></span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by the Nazis, called the Magnificat “the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary hymn ever sung. The Washington Post says that Argentina, Guatemala, and India have banned the Magnificat from being recited in liturgy or in public!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">(https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2018/12/20/marys-magnificat-bible-is-revolutionary-so-evangelicals-silence-it/)</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Far from merely serving as a silent pretty womb, Mary is a radical who is fighting for justice – in a song that is among the 8 oldest of Christianity. Scatter the proud, bring down rulers and lift the humble. <b><sup>53 </sup></b>He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. Sounds like Mary trusts in the Lord and fears not speaking to power. Blessed indeed. Why is this so at odds with our visions of Mary this Christmas season, so out of synch with our nativities and stories?</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We tend to focus on the more comfortable parts of the story. As people who are among the richest of the world, this calls us out. Jesus turned the world upside down with his preference for the outcast, the poor. Mary proclaims the same. From a position of comfort and power in the world, this is revolutionary and challenging to us. We love the gorgeous moving renditions of Bach and choirs the world round but rather struggle with a blessing that demands we see. That blesses the unseen and an invisible person calling us out!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But we love the song – why is that? Because we are part of the song. And that is the only way. A song across the ages is calling to you from an unexpected sideline. Mary is revered by Catholic churches you may say. Who is she to us? Who is she indeed? A poor girl, lonely on the roadside, easy to ignore, an elderly lady living on welfare in a home. Do we listen to these people? What have they to say to us? They are part of our song!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Remember the story, the story of justice where the rich are on a level playing field and the world is one of integrity and beauty for all – none invisible on the sideline. All stories heard, woven together. A blessing that claims you and says – you are mine, you are beloved, you are beautiful and nothing can shake that. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Advent and Christmas songs are among the most powerful and dear to our hearts, a vital part of this season. Songs carry our stories, they bring us joy, they bring us comfort and yes, they call to revolutionary action. Yet, Fayette is right – God is not done with us yet! Mary’s song is of things God has already done – she rejoices in what God promises and trusts in her Lord knowing she is blessed. As we travel through Advent, we too sing. We wait, knowing it is a time of done and yet a time of what is to come too.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Who is Mary calling you to be? At this transition time for the Kirk, remember our journey together began in a parking lot singing through masks, limiting our songs in fear of a virus run astray. Yet we remembered our charge - reaching out to one another sharing the story and seeking to see each other around the masks and the loneliness of isolation. We learned new ways to make sure each person was seen – that none felt invisible or forgotten.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We made use of technology, parking lots, fields and porches reminding each neighbor of the story, the Good News that connects us. Spreading apart pews, we refused to let the shape or configuration of space and how things have “always been done” define us. God’s body reformed and always reforming meets challenges and rises again and again. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">A favorite memory for me will always be my first Christmas Eve at The Nor’kirk. All neighbors were welcomed, no fancy attire required – the real you invited and cherished. Benches, blankets and chairs side-by-side on the dusty ground – stranger and friend together. Loaded with all the challenges of an outside service on a cold winter night, we still packed the parking lot passing out candles for our beloved tradition of Silent Night.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We told the story – yes Luke’s story of the birth. The wind howled. The rain held off but barely. Candles would not stay lit. So we raised our phones – yes phones with flash lights on like at a rock concert and let the light shine and the song go on – Silent Night told the story – the precious story. Ironically the church did not stay silent but sang on!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This story welcomed us in, blessed us, connected us at a time we didn’t feel seen, didn’t feel as connected and maybe even wondered where God was in all of this. Rather than cast it all aside, we clung to the foundation of the blessed story – and like Mary we sang. We sang together remembering the story of that blessed night knowing we are a people blessed – knowing who and whose we are. I invite you, wherever you may be to pull out your phone and turn on the light. Remember, we are shining light to the world through real things in OUR stories – the Good News.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As we part ways, I charge you to remember the gritty times – when flashlights from a phone replaced elegant candles, when the grocery shelves and sometimes our pantries were bare, when we desperately used those same phones to stay connected, when we struggled to be seen. When the cold closed in but we reached out to share warmth and food. Calls and visits to make sure nobody was forgotten, alone, unseen. Remember many feel that way all the time – invisible on the sidelines. Reach out to them, share the song, connect – see - so none feel invisible and all know they are blessed. I charge you to go forth living into the song to bring justice, mercy, and love to the world. God is not done with you yet. Mary is calling you to transform the world. The song goes on – live it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-40302988030282227052022-04-07T11:02:00.001-05:002022-04-07T11:02:25.182-05:00The Scandal of Grace<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Last week we looked at the call from Jesus for us to repent – or you will perish – you will be lost. This week, our scripture centers around Jesus telling parables to Pharisees, tax collectors and sinners parables. A set of three parables- one about a lost sheep, one about a lost coin and now one about a lost son. Listen to the living Word from</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Luke 15:1-3 and 11b-32<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">15 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then Jesus told them this parable:… “There was a man who had two sons.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj"><b><sup>12 </sup></b>The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">So he divided his property</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">between them.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">in wild living.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.<b><sup>15 </sup></b>So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.<b><sup>16 </sup></b>He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">against heaven and against you.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So he got up and went to his father.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">21 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">22 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and sandals on his feet.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">23 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.<b><sup>24 </sup></b>For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">25 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">26 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">27 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">28 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“The older brother became angry</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.<b><sup>29 </sup></b>But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">30 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But when this son of yours who has squandered your property</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">with prostitutes</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">31 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">32 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Scandal of Grace<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Sometimes parables become so familiar that we are numbed and have trouble seeing them with new eyes. Michael Garofalo shares this story on Morning Edition, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Julio Diaz has a daily routine. Every night, the 31-year-old social worker ends his hour-long subway commute to the Bronx one stop early, just so he can eat at his favorite diner.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But one night last month, as Diaz stepped off the No. 6 train and onto a nearly empty platform, his evening took an unexpected turn.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He was walking toward the stairs when a teenage boy approached and pulled out a knife.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"He wants my money, so I just gave him my wallet and told him, 'Here you go,'" Diaz says.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As the teen began to walk away, Diaz told him, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The would-be robber looked at his would-be victim, "like what's going on here?" Diaz says. "He asked me, 'Why are you doing this?'"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Diaz replied: "If you're willing to risk your freedom for a few dollars, then I guess you must really need the money. I mean, all I wanted to do was get dinner and if you really want to join me ... hey, you're more than welcome….<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Diaz says he and the teen went into the diner and sat in a booth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"The manager comes by, the dishwashers come by, the waiters come by to say hi," Diaz says. "The kid was like, 'You know everybody here. Do you own this place?'"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"No, I just eat here a lot," Diaz says he told the teen. "He says, 'But you're even nice to the dishwasher.'"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Diaz replied, "Well, haven't you been taught you should be nice to everybody?"<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Yea, but I didn't think people actually behaved that way," the teen said…..<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">When the bill arrived, Diaz told the teen, "Look, I guess you're going to have to pay for this bill 'cause you have my money and I can't pay for this. So if you give me my wallet back, I'll gladly treat you."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The teen "didn't even think about it" and returned the wallet, Diaz says. "I gave him $20 ... I figure maybe it'll help him. I don't know."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Diaz says he asked for something in return — the teen's knife — "and he gave it to me."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">One of the exercises that our Lenten study did last week was to put some terms in order of the sequence we think that they occur – create a timeline if you will. They are familiar words, but the most relevant we also hear today are repentance, grace and reconciliation. Pause and out these in order to yourself that you think they need to occur. We struggled a bit thinking in many ways one doesn’t always come first or they overlap and happen simultaneously. Traditional Lent has us preparing for Easter, but this year we are focusing differently, less on our work, our preparation, and more on remembering and seeing anew what God has given us – the work begun on reconciliation by Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Our theme this Lent is “Full to the Brim” - abundant overflowing grace – God’s love so full to the brim and yet we have to remind ourselves again and again to not only look for but to expect that overflowing cup. Last week, we were called to repent – yet if you look at the action in the parables that Jesus presents about the lost things – sheep, coin and people. It is never the ‘lost’ that initiates the action. Yes turn toward God but know God is actively, restlessly reaching out to us. Jesus sets out with scandalous, ridiculous grace that is abundant beyond our understanding – leaving 99 sheep to seek one, sweeping the floor, stopping everything for one coin, and running out making a spectacle of himself to embrace a lost son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 14.1pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Our brains get caught in the logic – what a waste – the father gave him his inheritance; how can he now welcome him with open arms, throw open the doors in a party? Surely he has to repent first? Does this discount those of us who follow the rules, those always in the church?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If it weren’t hard enough understanding our own baggage, trying to interpret what someone else thousands of years ago would have thought throws another challenge our way. The prodigal son regardless of how we interpret his motivations is welcomed back in love. Is he genuinely repentant? The words seem pretty pat and rehearsed. I have always found it easier to put myself into the role of the older son who looks to the father and says – but what about me? The father runs to the lost son before any words of repentance are spoken – pre-emptively pouring out grace bringing about reconciliation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Are you going to listen to him again the older son thinks? This is a jealous fit at its best. Look what I did – where is my feast. But look closely at the text. The father divided the inheritance and gave it to both sons. The older son felt pushed aside – and even says that he worked like a slave for his father – where is my banquet. If he felt worked like a slave, how has this not come up – why would he not take his portion and responsibly move on. It isn’t about the party. It is about relationship. We need to expect grace full to the brim, scandalously poured out for us. The father runs to welcome back the son who was lost and estranged – regardless of intent. And, the father holds close the older son, but the older son imposes distance refusing to join in.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The father wants relationship with all his children, yet both sons had cut themselves off from the father in different ways. One by leaving and the other by being resentful of his role yet physically close. As we journey through Lent together, think on your perspective. The roles in this parable are much less static than we want them to be. Who are we? Who is God in Jesus’ parable? Spin the roles. Look for God in unexpected places – re-read this beloved parable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Everything I have is yours says the Father. The older brother builds a barrier – see what ‘your son’ has done. The Father pushes for reconciliation - look – look at ‘your brother’. That which separates us from one another separates us from God. Is this older son actually the prodigal who needs to see the grace offered, reconciliation?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Which are we? What is separating you from God? Who is pouring out grace upon grace to you seeking to walk alongside you on your faith journey. Are you accepting the arms thrown open wide and journeying together? Or are you turning your back on a brother or sister? Are you recklessly welcoming the thief or stranger on the road? All are welcome at God’s feast. God throws wide his arms to pull us all in. God’s scandal of pre-emptive grace is full to the brim now and always. And despite what we may feel, not a drop is wasted.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Regardless of where we see ourselves, God pours forth grace and charges us to be filled with the holy Spirit in the work of reconciliation. That is why the story is open-ended – in the hope of all children reconciled. I often begin sermons with a definition. Instead today, let’s close with one – What is <b>prodigal</b> – “spending money or resources freely and recklessly, wastefully extravagant” or “having or giving something on a lavish scale”. God loves us this much. Thank God the Son is prodigal. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-13329268347843960612022-04-06T16:54:00.001-05:002022-04-06T16:54:31.211-05:00Worth It!<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9V8JcidmsVPvCqlxcOc45WHzz3e4SYZ8ETj5TjJE_JkUv08D61u72en_jFvtWq0tw0prjK6zF7Y7Ys4P6XLCZcADZxDYh9sM0NvTTyQVzB0_ysnGnXSTbfA1qY-oRUtC50MB--U_Zfjn8BdkGkeOsMxN9KNJOB_460ulyNsySXzrCV3BqN2lgaicrA/s4032/D3D117B6-EE08-4B03-A3E7-7D3CB8B35F34.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9V8JcidmsVPvCqlxcOc45WHzz3e4SYZ8ETj5TjJE_JkUv08D61u72en_jFvtWq0tw0prjK6zF7Y7Ys4P6XLCZcADZxDYh9sM0NvTTyQVzB0_ysnGnXSTbfA1qY-oRUtC50MB--U_Zfjn8BdkGkeOsMxN9KNJOB_460ulyNsySXzrCV3BqN2lgaicrA/s320/D3D117B6-EE08-4B03-A3E7-7D3CB8B35F34.heic" width="320" /></a></div>Historically, it is hard to pinpoint the exact events referred to by this scripture, but it isn’t hard to imagine Pilate being so murderously cruel or a natural disaster striking unexpectedly. Today’s reading hits very close to home. Jesus has been teaching and some of the listeners are distracted by recent events the slaughter of innocents by a cruel ruler is in the headlines. When that is too much to bear, an earthquake takes more live. Like us, those following Jesus plea to know why. Oh my God, why? Listen to the living word of God from<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Luke 13:1-9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">7</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">8</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Worth It!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Wandering through South Carolina this past week, I was fascinated with the world under my feet. Slowing down, and forgoing driving I walked the sandy beaches and was fascinated by the carefully carved paths of Hilton Head and manicured gardens with sidewalks designed for only certain users. Mile and miles of paved paths for the exclusive use of those able to vacation or escape to this paradise island. The paths that connected the right people to the right places.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Back on the mainland, I found my feet treading yet another pat - cobblestone streets that have lasted hundreds of years. I was reminded of the history those stones have seen, the wear and tear they survived, the best and worst of our nation’s travels. Those roads built on the backs of slaves drug across the globe, roads drenched in their blood and in the blood of wars both revolutionary and civil. Cracked and forgotten or maybe newly maintained as our world slowly creeps out from pandemic limitations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Focusing on my feet I was privileged to put aside the goings on in the world temporarily, but it all came rushing back. No matter the distractions of the road, this week’s scripture finds me in a new place – you know when you read something you put yourself into the story. It is all too easy this year to be in the shoes of the some who were asking Jesus questions. Basically – “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or even more simply “Why?” Our faith has no easy answer but calls us to sit in the gray mystery of belief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In Jesus’ time, many would have believed that bad things happening to you meant God was punishing you for your sins. Maybe even some misguided preachers feel that way today too. I do not believe that is the way of our God. Jesus’ answer supports my belief. “Do you think they were worse sinners?”, he asks – ‘No’ is his resounding answer. But rather than explaining away our God questions or giving us simple answers, he shifts to his more pressing concern - relationship. Jesus was Immanuel – God with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus is emphatic – Repent or you will likewise perish. We hear this and it rings of damnation, an ‘or else’ from Jesus. That simply does not fit especially from Luke – so let’s look more closely at those two words – repent and perish - repent is definitely a theme in Luke’s writings appearing more than twice as often as anywhere else in new testament, but rather than a confession or simply saying you are sorry for wrongs done – the Greek for repent here - metanoia means a turning around, transforming your faith, your life direction and reorienting everything you are and everything you do. It is turning toward God, leaning into the mystery of our God knowing that while we won’t have the answers to our questions, we do receive the hope and the promises of relationship as beloved children. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Which turns us to the second word perish – yes, that word is hard it calls on us to sit up – change now. Yet, it is the same Greek word in the parable of the lost sheep. Turn toward God now or you too will be lost. However, even then, we are beloved children of God. Remember the parable of he lost sheep – God went after even the one. He loves us that much! One more clue is that the form of the pronoun you Jesus uses is plural – tying us once again together – love one another as I have loved you. In this mess together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So, since we can’t possibly figure out the complex amazing mystery of all our God is and does, and the world seems running astray, do we just stand by on the sideline and shake our heads? I think that is where the parable of the fig tree comes into play. Unlike the first part of our reading where I placed myself into scripture, in this parable, most of the commentaries and discussions debate who the characters represent – where is God in this parable?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Is God the farmer expecting the tree to produce fruit where it is planted? Is God the vineyard worker tenderly caring for the vines and the fig tree? Many have proposed that the parable represents Jesus pleading for God to give us, the barren fig tree, one more chance. Yet God who goes after the one lost sheep seems at odds with one that needs to be stopped from chopping down a tree that didn’t bear fruit. We get so confused when we think Jesus stepped in for us and took our punishment, intervened. The thought runs that Jesus took a punishment that a ‘just’ God had to give. At its worst, this God who must puish separates Jesus from God in a way that breaks relationship and denies wholly human and wholly divine as if Jesus would act one way and God another. It makes a mockery of God’s true forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus is on his journey toward a cross not to atone for sins from a punishing wrathful God but rather to show the lengths that God would go to for us, the depth and breadth of the mysterious all-encompassing love God has for each and every one of us. Every single one worth that much to God. God who wanted to identify with us fully so willingly took on suffering and death. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Perhaps in this parable Jesus is the fig tree. We have heard I am the vine and you are the branches. Fig trees would have sometimes been planted in vineyards. They brought many benefits – shade for the gardeners, shelter for the many birds, trellising for grape vines and even in some cases a necessary support structure for special, highly valued grape varietals that needed to grow in the tops of trees. (Pliny)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If you have ever looked at the fig tree, you might also notice how the fruit grows. It is anchored almost directly from the branches. Maybe we are the gardeners being called to patience, to nurture Christ’s body in this place. Perhaps Jesus is calling us to embody the mercy rather than looking to the bad things in the world and allowing them to separate us more. Maybe God is calling us to put our manure to a better use instead of looking at what we can’t do. Instead of seeing a barren tree in a wrong place, we are called to look with new eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As The Reverend Alan Brehms says, “But when we hear of tragedy so terrible that it makes us question the goodness and mercy of God, Jesus reminds that God’s mercy is never failing, God’s goodness is inexhaustible, God’s compassion never gives up on us. God doesn’t “send” tragedies into our lives to punish us. God is the one who is always working to bring good out of evil, always working to bring life out of death. God is the one who, even when dealing with those who are wayward, says, “come to me, you who have no money, come, buy and eat,” “listen to me and your soul will delight in the richest of food,” “come to me, that your soul may live” (Isa. 55:1-3).”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">On this Mr. Roger’s Day we are called to remember the beloved pastor who asked us to look for the helpers to know we are each and every one of us worthy and beloved neighbors. Look for the helpers and God with us in our messes. Look to God calling us from hatred instead to love, to turn anew toward God and one another, Repentance calls us to know that there is little we do to preserve ourselves but we are charged to turn our whole beings around - toward God to respond to the amazing grace and mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The nice neat rows of vines disrupted by the fig tree may not fit our plan – our plans are too often nice cookie cutter squares. In the reality, plants and paths turn back upon themselves overlapping here and there, twisting off course to mysteriously show up in the right place or suddenly burst into the light. When we try to sculpt paths behind fences or layout the world to our design, it comes up short. Roads are meant to connect not separate – they should lead us to one another. Winding from one neighborhood to the next with no walls. So too the vines bind us together – orient us to God. Jesus’ imagery in the vineyard isn’t clear cut either. I am the vine you are the branches is not a clean imagery but intertwined jumble of connectedness with sometimes one branch supporting another but all dependent upon the whole. Jesus – God with us intertwined in a winding relationship pulls us in doesn’t leave us to our own devices but calls for us to be transformed receiving, living and giving- extravagant mercy. Amen.<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-18298150912486752922022-03-31T15:04:00.002-05:002023-01-02T11:10:20.290-06:00Blind to the Light<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq09c17g3eBHrAq3txc2Lc7yZQhiJ2QU3hnwo-hQ58tjgPegk0HJtiZENVxXTtjriLU-b9Nl3fk2tpk6Ywnm-O4YxeYYDxGs6DnJ7uDSH1EQwi-uzf5-mjaZMOpOHjXGm1VO3OW2dQt4gIu08sng-gxNq14XuEkNFLACCQDVp2_-jMw8Vyr0R-jS6dA/s1240/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-31%20at%203.01.20%20PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1240" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq09c17g3eBHrAq3txc2Lc7yZQhiJ2QU3hnwo-hQ58tjgPegk0HJtiZENVxXTtjriLU-b9Nl3fk2tpk6Ywnm-O4YxeYYDxGs6DnJ7uDSH1EQwi-uzf5-mjaZMOpOHjXGm1VO3OW2dQt4gIu08sng-gxNq14XuEkNFLACCQDVp2_-jMw8Vyr0R-jS6dA/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-03-31%20at%203.01.20%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The season of Epiphany is the time we explore the discovery of Christ come into the world, a time when we learn more about who Jesus is in our world, his teachings and his call. Transfiguration Sunday is a pivot point – where we cross a threshold and move our eyes to see Christ in our mess. In Lent we remember Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, fasting and facing temptation. We remember Jesus’ love takes on our hate. Today, this transfiguration story reminds us of the truly human and truly divine REALLY in our world, and we are pointed toward the cross. Listen for the living word from</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Luke 9:28-43a (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">28 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. <sup>29 </sup>As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. <sup>30 </sup>Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. <sup>31 </sup>They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.<sup>32 </sup>Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. <sup>33 </sup>As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">34 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. <sup>35 </sup>A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”<sup>36 </sup>When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">37 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. <sup>38 </sup>A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. <sup>39 </sup>A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. <sup>40 </sup>I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">41 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">42 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. <sup>43 </sup>And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Blind to The Light<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Brushes with God are often called mountain-top experiences. Recall this morning a time when you felt close to God. Remember the scene. Recall the setting, the smells, sounds, colors. Were you cuddled by a fire in a cozy cabin or stretched out under the vast night skies looking up at a vast array of stars shining down? Was it loud with crashing waves, voices or pulsing music? Was it silent with the gentle whisper of a wind? Did you smell the crisp, clean air or maybe the scent of grandma’s home cooking? Do you see the yellows of rolling sand, the greens of waving grass, towering trees or the blues of mountaintops, crashing waves, or a trickling stream. Hold onto those moments as we venture into what the disciples experienced with Jesus.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Capturing the moment is hard, we stretch our senses and, like Peter, seek to stay in the presence of God where we have discovered a special place. Artists help us hang onto these moments, but even they are often disappointed with their results. One of the most famous paintings is Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. He was very disappointed in that work painted while he resided in an insane asylum in Provence.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Van Gogh had committed himself to the asylum. And while it is hard to grasp what is in someone else’s head, this week I get it. The violent swirls of yellow slashed across the paper representing jolts of life jerking us out of an easy complacency – James, Peter and John exhausted from a mountain climb, almost drifting off to sleep when something changed. The pinpoints, tiny sparkling dots of light in the sky - off in the distance suddenly drew shockingly close like a bolt of lightning. An explosion suddenly right next to us in our safe place where we retreat to pray even.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo of a “tremendous need for religion” – so he went out in the night to paint stars. He was struggling and yearning for hope and something beyond this fragile life. We too struggle and look for hope in our world. The Museum of Modern Art elaborates that the cypress tree on the left often represented death but while questioning faith, Van Gogh saw hope in the stars. In our questioning – look to the light for hope.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Van Gogh completely made up the village and church -none visible from his window. Our steeples call to us. Reality and memory stirred together in his restless feelings. Art historian Lauren Soth theorizes the color choice of vibrant yellows and blues represents Christ because of the way they were used by other artists Van Gogh admired. Sloth says <i>The Starry Night</i> is traditional religion in disguise expressing Van Gogh’s deepest religious feelings.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How do the colors speak to us? What does the dazzling light carry our way? What did Peter, James and John see in Jesus’ face and clothes? It’s not really the light we see at all, we aren’t actually able to see light at all. Humans can’t see light but rather we see the objects reflections – and only that in part. Even the spectrum of color we can see is limited. We are so easily fooled by our senses. Have you ever been driving somewhere when you find yourself lost? So you turn down the music to see better? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The scenario in this text plays out similarly. Settled in to pray, the appearance of Jesus’ face changes, his clothes are as bright as lightning, Elijah and Moses appear. In all this, Peter, James and John see Jesus’ glory. I imagine a ‘turn down the radio moment’, but the scene moves on a cloud descends covering them imagine sight is completely gone – the shock of the beauty of the vista on a mountaintop – God’s glory hidden away - fogged in as the apostles try to grasp what they see. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The dense droplets of moisture soak through your clothes and mask your surroundings. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Tugged forward whether we wish to go on or not, now HEAR God saying. