Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany: Loving Our Neighbor, Even When We Would Rather Not

Today's Scripture Readings

Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18 (NRSV)

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.

You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Psalm 119:33-40 (BCP., p.766)


1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 (NRSV)

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,

"He catches the wise in their craftiness,"
and again,

"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile."

So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future-- all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

Matthew 5:38-48 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Blog Reflection

Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB in her book The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life writes the following in the chapter 17 about Hospitality.

It is possible, of course, to make community out of "our kind of people," out of people who look like us and think like us and have the same backgrounds we do.

But that is not the kind of community the ancient Rule has in mind or a Monastery of the Heart sets out to be.

And with good cause.

When Benedict of Nursia began his new way of living in wild, licentious, sixth-century Rome, he turned that world upside down.

He took into his monastic community the rich and the poor, the slave and the free, the young and the old, artists and craftsmen, peasants and noblemen.  It was a motley crew.

And then, as if that weren't enough, he opened the doors of the monastery to anyone who came, at any time, to anyone who knocked, no matter who they were or where they had been in life along the way.

Most of all, he made of their coming a royal affair.

Guests were to be met by the entire community "united in peace," with prayer and always with the kiss of peace.

Benedict's community met everyone, whoever they were, with friendship and trust and honor.  The pilgrim, the poor, and the stranger all became new new royalty at the monastery door.

"Jesus" the Rule teaches "is to be welcomed in them" (pages 135-137).  

It would be wonderful if we could all live like that.  Welcome everyone, whether or not we like her/him.  No more barriers to being friends with everyone we come into contact with.   Of course, we know that is hardly possible.  Each of us have our point of discomfort with another person.   Someone who doesn't quite "measure up."   As that is the case, is God in our readings this Sunday asking too much of us?

Leviticus is the Book of the Holiness Code.  It was written in the post-Babylonian Exile era.  It was written in hindsight of events that the Israelite people had already experienced.  It is quite possible that it was written with a certain fright that what happened to them in the exile, could reoccur if they did not get their Temple worship together.  The entire book is full of ritual purity in preparation for the worship of God.  Therefore, it is very important to be careful about not exacting specific passages in Leviticus such as chapter 20:13 as condemning all same-gender sexual acts as a moral obligation, when in fact it is a cultural taboo only.

However, what the book is telling us is that our response to God's acts on our behalf, should be nothing less than love and respect for our neighbor.   To the point that we would honor their property, who they are, and what we do with what is on loan to us, to be shared with our neighbor.  It is clear that in this writing from Leviticus, that making room for the strangers among us is evident to living with a heart that is thankful to God.  To disregard the immigrant among us for the sake of hoarding all things for ourselves, is to disregard the Law of God who loves and delivers us.  God's word to us here, is that our society and our communities begin to deteriorate when we leave the hungry, the stranger and the unrecognizable without their full dignity among us.

As we in the United States continue our conversation about Immigration Reform, how are we welcoming the stranger among us?

At what point do we stop identifying immigrants as "illegals" and leave some room for them to find peace, prosperity and hope in our country?

At what point in our discussion, do we stop making silly statements such as "Can I be an illegal?  I could really use the benefits" as our excuse for racism and envy, when we already have more than immigrants can even imagine?

As the States of Kansas, South Dakota, Arizona, Idaho and others like them, consider bills that would legalize discrimination for businesses and services for LGBT people on the basis of "religious freedom," perhaps we should ask ourselves at what point does our "religion" give us the right to discriminate?   If our Faith is about salvation and redemption in Christ, because all are welcome, as they are, who are we to make such exceptions, and justify them?  

The Gospel for this Sunday is probably the most difficult for many of us to consider, let alone apply.   However, what Sr. Joan wrote in the quote I used above, applies as much to our adversaries as it does our closest confidants.  Our problem with this Gospel Reading is our false sense of self.   We think that we are created and even redeemed to be comfortable, at peace at all times, without any conflict, loved by all and that is only where we find God.   We put all our stock in God and ourselves, based on warm fuzziness.

While there is nothing completely bad about wanting to be comfortable and cozy, if we look for our relationship with God in only that, we will be endlessly disappointed.   The reality of this life is, that we can never find total consolation and comfort in the things of this world.  Even those who we love so closely are only but one drop in the bucket of our human experience.

What Jesus is proposing in this Gospel, is also what is meant in the sixth and seventh steps of humility in chapter 7 of The Rule of St. Benedict.

The sixth step of humility is that a monk (or anyone can be inserted here) is content with the lowest and most menial treatment and regards himself a poor and worthless workman in whatever task he is given,,,

The seventh step of humility is that a man (or woman) not only admits with his tongue but is also convinced in his heart that he is inferior to all and of less value, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: I am truly a worm, not a man, scorned and despised by the people (Psalm 22:7) (Page 36, 37 RB 1980).

Before you close my blog post today at this point, let me explain this a bit better.  St. Benedict here is not talking about walking around with an inferiority complex, nor indulging in self abuse.   He is also not suggesting that we adopt an attitude to be oh so happy to be abused, discriminated against, etc., that is not what he is saying here at all.   What St. Benedict and Jesus are saying, is to find our ultimate comfort and completeness in God alone.  It is quite alright for us to be at the back of the line of human preference.  Not because that's what we are not, but because of all that God is.  All that we are, need, can be, and are about is found in God.   So that even if we are confronted by someone who completely disregards us, we do not justify what they do, or in some cases not speak up, all is not lost for us.   Because, we are to put our hope in God alone, and love our neighbor, even our adversary with complete abandonment of ourselves out of love and reverence for God present in every person.

This past week I engaged in a very interesting conversation with someone about the terrible violence towards LGBT in African Countries.  I maintain that he violence towards LGBT people in Uganda, Nigeria and Russia is unjustifiable.  The conversation I had was with someone who felt that the Anglican voices in the African Countries that are supporting the draconian laws there, should have no voice in our Anglican Communion.   The problem with that is, that if we build up an attitude and policy of prejudice towards someone, because of their prejudice, then anyone with a prejudice can be kept from participating in the life and ministry of the Church.   That in fact, would mean any and all of us.  We will not succeed in changing hearts and minds towards one another, the more we silence the voices in opposition to each other.   We will succeed, because we continue in dialogue with each other and tell our stories to one another, so that we listen to each other, and open ourselves up to the presence of Christ in each other.   No matter, how difficult it is for us to do that.   It means being open to one another, and loving each other, as we struggle to understand and accept each other.   It will mean bearing in our hearts and souls in union with the wounds of Christ on the Cross in prayer for more open hearts and minds in our dialogue.   But, let us not forget that the story of our redemption does not end with the Cross and death of Christ.  It continued in Christ's Resurrection to new life, and sending the gift of the Holy Spirit.   The Holy Spirit is still among us, and "guiding us into all truth" (See John 16:12-13 NRSV).  Therefore, "for God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27 NRSV).

We must, with God's help, learn to recognize in those who harbor a prejudice, our own ability to discriminate against another.  We must pray with compassion as Henri J.M. Nouwen suggests in his book: With Open Hands.  Seeing in our neighbor, our ability to hurt one another, our lack of acceptance and ability to forgive and be forgiven.   If we close off our dialogue with each other, we will miss the opportunity to encounter Christ in one another.

In a week and half we will be at Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  As we pray and prepare ourselves for the season of fasting, penance and alms giving, perhaps we need to pray for each other.  We should pray for one another, that we will be given a special measure of God's grace to receive all God's people with genuine hospitality, with a commitment to healing and reconciliation.   Through our prayers and work on behalf of all God's people, may violence and prejudice become yesterday's