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Standing in fog, shrinks our space to intimate, to the immediately in front of us. In this small intimate closed-feeling space, imagine the shock of God’s voice, This is my son, my chosen. Listen to Him! No wonder they said nothing of what they had seen. ‘That is enough’ our senses scream. We can relate to the sensory overload and the numb result of not knowing how to act or what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But Luke is not done with the story. God tried to get them to see – for a brief moment Jesus’ face didn’t actually change. The other gospels talk of transformation like a caterpillar into a butterfly metamorphosis, but in Luke the change is in the viewers – they for a brief moment were able to truly see the glory – the appearance of Jesus was available to them - the very light itself. Verse 30 actually begins with the word ‘behold’ – look Luke is saying – Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus about the departure to come. Listen God says – to my son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The story tumbles down off the mountain – we like to disconnect it and stop here – I was tempted. And this week of all weeks, we NEED to know Jesus comes off the mountain with us. When we don’t connect the ‘light’ to worldly actions, when we feel helpless in our darkest valleys – Jesus even though annoyed at us responds to the father’s plea – look at my son.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus was pointed toward Jerusalem and calls to us too behold look at all Jesus gives up, is willing to do for us. In that vein it is easier to understand why Jesus is frustrated that he was on to the next step but the disciples haven’t pivoted with him. The man cries out look at my son. They weren’t ready yet, not prepared – hadn’t truly embraced the glory and the light. Have we? Van Gogh’s comments on his <i>The Starry Night</i> included a feeling that it was a mistake to be abstract and reach for the stars. I think that is exactly what this passage is calling on us to do – imagine, move to the abstract in how we see. Hold a giant prism or stained glass up to the light so that the world can more fully know the light, see the glory.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Don’t leave it on the mountaintop, let the world see the light shining out from us even when the time feels dark. There is so much before us that we don’t see that demands we carry the light to the world. Jesus wants us to see on and off the mountain. Our world is torn apart on the verge of war. Look to the colors of Ukraine’s flag – even there the blue and yellow Van Gogh played with – Christ calls to us in the smallest of coincidences – remember the hope. Reminding us of Christ amid our flashing bombs and flames. When we give up or only see despair, God demands we use our all for the children. Look at the young boy in the streets – the children of the world. When we feel the most hopeless, I recall the words of Ann Weems - don’t pray for peace – pray for a miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Expect a miracle and change the world. Per usual, the Gospel of John captures the mysterious part – Jesus is the light.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In John – </span></span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">12 </span></sup></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> Matthew’s gospel expands the same saying Jesus calls on us to be the light of the world called to shine before others and glorify God. Luke shows us a story of the light of the world glimpsed but for a moment, visible to our weak eyes shown on the mountaintop in hopes that we could still see once in the valleys of everyday life.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If they and we truly look, we will see God in the young boy, the children of the world needing us. The transfiguration of seeing God must come off the mountain top. Jesus is in our midst. We don’t serve in booths or in the walls of the sanctuary. We feel removed, maybe strangely guilty in a position with no power to help. Yet one at a time – protecting each child we can share the light.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As Lutheran Pastor David Lose says, the second half of this week’s passage is so important. “Because the retreat to worship and the time to listen to the Word, be immersed in the cross, and be gathered in prayer leads inevitably to a return to the “everyday world” of human need where Jesus heals the sick and opposes the forces of evil. If worship is a retreat, in other words, it is not a retreat </span><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px; padding: 0in;">from</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> the world but a retreat </span><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px; padding: 0in;">in order to come back to</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> the world in love, mercy and grace.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We are called to see – to view appearances in a new way. Look and see Christ in the eyes of the children needing you. See all God’s children: the homeless, the hungry, the refugee, the prisoner, the orphan, the trans, the gifted, the autistic, the LGBTQ+, the jock, the nerd, no matter the label – all children of God. Jesus’ frustration with the disciples calls them a faithless and perverse generation when they don’t carry the light, share the glory – not God on a mountain but a God that dwells in our midst and demands we serve here too. If we create a God on a pedestal removed from <b>any</b> of creation to preserve our ideals or norms, we are perverting who our very Jesus is. Embrace the moment we see most clearly, but also embrace the light down in the trenches to shape how we live and love – for this is where we will find Jesus. This is where we are called to serve and who we are called to see.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">‘Ours to do’ is to listen to Christ – look to the children in your scope of power and see them – protect and love them with all you have and all you are. One enemy, friend or stranger at a time given shelter, light and love radiating out from Christ to a light that will stretch from a small suburb in a miracle enwrapping valleys across the globe. Live the miracle, expect Christ’s light to yield hope in our current valley into amazing life beyond. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-88356540031828213032022-03-02T11:37:00.002-06:002022-03-02T11:38:47.378-06:00All That You Are<p> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 (NIV)</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVS321oXZHIb0fT99HpCYxXX0UtQOBGKE9XnTp3nWX7fyUjbsHRCeAzISVZS6i7CMSzxUvmoMOWl4mcv_GMFoAdKU3o8DSfZgI2BErx0BZIuBaa1718vc2ja4PBfnLiuSjdbG6T9S9AQmP6e-Rl3thrjJ560oTrpnhha-nVB97bzNJNLozlyp6mSYjMA=s650" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="650" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVS321oXZHIb0fT99HpCYxXX0UtQOBGKE9XnTp3nWX7fyUjbsHRCeAzISVZS6i7CMSzxUvmoMOWl4mcv_GMFoAdKU3o8DSfZgI2BErx0BZIuBaa1718vc2ja4PBfnLiuSjdbG6T9S9AQmP6e-Rl3thrjJ560oTrpnhha-nVB97bzNJNLozlyp6mSYjMA=s320" width="320" /></a></b></div><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. <b><sup>21 </sup></b>God made him who had no sin to be sin<sup> </sup>for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. <b>6 </b>As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. <b><sup>3 </sup></b>We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; <b><sup>5 </sup></b>in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; <b><sup>6 </sup></b>in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; <b><sup>7 </sup></b>in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;<b><sup>8 </sup></b>through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;<b><sup>9 </sup></b>known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; <b><sup>10 </sup></b>sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">All That You Are<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">It’s almost spring – time to plant new gardens, turn over the soil, prepare the ground that has been dormant, make it ready for new growth. This job is more than just a little dusty. Before you plant a new garden, you have to break apart the old dirt. The same is true of our faith – to dive deeper requires some broken ground. Sometimes this is painful while others it feels like we can finally breathe – feel fresh air. Dealing with brokenness is much like mourning, and we Americans are usually not so good at airing those emotions – instead we bury them deep and rush to get through.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This is not true of our many of our native American brothers and sisters. At the Navajo reservation in Ganado, Arizona, I experienced a memorial service like none I have witnessed before or since. Our small group from Grace Presbytery was there for a mission project when a matriarch of their community died unexpectedly. Without delay, her memorial became the top priority even though it was the middle of VBS. We were given smaller tasks and relegated to one end of the small building with the kids. Before I knew it, the wailing and screams of mourning from the chapel could be heard in direct counterpoint to songs of “Jesus Loves Me” from the lips of children.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I was dumbfounded at the raw, honest and faithful display of grief especially at how the children took it all in stride. Much of that week, my job was to rake the dirt. Literally – back and forth like some giant meditative sand exercise, breaking down pebbles, smoothing out the church yard.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I joked with my work partner about how far we came to rake dust. We were covered in dust, annoyed at so small a task. Yet, looking back, perhaps this was one of the most precious gifts of all. To give us a tool to smooth the yard, to be covered in dust, numbed to outside disturbances and truly hear a Christian community embracing mortality – no cleaning death up or hiding it from the children, no gentling the moment, instead bringing to God our emotions – sorrow and anger as part of who we are as the church. Embracing all of who we are as mortals connected each one to another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Ash Wednesday is a day for that kind of honesty, vulnerability – look at the opposites in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians – “…</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;<b><sup>9 </sup></b>known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; <b><sup>10 </sup></b>sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. Paul doesn’t deny our brokenness and makes it part and parcel of who we are working on Christ’s behalf. Be reconciled to God and do not receive the grace in vain.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We do remember we are dust and to dust we shall return, but the more urgent part of Paul’s message is where we turn our attention in Lent 2022 – Paul implores us be reconciled to God and urges us not to receive God’s grace in vain. The Reverend Nadia Boz Weber sees Lent as the time to set aside our ‘sin management program’ and allow God to be God for us. She says, “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So Lent isn’t about punishing ourselves for being human – the practice of Lent is about peeling away layers of insulation and anesthesia which keep us from the truth of God’s promises. Lent is about looking at our lives in as bright a light as possible, the light of Christ. It is during this time of self-reflection and sacrificial giving and prayer that we make our way through the over grown and tangled mess of our lives. We trudge through the lies of our death-denying culture to seek the simple weighty truth of who we really are.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the 40 days plus six Sundays of preparation that precede the crucifixion and Easter. Yet, this scripture in verse two says – Now is an acceptable time, Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to turn over the dirt. Some of us are like Texas clay - the tilling may be rough going and require intentional work, nourishment, water – letting the air in. Letting the Spirit brush against us - the Holy Spirit into our being to fill us back up and ready us for new growth. With a bit of awareness, in the end, we remember that reconciled to God and overflowing with grace – With God - All that you are is enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">All that you are is some pretty amazing dust. Scientists put forth that much of the matter that makes humans is actually star dust from supernovas blasting from the corners of the universe. The power of God’s dust – from digging in the garden, a smudge you wipe off a child’s face to a force of the universe to be reckoned with. The Holy Spirit blowing through something mundane and bringing it to life. Stir the garden, rake the dust, to awaken the grace within so that it overflows into the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We mark our foreheads with ashes and remind ourselves of reconciliation – the up and down mark to reconcile to God and he side to side cross bar to remind us to be reconciled to one another. Give something up if it helps you remember this season, but may the main focus be the abundant, overflowing grace God places before us, mere dust. The cross on our foreheads claims us, reminds us of this amazing grace and points us outward to reconciliation with God and one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">God offers us hope. The Holy Spirit will blow through even the mere specks of dust uniting them in a glorious garden, making of us a whole. now is the time for salvation, now is the time for going into the world as the church – a force for unity and reconciliation. May God’s garden flourish around us with extra care, attention and nurture this Lent. With all you have and all you are, share Chris’s abundant overflowing grace with the world. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-9760177522172508592022-02-24T19:57:00.000-06:002022-03-02T11:39:14.098-06:00My Heart Aches for the Children<p style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">My phone blurts at me at an ungodly hour – I am annoyed. I roll over to make sure my loved ones are okay then fall back to sleep. Today, upon waking the emotions pour in – that I could have the comfort and privilege of assumed safety while others do not rocks me with feelings of guilt and great sadness. That I can be annoyed by my mostly-grown children and worried only about the simple steps in learning to adult is a gift that I appreciate today.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfIKapFZDxfRzGa0JJSVnq_H7DFO6eqBBb1yzVzWdizQEvZcz_0fSPOtIa-r3xDmfwDhmngt-lLfoYjAupumLtxF4RnAASu-0ZYdywJpwSJ04as0iuZKg3uF-uoZk1hHrrlA_PmPvWGYMAerWaQ9TUhEG85MKUhkRNUORg68EohQDjd1YgSmAH3Q_SQw=s1624" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1624" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfIKapFZDxfRzGa0JJSVnq_H7DFO6eqBBb1yzVzWdizQEvZcz_0fSPOtIa-r3xDmfwDhmngt-lLfoYjAupumLtxF4RnAASu-0ZYdywJpwSJ04as0iuZKg3uF-uoZk1hHrrlA_PmPvWGYMAerWaQ9TUhEG85MKUhkRNUORg68EohQDjd1YgSmAH3Q_SQw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">My heart aches for the children. God’s beautiful children are assured God is with us, but what does that look like from a basement turned fallout shelter surrounded by death and wailing? In the valleys that we dig in our worldly power games and the hate we sow between nations, it is too often the children dumped in the middle without voice or recourse.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">An inordinate number of the refugees around the world are the children. Those caught in the crossfire of our battles are the children. Children on the cusp of adulthood are among the first called to be the fodder of war. Last week the lectionary scripture was all about Jesus instructing us to love our enemy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">An enemy by definition is someone you hate – someone who disregards the children, someone who attacks in the night, someone who gaslights the narrative to justify atrocities. Last Sunday, I was able to preach about how this does not justify remaining in an abusive relationship. The scripture about turning the other cheek to one who strikes us or giving our shirt also to one who steals our coat give us examples of how to re-write the narrative of how we respond without resorting to violence. Rather than calling us to remain in those dire situations, they call us all to more loving relationships.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Yet, how do we reconcile with an enemy that seems not to care for the innocents are caught in the crossfire of our power wars? How do I love that enemy? Will a less violent response of world sanctions be scoffed at and harm more innocent children rather than rebuilding relationships of compromise and care? Will the protesters in Russia continue to be silenced raking away more children for daring to voice their love? Will they be punished for daring out loud not to hate? For speaking against war?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">My heart aches for the children and my lack of ability to help, protect and succor – so I turn to my own children and hope messages of love to one child at a time may change the world.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">To my children,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I wish I knew what to say – how to hand you a better world. My prayers feel puny without the actions of people and a world aiming toward reconciliation. As we are torn apart nationally and by international looming war, remember the hope. One act of love at a time feels so inadequate and out of control. We must trust that God is in control and, when we only see chaos, remember that love will prevail. It seems cheap to the mother and father weeping at tragic loss, but we see now only in part. God hears our ‘Why?’ God cries with them, with us. May the Holy Spirit speed the time when God’s Kingdom comes more fully on earth – a time not of our powers but of God’s love, connectedness and home for all. God, help us live in this mystery and alleviate our sisters’ and brothers’ pain with the balm of Your love. As I seek to protect and shelter you from all life’s dangers and grief I am reminded to have that strong of a compassion and hope – even for my enemies. Love, Mom<br /><o:p></o:p></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-89270981526718996622021-09-22T13:56:00.001-05:002021-09-22T13:57:35.008-05:00God’s Rule of Life: Are You Listening Now?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ-88xkmuXZ73efmDiHqqoEIjQAqXfMrl-ULxWHWkWDPnFH2bwhYap8LFauzynkYxE_582jtwunO4m1HAFugEBuQYRDovTz6KzDNjOz6kaKaKyW9EKImntTgSIWXadZzvpvv3UEDh4lbG/s2048/9750BAB2-7C83-4DFC-82D6-FD7763AC1107.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQ-88xkmuXZ73efmDiHqqoEIjQAqXfMrl-ULxWHWkWDPnFH2bwhYap8LFauzynkYxE_582jtwunO4m1HAFugEBuQYRDovTz6KzDNjOz6kaKaKyW9EKImntTgSIWXadZzvpvv3UEDh4lbG/s320/9750BAB2-7C83-4DFC-82D6-FD7763AC1107.heic" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">As we hear the word proclaimed from the book of James together for a few <br />weeks, I try to classify and describe this book. Maybe it is a letter, some say not. Maybe it is prophecy, some say not. Maybe it is wisdom literature – the only wisdom book in the new testament – some say not. Maybe it’s prophecy or even eschatology or apocalyptic – maybe not. Even with all the disagreement, we do know what it IS – Listen to the living Word in scripture from</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">James 3:1-12</span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.<b><sup>2 </sup></b>We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. <b><sup>5 </sup></b>Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">7 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, <b><sup>8 </sup></b>but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? <b><sup>12 </sup></b>My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">God’s Rule of Life: Are You Listening Now?</span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Teachers, we are on notice! Everyone who has ever been taught anything, please stand up as you are able and remain standing. Those of you who are teachers in a school please sit down – these days we know you deserve a rest! How about those who have ever taught Sunday school or an adult study? – elders in charge of teaching, look around for your next recruits! Those who have taught people a skill at work, trade or in the home? (If needed- Really – you have never shown anyone how to do anything? Be seated.) The point here is that this text applies to all of us. We are all teachers – some formally by call, as a profession, but all of us in our intentional and unintentional actions and words. We teach and build or tear down those around us and the world we live in.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Two key motifs are at play in the rough words we have heard from scripture this morning. They involve wisdom and words. We heard from Proverbs first in the rough prophecy - demands from Lady Wisdom. The second is from James who also wrote a letter in the style of wisdom with imagery from nature to warn us of the danger of words used to harm. The irony is not lost that Wisdom warns “Give heed to my reproof, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.” and James is teaching and using <b>words</b> to warn about the power of those words. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Dare we speak? Do we all take vows of silence? Our tongues, despite the pessimism we seem to find in James, and our Words in and of themselves are not evil. It is in how our tongues and words are used. What type of speech do we employ? For as our standing and sitting implied, we are all intricately tied to the words we use. So much so, that we create or tear down our reality, what we make of the world and even our self-definitions, we make these with the words we use. We can’t get rid of words completely for verse nine reminds us ‘we are made in the image of God’, and our God uses words.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Look to Genesis 1 (NRSV). “</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">1 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, <b><sup>2 </sup></b>the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God<sup> </sup>swept over the face of the waters. <b><sup>3 </sup></b>Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. <b><sup>5 </sup></b>God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” God continues to create the world – to build it by speaking it into creation with words and after creating calling each creation by naming it, then giving humans dominion over all creatures. As James references – beasts, birds, reptiles and sea creatures, humans have tamed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">James shows us the power of the words building pictures in metaphors to describe the word ‘tongue’ - beginning with the example of one beast that humans have tamed. He starts with a bridle fit into a horse’s mouth that allows us, weak and puny compared to a large horse, to guide the direction and even demand feats horse might delight in but also to steer them where they may not otherwise choose to go. A bridle can be a partnership or a grueling punishment. The tongue too is small but mighty and can lead gently or with coercion and force in unwanted directions. Do your words gently agree on a direction with others as you use them? Or do they harshly yank others to the course you wish to take? Look to the comments on a social media post or the reactions to a news story. We can quickly see agendas and completely different worlds built with tongues in little small snippets, some gently trying to convince, others lambasting and lashing out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">James next steps to the word picture of the tongue as a rudder. I envision this as a more hidden ‘tongue’ whose power is even larger but is not as obvious sitting beneath the waters, often under the very craft it is steering. Ships glide sailing on mighty winds, but the giant boats can be turned for good or ill by the pilot’s hand through relatively small rudders. James eloquently throws in the words – the ships are turned by the will of the pilot and boasting rudders. Small tongues in boast reset our course in life turning on our will and often not in accord with the will of God. Do our tongues follow the path we have determined, boasting when our power wins out? Or do we give voice to others and listen to the direction their words softly call us to, maybe God speaking through the least. Whose words shape your course, set your path?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">James’ imagery grows in strength moving to fire that begins with one small spark but can set the whole world ablaze. Many of the fires that ravage our nation what seems like every summer now start with a small cigarette or inadvertent little campfire not tended with enough care and then bursting out of control to run rampant for weeks even months. James latches on to this imagery to embrace the destructive forces that can reset the cycle of nature moving from a ship to a force of the cosmos calling to mind the flames of a burning sun or star and words misused; a tongue stains our whole body, our being, redefines our very selves ignited by hell. Fire moves to the level of systems that our words over time build up. Do our words continue to add bricks to walls, policies and systems that hurt and rip apart relationships with God’s beloved children? When should we use the power of the flame for works of the Holy Spirit instead - purifying and building up others, rewriting unjust laws?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I’ve always been struck by the Holy Spirit imagined both as a tender dove, a whispering wind, or flames. The flames gently flicker, or they too can rage like a cosmic blast. The fires of the Holy Spirit were with us at the beginning of the church. Remember the imagery of flames sitting on the heads of each person. Listen carefully to Act 2 (NRSV) “<b><sup>3 </sup></b>Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">A tongue of fire uses the exact same imagery from Pentecost, the birth of the church, where our words and tongues of flames rather than destroy were forces of unification and amazement with all able to understand and the Holy Spirit drawing us together. James’ imagery deftly weaves together pictures in our minds calling on memory, experience and holy words setting before us the world words build for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Word is after all where the world began: John 1(NRSV) “<b>1 </b><span style="background-color: white;">In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This word is different though – it is not our words but the logos. Logos is the Greek for ‘Word’. Oxford Languages defines Logos as, “t</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">he Word of God, or principle of divine reason and creative order, identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity incarnate in Jesus Christ.” So, when I say listen for the living Word before I read scripture, it is a loaded statement. We are listening to God speaking words to us in words written in scripture. We are listening through the Holy Spirit sent to us by the Word, Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus Christ, the Word, Logos counters the forces that James sees as a “restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Perhaps this is why I struggle with James. Words have the power to tear down but they also build up, create. Sit with the tension though. Listen to the warning James has built with his words<span style="background-color: white;">. James in his words of wisdom and Proverbs are shouting for our attention to listen. What are they trying to teach us?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The words from Proverbs 1 are not soft or gentle and remind me of the Bible thumping evangelist on a stump screaming and haranguing the crowd at a ball game or other street gathering. We shuffle past quickly, avoid eye contact at all costs. We probably would label this lady, our words might light fire in judgment. She is after all a ‘harpy’ to be ignored, haranguing us. This is Wisdom – the lady we assume is pontificating in the street? It sets us back listening to the harsh words, but it got our attention. My Wednesday class asked, “Surely I wasn’t using that scripture from Proverbs?” The Psalm option instead they insisted throughout the week with its words of nature soothed our souls. Yet even though lady Wisdom upsets our norms and calls us out, it is fitting to think why the end of that text bothers us? Words do have power to hurt, and this sounds like words that would abandon us. Lady Wisdom laughs like a bully at us. She will not answer when disaster strikes. This is the danger of pulling texts out of a whole. Time does prevent the whole from being looked at now but, listen to a few more of the words from Proverbs 2 (NRSV):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, <b><sup>2 </sup></b>making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; <b><sup>3 </sup></b>if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding;… <b><sup>5 </sup></b>then you will understand… and find the knowledge of God. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; <b><sup>7 </sup></b>he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk blamelessly, <b><sup>8 </sup></b>guarding the paths of justice.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Maybe it is no mistake that James, the one who writes words warning us of the power of words, weaves together all of these genres using words in a new way to truly show the potential and power of a word. James and Lady Wisdom beseech us to listen to grow in wisdom. Wisdom wants to pour thoughts into us to make God’s words known. James despairs that the way we use words will violate the law and instead of drawing us into Wisdom and closer to God will bring desolation and a rein of hatred.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The words we use daily show the world who we are. So too do the words we use to remember. Are they words of hope or words of despair? What world are you building – does it look like the Kingdom of God more and more or one man boasts of? What path is your ship being steered toward?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As we remember the tragic events on yesterday’s 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary of 9-11, remember God’s creation is not done, our words have the power of the Holy Spirit to build the world. How are you using that amazing power of your tongue? What world do our words build? Do we build laws out of fear to keep out others who look different, do we build consequences and judgement, do we build bigger walls, do we see only the giant hole in the ground? Former President George Bush remembered us reaching out instinctively to neighbors and mourns that our words are now of anger and resentment. Yes, there is so much pain in this day, but remember the hope, the resurrection hope.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I beg you - build a world on hope. Build a world where our words shine in the darkness like the lights shining forth in the darkness, remembering two buildings, a world pointing to the good that was still holding us together on that infamous day. Build a community with words honoring those who gave their lives to save others, with words of the loving gestures of community come together, with a patriotism that returned dignity to those huddling in fear? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Colossians 3:16 (NRSV)</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">16 </span></sup></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">James may be pessimistic, but he rightly weaves words together as a master teacher. According to Martha Moore-Keish, “For James, the word (logos) of God, law (nomos), and wisdom (sophia) are nearly interchangeable terms, and God implants/imparts this word in order that we, the readers, might not just hear but also do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Word, wisdom, and law intertwined, require intentionality of us working together to the point where they are one. They demand compassion and following the royal law to love our neighbors as ourselves. Listen to the words of others, don’t lash out with your own. Taming our tongues, naming with integrity and love, and directing/ordering our lives with words – this is what it is all about. Our words create our world and define who we are. What are you teaching with your words? Are you listening to Wisdom and James? Rather than fanning the flames of the fire of evil, will you harness your tongue building a world through wisdom, hope, and compassion through the fire of the Holy Spirit? Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-63468223495633378212021-09-11T01:15:00.000-05:002021-09-11T01:15:38.419-05:00Half life<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOWbhPUUcTY42QnuJfQqrn0hqv8TKQ0_L7sw91a8wTBiCiXKT6vpiHcYBJdDlw-NLQ1L7eqOU2DyEYrlEg_H2jnIawsIGoJDKpPWXRLcGc7y3LWWT8SFiTxb_A0cDBSCrH7adjlVdQ01c/s2048/70CAF346-59A8-40F7-AA54-9866C1C5B205.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOWbhPUUcTY42QnuJfQqrn0hqv8TKQ0_L7sw91a8wTBiCiXKT6vpiHcYBJdDlw-NLQ1L7eqOU2DyEYrlEg_H2jnIawsIGoJDKpPWXRLcGc7y3LWWT8SFiTxb_A0cDBSCrH7adjlVdQ01c/s320/70CAF346-59A8-40F7-AA54-9866C1C5B205.heic" width="240" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I never write these word. Writing is for the young at heart, the creative types, not those past their prime! I sat in a bar tonight and wondered why the words of an NFL sports station sounded more like a sermon than what I had prepared for Sunday’s message. How does this happen? I am wondering things like what is it about my empty nest that leaves me lonely and wanting – incomplete, what trips are left for us in life that bring joy and completeness, and what do my kids want to possibly do with me before our interests diverge?</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">We made a bucket list of places in the world we want to see, my husband and I, but quickly realized that in the 20-30 years left to us, what is pandemic taking away? How do we plan and do what we desperately want to see with our family before we can’t physically or mentally qualify to remember and enjoy the time together?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Do we plan for outside vacations? There are plenty of those places in the world we want to see that are closer to home. We didn’t want to do the national ones first! Maybe the kids will want to go with us, and maybe that isn’t appealing enough. We are in that no-man’s zone where we wish to take active vacations to the best of our abilities, but we don’t want to party all night with the youngsters. Some days I want to eat dinner at 5pm and have a few drinks before calling it quits and others, I think only my parents could possibly be interested in a 4pm dinner with a 9 or 10pm finish time for the night.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">What is it about this middle age thing? This is not what was defined to me as middle aged! I look at all the cool kids’ writings and think I will never measure up! We are past that, missed our prime. I love to try new restaurants, walk in a protest or two each year to support the causes near and dear to my heart, but the younger generation has begun to exhaust me if I am honest. I get teary at the word of the NFL about 9/11, and I don’t quite get the tiktok or snapchat quick snippets of passionate communication.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Have I hit my half-life where we used to have mid-life crises but this is no longer allowed? Am I out of synch with the world? Wanting to relate but a half step behind the active youth and a half step ahead of the seniors? I tear up at the idea of the quiet skies of 9/11 and remember explicitly taking my kids to daycare that morning. Was this some kind of radio show or real? Then, I remember the agony of wondering was my husband at the airport and unable to reach me or on one of the doomed planes?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The skies have only been quiet in two times in my life – 9/11 and pandemic. I look to the skies and am awed by what grinds us to a halt! What does it take to silence the skies? Aging people threatened by terrorism or virus threat – grounded and forced to look within. Look within for what we should be about at this new halfway point. It isn’t really about mid-life crises because that has been redefined. What is midlife – how do we define that point anymore but it is where we pause to review values and focus intentionally on our time left!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">What do you value? Do you look to God and how you can contribute to the bigger whole? Do you look for what you can get out of your time left here on earth? Do you want to make a difference beyond your immediate family and friends? I’m too old to start over, but what is the rest of my time all about? Hopefully it is longer than we anticipated in the past!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">As we remember 9/11, I think my kids don’t really remember this. As I look at technology, I think I am in that weird generation that can understand and embrace but remembers a world without www. I want the smell, feel and touch of the paper generation, but I am part of the airwaves of the chat, meme and immediacy of social media wave. Maybe I am caught in a gray space, undefined land between ADHD and OCD – acronyms that capture a society scrambling to focus and remember while at the same time furiously collecting memories to recall how that felt or what it all meant!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Do you remember when the skies went quiet because we were afraid of who might be flying over us? Do they want to hurt or send a message in the skies? Do they look like you or me, or have browner or lighter skin? Ae we more afraid of them <b>or of us</b>? Who is them and us anyway? Who can I trust? Where do I turn as my foundations are shaken and my assumptions disrupted?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">As we look back, we remember 20 years. Have we grown and expanded on that trust or atrophied and shrunk away from one another? Do we hurl words of distrust and hate? How do we open to on another in a way anything close to what I saw on the sports stations where we joined arms and patriotism was truly about caring for neighbor in spite of our differences? How do we accomplish this at our halfway – can we moved back to that? Can we ever hope to be united and called to care for one another as we were in that great time of sadness and loss? Can we look to the skies and see a reconciliation and unity that endures beyond a half life and soaks deeper into our bones defining us as a people together and open to other in compassion?<br /><o:p></o:p></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-66058131852571537512021-09-10T08:39:00.000-05:002021-09-10T08:40:21.110-05:00God’s Rule of Life: Pure Religion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZCpxVGWg4og6goDuVuJpuBixK42vNKmL7tNRYak8qDWVcyH7m3YzTqN9AEtbjuS7R09I13t-oZh11il7w8Iam0UpILvyNXA4KI9m4ZHo9GjqHlgFaqAqlyBNJnYfQArXjRlHx2Hg_a4v/s2048/BA2A8AAD-49BD-487C-85A5-74A94BDBDC2A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZCpxVGWg4og6goDuVuJpuBixK42vNKmL7tNRYak8qDWVcyH7m3YzTqN9AEtbjuS7R09I13t-oZh11il7w8Iam0UpILvyNXA4KI9m4ZHo9GjqHlgFaqAqlyBNJnYfQArXjRlHx2Hg_a4v/s320/BA2A8AAD-49BD-487C-85A5-74A94BDBDC2A.heic" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Before we dive into more from the epistle James, let’s look at what we know <br />about this book of the Bible. If you are like me, it is one we have heard quotes pulled out of context from but maybe not a part of the Bible studied as much as others.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Who is the author? James – possibly the brother of Jesus or maybe son of Zebedee, but for sure a Greek speaking Jewish Christian. Likely an editor from a school ofone or the other James’ who wished to share their wise advice with the new Jewish Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The book of James is a letter addressed to the 12 tribes in Diaspora. Huh? Diaspora is in exile, but - tribes - what a strange way to address Christians. Maybe they were really in exile outside Judea. Or, maybe this was a claim that the people being addressed are the new people of faith. Regardless, as is uncomfortably often true in our scripture, the words the early Christians needed to hear, speak to us today as well. Listen to the living Word:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">James 2:1-10, 14-17<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="chapter-1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">2 </span></b></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>2 </sup></b>Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>3 </sup></b>If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”<b><sup>4 </sup></b>have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">5 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">to be rich in faith</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and to inherit the kingdom</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">he promised those who love him?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">6 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But you have dishonored the poor.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">7 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">8 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">you are doing right.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But if you show favoritism,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>14 </i></span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? <b><sup>15 </sup></b>Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? <b><sup>17 </sup></b>In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Don’t you love getting mail? I’m not talking about junk mail – I’m talking about mail, special notes just for you – snail mail cards in a mailbox, notes in chat or email – even texts. They have a way of uplifting us or speaking to us that is different from spoken word. Spoken words have power too – James talks about those too – tune in next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">There is something unique, moving and powerful about the intentionality of written word. I never quite grasped the depth letters could carry until a death in my family and a personal medical emergency found a flood of letters flying my way. The comfort and love they engendered was amazingly moving. We find notes/letters fascinating – we even put them in bottles. Love letters, quirky memos, SOS notes from shipwrecked or stranded crews. There are many stories of notes flung to the seas with hopes that someone will later pick them up and reply, respond, render aid – sit up and take notice/listen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The world record for oldest bottle is held by a message in a yellow-tinted, gin bottle that spent 131 years and 223 days lost at sea before being found in Australia. This letter was one of thousands used to try and track ocean currents by German sailors by dropping bottles at various places. So maybe that particular one wasn’t a personal note but it is still intriguing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #111111; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Do you think that this author, I will call him James, even imagined his notes would have been received by us in 2021? While not written to an individual, it is more personal than a science experiment – especially for us, the church. These words were set down with intentionality, in compassion and care for how Christians are the church, Christ’s body in the world receiving the living word through a treasured letter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Reading the letter of James, I find it eery that no matter how we differ across ages, we are so much the same as a people. We are just like the early Christians – we like to compartmentalize, order our world by what we have come to expect. We have ways things are supposed to be done and people that fit those norms. It would be very easy to read this scripture and think that this text is calling out the rich, but that is far from the main point. Instead, we are called to take care with our assumptions. Yes, some rich are called out. Why did you give preferential treatment to the very rich who set up systems that hurt you, that make things hard on you? But, James text has many qualifiers and does not assume all rich misuse their power and position.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">There are several words that make us squirm because they have shifted in definition over time or taken on baggage from the way society has used them:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Purity, Justice, Mercy, Rule – James doesn’t shy away from these words like we do. He meets them head on and pushes them back at us in a ‘not so gentle’ way. James uses more than 100 imperatives in this letter. 100 commands! The biggest challenge with words like these is they tend to pull us toward a position of judgment – taking sides rather than following the first instruction of James to <b>listen</b> and let these commands move us in a new direction. These words don’t call us to camps of political parties or action against another. They call us to sit in the gray seeking wisdom, but it is easier to look for someone not doing ‘right’ than to remember what we saw reflected back at us from the mirror. Internal reflection is hard work We even pit theology – ‘God words’ against each other – and have been for a very long time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Martin Luther, even him!, dismissed this letter from James because of the ‘Grace’ versus ‘Works’ argument. Luther would have pointed to Paul in defending that grace is a gift and there is nothing we can do to earn this gift. No work is required, and no work can ever be enough to earn this wondrous gift from God. There it is - one camp versus another in the name of faith! It is not a matter of understanding the nuance of grace vs faith. It is living into the gray and the questions of a grace so freely given that we can do nothing other than act out our faith with works. And, these works are empowered by the Holy Spirit in and through us – this we hear from Paul. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; text-indent: 9pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But wait – what about mercy versus justice? We continue to divide into camps and seek our clear-cut territory. Still looking beyond instead of deeply into the mirror, we look at others and call for justice. We think of these concepts as opposites – mercy is compassion and justice is judgment. Alan Brehm writes, “… nothing could be further from the truth. The practice of justice and the practice of mercy are one and the same…. The Hebrew Bible makes it clear over and over again that justice is about ensuring well-being, or <i>shalom</i>, for everyone. It’s about a way of life that makes it possible to everyone to thrive, not just the privileged few.” He continues citing that the old testament is filled with examples of caring for the poor, the widow, the immigrant, the hungry. He describes justice as mercy in action.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Grasping at our own straws, we raise the age-old argument of Old Testament God vs New Testament God, replacing a vengeful God with a loving Jesus. Isn’t the Old about laws and punishment where the New is about grace and compassion? A study of the laws of Leviticus sounds like an exercise in pulling teeth. Aren’t we children of the new covenant?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But wait – James references Royal Law. That should shock us, but does it? Brehm describes it well, “The Hebrew Bible is just as much a book of grace and love and mercy as the New Testament, and the New Testament is just as much a book of obedience and justice. They just use different words to talk about it.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Leviticus 19:18 says: “<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Do not seek revenge<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>or bear a grudge<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>against anyone among your people,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>but love your neighbor<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>as yourself.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I am the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">.” - And the rest of that chapter of Leviticus is all about ways we care for and show mercy to our neighbors, yes by following rules. James too calls on these rules highlighting this Royal Law – we’ve landed smack in the middle of that gray area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The difference is not between a God of old and new but a God that speaks to us in our situations, in our vocabulary – over and over again bringing us words written just for us. Be the words written softly on our hearts or in all CAPS screaming in law and words of command. Care for one another – love one another. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">From the old testament language of Micah 6:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><i><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">With what shall I come before</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Lord</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> <span class="text">and bow down before the exalted God?</span> <span class="text">Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">with calves a year old?</span> <span class="text"><b><sup>7 </sup></b>Will the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">be pleased with thousands of rams,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?</span> <span class="text">Shall I offer my firstborn</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">for my transgression,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?</span> <span class="text"><b><sup>8 </sup></b>He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">And what does the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">require of you?</span> <span class="text">To act justly</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">and to love mercy</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and to walk humbly<sup> </sup>with your God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">From those Old Testament words to the embodied example speaking to us in Jesus words from Matthew 22<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">36 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">37 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus replied:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’<b><sup> 38 </sup></b>This is the first and greatest commandment.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">39 </span></sup></b></span></i><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<b><sup>40 </sup></b>All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Living words in a letter carried to us across time. God would have us see our genuine selves in the mirror – we look for the differences between you and me and them, but God’s care knows no differences. Our faith, justice and compassion shouldn’t either. In a nut shell - faith, pure religion is caring for others. God’s justice is mercy lived in and through us – an intentional love floated out to one another, to all others. This is God’s command. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-75394011228572229472021-08-25T16:10:00.002-05:002021-08-25T16:11:22.032-05:00What Is It About This Bread? Why Do We Stumble<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 6:56-69</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10HB0tkQNO33VTo89mbvndBeLgoxzGZx-i26LtBbJ9sqqvyq3fCf185h53xo5CZMWBPF_RPZlo8HmPLC9TdGoQCGkvzC7IWCKwa43j-WhyqbAfdGhyphenhyphenhrnPI_E4KQA7GnpsJgLu5WN8dt0/s2048/D587C9E2-70B3-4CB1-8671-CDC476B1EC29.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10HB0tkQNO33VTo89mbvndBeLgoxzGZx-i26LtBbJ9sqqvyq3fCf185h53xo5CZMWBPF_RPZlo8HmPLC9TdGoQCGkvzC7IWCKwa43j-WhyqbAfdGhyphenhyphenhrnPI_E4KQA7GnpsJgLu5WN8dt0/s320/D587C9E2-70B3-4CB1-8671-CDC476B1EC29.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What Is It About This Bread? Why Do We Stumble<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How many of you have heard of the Bull and Finch Pub? Does the name Norm Peterson ring any bells? How about Norm and Cliff? Bull and Finch Pub is where the popular sitcom series <i>Cheers</i> was filmed in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. It’s a feel-good series that became a household name – it didn’t start that way – rated 74<sup>th</sup> out of 77 shows in its first season it was almost cancelled. It went on to 275 shows and many awards. Why? It has quirky, real people hanging out at a bar – the regulars who became the most unlikely of families. They were beloved not in spite of their human failings and quirks but because of them. We welcomed them into our homes through the tv screens and loved them for who they were in all their vulnerability and genuine, bumbling humanity. The jingle that introduced the series summarizes it well:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">..<span style="color: #202124;">Sometimes you want to go<br /><b>Where everybody knows your name</b><br />And they're always glad you came<br />You want to be where you can see<br />Our troubles are all the same<br />You want to be where everybody knows your name</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Human expectations are just that – as quirky as we are. When we read the gospel from John we gloss right over the fact that there is no crowd beating down the door anymore. The thousands have drifted away. They follow after being miraculously fed, but as Jesus’ answers to questions become more and more edgy and difficult, I envision it like a lecture hall slowly emptying out during an unpopular lecture. The only people left by this point are disciples. Who is able to accept this hard teaching ask the disciples? No longer questions or grumbling from the crowd at large or even like in verses 41 and 42 murmuring of the Jews in the synagogue, but now the grumbling is from disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus knows that they are murmuring like the Israelites in the wilderness grumbled to God for food – this is too much, did you save us to starved us in the woods? Now the disciples too grumble because this is more than they bargained for - this is hard, edgy, not what they expected of Jesus. Rather than console them, Jesus ups the ante. Are you scandalized, he asks? Does ‘this’ offend you?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I suspect Jesus isn’t only talking about his words of chewing flesh and drinking blood but more about the whole – ‘this’ is the whole discourse – are you scandalized by me? By who I am Jesus is asking? By God incarnate who brings you life? By eternal life? By abundant life?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Next I would expect him to say – if you have problems with that, just wait until you see what I have to go through next. It would be understandable to then see the disciples turn away knowing that they would be risking their very lives or might be expected to follow him to the cross. Instead, Jesus asks – what if you saw me return to my father – what if you saw me ascend? Talking, Walking with God – it’s too much<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">They’ve come into the bar for comfort of the familiar, but now the lines are messed up – their comfortable home base was yanked out from under them. Do you know what that feels like? You are in a situation where you just know what is supposed to happen and how it will all play out and then it tilts? The world seems to stop and it all feels wrong. Something you have counted on, relied on to happen in a pattern you’re used to, a person you relied on to be who you KNEW they were acted out of character.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The sarcastic bar character became loving, the jovial buffoon was suddenly wise. Much like in our pandemic world where sharing space and air - something so basic and taken for granted - is now a potential risk, we (like the disciples) stumble and look for a scapegoat. Often if the unexpected action is from a person – we turn on them. Jesus knew this – he knew some did not believe and one in their midst would betray him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What is so hard? This is where hindsight does us few favors – how could they have problems with this? How could anyone betray Jesus? Two key concepts are at play here – believing and abiding. Both of these things are actions of faith and require trust – Jesus was asking them to imagine apart from their set expectations and trust in abundant life in a totally, radically new way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus weaves together what it means to believe not just that he is God but God in this interwoven twining relationship. Yes a God defined by relationship. The Spirit gives life, the words of the Word are the Spirit and life, and nobody comes to the Word except through the Father. ‘Believing’ in the gospel of John appears always as a verb, and John uses it 98 times – more than any other gospel. Jesus is telling us/showing us what believing is – it is living out relationship and in turn receiving that amazing gift of abundant life. The triune God, the Bread of Life modelling for us what God demands of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In John fashion, what we think we know from the other gospels is again shifted slightly – still true but viewed from another angle. We are introduced to Judas here for the first time in John – he is named in verse 70. As Karoline Lewis says, “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">There’s a reason Judas is introduced for the first time here, and why other disciples walk away before he does. This is betrayal. Not handing Jesus over but not being able to handle the intimacy of relationships that matter, but most importantly, our relationship with God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">These were the closest, most devoted followers of Jesus and some of them left. Again, why? Surely they knew before this who Jesus was. But this abiding and relationship in abundant life - it was just too much. Believing demanded of them an intimacy and closeness with a God who was outside expectations instead of a royal power that could provide for them from a distance, this God wanted more – a relationship of closeness – an intertwining of self. Jesus was inviting them to be at home in him the same way he was at home in the father. There is an amazing vulnerability in allowing ourselves to be known.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Even before pandemic, we had very set definitions of personal space. Consuming the Bread of Life obliterates this space – Christ makes a home in the depths of us. As Loye Bradley Ashton writes, “ …the eucharist, reveals John’s theological understanding of God as the divine community reflected in the mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son, Christ and God, Jesus and believer, and believer and God, all through the power of the Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">That, my friends, in the hard part – the challenge – why those faithful disciples turned away. What Judas was running from/denying, he betrays Jesus by being unwilling to be in relationship. Jesus calls on us to act out our belief by being God incarnate in and to the world. Maybe this will help us understand Peter’s answer to Jesus’s question of the 12 – “Do you also wish to go away?” Lord, we believe and know. He is stepping up to the relationship, showing a willingness to be known. Or at least try as much as any human is capable of trying to hold our side of the relationship. Peter has seen the abundant life in flesh. We know from other gospels that the 12 are not perfect, but God abides in them and in us. The Bread of life comes to us when we falter, when we feel ‘too known’. We come to the table to be renewed and strengthened again in the charge to act this belief.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Daniel Migliore says, “The Lord’s Supper discloses what human life by God’s grace is intended to be – a life together in a mutual sharing and love.” All of humanity is reconciled here by the Bread of Life called to abide in God and God in us. Migliore names the challenge that this unity demands:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">self-giving<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">other-affirming<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">community-forming<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In this way – through such unity, the Bread of Life welcomes all people home in the love of the triune God. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">After all this Bread of Life, communion who we eat, the bread that sustains us is a mystery of abundant life now and into the future. Not like our adventure novels where we can figure out the clues, but a mystery like <b>love</b>. Deep and lasting, open and vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You can try to explain it all you want – where does it come from, how exactly does it work? We may never know – but the power and gift in the Bread is no less real and <b>takes us beyond where our words can go</b>. It takes us home to God who knows not only our names but our deepest, inmost selves - abiding in and with us and loving us still. Disciples, bumbling characters finding friendship and family in a bar, strangers, Presbyterians even. God abiding at the very center of our beings and sending us out into the world to share the eternal, abundant life in Christ. Share the Bread with all. Amen</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-19619399977366966502021-08-25T15:56:00.003-05:002021-08-25T15:57:12.193-05:00What Is It About This Bread? True Food and Drink<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkg_f_buyYuKfQu6W0F4V889Ep18NgQZDcaBymrW6tl80IA28vb-snDfmN0kTFwwYfomz3gjxTY_rOAHia6DsxVChXRPoMpXH6dxOrRE0XjBmhI9i8octXQw9XSLFsJbWM1ZQ3jbIg0Yf/s2048/77D097C5-7C19-45AF-8C42-DEBF75D0C9B5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkg_f_buyYuKfQu6W0F4V889Ep18NgQZDcaBymrW6tl80IA28vb-snDfmN0kTFwwYfomz3gjxTY_rOAHia6DsxVChXRPoMpXH6dxOrRE0XjBmhI9i8octXQw9XSLFsJbWM1ZQ3jbIg0Yf/s320/77D097C5-7C19-45AF-8C42-DEBF75D0C9B5.heic" width="240" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">This is the third in a sermon series on The Bread of Life Discourse in which <br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Jesus is truly the Bread of Life. The discourse immediately follows the miracle or signs in John which were - the feeding of the 5000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves and then Jesus walking on water to the disciples when their boat was tossed on the waves so they were afraid.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus in this gospel doesn’t go into the how of communion but the why of sharing This Bread. The discussion continues. Listen for God’s living word in - <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 6: 51-58 (NRSV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">51 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">52 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” <b><sup>53 </sup></b>So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. <b><sup>54 </sup></b>Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; <b><sup>55 </sup></b>for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. <b><sup>56 </sup></b>Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. <b><sup>57 </sup></b>Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. <b><sup>58 </sup></b>This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What Is It About This Bread? True Food and Drink<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You’re invited – you will be welcomed. Come to the feast. What type of feast will it be? Will it be normal everyday dinner, or will it be so fancy you have to figure out how to use all those extra forks and spoons laid out around your plates? Just a hint – start at the outside and working your way in is a safe bet. Will it feel like you have fallen down the rabbit hole into The Madhatter’s Tea Party? Hurry, hurry – you’re late. Or maybe a feast of great imaginings like the Hogwarts welcome dinner for wizards and warlocks, where every delicacy imaginable is yours at the snap of a finger – all your favorites delivered specifically for you. On a train or on a plane – is the food green? I will not eat that here nor there!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Why is this meal – this feast Christ invites us to - different? How is it the true food and drink? What have we done to the feast- denominations have fought and divided over communion. What is that all about – well, it is about how we understand what Bread of Life is.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How do our beliefs compare? In a Roman Catholic worship – Holy Communion is so vital that the main point of mass and is observed every time they worship as an essential part of maintaining right relationship with God. A feast they prepare and make right before partaking in. They believe that the altar must be consecrated so that it is appropriate to hold the literal body and blood of Christ – yup transubstantiation. They believe that the priest’s blessing of the elements literally transform the bread and wine into Christ’s body and blood and so the wine and bread must be handled accordingly. A Catholic friend said this is why outdoor services have been so difficult during this time of pandemic because the consecrated altar is central to proper observance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Orthodox Christians believe that Jesus is mystically present in the bread and wine. Lutherans believe in what many of them call a sacramental union where the bread and wine are fully united with God. I asked my husband who grew up Lutheran how he understood this, and he shared that in communicants class, the priest taught him the bread became the body the instant it touched your tongue – of course 6<sup>th</sup> grade Pete then asked, “So, if I spit it out after my tongue touches it, Jesus is on the floor? Ugh! Prayers for our family always appreciated. That poor minister danced around the subject then said – once bread and wine are ingested – they are Jesus body and blood in you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Baptist belief is a bit harder to discern because, as their denominational name indicates, they are more focused on baptism and more unique from church to church in some of their beliefs and practices – at a high level for them communion is symbolic to bring people together in community and to remember that he died for our sins.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I could go on trying to figure out how we are the same and how we differ, but I quickly run the risk of misinterpreting if I haven’t already. A search for meaning can so easily offend and that is not at all the point here. What do we as Presbyterians believe? To simplify John Calvin’s words – communion is an outward sign of a grace within given to us by God. It is a physical act that points to the spiritual relationship. We are seeking meaning – but maybe not the meaning I have been talking about in describing our observances. Rather we are seeking a deeper meaning. Jesus is answering that deeper meaning that renews us and claims us. And then marks us for service. US not you – but I will come back to that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We are still left with one really big ‘why’ in John – why does The Bread of Life discourse differ so drastically from the other gospels’ portrayal of last supper instructions for what eating the Bread of Life means? John isn’t only writing to correct things he thought the others got wrong but possibly or instead to expand on areas we humans were arguing about, already in his time. And more importantly to challenge us to open our imaginings of The Bread of Life and all it means to us – how it is here for us. This telling is so gritty and offensive because our first instinct is to try to fit Jesus into our understandings, welcome him into our lives in the carefully prepared places we have. No surprise that we drift to the easy paths detouring around conflict when we can. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus words here create significant conflict both communal and internally with his listeners. Not only do they have to wrap their heads around God who is the Bread of Life that provides the Bread, but Jesus assaults their norms further with graphic gritty imagery. In case you wanted to gloss over God incarnate with a human body – he replaces the innocuous term body with flesh. A child-like honesty wants to spit that out. No doubt many a kid when confronted with that in learning about the sacrament had the same thoughts as those first listeners - jumped to a dirtier, edgier meal - Lord of the Flies imagery with thoughts of cannablism, eat flesh – yuck!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Perhaps even more offensive to the Jewish listeners would have been the idea of drinking blood – blood was the height of unclean. Food preparation and cleanliness laws did much to remove blood, and it would have shocked those in the synagogue in Capernaum to even imagine drinking a human’s blood. Dr. Seuss’s protestation has nothing on this crowd – nope, never, not gonna happen. But not only does Jesus say this is the way to eternal life – he calls it out with that idiom – ‘Very Truly’- literally ‘amen, amen’ – listen to this key point I am telling you Jesus is saying – unless you do this you have no life in you. This is John’s invitation to table – remember most languages have plural and singular forms of you so I’ll do repeat it again Southern style saying – Ya’ll listen – unless ya’ll do this ya’ll have no life in ya’ll! You together – a corporate eating not a meal designed for one on one experience but a crowded table that still has enough. Listen to this all of you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">That meaning, the wholeness each and every one of us seek – this is how you get it. In case you doubted what Jesus says next is the summary/crux of the whole. THE meaning around which Jesus’ discourse all revolves are captured in these three verses addressed to all ya’ll. </span><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">54 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; <b><sup>55 </sup></b>for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. <b><sup>56 </sup></b>Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus switches here from a soft ‘eat’ that is polite in good company to a different verb that we clean up in translation – polishing it for good company. Rather than eat flesh here –what Jesus says is more a ‘chew’ my flesh, ‘smack’ your lips like at a southern bbq – edgy, pushing our boundaries and sensibilities – but Jesus loves us that much – not a dainty nibble of tea sandwiches here but thoroughly chew the flesh so that it gets in our guts, coats our insides and is no longer possible to be pulled out of us or separated from us in any way. We squirm but Jesus is ready to throw out the challenge of imagining a new feast – he isn’t done yet!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I love you so much Jesus says that those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life – have – yes, HAVE. IT. NOW. Now and later – I will raise you on the last day. Eternal life – relationship with one another and God now breaking our concepts of time, our definitions of when. True food and true drink don’t just fill our bellies – they fill our souls. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In John, the feast that is true food and true drink are Jesus’ flesh and blood in life. And, the feast is not mournful waiting until a last supper but a feast of abundance and life in Jesus. A crowd of thousands fed by God now. John is not replacing our images of the last supper but challenging us to imagine a broader, more abundant feast. Jesus life with us, coming to us in the flesh - just as important as the resurrection. Both inseperable in showing God’s love for all of us. Sitting side by side challenging us again. God’s love is so much bigger than our imaginings – Guess what else is in present tense?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">.” We abide in God NOW – God is in us now. Abundant life now available for all – all ya’ll together in a radical feast that doesn’t require we get dressed up or made ‘right’. It meets us where we are even in the wilderness of our lives. Jesus, The Bread of Life – living in us now. A friend who officiates at communion at youth conferences helps with this edgy inviting Jesus to abide in us by welcoming people to the table asking them to ‘tear off a big ol hunk o Jesus’. It used to make me squirm thinking he was being cutesy for the kids. But maybe it is time to imagine a feast where we don’t set the parameters but are welcomed by the Bread of Life, Living Word – living in and with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Celebrate abundant life now – let it abide in you. We have tamed the sacrament – domesticated it to an acceptable dinner. Imagine more. What will it be – dare you open the invitation to the feast? All who put their faith and trust in The Living Bread are welcome here. Abundant life is here – and it is specifically and especially for you. Amen.</span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-35657735691985098532021-08-10T15:19:00.004-05:002021-08-10T15:20:50.410-05:00What Is It About This Bread? Part 2<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFx4_vH_KoGBywVwYKXX7E3_5-76xauwXZRj73hV-A8r5YPJC9cyFOVw5GNSFB3v1gJTJk5MzbaibirGe0NLdRCUUuxQcqW-3C0XS2SnV5KbKsnjalhP5vZzo7uE-62uqrQtgvigM5OB6/s2048/IMG_1106.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFx4_vH_KoGBywVwYKXX7E3_5-76xauwXZRj73hV-A8r5YPJC9cyFOVw5GNSFB3v1gJTJk5MzbaibirGe0NLdRCUUuxQcqW-3C0XS2SnV5KbKsnjalhP5vZzo7uE-62uqrQtgvigM5OB6/w400-h300/IMG_1106.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">This is the second in a sermon series on The Bread of Life Discourse in which Jesus talks about</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">- well, the Bread of Life. It doesn’t go into the how of communion but the why of sharing This Bread. I’ve noticed with my study group that when verses are left out, we often want to know why – the portion we skip over is Jesus confronting those who refuse to believe in him. The discussion continues. Listen for God’s living word in -</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 6:35, 41-51 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"35 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">41 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the bread that came down from heaven.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> <span class="text"><b><sup>42 </sup></b>They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, </span><span class="woj">‘I came down from heaven’</span><span class="text">?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">43 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Stop grumbling among yourselves,”</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> Jesus answered.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> <span class="woj"><b><sup>44 </sup></b>“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>45 </sup></b>It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’<sup> </sup> Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>46 </sup></b>No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>47 </sup></b>Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>48 </sup></b>I am the bread of life.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>49 </sup></b>Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>50 </sup></b>But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.</span> <span class="woj"><b><sup>51 </sup></b>I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Communion – seems simple enough, right? Someone prepares the bread, someone brings the juice or wine. Make sure you have a plate and pitcher and a plan for how to serve it, and you are good to go. Wellll, maybe not! In a past church, one day – probably a fifth Sunday, somehow the person who was to provide the bread was not reminded and forgot. No problem – this church had a little freezer area near the preparation area with bread frozen for just such an occasion. They pulled it out, warmed it up in the microwave and scored the bottom – you know, make a cut across the bread to help the pastor when it is time to break it during worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">All I knew was that bread had shown up – I got to the point of breaking the bread and was suddenly wrestling with a brick. Finally it gave with a loud explosive pop. I still had hope, naively thinking the problems were over. This church served communion up front on two trays – everyone came down the middle aisle, broke off a piece of bread to eat and picked up a cup to drink. As people came forward, I was nudging the softer part of the bread to the front of the tray and noticed my fellow server having problems too. I carefully smothered my giggle and smiled as I offered the bread of life to those in line. Unfortunately, I was soon down to the part of the bread that wouldn’t break and people at best were getting crumbs when all of a sudden, the bread broke at a weird angle and went bouncing across the floor. I scrambled to gather it mumbling about the ten second rule – congregants cooperated and finished doing the best we could to get everyone bread. After that first gasp, we did laugh and joy was evident in the joyful feast in a new way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">While this experience is funny in hindsight, not all Christian faiths would laugh at all – wars have been fought for less as we disagree about what this feast of the Lord and the elements of the meal, really mean.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John helps us with what the bread means. There is a pattern in the gospel of John – 1. Jesus performed miracles – that John calls signs, 2. there is dialogue usually people asking questions, 3. then there is discourse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">A quick review – the miracle or signs in John were the feeding of the 5000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves and then Jesus walking on water to the disciples when their boat was tossed on the waves so they were afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We are in the dialogue part now – and it feels like a lot! Why is there an entire discourse on bread? Pastors and congregations get worn out of bread in four or five weeks – but John has Jesus give a discourse for a reason. Repetition in the bible jumps off the pages begging us to sit up and take notice. So I invite you to sit with me in conversation together about the Bread of Life. One of the questions I was asked last week for our conversation – how many times does bread appear in the bible? While Bread of Life is unique to the gospel of John – bread is central throughout scripture appearing at least 492 times, used literally and figuratively, – from Genesis to Revelation, bread is an integral part of the story of humans and God. 492 TIMES!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Bread is vital to survival – sustenance often sent to us by God, bread at weddings, bread snatched up prior to leavening and carried by the Jews in the Exodus. We may no longer literally eat bread to survive as our ancestors did, but the imagery has carried – even in our Lord’s Prayer – Give us this day – <b>our daily bre</b>ad. You could do an entire separate study about all of the things that bread symbolizes or represents for us in the bible. But here, in John – and what it points to most centrally for us is Jesus himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">That is the controversy and mystery in the Bread of Life Discourse. Jesus came down from heaven – he is the bread from heaven, he is also God – the one who sends the bread. Who is this man? Jesus is God and sent by God for us? What the crowd wondered – we know Mary and Joseph – Jesus grew up in our midst they argue. John is having none of that – rather than start the gospel with lineage or narrow descriptions of family, John is the gospel that begins with, ‘In the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God’. A deep reading of the bible gives us a taste for this living word; as early as Micah it is foretold where the messiah will be born – where was Jesus born? Simple question right – looking at the answers from Jesus in scripture, you should know its more loaded. In case you didn’t already know, I love word etymology and languages because the origins of words enriches meaning, adds depth. This one was unexpected for me the first time I heard it - Bethlehem – two Hebrew words pushed together for an innocent town name – right. Bith Lehem – Home of Bread.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We have hindsight and aren’t numbed by familiarity with the man and miracles popping up around us and words/names used commonly day in and day out – but how could they not know – their prophecy told them the messiah was coming, their words screamed it at them. But their expectations blinded them to the Bread of Life that had joined them in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #302f2f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">David Lose describes it as laughable asking, “… who ever heard of a God who is willing to suffer the pains and problems, the indecencies and embarrassments of human life?” Is Jesus making fun of their expectations he asks or even worse mocking their own deep need for a God who is above our challenges and mess. But I love where Lose takes the idea – he modernizes it. Lose says, “While surprising, it’s encouraging that God would work through technology and instruments, through bottom-line corporations and imperfect labor unions, through ordinary, human, doctors and nurses with short tempers or poor bed-side manners. Just as I find it amazing and miraculous that God works through flawed pastors, jaded teachers, worn-out secretaries, over-worked government officials, exhausted parents, and the like – that God would choose these and so many other unlikely candidates through whom to work, even when they don’t suspect it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What are our expectations for how Jesus is feeding us - where do we meet The Bread of Life today? Where do we find ourselves? When our bellies are hungry, or our hearts are aching and God doesn’t show up the way we want? How do we live together and with our God when things aren’t easy?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Grumbling and complaining or growing closer to this bread of life that fills us and calls us to live into the mystery of being the body of Christ in this place No matter our response, God responds to us like the angel sitting with Elijah, bringing him water and food in his time of despair. The Bread of Life is with us, ever present no matter where we wander – running away, or lost and lonely - God with us, sustaining us, binding us together – not just the sustenance we crave but the life we really need. God’s presence with us and in us – there for all who believe. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As Karoline Lewis states, “The bread that comes down from heaven means that the promise of heaven exists for all believers. What heaven means for this gospel, of course, is being in the presence of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This is a redefining of heaven not pointing to or limited to one set location or a set time but a blurring to now and yet to come, eternal life not just past but stretching immediately before us – a mysterious Kingdom of Heaven that encompasses earth and is beyond our defining.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In John eternal life is also less about length although that is part of it and more about quality – it is life with God , beginning right now. Sharing in God’s life with others now – to benefit yourself and others – some say this is THE theme of John – this life that Jesus offers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How do we share this life? We remember this sharing when we come to table together, as last week. Communion comes from the Greek Koinonia – the word that means relationship, fellowship, partnership. A participation together in Christian life – a life initiated by The Bread of Life. John Calvin’s position is that this union is ultimately too great a mystery to explain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Presbyterians liturgy welcomes all to this table and calls it a joyful feast. Do you approach it in solemn reverence or in grateful joy. Like most things – neither is wholely correct without leaving room for the other. As we pass the elements to one another or serve communion, we say, “Christ’s body broken for you. Christ’s blood shed for you.” Or we say “The bread of life. The cup of salvation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Both are correct, and joy is not the same as happy – so whether we sing softly or boldly, sit in silence, close our eyes in prayer or nod at friends with a smile or even giggle when the bread is too hard or we fumble opening the lunchable packages of wafer and juice – this is a table we sit at together because of The Bread of Life bringing us eternal life together through all those people Lose described with all their flaws. This mystery expects us to get up from this table following the example of Jesus, carrying it within us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Virtual communion where some eat together physically and others share the feast in their homes has allowed us to more fully see what this table really means – the table has no limits, isn’t a table defined by us at all but expects us to carry this koinonia – together – requires reconciliation not only with God but one another. Sharing the Bread of Life demands we actively seek reconciliation in every instance of conflict or division between ourselves and our neighbors. God in and through us in the bread of life taking eternal life in Jesus Christ to the world. After all this is what Jesus showed them that was so astonishing – The Bread of Lfie, God working in the everyday, common, embarrassing life – in us, for all of us. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-27552346925990898172021-06-02T10:52:00.002-05:002021-06-02T10:54:46.937-05:00Together - All Ya'll<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt-xTDBYnH5neZ004ZKx69JKfkmLlW_dn8Puf6VdlBoakYEtQulMqKV6wISv8VkG0T1myMaUg68s1zLY0lGtp5AuIjxcsGa_muVDBNHDuWASGozwvYRmt1zK2pvBS1Xd9VS8dspH_dph1/s2048/D55CBAF2-EF76-4564-A01E-1875E7878BEC.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt-xTDBYnH5neZ004ZKx69JKfkmLlW_dn8Puf6VdlBoakYEtQulMqKV6wISv8VkG0T1myMaUg68s1zLY0lGtp5AuIjxcsGa_muVDBNHDuWASGozwvYRmt1zK2pvBS1Xd9VS8dspH_dph1/s320/D55CBAF2-EF76-4564-A01E-1875E7878BEC.heic" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> This translation from the original Greek text is my own – my Wednesday class<br /> jokingly named it the ‘Laura Southern Version’, or LSV. While our regularly used translations are good, the word changes I make here are intended to emphasize different areas and help us hear in new ways. Listen to the living Word from:</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Romans 8:9-17 – LSV<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But, all ya’ll are not in the flesh</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">, ya’ll</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God is home in ya’ll.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Yet, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But if Christ is in ya’ll, then even though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life<sup> </sup>because of justice.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">11 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">But if the Spirit of the one raising Jesus from the dead</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">is at home in ya’ll, the one raising Christ from the dead will also bring life to ya’ll’s mortal bodies</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">because of the Spirit living in ya’ll. </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So then, brothers [and sisters], we have a debt—not to the flesh, to be living according to the flesh.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">For if ya’ll are living according to the flesh, ya’ll are about to die;</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">but if by the Spirit ya’ll put to death the practices of the body,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">ya’ll will live. </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">For all who are led by the Spirit of God</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">are children of God.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">For ya’ll didn’t get the spirit of slavery in fear again;</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">but ya’ll got the spirit of adoption in which we cry,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Abba,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Father.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The same Spirit is together witnessing with our spirit</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">that we are God’s children.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And if children, also heirs—indeed heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we are suffering together,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> that </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">we might be glorified together.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jamie Glenn in <i>Walk Tall, You’re a Daughter of God</i> tells a fable of the eagle and the chicken <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"The<span style="color: #232323;"> eagle thought he was a chicken. When the eagle was very small, he fell from the safety of his nest. A chicken farmer found the eagle, brought him to the farm, and raised him in a chicken coop among his many chickens. The eagle grew up doing what chickens do, living like a chicken, and believing he was a chicken. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">A naturalist came to the chicken farm to see if what he had heard about an eagle acting like a chicken was really true. He knew that an eagle is king of the sky. He was surprised to see the eagle strutting around the chicken coop, pecking at the ground, and acting very much like a chicken. The farmer explained to the naturalist that this bird was no longer an eagle. He was now a chicken because he had been trained to be a chicken and he believed that he was a chicken. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The naturalist knew there was more to this great bird than his actions showed as he “pretended” to be a chicken. He was born an eagle and had the heart of an eagle, and nothing could change that. The man lifted the eagle onto the fence surrounding the chicken coop and said, “Eagle, thou art an eagle. Stretch forth thy wings and fly.” The eagle moved slightly, only to look at the man; then he glanced down at his home among the chickens in the chicken coop where he was comfortable. He jumped off the fence and continued doing what chickens do. The farmer was satisfied. “I told you it was a chicken,” he said. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The naturalist returned the next day and tried again to convince the farmer and the eagle that the eagle was born for something greater. He took the eagle to the top of the farmhouse and spoke to him: “Eagle, thou art an eagle. Thou dost belong to the sky and not to the earth. Stretch forth thy wings and fly.” The large bird looked at the man, then again down into the chicken coop. He jumped from the man’s arm onto the roof of the farmhouse. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Knowing what eagles are really about, the naturalist asked the farmer to let him try one more time. He would return the next day and prove that this bird was an eagle. The farmer, convinced otherwise, said, “It is a chicken.” </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="color: #232323; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The naturalist returned the next morning to the chicken farm and took the eagle and the farmer some distance away to the foot of a high mountain. They could not see the farm nor the chicken coop from this new setting. The man held the eagle on his arm and pointed high into the sky where the bright sun was beckoning above. He spoke: “Eagle, thou art an eagle! Thou dost belong to the sky and not to the earth. Stretch forth thy wings and fly.” This time the eagle stared skyward into the bright sun, straightened his large body, and stretched his massive wings. His wings moved, slowly at first, then surely and powerfully. With the mighty screech of an eagle, he flew." </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This has been a year when we have felt like children thrust out of the protective bubble of our existence. Much like the eagle who fell from the nest - when things go wrong – when the party is over and cake is gone, we look for that place of comfort – a home to rest in – where are my people? Last week you heard about the birth of the church and the mysterious and amazingness of a hearing that everyone could understand – each in their own language, even Southern translation. And yet, there were flames atop the people’s heads as the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Perhaps, they appeared a bit drunk in their festivities – is that how we looked last week in our red, orange and yellow - celebrating in the church, remembering the birthday of the church with tambourines and singing? This week, there are a few balloons, deflated and sad here and there reminding us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Our church banners changed from red to white – for this special Sunday when we remember the Trinity. What even is that? It isn’t referenced anywhere in the bible. All our attempts to find scripture to use today to tell us about trinity, don’t describe the three in one and lay it all out for us, they may just mention the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Instead, we get hocus pocus. We get a vision from Isaiah straight out of our wildest imaginations – I want whatever he had before going to sleep that night – or maybe I don’t. The Lord on a throne, with a robe that outdoes the most elaborate of wedding gowns – the hem of the robe stretched to fill the whole temple except instead of bridesmaids attending – we have Seraphs with six wings covering eyes, feet and flying. What exactly is a Seraph? They only appear in Isaiah 6, but they were fiery angels with six wings- the highest level of angel. I don’t have any problem at all imagining why the prophet felt inadequate, lost and afraid seeing this host of the Lord – the ground shakes, rumbling thunder, incense and smokey fogs blows about, and they proclaim loudly, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts.” A burning coal purifies the prophets lips and he is ready to go when God calls. “Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This sounds straight out of fantasy and our wildest imaginings, and not something we are exactly comfortable with – that’s ‘just’ the Old Testament. But if we are honest, do we understand trinity any better? Most of our concepts of Trinity come from Paul’s letters. The church was born, so now what? Do we grasp the awe, the mystery and the power given to us as children adopted by God in Christ? Or, like the Eagle raised among chickens, do we hop off the fence rather than fly? Do we evaluate and talk a good talk but spend all of our time trying to figure out, ‘define’ and analyze trinity rather than realizing that it dwells within us. God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have a home. That home is here. In me, here. In you – here. In us the body of Christ the church – in here. The Holy Spirit is celebrated on Pentecost and then put away with the balloons and banners after the party is over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Clean up and carry on as if we haven’t been adopted? I think not! That is not what Paul is telling the Romans or us – we are heirs to the glory of God, brothers and sisters with one another in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This is an intimate relationship that we attempt to understand in our trinity imagery – how God shows us to be in relationship with others, with ourselves and with God – a unity, a home, a family. What does this adoption call us to – daily? You noticed I said ‘us’ – that is the main gist of my southern translation – there is no individual ‘you’ in this family. Ya’ll, we are in this together. We can cluck around the chicken yard, or we can realize, acknowledge and embrace that we have been lifted up and given Eagles wings. The Holy Spirit is mysterious, amazing and within us to remind us that we, together are God’s beloved children, made a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. There is a unity that we grasp at that we hunger for – a unity that doesn’t dissolve our differences, doesn’t wipe away the mystery but offers each person integrity, the wholeness of shalom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The trinity is a messy mystery. God defies our grasp and outdoes our expectations. I can’t begin to explain – a Japanese friend in high school asked me how I can claim to worship one God that has three persons – are they distinct, or not? Reverend Shannon Kershner says this is where the rubber hits the road, “<span style="color: #333333;">when we confess belief in a triune God, we are claiming that the God we worship and whom alone we serve is a God who has relationships at God's very core.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As we have drifted back into the sanctuary, back into public spaces together, it has been messy. There is a Pepsi commercial that shows all the places we brush up against each other in messy, crowded ways – spilling on each other, invading personal space, annoying each other by double-dipping at the party or reaching out to taste or share a drink when thirst needs quenching. The power of this ad is that in its humor, it shows us what we missed. Only now are we wise enough to appreciate and even crave this mess – to perhaps overlook what used to annoy us in order to accept the deep abiding value of home with each other – all God’s beloved brothers and sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How are we in this relationship today? Is our table open to quench each other’s thirst? Are we tending to the flock – being beloved in relationship with God – adopted children, are we also being loving? Sometimes the saccharine of Southern hospitality isn’t real. Make it real? In these times, we have learned the hard way that we will take the messiness. We need the messes because we need each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We have had a light shined on us through snow storms and pandemic about what we value, what we will give up, and what we won’t, for and with each other. As children of God, we can’t exist in isolation – we need each other to be part of Christ’s body. Made in God’s image and adopted as God’s children – we have to figure out how to be together. Ya’ll we are in this together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I’m not sure exactly how, but the Holy Spirit is woven inside me and you. When one of God’s children hurts, God hurts, we all hurt. But together, we are also lifted up – not some later, one person or another, but all of us loved deeply, adopted today. What does all this stuff about the spirit in me and not living by the flesh mean to how and where we see God – that is the hard part – Trinity doesn’t just sit with a baby Jesus or even a crucified and resurrected Jesus but points us to the togetherness. The love that ties God to us, that defines God. How do we see that? Ya’ll – how do we see trinity – how do we see God?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How is God relating in our world, throughout – there is where we see God. Look at creation, God is there in the glory of the rising sun, the crashing waves, the fields of grain. God leaps with the dolphins in the waves, runs through the forests with the wild beasts and flies on eagle’s wings. And yes, pecks with the chickens. See God in parents tenderly loving children – worship Her as wisdom, the whisper on the breeze, or the roar of thunder. Praise Him as a heavenly king on a throne or a perfect human come to earth – the light of the world. Meet God at the table with the feast prepared – a place for God’s children to share meal, fellowship together. All this and more are our attempts to see God, to capture and explain this mysterious, messy relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Trinity as confusing as it may be sums it all up- God is love – all these ‘seeings’ – and more in relationship. A God whose hand created all of this but who loves us so much that if one is missing, the relationship is incomplete. God who binds us up in love and charges us to be heirs of that love. This is how you relate, this is how you were made in my image: to follow in the footsteps of Christ, to carry the Holy Spirit within and throughout, to continue the task of creating God’s Holy Kindom here and now. So, what to do after the Pentecost party – be the church! Pull out the sweet tea and invite in a friend. Tend to each other. All Ya’ll, empowered to love, to serve – when God calls we answer together in awe, Here I am Lord! The Holy Spirit has shaken our foundations, cast aside our certainties but replaced what we thought we knew with abiding love and set us loose upon the world – soar on the wings of the eagle but don’t forget to gather all the little chicks into the fold - together ya’ll. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-91899338700612318222021-06-02T10:43:00.003-05:002021-06-02T10:54:26.267-05:00Heads in the Clouds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV_4iCAGuZQ8ANRsSthY-2pQSfVZ74f5epI1BpJyN7WXfcD5dxKD6IBHgl4Z1hKGtKMOyHB6433BtLVD4dYaP53JQ7CoihKtPOwClk63wGb8EBplU1JPDw8oES6xLETSocuoLaAHvc28t/s2048/29F3DE6E-E842-4FE3-97B8-7CF05A77EAB3.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoV_4iCAGuZQ8ANRsSthY-2pQSfVZ74f5epI1BpJyN7WXfcD5dxKD6IBHgl4Z1hKGtKMOyHB6433BtLVD4dYaP53JQ7CoihKtPOwClk63wGb8EBplU1JPDw8oES6xLETSocuoLaAHvc28t/w320-h240/29F3DE6E-E842-4FE3-97B8-7CF05A77EAB3.heic" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">After appearing on the Road to Emmaus, Jesus also appeared to the disciples <br />showing them his hands and feet and eating fish. Once convinced that he wasn’t a ghost, they were ready to listen and receive the words of Jesus. Let us receive them now.</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Luke 24:44-53 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">44 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">45 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. <b><sup>46 </sup></b>He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, <b><sup>47 </sup></b>and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. <b><sup>48 </sup></b>You are witnesses of these things. <b><sup>49 </sup></b>I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">50 </span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. <b><sup>51 </sup></b>While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. <b><sup>52 </sup></b>Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. <b><sup>53 </sup></b>And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Is God gone from the world? The original disciples and followers were sure that Jesus’ return would be any day – that it would be soon. They aren’t at all bothered that he was lifted up into a cloud, taken away from them again. After all, he rose from the dead, what can hold him away. Perhaps they knew better than we do – nothing can hold God away. Didn’t we learn that in these 40 days of being an Easter people? Don’t we celebrate God with us next week all decked out in red when the Holy Spirit descends? It’s kinda like a relay race. If one runner doesn’t smoothly hand off the baton and get out of the way, the team will lose. All it takes is a quick search through records to see teams who have made or broken their chances in the race with the baton hand off in track.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This week is the second runner Jesus getting out of the way to make room for the third one to take up the baton. Jesus showed us with new eyes the many things God had done in the world, refreshed our hearts and minds to understand the gifts of God through the prophets and scriptures. Jesus lived among us, showing us what the perfect human looks like, preparing us to follow in his footsteps. Is the team ready? Jesus has run a good race, and the apostles worshipped with great joy staying in the temple. There is much at play here – aren’t these the same apostles that took several times seeing the risen Lord before they believed, before they understood. Now, now they are joyful with Jesus mysteriously lifted up in a cloud?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The apostles listened and followed God’s commands in joy worshipping in the temple continuously. However, it doesn’t take long for our puny human minds to wander and wonder at this great mystery. In the second book of Luke – Acts, written to explain to the new church and remind them what the gospels said, the new church needed reassurance. We wonder why the ascension story, the one in Acts vs. in Luke, is different already – it is the same author telling about the same scenario. As you look back on events of the past, do you remember different things about them? In this later telling, I suppose something different jumps out at Luke. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes, they followed Jesus’ instruction, but there was that moment when they stood and looked at the clouds in wonder. “Is this the time?” they asked, “That is not for you to know.” Jesus’ final words before ascending were, “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-size: 16pt;">But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> The runners who were so focused on receiving the baton, running as charged, are suddenly looking up at the clouds.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The sureness we see in Luke quickly moves to questions. While the apostles and early church needed reassurance that Jesus was returning because they had expectations of it being any day, today we are more likely to assume that Jesus’ return will <b>not</b> be in our day. For the Holy Spirit, this presents the same challenge. You have seen the race, you have the psalms, the prophets and the church across the ages. In the race, we are told who will pick up the next leg and run for and with us. Yes, the Holy Spirit took up the baton, but we weren’t looking for the marathon, and we misunderstand the nature of the relay. A mysterious expanding team.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How quickly we forgot – Abide in me, and I abide in you. It isn’t a mistake that Jesus ascends right before Easter concludes with Pentecost, and then the church celebrates Trinity Sunday. It’s time to explain this vine that loops and swirls containing us, this relationship that encompasses us. The Trinity that models to us how we are to be with and of each other, a team. Mysteriously of one at the same time as of three, as of many.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Father, Son and Holy Spirit - one God coming to us, relating to us – showing us how to relate to one another. Rowan Williams tells us that each of the three divine persons seeks not to gain pride of place, no hierarchy if you will but instead they yield to each other giving place to others so all can be fully what they are. A model for us of respecting and embracing difference inviting us to participate together. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Ascension Sunday, this little forgotten Holy Day of the Christian Church does just that. It opens the scriptures to our minds – now that we have been made ready. Look, Jesus tells us, look at the Old Testament, the Psalms, all the familiar stories. Use that hindsight to see it fresh, to give it new life and an added depth of meaning. The new does not replace the old yet expands on it calling us to more and hinting that even as we no longer see Jesus, the best is yet to be seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As a church, our two biggest celebrations are Easter and Christmas. God born into our world – bursting in as a tiny baby, coming in flesh to live with and for us taking on all things human. And then defeating even death to come to us again – resurrected on Easter morning. So where is Jesus today? How do we skip over ascension – are we listening to that calling voice? How are we pulled into the story? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus spins us into the future of the church pushing us out into the world with a vision of what The Kingdom of Heaven on Earth can and will be. Empowering us by abiding in and with us - now and later. No matter where or when we are, the Holy Spirit has come, is coming, will come. The beautiful mystery of our God is not only of Christmas and Easter where we are spectators watching God doing for us. We are not just watching a race but active participants lovingly picked up and carried at times, trained and nurtured at others, but always empowered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Normally track is an individual sport or maybe a small grouping, but this metaphor can’t live up to the team we are on. Imagine a relay where when you are weak there is always someone who can pick up and give you rest. Envision a new dimension that has blessings and gifts to ensure all are nurtured and the weak never grow weary. A baton that is never dropped because our eyes are not in some clouds but on each other – every brother and sister with a valued place. Everyone individually and uniquely a part but mysteriously melded together in God’s love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">That abiding love permeates our bodies, our souls and journeys with us into the world. Yes, Jesus ascends into heaven – not abandoning us but God coming to us in a way we are only now prepared for because Jesus lived among us. Jason Byassee writes, <span style="color: #3c3b37;">“Jesus body is amazing. It walks through walls, it eats fish, it is on the altar, it is in your neighbor (especially the one you do not like), it is in the next needy person you see, it is in the mirror.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #3c3b37; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We tend to be people of concrete ideas so Jesus came to help us make more sense of this mystery of God with us. To bring us fleshy, human Jesus and leave us with wisdom – Sophia, the Holy Spirit. It is no mistake that the church is referred to as the body of Christ. This Spirit leaps, dances and burns within us to spread the joy of worshipping together. When others see our body – the church and each of us individually, they should see God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit in action. Jesus hasn’t disappeared from the world. God is not in the clouds but here, now visible in the actions we partake – God in and through us. Stay in this place joyously praising God until the Holy Spirit ignites in your heart – then my friends, pick up the baton and run the race set before you. Share the love of Jesus that abides in you and welcome the world into the mystery, the gift of our faith. Love is an action - Praise Jesus continually. Jesus did not leave with a formula for success or even an Amen. Jesus ascended mid-blessing. Ascension is empowering, God ever with us – a cause to celebrate how we have been blessed, loved – how steadfast is our God. That final blessing of Jesus continues in us – carrying on, carrying the love of God to the world. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-13375201945284454602021-05-11T13:51:00.000-05:002021-06-02T10:54:12.486-05:00A Broken Heart<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGJTUHPOt4ECZbFRhrFjWuto12w_4Po5zvrdlfMMkNs4ScuIloz115LSFWcc65WRAi7fz7kmf3IcZnqev9GKW2QPMJANVJImqcFRGJAQdx1GVzivq_oguCfzowaSbnAHi7y-WoerE9zge/s2048/0B995C53-2DA7-49C1-8F41-FF2053BF92F0.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGJTUHPOt4ECZbFRhrFjWuto12w_4Po5zvrdlfMMkNs4ScuIloz115LSFWcc65WRAi7fz7kmf3IcZnqev9GKW2QPMJANVJImqcFRGJAQdx1GVzivq_oguCfzowaSbnAHi7y-WoerE9zge/s320/0B995C53-2DA7-49C1-8F41-FF2053BF92F0.heic" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Last week we talked about twisty vines on which we are the branches – branches <br />hanging onto Jesus, The True Vine. We dug into how we abide with God talking about the nuance of that Greek word ‘mineo’ – abide, to remain, stay with me. If we abide in God, God abides in us. This scripture from John is the continuation of Jesus’ speech to his disciples at the last supper. If you were looking at a red-line Bible, you know the ones that put Jesus’ words in red, this would be Jesus all over the page. Jesus commanding us, his friends. Listen for God’s word, listen to God’s Word as he speaks to us.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 15:9-17<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. <b><sup>10 </sup></b>If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. <b><sup>11 </sup></b>I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. <b><sup>13 </sup></b>Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. <b><sup>14 </sup></b>You are my friends if you do what I command. <b><sup>15 </sup></b>I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. <b><sup>16 </sup></b>You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>This is my command: Love each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What a packed week – May rushes in trying to squeeze every last thing into the year that might have been overlooked. We start with one of my favorite plays on words for those who love Star Wars– May the 4<sup>th</sup> be with you – to which most good Presbyterians reply – “And also with you.” The very next day, Cinco de Mayo – we show the world our love for tacos and margaritas. Then, the first Thursday of every May is traditionally declared the national day of prayer – peoples of the nation pray in their various traditions for the nation. And, since the school year is almost over – we must appreciate our teachers – so it is Teacher Appreciation Week. Nurse Appreciation Day in a pandemic year should also have been a week in my opinion and hmmm – we forgetting anything – Mother’s Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Why might you ask is the pastor putting every secular component into the sermon? That isn’t what we talk about inproclamation. But it is – God’s love fiercely, deeply and passionately reaches out in this kind of breadth and all-encompassing invitation. Too often we reduce the power of this word – love - to the English meaning forgetting that in Greek it took three words to distinguish – Eros or physical romantic love, Phileo or brotherly family love and agape love for and of God – unconditional.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">How can we reduce this word to a maudlin meme, a side bar that our eyes almost slip over – God is love – yup, got it… In one form or another, the words of love appear in the Bible 740 times. Before we think this is all easy, we must understand what God is commanding – requiring of us as friends, those who know and have been entwined in, owned by and empowered to love.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Star Wars – cute little aliens that we like to be entertained by, but you don’t have to look far to see the mysterious force that is seeking to bind us all together. Read a little deeper and the force can easily show us God’s love – a mysterious all pervasive thing that can sneak in if we let it and do either wonderful things or warp the world by its absence. We have trouble accepting those of different colors, shapes, genders. God’s love calls us to a Star Wars version of love - encompass and befriend those who are different, those outside our understanding - who are alien to us almost seeming to sprout antenna or extra legs in their strangeness. We imagine loving that is beyond us, but we are called to love each other – even in the alien bar because they are bound to us by this mystery we call God – all loved. God’s heart breaks when all children are not loved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Tacos and margaritas are how we celebrate Cinco de Mayo – this began in California and is a celebration of Mexican American culture – tied to a date of a Mexican victory over the French. We love the food but God beckons us to love beyond borders – the people, the children. God’s heart breaks when we turn even one away. God commands us to love one another – what does this love look like? Is this love dangerous? Are we willing to give our lives for this love? God’s heart breaks when we don’t, can’t or won’t love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Thankfully many do get it – live into this love. Thursday was a day to focus on love, prayer, and thanks instead of the many things that divide us. Our national hate, divisiveness and bickering breaks God’s heart, so on this special day we focus on coming together. At a lunch in Dallas hosted by Thanksgiving Foundation and Faith Forward Dallas faith and community leaders from across the area – Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh gathered in prayer giving our profound thanks for the love of first responders – those often overlooked people who live and dedicate themselves in love of others. Using all of their talents, God-given gifts and sooo much of their time in love for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The teachers, the nurses, the firefighters, the police, and all those who assist and work together when we are in crisis. Teaching, protecting, healing - they work to bring God’s love to the nation to all neighbors – caring for God’s children. Oh we sometimes get it wrong, really wrong but as a whole those we call first responders have a sense of care that calls them to use their lives to do this loving work of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This love – no matter what word we use is an action word – not some abstract thought – and God so wanted us to understand even when we broke God’s heart. Karoline Lewis on the Gospel of John says, “Love is not an abstract concept in this Gospel but is deeply grounded in God’s decision to dwell as Jesus in the world. The entirety of the Gospel has been not only Jesus revealing what God’s abundant love is but creating experiences to feel this abundant love.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The. Entire. Gospel. To tell us, to show us – to make sure we feel the love. So that everyone could feel this amazing love. To command that we love. Because that love is where we abide – as Jesus’ friends, we take joy in serving and in loving. God’s joy is in us, making our joy complete. We dwell in Christ, in Christ’s love together. Lewis says that with this speech to the disciples, Jesus is setting a framework for who they can rely on in His absence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We have the benefit of hindsight, we know that God is with us – that Jesus abides with us still, but what about those who don’t see God in their lives? What about those on the downside of each of our celebrations – the alien, the shut out, the victim, the lonely and lost? Who is relying on us? Are we carrying love – how? Not a Hallmark Card but love of actions, systems, support. Love even of enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This can be a dangerous love – think of the term ‘momma bear’. On this day when we are called to remember moms and commanded to love, I think that we should picture the bear instead of the quaint flowers and gentle touch. Everyone deserves a momma bear’s love – fierce, vast, protection – someone who loves you no matter what - protects you shelters you, hears you, values you. This is the love we are commanded to by God – a love embodied in Christ, and now in us carrying the actions of justice that show God’s love to the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Many of us feel this love from our moms. For others, Mother’s Day is hard. It may remind us of someone who had this love for us but is gone or no longer loves, or of someone who should have, but did not love. Someone who desperately wished to share but was not blessed with children. Missing mothers or mothers who are too much in your face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We can make a true muck out of this love thing. The pain of missing love is real. But look this day to honor those who have filled those empty spaces, those you could rely on if there was a space of emptiness. God calls us all to the voids, the dark places that need love the most – God calls us all not just women or birth mothers to the places of pain and takes joy with us when we fill them instead with love. When we imagine outside of the box relationships nurturing and caring in new ways not daring to limit God’s love – not by biology, by nation, by culture, by our pre-conceived notions of who and how we are to love. God’s answer is yes – that too. That is how you are to love one another. God’s broken heart opened wide to make a place for us to abide, gathering us in and binding us together in our brokenness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">God’s call to compassion and justice are throughout the bible – from the psalms to Jesus’ words to the founders of the new church of Christ and beyond. God was willing to open his heart – to have a piece walk in the world embodied in Christ and now abiding in us. We are loved that much, but we must share that cup. The red words– They are the Word of The Word – words for us, cleansing and love giving - Jesus’ heart on display, squeezed for us, broken for us, given to us – his friends. God’s love can’t be contained, knows no bounds. Share it with enemy and friend bringing justice to the world today. Love one another. The Word has called us to action. That action of love - today. Amen.</span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-52658182572376134752021-05-11T13:45:00.000-05:002021-06-02T10:54:02.433-05:00Kudzu or Pinot Noir<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4N5_JKmfyHNjwoKQDXqPb3xDN6HBQ9a7dx7vv38mIZN7aTzD3twTVqF5zy3XEbSB7IWcqvf1_tiQ03t-EglXuZ39b8DQpxY-n29M3TUeY8pq01pYnHyoUy9uiLmb9Td0Nh4UVN6tE-OK/s2048/2DF8F946-B3D2-495B-B75C-951E8465E761.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4N5_JKmfyHNjwoKQDXqPb3xDN6HBQ9a7dx7vv38mIZN7aTzD3twTVqF5zy3XEbSB7IWcqvf1_tiQ03t-EglXuZ39b8DQpxY-n29M3TUeY8pq01pYnHyoUy9uiLmb9Td0Nh4UVN6tE-OK/s320/2DF8F946-B3D2-495B-B75C-951E8465E761.heic" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">These words from John come to us from Jesus’ Farewell Discourse at <br />the Last Supper right after he had washed the disciples’ feet. It is also the last of the “I am” statements we hear in John.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 15:1-8<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">7</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">8</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Growing up, my family had some property in northern Mississippi between Holly Springs and Chewalla Lake. If you have never seen a city girl with a bush hog behind a tractor, you are truly missing out – For other city girls, the bush hog is the blade pulled behind the tractor to mow fields – a giant riding lawn mower if you will. I sometimes enjoyed going to the land to help clear the road and clean up the area as we began to work on our plan for what this patch of wilderness might look like. One thing that this property had in abundance was vines! I can’t help but remember when I read of vine stories – the succulent blackberries. We would brave the heat, the ticks and the thorns to get to the deep, rich sweet berries. (I may need some cobbler now.) Purple stains on everything were a sign of summer days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Not so fondly, I also remember the Kudzu vine. Kudzu was brought to the US from China and Japan becoming popular on Southern porches because of its purple flowers. Then in the Great Depression, it was used by the Civilian Conservation Corps on thousands of acres for a hillside stabilization project, mainly because the vine had speedy growth patterns. However once here, these plants dug in and overwhelmed plants, trees, fields and homes growing out of control as they became rooted in the fertile soils of the southern United States. Kudzu grew at an amazing rate blocking out the sun and nutrients from other plants and structures killing off huge swathes of forests. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">My family was on a mission to rip out the Kudzu – save our little plot of trees - prune this vine gone crazy, tear it out from its roots, often by hand since it would get tangled in the blades of the equipment. The vines twisted around themselves, the trees and grew strong, deep roots invasively taking over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus is using vineyard imagery that his listeners would have understood. The olive groves and wine vineyards were the vines and produce of their homeland, and the metaphors recalled words of the prophets from the Old Testament. These words from Jesus root us in the concreteness of a metaphor of plants, yet at the same time Jesus doesn’t worry about seeming contradictions flipping from using the metaphor to describe his relationship with God and back to his relationship with us and God. He doesn’t elaborate on what he means much like he seldom breaks down a parable’s meaning for us. Instead Jesus embraces the mystery of the relationships making it more expansive as he speaks the words that cleanse, prune – words bind us to God and to one another. The imagery that asks us to dig into where we are rooted, where we abide and how God has cleansed us already to be fruitful, to be the stronger branches abiding in him and him abiding in us. Words that show our complete and utter dependence upon Jesus, God and one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John laid it out for us at the start. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This Word is powerful – beyond the puny words we use to try to explain, to attempt to understand. Jesus uses several ‘I am’ statements to help us get it – and even here he tells us – the pruning isn’t up to us, we have already been cleansed – You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Translators did us a disservice here trying to vary the word used – Jesus used the same root word here: Katheroi – from which we get cathartic. You have already been pruned/cleansed. I picture Jesus wielding his words like a gentle pair of clippers, nudging us away from dangerous ideas or idle folly with his words, carefully clipping in love. A cleaning that purifies like the gardener pulling weeds can be calmed, while calming the plants being tended – a mutual benefit, a mutual dependence. A tender care that makes all ready for more growth and bearing of fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus used his words to prune us – He used the common to ready us for who he was and what his life and death meant for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the bread of life”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the light of the world”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the gate for the sheep”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the good shepherd”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the resurrection and the life”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the true vine”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The pruning is done, the land prepared. You have been strengthened by being drawn closer to God, nourished with words of common things transformed into amazing life holding and carrying God to you and now by being sent the Holy Spirit Now what? Sometimes we have to be told multiple times to understand – the clue from Jesus is – words, the cleansing, pruning words. Hear his words.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Eight times in just these few verses , the word Mineo is used by Jesus. Mineo – abide, remain. Where are we abiding? The Reverend Juan Carlos Huertas wonders, “…</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">if we are willing to abide in anything, to immerse ourselves wholly in something, to allow anything to captivate our heart and life, to view our whole existence through that one lens . . .” He continues that this would be too constricting, but then starts to ruminate on all the things that monopolize our days. What are the things we give our lives, our time, our attention to – that is where we abide.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I like the idea as Huertas elaborates – our hobbies, past times – the things we read, the food we eat, ideas we investigate, conversations we engage in - everything we are looking at is putting out roots. What roots are we putting down? We’ve seen the studies that show how much time we spend online, in front of televisions or screens. What about time spent at sports or competitions? How are these things changing us, our hearts – are they like a Kudzu pushing out God?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">These roots in things of the world are like that crazy, greedy vine that smothers life instead of stabilizing our foundations? What we thought stopped the erosion instead creates a shakey foundation for us to abide on. Look at where you are abiding, look at the supports and roots in our lives. We want to abide in God – we have work to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Switch gears now and look at a more refined vine – it is no surprise that a more literal translation of our verses is I am the true Grapevine. The grape vines tended and carefully pruned. Look to the trellises lately put up in the community garden. The idea is that instead of having bushy out of control plants or vines, the gardener trains the plant up a twine or support. Pruning plants up from the ground, training them toward the light strengthens the one root. It eliminates disease by allowing more air and sun to the base of the plants. It focuses the energies of the plant growth on better fruit. Wine growers have known this for generations. Carefully tended row after row of vines are pruned toward light, strengthened and focused on what is most important.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You are the branches. Where are your roots, and how are you fruiting? Surprise, Kudzu is edible – but in producing its fruit, it eliminates everything in its path. Grapes on the other hand have been focused, they are rooted and give their all to quality fruit abiding in one steadfast place. We can do this – support and sustenance for me does not have to come at the expense of another. It is a fallacy to think I can thrive and live in God’s love when leaving out any other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Having been pruned, having heard Jesus’ words, we too can focus on what is important, we can dwell in God. Pay attention to your roots. Are they strong and deep or skating along the surface diving deep here and there with no plan, no intention? What is our foundation upon which and from which we thrive? Does it prepare you to launch out giving quality fruit to the world?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">There is comfort to be found in dwelling with God, abiding in Jesus, but the master gardener strengthens us and empowers us for a purpose – not just for comfort and our own desires. Jesus’s words in this text never spoke to an individual ‘you’. The branches are plural – they bear fruit together.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The vine is strong enough to bear us all and vibrant enough to produce fruit of the Spirit. A fruit that we can share with the world. A fruit that calls us away from our distractions, our greed. A call to be self-limiting and open to pruning and cleansing in the name of God. A comforting, loving intertwining that is mutually beneficial supports us, roots us. Instead of growing wildly, smothering others in a battle for more space, more nourishment, more sun we abide with the Word that cleansed, directed and inextricably connects us to God and one another. Abide in God, soak in the words and bear fruit to the world as His disciples. We are called to no less. How will you enrich and spread the vine, growing in support and mutual nurture of all God’s branches? God has done the preparation, given us the words - us in God, God in us – dare we not produce robust, rich, nourishing fruit for all the world to share? Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-89895137701897964552021-05-11T13:41:00.000-05:002021-05-11T13:41:24.822-05:00The Good Flock?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei1g7TW6BKUjdyonaoONWnN7zwqklx7iwvW68PkWtWrfoI6eST5Kejujn5j_i4ZvWxTGPfIQhiOESi2c8Lrr-PWqUnChp0MvsYQrSLuvZ-5zyHGNu6gmfVoDGk4IKtITVePzZyNGv5cRQ/s2048/F939DD8F-6C34-4DAB-8126-687FE507E0D2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei1g7TW6BKUjdyonaoONWnN7zwqklx7iwvW68PkWtWrfoI6eST5Kejujn5j_i4ZvWxTGPfIQhiOESi2c8Lrr-PWqUnChp0MvsYQrSLuvZ-5zyHGNu6gmfVoDGk4IKtITVePzZyNGv5cRQ/s320/F939DD8F-6C34-4DAB-8126-687FE507E0D2.heic" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">This Sunday is often called Good Shepherd Sunday. I hope the lectionary texts speak for themselves with why that is. The first scripture we read is from 1 John, and now we turn to the gospel of John. It is thought that The First Letter of John was written in 100CE by followers of a Johannine school. The gospel itself is thought to have been written by a disciple of the apostle John – one who wrote John’s teachings. Hearing things aloud wasn’t and isn’t always enough. The tie between the two books – John the gospel and 1 John the letter is that the letter expounds on and teaches the new Christian churches what the gospel means and how to live into it. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who argued about why he healed the blind man and then had trouble understanding his parables about a shepherd and a gate. Hear now God’s Word from the gospel as Jesus elaborates to the pharisees what he meant by a story about a shepherd entering through the gate and the sheep following because they know his voice:</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 10:11-18<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">11 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. <b><sup>12 </sup></b>The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.<b><sup>13 </sup></b>The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">14 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— <b><sup>15 </sup></b>just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.<b><sup>16 </sup></b>I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. <b><sup>18 </sup></b>No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Good Flock?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This scripture is Jesus patiently offering a more elaborate explanation of his metaphor to the Pharisees. The Pharisees who though they were not blind could not see. Jesus doesn’t jump to quick condemnation but patiently tells a story and then he cares enough – even about the Pharisees to elaborate and explain. Let’s talk a moment about what it means to be the flock – that’s us, the sheep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Led like sheep to the slaughter – meek, dumb, silent, following the crowd without question. Sheep have gotten a bad rap. BBC writer Harriet Constable describes sheep as much more intelligent than we might think.</span></span><a href="applewebdata://8E0CD9F7-4D26-49E9-9C60-B3A2BB30BCA4#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="color: #954f72;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">For example, sheep have this<b>“</b></span></span><em><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Reputation:</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></i></span><em><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Sheep are stupid, defenceless and harmless creatures that mope about on hillsides doing not very much. They are good for two things: being eaten and producing wool.</span></em></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 18.65pt 15.5pt 0in 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">[When in reality:]</span></em><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 18.65pt 15.5pt 0in 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Reality:</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></i></span><em><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Sheep are actually surprisingly intelligent, with impressive memory and recognition skills. They build friendships, stick up for one another in fights, and feel sad when their friends are sent to slaughter. They are also one of the most destructive creatures on the planet.”</span></em><em><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 18.65pt 15.5pt 0in 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Big fuzzy sheep have had their horns bred out but still have a vicious kick. They travel in flocks, but every now and then they do stupid things like wander away when bored or even get stuck upside down when taking a break.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 18.65pt 15.5pt 0in 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Constable tells of a study - it showed how sheep have such good recollection of faces that they can remember 50 faces for up to 2 years – better than lots of us humans! The sheep also recognize a smile versus a frown and have emotional responses to them. Sheep are also playful and have lifelong partners – often navigating through mazes to get back to their friends. Stronger rams would even protect their weaker friends. Sheep feel - Fear, anger, despair, boredom and happiness.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 18.65pt 15.5pt 0in 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">So maybe it isn’t such the insult we thought to be the sheep in the stories. But the point is the story is not about us – it isn’t about the flock but rather the shepherd. We are in the story, but the action is by the shepherd. Jesus – with the “I am” statements emphatically positions himself in the position of the shepherd – a dirty, low profession that would have been on the fringes of society, not respected and spending much time outside alone in the countryside with the sheep. Yet, one of the most comforting scriptures is of God as our shepherd. Jesus is reminding the Pharisees of this asking them to remember that they are bound to one another and to God in love – a love modeled by our shepherd.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 18.65pt 15.5pt 0in 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Surely the Pharisees knew the 23</span><sup style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">rd</sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">Psalm even as we do – words that bring comfort and are the epitome of care from The Shepherd.</span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="chapternum"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">1 </span></span><i><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span></i><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>is my shepherd; I shall not want.</i> </span></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">God provides everything that we need. One of the hard lines in scripture today and most misused is 1 John 3:22 “…and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandment and do what pleases him.” Prosperity gospel that declares it okay for you to have while brothers and sisters starve and go without counts on you cherry picking this verse out and saying all my rewards, wealth and comforts are rewards from God. This belief sadly jumps right over verse 17 that says “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and refuse to help?” Love in truth and action – that is how we can be bold – with an openness before God. If you are open before God and Christ’s love lives within you, you can’t possibly sit idly by refusing – and God will provide.</span></span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">2 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.</span></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The shepherd leads us, not going where he would not go. The Shepherd leads us out to fields for sustenance and also offers us protection of the paddock. When we wander or feel lost and lonely, the Shepherd hears our cries and pulls us back to the flock. We know Jesus’ voice, and he know us inside and out – better than we know ourselves. Coaxing us into relationships with one another and with God – interdependencies that support and challenge us. God who came in the flesh walked our trials and tribulations, even willing to lay his life down to experience the fears, not of an easy death but of pain, betrayal. For us – God came to earth, experienced our weakness and vulnerability – laying aside power and dominion for a time to show us, to lead us along the back paths toward God and toward one another. Then Jesus also lay aside that life to defeat death – not by avoiding it, but by journeying it with us, for us.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.</span></span></i></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">That would seem like the end. What if I do not feel heard? What if I feel lonely, abandoned, exhausted? What if I feel like I am not enough, my belief is too weak, or just the blahh of day-to-day has taken over? God offers us the cup of the new covenant, nourishes us at table and dwells within our hearts to refresh and remind us of how powerful that love is.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Part of the reputation of sheep may come from ranchers like Texans! Cows seemed smarter because they can be herded. You can make noise behind them and corral them or motivate them from the back. Sheep seemed stupid because they ran around with this approach. Sheep will loop back behind you and not cooperate at all; they must be led from the front. We know the voice of our Lord and follow. John 10:3-4 says </span></span><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 “</span></sup></b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. <b><sup>4 </sup></b>When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">4 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.</i></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">No matter the messes we make, even when we feel abandoned, at our lowest, God is there – within and all around us. The Holy Spirit travels to us on the gentle breeze or the roaring winds. Fear not says the Lord, for I am with you. Think of a pastoral scene. The imagery of the pastor and the flock – there to bind us together to exemplify love. Look to our own deacons, fellow members, and friends. Remember the cards, the calls, the visits, a warm meal or simply a friend holding your hand and listening through your tears. Comfort from God through and in us.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When we would tend to run willy nilly or flee, our God is relentless, coming after even one lost sheep, gentling grabbing us off the precipice with the crook of his staff – pulling us to him and each other again, sheltering us until we feel secure and then leading us back into the field again.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>5 </i></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><i>Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.</i></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">We know the voice. The voice that declares I am The Good Shepherd. But it doesn’t say you are The Flock. We like to live in duality and make this verse all about we know the voice and have an exclusive deal through Jesus. We hear good and immediately jump to ‘us good’/‘you bad’ thoughts. It helps point us in a better direction to look at the Greek word simplified here and reduced to good.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Kalos – means good, but more is implied –It means good as in magnificent, noble, ideal, model, praiseworthy. We even do this in English – think of how that word ’good’ can carry all kinds of baggage. I picture asking a child, spouse or friend how it went after a first date, a test, an interview, or a doctor’s visit. A short clipped ‘good’ means anything but good. Or the rote answer to ‘How are you?’ Good – when it just means I don’t want to get into it or don’t think you really want to hear my answer. Or the answer to the question can hold a good that has depth and emotion meaning good in that it was rich, deep, meaningful and truly good.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The Good Shepherd – distinct, one, THE – good as in a model or the best shepherd you can imagine, faith filled and doing all a shepherd should – all for the sheep.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">But, wait – there is another ‘gotcha’ verse. “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” What does this mean – it means God is at work in our world in mysterious ways creating a flock beyond our definitions or imagining. A flock that has room for all – together. Every beloved child even ones we might think have lost their way or have no hope, even the outcast, our enemies, even us.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">6 </span></sup></b></span><i><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Lord </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">forever.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The final verse of John is so powerful because of the very undefined nature – Jesus is in the world through the Holy Spirit and has been commanded by God to come to us – to pick up the task of taking up life to show the world a loved we can’t comprehend. We fellowship at table together – the table before our enemies blurs the lines of us against them and expands and redefines our duality in ways that are outside the scope of what we can imagine – a God in Christ that guarantees love wins. As David Lose says, “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">All we know is that Jesus – and therefore God – isn’t done yet. Jesus is still calling, God is still searching, and in time we will all be, as Jesus says, one flock under one shepherd.”</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Compassion reigns supreme. Jesus cares for each sheep and the community flock – the whole, across generations, and we will dwell in his house forever. Woven together by the great I am with a steadfast love that refuses our boundaries and limitations - overcomes limitations of death, of tribe, of time. As much as we hunger to be known, it is our challenge to realize our role is really simple – be open to God’s love. Love God and one another. As vulnerable sheep, remember – know - we are part of His flock – The real, genuine, loving Shepherd. Jesus who is our model of genuine love twining us together into the ultimate Good Flock. We can’t define it, envision it, imagine the real thing. Genuine love of this Good Flock – one flock will shock us I am sure. For that is how our God breaks in, crashes our norms, shatters our barriers, bursts into life again to bind us to one another and God. God’s love is just hinted at in our scriptures, Psalms, deeds and creation. Jesus is the I am – The Shepherd whose love is still at work in our world. He will lead us with eternal love, and we will dwell with God forever. Nothing can prevent that or separate us from God, The Shepherd. He Is Risen. He Is Risen Indeed. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><br clear="all" /><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" /><div id="ftn1"><p class="MsoFooter" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><a href="applewebdata://8E0CD9F7-4D26-49E9-9C60-B3A2BB30BCA4#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="color: #954f72;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference" style="vertical-align: super;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a> Constable, Harriet. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170418-sheep-are-not-stupid-and-they-are-not-helpless-either" style="color: #954f72;">http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170418-sheep-are-not-stupid-and-they-are-not-helpless-either</a>, 2017.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-75363333612948839632021-04-06T15:58:00.000-05:002021-04-06T15:59:48.535-05:00Much Ado About Nothing<p><b><span style="font-size: large;"> John 20:1-18</span></b></p><p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UCD2vJcBKbwOUkMNRCHbi7hule4p7uERvrRqJMxJ-5whSK3xEyEJNBKndd_50TR7oqKN3-0wmujvEpF1sNkxuzOXD-afME9wrBoHoXg1pTvCaJ57AwhdrGr4WlNe-QA15UwXDXi1qXcZ/s2048/4BA49B16-98CD-4ED2-BD81-C58D76898C71.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UCD2vJcBKbwOUkMNRCHbi7hule4p7uERvrRqJMxJ-5whSK3xEyEJNBKndd_50TR7oqKN3-0wmujvEpF1sNkxuzOXD-afME9wrBoHoXg1pTvCaJ57AwhdrGr4WlNe-QA15UwXDXi1qXcZ/s320/4BA49B16-98CD-4ED2-BD81-C58D76898C71.heic" /></a></b></div><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">20 </b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. <b><sup>2 </sup></b>So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”</span><p></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.<b><sup>4 </sup></b>Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. <b><sup>5 </sup></b>He bent over and looked inat the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. <b><sup>6 </sup></b>Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, <b><sup>7 </sup></b>as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. <b><sup>8 </sup></b>Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.<b><sup>9 </sup></b>(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) <b><sup>10 </sup></b>Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">11 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb <b><sup>12 </sup></b>and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">13 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” <b><sup>14 </sup></b>At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">15 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">16 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus said to her, “Mary.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic,“Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">17 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">18 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Much Ado About Nothing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The tomb was empty – before dawn, Mary arrived in the dark and found the rock rolled away. Black greeted her. It’s Easter, we scream even when we are still traveling in a dark place ourselves and learning to see differently – we want to see the light, why is John starting with black, tombs and emptiness?</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As opposed to the rainbow of colors found in flowers and spring breaking out all around us, black is not even honored as a ‘real’ color. But there are some very appealing things about black especially when it comes to clothes:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="trt0xe" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; font-size: 16pt;">Black means never worrying about matching.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="trt0xe" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; font-size: 16pt;">Black hides stains.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="trt0xe" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; font-size: 16pt;">Black flatters every skin tone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="trt0xe" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; font-size: 16pt;">Black can make anyone look mature.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="trt0xe" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; font-size: 16pt;">Black works for every season.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="trt0xe" style="margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #202124; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #202124; font-size: 16pt;">Black is figure-flattering.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This is the black I prefer to think of on Easter morning instead of the frightening, darkness that overwhelms and seems to prevent us from seeing anything. But in the black that Mary sees, there is nothing there. This is the nature of black – it absorbs every color – or to get technical vibration and returns nothing visible to our eyes – really a shade, not a color at all.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Mary panics – no surprise, what we ‘see’ is not just with our eyes but with our hearts, experiences and gut. She has had a rough few days witnessing her Lord’s arrest, torture, and crucifixion. No surprise that her glass is half empty – so she has forgotten what Jesus tried to teach before his death and jumps to the only logical conclusion – she sees an empty tomb and it means grave robbers – she goes rushing back to the disciples.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What do they see? After a weird foot race – still a jockeying among the guys for who is fastest, a better follower – whatever. Peter and The Beloved Disciple peek into the tomb. They don’t say anything either to Mary or to the other disciples, but we are told one believes. Does he believe Mary that the tomb is empty? We don’t know exactly what he believes because he certainly doesn’t share. They no longer think it was a robbery because what type of grave robber folds the head cloths. They must make assumptions from what they see because we are told they don’t understand. Maybe they are excited, angry, devastated – but what do they do? They return to their homes - the safety of ‘normal’, back to the way things have always been, the way it is supposed to be before this messiah disruption. Almost as if ‘nothing’ has disrupted their lives at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mary is overwhelmed by grief, the only thing she sees in her broken heart is a scene of a robbery, and her response is incredible immediate mourning, tears that</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: 16pt;">nothing</b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">is in the tomb but grave cloths and there is</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><b style="font-size: 16pt;">nothing</b><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">she can do. This scene with Mary is moving to us to see her complete and utter devotion and distress. It was also enough for Jesus. He cares enough to come to her, urging her to wipe away the tears and cry no more. I get a feeling that this was a change of plan on Jesus’ part as he gently tells her not to hold on to him because he hasn’t ascended yet.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">He hears her voice crying out in anguish and knows her. She is but one sheep, but the love and compassion Jesus has for each and every one of us is so all-encompassing that he can’t let it pass until ‘the right time’ but must go to her immediately. He knows her right away, but what does it take for Mary to see her Lord? She hears his voice, the voice of her shepherd calling her name – hears his voice to ‘see’ and believe. He calls her specifically in a unique and personal love. A love that is unique and personal but massive and universal.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You see the thing about the blackness – the symbolism of that black that makes us so sad when it drapes the crosses in our sanctuaries on the days between crucifixion and resurrection is that the ‘black’ crosses all boundaries and defies our exact definitions. The black of mourning the death absorbs everything in love. It absorbs – just like Jesus. Pulling each and every one of us to himself. Uniting us all together with a love that nothing can pull apart. A color that encompasses all colors – indiscriminately. A love that is so big it crossed the uncrossable boundary of death for us – all of us and each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When Mary saw that love, when she believed in the resurrected Jesus who was at the same time personal to her and meant for the world – what did she do? She told the world – “I have seen the Lord!”</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What do we do with Easter? So many people come to church twice a year – Christmas and Easter. And, even non-Christians at least know the basics of the story. What do we do with this story? Nothing! There is nothing we can add to this scripture. Easter does speak for itself. There is nothing in the tomb, nothing we can add. Even in the scripture, before Mary Magdalene or the disciples got there, the stone was rolled away and Jesus was raised. They had nothing to do with that.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Thank goodness it isn’t up to us to understand or be able to explain – nothing we do, say or don’t do or say can diminish the importance of Easter. It isn’t just an event or something that happened like other events that are on the calendar year to year or a particularity in history. As Thomas Long describes, “The resurrection transforms history and gathers up all of nature, but history and nature cannot contain it. In the resurrection, the transcendent glory of God enters time and space, infusing and redeeming everything.”</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Go back to where it all began where Jesus broke into our time, burst upon history – Bethlehem was so crowded – so many people flocked to the city for the census that no room was to be found. Throughout his life Jesus walked the roads drawing larger and larger crowds to himself as he showed us what a messiah is and what a messiah does. Last Sunday, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, a colt with crowds lining the street waving palm branches and lauding him with shouts of Hosanna. </span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus continues to draw crowds, for his arrest, judgment and finally crucifixion. The difference is that the crowds slowly pull back leaving a growing space around Jesus – the people fear entering this empty area of risk or vulnerability that came with the cross – fear being associated with a criminal who dared to challenge the powers that be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">In a mere three days, the crowds thinned. The disciples are in hiding fearful of their association with Jesus – for they didn’t understand. Can you imagine – it didn’t start at the apex of Jesus’ popularity or with the amazing show of a startling resurrection in front of a crowd but instead was personal apperance, weaving us together in a resurrection message personalized for each and every one of us exploding forth - person to person connecting millions. One brave lone woman struggling with her grief heard her name and began the wondrous ministry that would pull people from around the world in – in toward Jesus. In through the all-encompassing darkness of a cross, a dark means of torture - transformed forever and now also holding the light of a prism that magnified the light of God the world round.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">That is what the white of Easter is – for white isn’t really a color either. Rather than absorbing like black, the white reflects and scatters the wavelengths. Jesus didn’t cautiously step out of the tomb but erupted out of that nothingness redefining our world with a whirl of light that shines out of the darkness, not just overcoming it but incorporating it into Himself – leaving nothing behind. Nothing!</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The light shines on Jesus and shines from Jesus bathing the world, transforming it as a whole for each and every loved person, creature, part of creation. So, put on your Easter white. Wait a minute!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">White vs black, dark vs night – Jesus defeated death. We – I have jumped back into our duality. We still don’t understand – we move back into our rational scientific minds dividing the world into this and that thinking that in hindsight we get it so much more than those disciples. I think not – Jesus defeated not in the traditional way we think of with a conquest of power and might but with a rare and all-encompassing compassion and mercy, a love deeper and wider than our imagining.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus defeated anxiety by pulling it to himself, hate by pulling it in, loneliness by absorbing it, fear, sin, even death – all not by squashing or getting rid of these things but by a love that says yes – that part of you - that too I love. Jesus showed us what it means to love all unconditionally. Erradicating forever our weak ideas of merely accepting black and white, obliterating the many ways we rationalize division by saying simply – I am there too. I defeated it not by absence, not by elimination but by acceptance, by pulling it all in – in love. Jesus loves us this much and become part of us – not ignoring one part of us individually or systemically. Part of our messy whole.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Shine God’s love from within and without into the world. Be the prisms of this non-color that radiates, connecting all while shining back out that no individual might miss they are beloved. That nothing, nothing within us, nothing of this world, nothing beyond can separate us from the love of God in our savior Jesus Christ.</span></p><p style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus came for one He came for all – he gave everything for you, personally God for you. God cares enough to make it personal defeating everything by joining it in love. Do you? There is nothing that can get in God’s way when it comes to bringing each and every one of us closer, into that blessed full relationship. Do you understand? Do you believe? Do you see the full spectrum of God’s love pulling you in and radiating that love back out through you - out to the world? God’s love, God’s grace is that strong – nothing not even death can defeat it to separate us. It started with one lone woman. Are you that one person today? Believe, share the story. Share this explosive message that knows no bounds, that permeates everything. Nothing limits the love that runs rampant from Jesus to the world through each of us one person at a time. Run – show the messy, mysterious, massive love of our God now – He Is Risen! He is Risen Indeed. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-12287132441820648942021-03-23T11:22:00.003-05:002021-03-23T11:28:34.804-05:00Shalom: The Way to Repairing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKl3_pPLlW_XCOOqYu1_Y2CWc7HdPBYfflDhU_57uPQrTeCZ4xQVbuAX6N5u48cSDJ7Bxut0RqCsWIg2z9qkil-SDvdt4nfVwN6LSEz7igZ238S4nq2JDkjL-Dr0xLNPhQlKJkNLLJIwx/s2048/194CE027-8DF2-4F11-9B06-C5258394576F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKl3_pPLlW_XCOOqYu1_Y2CWc7HdPBYfflDhU_57uPQrTeCZ4xQVbuAX6N5u48cSDJ7Bxut0RqCsWIg2z9qkil-SDvdt4nfVwN6LSEz7igZ238S4nq2JDkjL-Dr0xLNPhQlKJkNLLJIwx/s320/194CE027-8DF2-4F11-9B06-C5258394576F.heic" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I find lectionary a bit confusing reading this gospel lesson the week before Palm<br /> Sunday because in the gospel, it actually comes right after Jesus has triumphantly entered Jerusalem. He raised Lazarus from the dead and had his feet anointed by the costly perfume of Mary. The mood of the people is divided – crowds flock to his miracles while others look for ways to separate him from the crowd plotting to destroy him. The words today are Jesus final public discourse.</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 12:20-33<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Now there were some Greeks</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">among those who went up to worship at the festival.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">21 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">22 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">23 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus replied,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“The hour</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">24 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">25 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">for eternal life.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">26 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">My Father will honor the one who serves me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">27 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Now my soul is troubled,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and what shall I say? ‘Father,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">save me from this hour’?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">28 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Father, glorify your name!”</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then a voice came from heaven,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">29 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">30 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus said,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“This voice was for your benefit,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">not mine.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">31 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Now is the time for judgment on this world;</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">now the prince of this world</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">will be driven out.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">32 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And I, when I am lifted up</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">from the earth,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">will draw all people to myself.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">33 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><b>Shalom: the Way to Repairing</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Some Greeks at the Passover festival wanted to see Jesus. Are these Greeks to represent Gentiles? Outsiders? We don’t know for sure but they are at the festival. We aren’t told why exactly they ask to see Jesus, nor do we know what they do afterward. What do they see of Jesus? What do we see? John introduces us to Jesus from the very beginning – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Good News, the gospels point us to God by letting us see the life of Jesus. God of creation breaks into our messy, vulnerable world to give us the greatest of gifts. Do you see Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As we have journeyed with Jesus through the season of Lent, the words of Jesus have pointed us toward Shalom. We saw a Jesus who embodies a second covenant brings flesh to the love of the covenant of the rainbow – weaving us together in compassion sharing the justice of shalom with all creation spreading the light around the world. We saw a Jesus who showed us the way to shalom of healing by flipping tables and daring us to be foolish, demanding we question the norms and bring our whole hearts to our worship. We saw Jesus who loves us unconditionally and wants us to trust and believe enough to see the immense shalom of hope Christ brings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What do you see of Jesus today in this last public speech? Jesus is foretelling his upcoming crucifixion. The words on his lips are puzzling about grain falling, then losing life and serving. Almost sounding disrupted, Now my soul is troubled. Now is the hour, now is the judgment, now the ruler will be driven out. Ten verses that talk about ‘the hour’ twice and ‘now’ four times. We like the Greeks are to see something about Jesus in this time that is different from before – See NOW<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John is hard to break apart, to summarize bits of the good news into a sermon, it resists against taking apart the wonderful whole. How do we make sense of Jesus’ words in our world today? Perhaps knowing the human tendency to want a summary or to get hints of what is the most important, the anonymous author of this gospel often signals to us with “Very truly, I tell you” when he wants us to sit up and pay attention. “<span class="woj">Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” </span>How is Jesus revealed in the mysterious key verses about wheat falling to the ground and dying to bear fruit?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How does the dying and falling to the earth bear many seeds? Puzzling this question, Nancy Skaggs shared a story about Hyacinth Vine seeds. A friend once gave her an envelope of seeds wishing to share this beautiful purple vine. Since she was on vacation, the seeds were tucked into a drawer for later. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">They were forgotten for, at least, couple of years. After she found them, Nancy planted them. Not all of the seeds sprouted, but a couple did and grew into the vine. Over the years, she has shared the seeds of those vines with friends as well. So, those husks were dead, forgotten and buried in her drawer. Then, the seeds in the earth came back to life and keep spreading to others. The tough leathery, old seeds forgotten in an envelope for years, hidden away in a drawer spread life when taken up and shared. The strength and mysterious power of relationship, connection to change our very lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Now, when we look around, where do we see Jesus? Karoline Lewis tells us that this last discourse from Jesus to the public ties to the farewell discourse to the disciples and is about what seeing Jesus calls them, and I think perhaps us, to do and be when. She writes, “To serve Jesus is to follow Jesus and to follow Jesus is to do the works that he did, to feed and tend his sheep, to testify on his behalf.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Do you see as you serve? How in the last few weeks of Lent and the beginning of Spring are we following in the footsteps of Jesus? How are we believing? How are we honoring and remembering, or seeing Jesus? In the everyday objects that point toward something else? In special prayers? Are you desperately holding to the promise of the resurrection life as you grieve a loved one? Are you taking comfort in that promise as you journey through final days with a loved one or in the final season of your own life? Do you see Jesus in worship?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Are you looking at Jesus in the blooms of spring slowly bursting forth around us, at the color creeping back into our yards after a bleak, cold season? Or, are you seeing Jesus in the eyes of a friend shining with tears of relief from getting a vaccine that holds forth hope and offers a future filled with hugs and in person greetings in the peace of Christ. Are you turning an intentional eye to those relationships that need repairing or work? Or are you moved to random acts of compassion?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Seeing Jesus in our lives now is not easy. Sometimes requiring one of these actions, sometimes more – other times rest, a balance in faith. David Lose describes the point of faith in Jesus, “…<span style="color: #302f2f;">the point of faith in Jesus isn’t just faith, or comfort, or satisfying spiritual desires. No, the point of following Jesus is that we might be drawn more deeply into the kingdom of God through our love for, service to, and sacrifice on behalf of those around us. Jesus comes to demonstrate God’s strength through vulnerability, God’s power through what appears weak in the eyes of the world, and God’s justice through love, mercy and forgiveness. And he calls those who would follow him to the very same kind of life and love.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Greeks came to see. Is Jesus telling them that he is the wheat that must die before the seeds of His love spread across the world? Jesus has broken into our world and is troubled because people still didn’t understand – we still didn’t see. A voice or a booming thunder then broke into the world affirming that Jesus glorifies the Father’s name and will do so again. Breaking in to help us hear that Jesus is holy, divine. We still did not see – even when Jesus reminds the crowd that this voice <b>was for them</b>. Look, look what is right in front of you, in your midst NOW!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus knows what he must give, he knows how the systems and structures of the world were so broken that he had to break in - to right them with the greatest gift of all for us to finally see – to draw us all toward him. Jesus breaks into our lives, interrupting our world, bringing the winds of transformation to the covenant written on our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Now is the time for the judgment of the cosmos – not individually – but everything taken together, all creation. No longer separate but all united with one selfless act. Now is the time for all to see Jesus. Why? – so that he might draw all people to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Richard Spalding says, “Those who would see Jesus are invited to meet him in the peace of the sanctuary: at the font, at the Table, and sometimes in the sighs too deep for words of the body, his body, at worship.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Our Presbyterian crosses don’t have Jesus on them because we rejoice in the resurrection, but sometimes we need to remember Jesus on the cross - and look at how very much that love cost him. Jesus very identity, <b>what we must see</b> is this giving, a giving that he does in joy for us - that we look on in horror of what we did. This is the NOW that Jesus urgently points us to – see now! Does this gruesome gift from Jesus disturb you? Does this extravagant gift bother you? Jesus repairs relationships but never through retaliation or domination rather in sacrifice and love. Instead Jesus transforms the world by repairing our broken systems – forgiving the very cosmos with the greatest gift of love. How do we see? He desperately wants us to all see! We see Jesus only together, only with all drawn toward him, our broken selves, our broken relationships, healed in wholeness of shalom with God and one another.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We must see how life springs from death. We must see how the leathery, tough husk, the outer shell of pods we thought dead, no longer vibrant purple but with faded color that seems to be past its time, bears many seeds. Indeed it bears life. The beauty breaks forth into the world. It will not be forgotten but continues to spread from hand to hand. The hope, healing, and justice will carry on the wind of the Spirit bursting into our broken lives so that we <b>see</b>. The Shalom of Jesus Reaching out to us and from within us toward one another repairing past brokenness and moving toward a future in love. All of cosmos will be drawn toward Jesus. All shall see in the wholeness of shalom – a peace of believing, seeing together. Repaired by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who broke into our lives, breaks into our lives, and will break into our lives so that we see Him. Shalom and Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-36763055366244853412021-03-16T16:06:00.002-05:002021-03-23T11:28:58.061-05:00Shalom: The Way to Hope<p><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">John 3:14-21</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">14 “</span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, <b><sup>15 </sup></b>that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">16 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. <b><sup>18 </sup></b>Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. <b><sup>19 </sup></b>This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.<b><sup>20 </sup></b>Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. <b><sup>21 </sup></b>But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Shalom: The Way to Hope</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">I often find it curious how traditions begin – while John 3:16 has been a memory scripture in confirmation classes for eons, when did the craze take off in sporting events? Rock’n Rollen, Rollen Stewart also known as the Rainbow Man started wearing a rainbow-colored wig in the 70s and 80s, holding up signs reading John 3:16, and trying to sneak into the picture on televised sporting events wherever he could - to spread the word.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">A ‘born again’ Christian, he was determined to spread the message starting with the NBA finals in 1977and the 1979 MLB all-star game (basketball and baseball for the non-sports fans) – he soon got all types of donated sports tickets from supportive Christians. He popped up by goals posts, at golf clubs, in Indianapolis race track pits, even near Olympic medal stands – strategically positioning himself for those key zoom in shots of action or player interviews. His fame led to a beer commercial and a parody sketch on Saturday Night Live. Needless to say, his fervor quickly got out of hand when he looked toward American Music Awards, planned stink bombs and kidnapping to spread the message. He is now serving three life sentences in prison. We aren’t planning stink bombs or kidnappings, but what do we do with this popular scripture, how are we sharing the Word?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">It’s been one week – just one since I talked about Jesus flipping tables because we made his temple into a marketplace and made the rituals into rote actions without substance. Already, we are at it again using His very words pulled out of context as a commercial gimmick. We gloss right over where these words came from and happily ignore anything about snakes. We use John 3:16 to brag to the world – look God loved us so much that God gave Jesus for us. Slap that on a bumper sticker, recite it at football games, Hobby Lobby makes a killing on all the tchotchke with reference to this one verse. And, rather than holding this out as hope for the whole world, we wave it as an ominous threat of condemnation for those who do not believe like we do.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Yes, John 3:16 is a summation of the gospel rolled into one – it stands alongside two others:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">the greatest commandment <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202124;">“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><br />Three stalwart guides to our faith. Before you run this interim pastor out on a rail for daring to pull apart one of these three, these beloved words from John – lend me your ear, your heart, your passion for just a few minutes. God cannot and will not be reduced to or held within a bumper sticker – these words are good, but only as pointers to something holier, something bigger, something beyond full description – something… God who embodies hope for All creation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">How do we begin to put the abbreviations, the shorthand back into fullness with depth to connect, to deepen our understanding, to strengthen our love, to better share the hope with the world? Much like the confused merchants selling doves in the temple, our intentions are good – after all this is us taking Jesus into our everyday lives, right? The problem is if we do no more than cite words, they become background noise. Just words on a poster board, mere mumblings from our mouths. If we don’t give them life, the precious Word is missed by many and misunderstood by more.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Four words and missing context create the problem here – all rolled up with good-intentioned but general misuse. These words are:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">so</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">gave</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">believe</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;">and condemn.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665267944336px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">The context is a question from Nicodemus. The misuse is looking to others rather than ourselves – an outward focus rather than inward reflection. Well if that is all?! Let’s dig in so we can begin to repair and revitalize these cherished words of Jesus.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Even when printing this scripture for bulletins, I had to back up and check who was speaking. We have lifted out words of Jesus from the middle of a discussion. He is answering a question from Nicodemus. <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">Who is Nicodemus? Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a highly respected Jew, a member of the Sanhedrin (the highest legal judicial body of the Jews), a teacher of the scriptures. Yet, he heard something so compelling that he snuck out to speak to Jesus. Nicodemus was amazed at Jesus’ teachings saying surely God is with you. Jesus answered that to see the Kingdom of Heaven, you must be born anew. Nicodemus is truly baffled and asks how can an adult be born anew? We are in the middle of that answer to Nicodemus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">We start with a startling weird verse about snakes – how do snakes come in? A whole sermon on the book of Numbers belongs here, but suffice it to say that Jesus is alluding to an Old Testament story about the sin of the Israelites not appreciating manna provided in the wilderness. Jesus is saying we must look upon our own sin at the same time he is foretelling that he must be lifted up on a cross for us to see. The take away is a call to introspection, and looking within at our sinfulness is a key part of this answer – one we like to skip over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Now that we know we are in the middle of an answer to Nicodemus about how to be born anew and have the hint that the snakes call on us to acknowledge our sinful nature, let’s look at the four words: So, gave, believe and condemn</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">16 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">We like to take that first word ‘so’ and think that it is a word of measuring – look how much God loves us, and while it is true that God’s unconditional love is without measure – that’s just it. There can be no measuring of God’s love – we are in dangerous territory of quantifying God’s love when we say look – this is how much. I think in our heads we understand it this way for the comfort of how big that love is, but it is a quirky grammar error. ‘So’ here is more in the manner of how God loved not how much. The word serves as a contraction tying the love of God in the wilderness providing Manna to the sending of Jesus. A better translation is the New English Translation:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">“For this is the way God loved the world: he gave his one and only Son that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">That brings us to the next word – ‘gave’. To get to the gist of this, I think we should think of this in the manner of God loved us this way – by sending Jesus to earth, incarnate. This shifts the focus to God desiring to be in relationship with us, finding it so important that God sent his only son to us – to be the light of the world. To show us the way. We focus so much on the cross – and oh it is that important, But in doing so, we forget or reduce the emphasis of travelling in the footsteps, parables, and lessons of how to live that Jesus packed into his time on earth. We short-change the lessons Jesus taught here, rubbing elbows with us in our messiness, taking on the weakness and vulnerability of human flesh.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">This example of Jesus among us, his life in addition to his death, creates a dependence and demands a response from us. It asks us to make ourselves vulnerable at the same time. It is part of picking up our crosses and following. This requires something of us – ‘Believe’. Believe is an action word that we reduce to safe interpretations – a mind thing of something we accept in our heads. The opposite of belief in John is not unbelief but disobedience. Believing is something you do.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">How you may ask? Keep the questions coming. Take the example of Nicodemus. He thought he was doing everything right and genuinely wanted to know how he would be born anew. Jesus answers with patience and love – not with easy answers that would sell us short. Not with the answers that make us comfortable – always with answers that truly make us engage with all we have and all we are. Answers that force us to bring to the light what we prefer to hide from ourselves, the world and even God.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">I think that is why we jump to the fourth word too quickly. Condemn. We spend far too much time pointing fingers and figuring out who might be left out rather that doing the tough work of looking within. Why do we do that – why are we looking for who doesn’t believe to see who is condemned? God’s got this one. A better word here – a more accurate translation is judge. <b><sup>17 </sup></b>For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but to save the world through him. The judgment language continues – and the interesting thing is the forms are all past tense. If we were to be judged on our merit alone - We Would All Fail! But those believing were not judged and are already living the eternal life. This eternal life is not an immortality of some fantasy version but rather a quality of life, an abundance of life in the presence of God, in the Kingdom of God that has already begun in our midst here and now.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Believe – live this word, do this. Step forward in vulnerability admitting our sins before one another, ourselves and God. This first step requires trust. Have you heard it said,</span><span style="color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> “Trust is letting go of needing to know all the details before opening your heart” If we can do that, trust in God – believe, then hope will break forth into our lives.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">This trust and believing is trickier than the cliché or poster boards make it seem. Why is Nicodemus approaching Jesus in dark – what do we see of ourselves in the light? I think at the beginning of pandemic how I really, really disliked my screen presence. Zoom or video conference calls have brought us into a new kind of light together! It has literally and figuratively shown our dirty laundry to the world. Stepping toward Jesus is a bit like that. The light shines on all we prefer to keep hidden, we see each other and ourselves in our realness, weakness, anxiety laid bare. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">As Reverend Sue Lodge writes, “Being orientated to the light of Christ is not simply some vague hope of better times and a little more sunshine in our life it is a moment by moment choosing of life, love and hope even in the most appalling and difficult of circumstances….”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">She continues, “To turn to the light is to turn toward our true home: God. At its simplest this is what the Easter journey is – a turning toward our true home, a journeying deeper into the God who created and fully inhabits the real world we live in, only to find that we are travelling to where we began – into the loving embrace of the creator who has always loved us and loves us still.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">We can’t hide under a wig or behind a poster. Cliches in the end zone will never measure up. The scriptures we hold dear need flesh. They demand our flesh to act them out – an action of believing enough to step into the light, to journey together. To not condemn one another but to trust in God’s wholeness, in God’s desire to not leave behind even one.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">God doesn’t fit on a bumper sticker – the logo, one scripture, a saying a statue of snakes can point to God but nothing we say or do can measure the love God holds for us. Our formulas and catechisms point toward God but can’t capture the full awesome mystery that is God. The challenge of John calls us to a deeper level. Remember today’s scripture is an answer to a person who spent his life studying faith, and Nicodemus was baffled. As David Dark says, “A generalization might serve as an entry point, but the imperishable life to which Jesus calls is an immersion in nuance and specificity, a deepening engagement with reality, rather than a flight from it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 32px;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Our shortcuts and abbreviations bring comfort, but they must point the way to fuller, richer believing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">God cannot and will not be reduced. <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #36342f; letter-spacing: 0.2pt;">We now need to trust enough to open the Words on a deeper level – look at what just four little words had for us. We need to dare together with all laid bare in the light. Trust and believe. We must embrace the hope of Jesus on our journey to shalom. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-85808081665961858832021-03-10T14:53:00.000-06:002021-04-06T16:00:05.519-05:00Shalom: The Way to Healing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIdagkWA46wUlYwce1iLKZV-ZC1IHCedTA5iEeFnA_ey8PK1CDfL-43N32bS76wxRDuosdVGgnr-ZInbvLZE8UPMqrNlsCAuP1RT8DM49eW14vvomTplzZHyNWWSEXcoNAFVnTyEwLkA6/s2048/1A9F634A-3C94-4CE5-8908-B80098E36761.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIdagkWA46wUlYwce1iLKZV-ZC1IHCedTA5iEeFnA_ey8PK1CDfL-43N32bS76wxRDuosdVGgnr-ZInbvLZE8UPMqrNlsCAuP1RT8DM49eW14vvomTplzZHyNWWSEXcoNAFVnTyEwLkA6/s320/1A9F634A-3C94-4CE5-8908-B80098E36761.heic" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The reading from John this morning threw me off when we met for our <br />Wednesday lectionary study. The other gospels place this event after the palm processional into Jerusalem. John however places this at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry right after the first miracle of turning water into wine. As you listen keep in mind why John relates this earlier and what he was trying to tell us about the characteristics of Jesus first.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">John 2: 13-22<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">13 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>14 </sup></b>In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">and others sitting at tables exchanging money.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>15 </sup></b>So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>16 </sup></b>To those who sold doves he said,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">“Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="woj">into a market!”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup>17 </sup></b>His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The Jews</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">then responded to him, “What sign</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus answered them,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?”<b><sup>21 </sup></b>But the temple he had spoken of was his body.<b><sup>22 </sup></b>After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then they believed the scripture</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and the words that Jesus had spoken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Shalom: Way to Healing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">On this anniversary of when I was forced to become a televangelist – god forbid, I remember the many walks my family too to alleviate anxiety. On those walks, we heard the birds breaking forth in song as spring bloomed around us as if everything was continuing as normal. Chips, coos, and then buzzing. What is that – we walk along under high wires, so we froze worried that a wire had fallen and was spitting and zapping around us. Carefully looking around, we realized it was a bird that was copying the sounds of the high wires, a bird speaking the wire wound -things were a bit flipped after all. The quandry we have with this reading of scripture is that tables aren’t the only thing that is flipped. This is hard to align with the Jesus we envision, the kind God come to earth to dwell in our midst holding children in his lap. The polished, clean cut, White God with a gentle halo above his head and flashing, baby-blue eyes with fluffy, white, cuddly lambs in tow. Ick - I exaggerate on purpose, but take care with our minds’ image. I dare say what pops into our heads when we try to picture Jesus is not an angry man dusty and tired from the road weaving together a whip and yelling in the narthex. Italian artist Giotto painted the scene in the temple. He couldn’t quite bring himself to paint the whip in Jesus’ hand – so it is a faint tiny thing you have to squint to see. However, Giotto couldn’t ignore what John actually wrote – the children in this rendition are hiding from an angry Jesus in the folds of the disciples’ cloaks with one even sheltering a dove close to his chest.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How do we reconcile this with our picture of who God is and who God calls us to be? We think we know – we have built our faith on worldly wisdom like the Corinthians – but like the Jews we are confused about what temple Jesus is tearing down. Buildings come and buildings go, but Jesus promises to rebuild the temple in three days if we tear it down, destroy it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The four lectionary texts today pull a heavy punch loading this third Sunday in Lent with imagery and a challenge to see God and Jesus in a new and fresh way with mystery and awe. The Old Testament and Psalm build for us a foundation that we dare not push to the side. Today’s lessons include the ten commandments and the powerful 19<sup>th</sup> Psalm where all creation speaks out, and from which we get not one but six hymns and the words I use to open the sermon weekly – “<sup><span style="color: #777777;">14</span></sup><span style="color: #010000;">Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="sc">Lord</span>, my rock and my redeemer.” The psalm moves our hearts and the commandments comfort us. The remaining scriptures for today are the two we read. The epistle to the Corinthians tells us how Paul envisions us being the church and how Jesus has flipped the world bringing new wisdom for Jew and Greek – for all God’s children.</span> God’s<span style="color: #010000;">foolishness – more accurately in Greek - God’s stupidity is above and beyond the wisest thinking we are capable of.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The gospels are the Good News – they tell of the life, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Some say that in doing this they are also a confession of our faiths with each of the gospels being a nuance or confession of a different author – a different perspective on Christ. The Reverend Joseph D. Small says, “Jesus does more than speak God’s word; he is God’s Word. What he says is more than the truth, for he is the Truth. Thus Christ’s prophetic office, in word and act, reveals the truth about who God is, who we are, what God has to do with us, and what we have to do with one another.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Johns gospel emphasizes and tells Jesus’ story in a unique and compelling way. Compelling – I’ll give it that. There is nothing subtle in John this week. This gospel puts it front and center and elaborates more than the others emphasizing John’s favorite themes of ‘show us’ and ‘signs’ with a collective intertwining of home, temple, and sanctuary. Paul could very well have had this very scene in mind when thinking of human wisdom that completely misses the mark. And I imagine that Paul would have liked to flip some of the tables in the Corinthian churches too. The gospel of John pushes this story earlier to begin with an important truth about Jesus and how important <b>‘how we are’ with God and one another is</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Normally, this would be the perfect Sunday to talk about taking the church outside the walls. I think we have that lesson figured out, or are well on the way. We have learned important new ways of being with and for one another. But, before you get too comfortable on your couches – think again. Why do we ‘come’ to the church? Why do we come together? We come to hear the Word proclaimed and to share the sacraments. We come for the comfort of prayer, but we also come to be equipped to expand that house. To take the prayer and koinonia of relationship with God back out to the world. Reminded of God’s grace, we remember that we are now Christ’s body in this place. We are supported and built up in love. Are we extending the love to the world, are we healing the relationships and wounds of the world whose very mountains and hills cry out when we don’t speak?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">25</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">26</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Consider your own call, brothers and sisters</span><span style="color: #302f2f; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #302f2f; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">David Lose says, “…then we are sent out to look for God and, even more, to partner with God in our various roles and venues to love and bless the people and world God loves so much.” He wonders if we see our homes, workplaces, schools and all the places of our lives as places where God is present and working through us for the sake of the world. In John’s words, the signs – the miracles of God are all around us. Do we show the world?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As we move back to ‘normal’ will we fall back into our foolishness or have we ventured more into being the house, extending the hands and showing the beautiful grace of God’s foolishness?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">When we think we know what church should be, when we get into routines built on the right things – our ritual tendencies as creature of habit build a comfortable Jesus, bound to a sanctuary – not allowed out of the restrictions and ideals we impose. It sneaks up on us. Jesus with a whip is uncomfortable. The careful balance of the church showing the love of Christ but never, ever at the expense of another child of Christ is not easy to embody. How do we embody a healing that requires larger surgery? A different healing – after all Jesus brought a whip to begin the work. Dare we admit to ourselves that the bandaids we bring are propping up traditions and letting wounds fester? This healing requires attention, it requires patience, a care to bring about the wholeness of shalom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We must dare to be tools of this healing of our broken world. Rather than hopping from issue to issue with the attention span of a gnat, we must dig deep and listen to one another and our neighbors to hear and begin to understand. Self-reflection is good but is no longer enough. We must sit with ‘other’ and reach out a hand to begin to be able to offer our wonderful sanctuary as a place for all. The Reverend Andrew Prior says, “In our current rituals there is deep love of God. There is heart rending dedication to God, and to the service of God, and to the love of all God's people on earth. But there is something unbending about them which we cannot see, for all our trying; something to which we are blind. Like the Jerusalem temple which was compromised by Rome, and by rote ritual, and was being abandoned by the Essenes and others, there is something in what we do, or how we do, that means the people around us do not see God among us. We need our tables turned over.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What is that something? Prior is speaking to his situation, but a member of our church once said to me that he didn’t understand. The message of Christ is so compelling, so wonderful full of grace and love – why doesn’t everyone get it. Why don’t they see it? Do we like the birds living by the wire need to tune ourselves to a new frequency?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We take life into the temple, our sanctuary and get healing and wholeness here. Even online, we are bathed in the comfort of our ritual assured of Christ’s love and grace. But are we wise in sharing that with our neighbor, community and world? The Greek centered their feeling in the gut – we tend to think of knowing things in our minds or feeling them in our hearts. I think the Greek’s had something here. The wisdom of our faith is in our guts. I know in my gut that when I feel something the most clever or when I am most comforted, it is time to look around. Who is left out? What unintended message am I sending? Why don’t they see? Why doesn’t everyone know the amazing saving grace of Jesus? Go with your gut, reach out and expand the house of Jesus. Who can we reach out to today? What do they look like?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">About that image in our minds when we think of Jesus – does it look a bit like you? It’s part of our human tendency to try and relate to God. Take care though that we do not try to tame Jesus to our norms and our wisdom. Don’t make God too familiar. Flip that table – imagine God looks like ‘them’ – the ‘them’ you want to roll your eyes at and walk away from – yes, that person. Picture Jesus looking just like that. Start there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As we begin to tiptoe back into our sanctuary homes, what is God calling us to <br />flip? What do you hold most dear – what would happen if it flipped? Who have we learned to speak to in new ways? What ritual needs to stop to make way for new? Who are we still missing by not hearing their language? How can we truly reflect God out to the world so that that we are building the kingdom in God’s image not God in our image? How do we follow in the difficult footsteps of Jesus even when they call on us to cast aside the norms and wisdom of society demanding we open our doors and our hearts to all. <o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We sing loudly the words – Here I am Lord. Dare we answer – Here I am Lord – I will Go Lord. Dare we be foolish and hear a new voice – speaking a new song? A buzz, a chirp? Dare we be foolish for our God? Only by holding all God’s people in our hearts will we have set a table that doesn’t need to be flipped. Welcome others into our lives, into our house, into our sanctuary healing together, loving together into the wholeness of the body of Christ – His Church. Shalom – Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-34676703579475786652021-02-24T16:31:00.011-06:002021-03-16T16:35:26.917-05:00Shalom: the Way to Justice<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Genesis 9:8-17</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkb5nkQ36a_QJYejaPT8KgDO22qeARSB7-aQq5tWz8unqEXLek7s3TXxR_yZxQRjXkK1Ubfje3JGWGcbuuH92xnSvaxeODajObrVPpdGUifXDUYsBbdZH2Lpjj434b-0WY7-340P21WbC/s960/C9B3AC71-8924-4185-AB27-134F4FE34A05.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkb5nkQ36a_QJYejaPT8KgDO22qeARSB7-aQq5tWz8unqEXLek7s3TXxR_yZxQRjXkK1Ubfje3JGWGcbuuH92xnSvaxeODajObrVPpdGUifXDUYsBbdZH2Lpjj434b-0WY7-340P21WbC/w301-h400/C9B3AC71-8924-4185-AB27-134F4FE34A05.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">8 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“I now establish my covenant with you</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and with your descendants after you</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">11 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I establish my covenant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">with you:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I have set my rainbow</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.<b><sup>14 </sup></b>Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">appears in the clouds,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I will remember my covenant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I have established between me and all life on the earth.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><b><br />Shalom: the Way to Justice</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">There have been way too many weeks this year that have left me as a pastor speechless, staring at a blank screen late Saturday night. When the words desert me, the feelings rush in, the Spirit lifts me up, and it is usually in a song. My gut reaction is – gah, an earworm playing on an endless loop in my mind when I need Holy Words – Holy….<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“Somewhere over the rainbow<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Way up high,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">There's a land that I heard of<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Once in a lullaby.</span></b><b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">” <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The rainbow is a sign of the covenant not a little diddy of a song</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">. But in the end as beautiful as the rainbow is, it isn’t even for us. The rainbow is to remind God! “</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I will remember my covenant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">between me and you and all living creatures of every kind.” The beautiful colors bear up our hopes after gray days. The rainbow is to remind God of the first covenant in the first testament – not limited Noah. This covenant is big – a covenant with the cosmos with nothing demanded in return. The vastness of this covenant is staggering. God promises from generation to generation – forever.</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">This week, huddled cold in our homes, the skies were gray. Empty shelves, frozen pipes and bitter cold shook us to our core. The infrastructure we relied on was swept out from underneath our feet. God was with us even then – right there in our brokenness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Somewhere over the rainbow<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Skies are blue,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And the dreams that you dare to dream<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Really do come true. "<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Staring in the face of a time when those of us who ‘have’ suddenly did not, do we dare? Do we share? Do we hope and work for a dream when all have access to warmth, food, water, health, shelter…? How vulnerable are we willing to be so that others are provided for? Do you give up a shower, widen your COVID bubble, hand out food? Do you speak out for justice, fight systems or get political in a risky Christian way? In this covenant, the all powerful, all knowing God was willing to take on limitations - God self limiting - to shelter, protect and care for us. God so desired to be in relationship with us. God who was battling back the chaos of evil (our evil), wiped out creation but regretted it and, out of love, changed the fight away from one of destruction and weapons – massive power on the level of a creation do over - beyond our imagining within the purview of God. God laid those aside and repurposed the bow becoming protector and sealing the commitment in covenant. A covenant that would late be brought in the form of human person of Jesus – the new covenant of blood shed for us. Blessed with this covenant – do we dare to dream of justice for all – do we dream?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Someday I'll wish upon a star<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And wake up where the clouds are far<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Behind me. "<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">My heart was heavy. The outlook was grim. And then, stories started popping up of shelters First Presbyterian Church downtown – the Stewpot working without electricity to keep feeding people. Of churches and public buildings being opened up as warming stations. First Presbyterian Church of Garland had men out going from store to store searching for enough eggs to provide breakfast for the hungry. An HEB grocery store near Austin who simply told people to take what was in their carts for free when the power went off while the lines were backed up – even if they had no cash so credit cards were useless. One tale is of a woman who realized if you had no power, you had no way to see who was offering help - so she did it the old fashioned way writing addresses and phone numbers of places offering shelter or water on paper and handing the notes out to her neighbors. The clouds weren’t behind us, but here were people taking care of people. The glorious yet bitter night of starlight reflecting against a snow-covered world proved to us that it still held warmth. What is our wish – who can we shelter?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Where troubles melt like lemon drops<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Away above the chimney tops<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">That's where you'll find me. "<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">An image that will always be with me came from Southern Methodist University to the south of us. The dorms were on rolling brown outs of power, some had to be closed. Water had to be boiled because of infrastructure failure. They were down to one cafeteria. And then the pipes began bursting. Unbelievable imagery of waterfalls rushing down stairwells. Hallways reduced to rivers. And outside, water seeped through the mortar of the structure, the very bricks that held it all together. The building wept, the people cried! How do we hold it together. But warmth leaked back in when volunteers showed up with snacks, sandwiches and water bottles. Carrollton and Garland, as well as other cities I am sure, opened more warming stations with snacks and coffee. And hope leaked back in with the warmth. That is where we find God – in the hope. How can we share the hope?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Somewhere over the rainbow<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Bluebirds fly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Birds fly over the rainbow. "<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">An oh so important part of this covenant for me is - it isn’t just with humans. The biggest reminder for me this week of that feeling was with the birds. Maybe the reds, blue, grays and browns stood out more against the stark white that enveloped our world. The thousands of little scratch marks in the snow around the disc where we scattered seed reminded me of the fragility and balance that they depend upon. Robin Red Breasts stripped berries out of trees by the thousands. Even within my own yard more than 50 doves roosted in the shelter of trees near a source of water. Birds of all colors could teach us a thing or two – sharing and taking turns at the water and food to be found regardless of size, color, type - side by side sharing in the tree together. I even read a tale of Plano firefighters using a ladder truck with an unusual rescue. Big brave women and men worn out from all the calls for turning off water that was flooding homes, took time out of their days to dig us out of ice, rescue us from messes on roads, in houses. They saved us from fires in unfortunate heating attempts. And then – if that weren’t enough. They said yes to more of God’s creatures. They hauled out the ladder truck, balanced and creatively extracted the two gorgeous swans who had become stuck in ice. Where are the swans in your life - beautiful creatures of God needing your compassion, your help?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Today, we are exhausted. A tired people at the onset of Lent coming out of a dark week. Poet Amanda Gorman wrote, “When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The loss we carry, a sea we must wade<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We've braved the belly of the beast</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We've learned that quiet isn't always peace<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And the norms and notions<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">of what just is<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Isn't always just-ice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And yet the dawn is ours<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">before we knew it<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Somehow we do it<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Somehow we've weathered….”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Why then, oh why can't I?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If happy little bluebirds fly<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Beyond the rainbow"<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What is beyond rainbow, God laid down his bow. The weapon was laid down as a reminder – set aside for a different use. This week was definitely different along the Texas coast. Assessing damage near the naval air station in Corpus Christi, the navy noticed a few birds needing help, but then a retired army veteran noticed floating turtles. Turtles are unable to survive cold; when temperatures drop below 50 degrees, they get sluggish - cold stunned and can’t move their flippers. Turtles float becoming easy prey or they freeze and die. They couldn’t find warmth and were going to die by the hundreds. It began with one man noticing and turned into a massive effort. The military went out in kayaks to scoop up the floating reptiles; coast guard divers in wet suits ventured into the deeper waters rescuing yet more moving them to the Air Station. Volunteers further south in South Padre had moved into gear too loading up Suburbans full of turtles. The convention center was opened to help when the turtle preservation facilities were overwhelmed with turtles. Volunteers at last count pulled out more than 4000 turtles and the military another 1100. Our military protecting nature, not deploying a weapon but working for mercy and grace of God’s creatures. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In this covenant story from Genesis, God repeats never – three times. This is God turning away from defeating chaos by <b>migh</b>t even when humans are instruments of that chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">"Why, oh why can't I?"<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We can fly on the eagles wings toward a fuller and deeper relationship with God and with all of God’s children, all God’s creatures. A shalom of wholeness pushing against the chaos within and without. The Reverend Doctor John Holbert writes, “And, of course, that is where we come in, we humans. We, too, must love the cosmos in order that all of God's creatures, every whirring, clacking, and singing one of them, might have places in which to thrive.” Apologies to Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz, but the ‘little diddy’ did the work for me that the rainbow does for God. It reminded me of the Holy - there can be a world with <b>justice for all God’s creatures</b>. The song ebbed and flowed through a dark week, working between God’s creatures, human helpers, strangers and friends. All weaving together, all woven together healing together, working for wholeness– loved by God. We need to remember shalom. Pushing forth compassion, we can be shalom – remembering the living version of the covenant of the rainbow - a covenant strengthened, magnified and sealed in Jesus blood for us. We need to be the rainbow of God’s justice reflecting the love of God to all, sharing the warmth, spreading the light. Not accepting systems of oppression and inequality because that is “just the way it is”. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Throw a handful of seed, one gesture at time. Sharing the light and warmth have renewed meaning this week. Never forget – spread that light, that warmth. Stretch out your hand and rescue one turtle. Be a small tool for justice in this place. God will do the rest. Shalom. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-31166578818613508182021-02-16T15:24:00.003-06:002021-02-16T15:24:40.291-06:00See No, Hear No, Speak No<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-DSUxzlauk8BqCV-A65AwoAxTTbZ9TKpU6DjzUyyKJ4rpd5GWJPleL10lzNraAGb1p1QfsYeqhAK-6S7Y2mc0g8BwB_y9CjRqvhizeqpVVh-BXwJpxWUMnp46bF6aPTe7-DXNDPfXNNW/s2048/CFC1886E-4EA4-4948-9FCE-57F3D244C864.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-DSUxzlauk8BqCV-A65AwoAxTTbZ9TKpU6DjzUyyKJ4rpd5GWJPleL10lzNraAGb1p1QfsYeqhAK-6S7Y2mc0g8BwB_y9CjRqvhizeqpVVh-BXwJpxWUMnp46bF6aPTe7-DXNDPfXNNW/w300-h400/CFC1886E-4EA4-4948-9FCE-57F3D244C864.heic" width="300" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Our lectionary gospel skips around a bit this week and begins with – after six<br /> days. Six days after what? This section of Mark follows when Peter wisely answers Jesus’ question – ‘Who do you say I am?’ by declaring that Jesus is the messiah. Jesus shared what is to come - his rejection, suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. Peter not liking all of this, rebuked Jesus. Get behind me Satan Jesus replies. Jesus continues to teach what it is to be a disciple – to take up their cross and follow him on the journey. We are in the middle of the gospel of Mark at a turning point and the conclusion of the season of Epiphany moving into Lent.</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Mark 9:2-9<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">2 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">3 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">His clothes became dazzling white,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">4 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">5 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">6 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">7 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">8 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">9 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">what they had seen until the Son of Man</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">had risen from the dead.</span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">See No, Hear No, Speak No<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> I invite you to close your eyes and listen again to God's word picturing the story. What images appear in your mind’s eyes as you hear the story? Peter, James and John hike up a high mountain where they were all alone. Amid towering trees, jagged rock cliffs, overlooking the valley below in towering majesty. Jesus is transformed, - what they <b>see</b> before them is amazing beyond description. His clothes are a dazzling white brighter than the whites from the whitest bleach known to man. Mark seems at a loss to fully describe it and doesnt’ really elaborate too much on the scenery. (Open your eyes) Was your imagination up to the task? How did you see the divine? Can we see it?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">What would Peter, James and John have seen with Elijah and Moses being there? Elijah the prophet and Moses the great leader of the people out of Egypt. Both have heard God speaking to them, be it in flaming bushes or a quiet whisper of wind. Moses face was radiant coming off his mountaintop with the ten commandments and we heard about Elijah ascending in a chariot of flames. They are the mountaintop heroes of the Old Testament carrying the authority and promise of the faith and hopes of the Jewish people. Prophecy and law wrapped up with divine revelation represent the strong foundation of faith that Jesus comes up to and eclipses – shining, transformed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Jesus, Elijah, and Moses were talking – Peter, good old Peter jumps in. I can hear him talking now – “Bear with me,” he says, “I’m talking it through here while I work it out. Guys, this could be good – let’s stay and grab this moment. Three huts would fit right over there on the pinnacle.” Not, teacher tell me what they are saying but – “Wow! It is so amazing to see you and – our biggest heroes, who we thought were lost long ago - right before us. Ummm, don’t’ go.” Some people can’t speak in fear – Peter can’t shut up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Peter, James and John just thought they knew fear – a cloud descends. And God’s voice booms forth from the fog. “This is my son, I love Him; listen to Him.” Perhaps God realized that seeing Jesus transformed has knocked them for a loop. The fog shrinks their world, sharpens the focus to just the immediate. But it also intensifies the senses to that voice. The loving powerful voice – listen to my son – MY SON whom I love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Immediately the fog lifts, they look around – nobody is there anymore, only Jesus. They come down off the mountain. Jesus orders them to tell no one until after he has risen from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">You introverts are thinking – yup no problem. I need time to process this one, to get it right, to find the words. The extroverts listening have probably already paused the sermon or previously talked through what in the world all this hocus pocus means. Some of you fell asleep when I asked you to close your eyes at the beginning of the sermon. What words would you use?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">How would we describe the transfiguration? There aren’t sufficient words. The extremism, the wonder, fear and miraculous of the <b>Transformation of our Lord and Savior</b> on a mountaintop accompanied by the prophet Elijah and bearer of the law Moses. That would be enough to try to wrap our head around. Then add in the voice of God in a fog and three disciples, those closest to Jesus in a tizzy or struck silent. A hefty package to describe, to unpack.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">If you attend church regularly at this time of year, you are familiar with this transfiguration story. It varies a little between the gospels, but decisively concludes the season of epiphany. Epiphany – “a sudden manifestation or perception, understanding of the essential nature of something” Well, I can see how we proclaim the Christian Epiphany season is the manifestation of God among us – Jesus in our midst - but it would be arrogant and misleading to begin to claim that meaning of epiphany that it gives us the essential understanding of the nature of God. It may nudge us in the right direction but still leaves us a bit puzzled wrapping our human heads around the Holy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Barbara K Lundblad says, “Transfiguration Sunday marks an in-between space — between Epiphany, which began with the journey of the magi, and Lent, which begins Jesus’ journey to the cross. Some call this in-between state a liminal space, from a word meaning “threshold.” A liminal state is characterized by ambiguity and openness. There’s often a sense of disorientation. Where am I?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> Transfiguration Sunday reminds us that this is the closest we can get to the divine and even here we fall far short of grasping God, of weaving God into our lives. How do we make room for God now? Nevertheless in the future that we look toward in hope? God continues to make room for us!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Despite our mistakes God comes to us. Time after time we blunder like Peter, even with best of intentions. How are we deceived by our senses and mis-speak responding to what we see or hear? Think of the three wise monkeys in the maxim: Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil. Where did this well known phrase come from? There are differing tales, but it makes a showing in the works of Confucius in 2<sup>nd</sup> to 4<sup>th</sup> century BC and appears as long ago as 17<sup>th</sup> century in a Japanese Shrine engravings. Hindu, Bhuddist, Shinto? The monkey’s history is muddled – in fact, the original teaching had nothing to do with monkeys but came from a play on words!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Wikipedia (that most perfect of all resources - ha) says, “The saying in Japanese is </span><i><span style="color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru</span></i><span style="color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> “see not, hear not, speak not”<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">, where the </span><i>-zaru</i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> is a negative conjugation on the three verbs.” The ‘not’ tags. Guess what the word for monkey is – saru. Voila – from 'not' to 'monkeys'. Monkeys who happened to have different religious roles in the faiths of the world as well - many revolving around keeping track of sins of humans. The meaning of the proverb varies widely, but the thread that runs through all is a sense of our responsibility for speaking – or for not speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #202122; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">It reminds us how inextricably tied together our sense of observation are to one another. How we make sense of things and relate the Holy to us and back again.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Mark Davis, describes Peter blurting out a suggestion for tents as a human dilemma of how to respond. Davis says, “How can we say nothing in the face of such wonder? But, if we say anything, it is bound to be inadequate and to be amiss.” He concludes that maybe not every moment is interactive learning but some instead ask us to “shut our mouths in order to open our ears, eyes, and hearts to something beyond our categories and comments.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We see what is beyond understanding, hear what is outside norm and try to share – to speak about the divine that is so past us. Rather than just being a people of all talk, and rather than sitting in a time of solitary reflection – we have had plenty of solitude - We need, the world needs, a different kind of Lent. Instead of being just terrified in a time of drastic change let’s remember Jesus’ journey with new practices this Lent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">I often sign off on emails using the word ‘shalom’. This small, simple Hebrew word is anything but simple. It can be used in many forms, noun, adjective, adverb, or verb. It can be used as hello – or it can also be used as goodbye. It embodies peace but not in a simple way such as quiet or only the absence of fighting but bigger – wholeness, well-being. It is one of the underlying principles of the Torah. The Talmud even says one name of God is peace. When you wish someone shalom you wish them wholeness. Cornelius Plantinga says, “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Let us speak with intention this Lent.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">The world needs a shalom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We need to welcome one another in peace - Shalom<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">sustain one another in prayer,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">enfold one another in compassion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">and leave one another in peace - Shalom.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">We don’t stay on the mountaintop – find God this Lent in our everyday. Our eyes miss the divine – When we don’t see, be reminded of God’s glory. Reflect on God in the everyday but embrace the miraculous and move the mundane into the holy. Inch our way into being rather than just passively hearing or a babbling stream of consciousness. The Nor’kirk has a Lent in a Bag for each household to step through during the weeks of Lent praying and listening in new ways to reflect how everyday objects can help us make sense of the miraculous story of Jesus’s journey. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">These devotional bags will help guide our prayers. (Not a member of The Nor'kirk - Google it and create your own Lent objects devotional!) Watch for exciting ways to express these prayers – sustain one another in prayer through online sharing of pictures, poems, words and through a church ribbon wall shared in the prayer garden.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Enfold one another in compassion - Less talk TO or AT one another but acts of compassion together: send an intentional card just because, donate an item a day to Metrocrest or another food pantry, phone calls or texts to that friend you have lost touch with, or random smiles and acts of kindness daily. 40 items, 40 calls, 40 cards, 40 smiles or some <b>intermixing</b> of these gestures. Instead of giving something up this Lent - <b>Add</b> these compassion acts – this is our compassion challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 42.66667175292969px;">Is the divine outside our grasp? In transfiguration, we get a glimpse. The human side of Jesus that broke into our world in epiphany is transformed, dazzling, awesome, revealing the Shalom of how the world is supposed to be – a wholeness. Respond with your all. The monkeys don’t stand alone – hear no, see no, speak no but require us to roll it all together with all we have an all we are listening, watching and speaking for wholeness. Grabbing onto the divine not to hold it for ourselves alone but to spin it back out into the world in a blessed shalom. In a world entrenched in fog I invite you this Lent to journey with Christ to the cross in prayer and compassion for a wholeness within and without – twining you, me, and all the world in God’s Shalom through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Shalom!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426487143436611902.post-57687239304626087282021-02-04T12:00:00.003-06:002021-02-04T12:01:17.793-06:00Prayer for National Healing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXykiGqjscvblD5XPqCQuLIbxrKniHArobHfK6toYM5S_uMaIIDWm9r6QdP2ffjtrR8xyDxQ-doxAqnvc-UMz11CXyUJJgAHf8hbLgbV4RxcmiBombl3AVmBlkRa_gvn4P0uphCsEknaX/s2048/7083FFE9-4E08-4F47-8752-EEDDC75DF6A1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXykiGqjscvblD5XPqCQuLIbxrKniHArobHfK6toYM5S_uMaIIDWm9r6QdP2ffjtrR8xyDxQ-doxAqnvc-UMz11CXyUJJgAHf8hbLgbV4RxcmiBombl3AVmBlkRa_gvn4P0uphCsEknaX/s320/7083FFE9-4E08-4F47-8752-EEDDC75DF6A1.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Dear God,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">We praise you with thanks, “that you have placed a harmony of lights in the heavens that night is followed by day and the glowing of the moon by the glistening of the sun thanks be to you, O God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Too many days dawn with a people divided. What causes some to rejoice leads others to fear and regret. That which divides us continues to tear at the seams of the fabric of our nation. We are a Disunited States. The beauty of this nation stretches out before us, across wheat fields and deserts, from the mountains to the prairies, from sea to shining sea. Remind us, O God, that as different as the moon is from the sun, they balance against one another in the skies – shining in turn, moon reflecting the light of the sun, sometimes appearing together, seldom eclipsing one another before quickly moving back into balance. Move us into balance when we feel jumbled and confused, angry with one another, fearful of what the world holds in store.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Thank you O God, “that you have placed a harmony of lights in my soul<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> that there is gentleness and firmness of strength<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> intuitive knowing and enlightened reasoning<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> thanks be to you”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Help us remember your calling to us to be agents of forgiveness and reconciliation, love and peace, healing and hope in a world made dark by fear, hatred and brokenness. As we feel trapped in our homes awaiting a healing or vaccine remind us of the call to patience and strength for you are with us on our journeys. You walk with us even when we don’t see you, when we forget that you are here. When we feel we are spinning our wheels, out of control - turn our eyes to Naomi and Ruth who returned to Bethlehem after the deaths of their loved ones and found relief from famine there. They had courage and trust in one another and in you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">“Let me be so sure of your law of harmony in all things<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> that I seek it in my own depths<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> and in knowing it in my inner life<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> yearn for it in the torn relationships of my world<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> man and woman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> black and white<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> sun and moon in a harmony of movement.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Help us to rebuild our nation by finding your image in the face of others, by pulling out the best in us to serve those who are the least, any who are lost and by stretching out a hand to the lonely. Remind us of the gift of Mary, anointing you with her acts of her hands, her wealth in costly perfume and even her hair reminding us that caring for the body of Christ is the most important thing for us all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Journey with us, O God, in the time of tumult when twists and turns of this coronavirus crisis seem to have no end. Remind us of the hope we have in you and lead us to back to a place centered on your love, trust, promise and new life that conquers all. We thank you God for the leaders, the healers and all the unrecognized, unsung helpers showing us the way forward again and again.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">May we find strength in our diversity and seek the courage to live into the motto - In God we Trust. For only in turning to you can we live in safety. Only in you will we find justice. Only in you will we know the peace. Lord as we repent and lament injustice, heal us mind, body and soul<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">“O Sun behind all suns<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">O Soul behind all souls<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Grant me the grace of the dawn’s glory<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">Grant me the strength of the sun’s rays<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> that I may be well within my own soul<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> and part of the world’s healing this day<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;">that I may be well within my own soul<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"> and part of the world’s healing this day. Amen."</span><b><span style="font-size: 22pt; line-height: 58.66667175292969px;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 32px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 37.33333206176758px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Prayer based upon prayers by J Philip Newell's <i>Celtic Benediction (</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>quoted portions)</i></span></p>Presbymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09157311821727342496noreply@blogger.com0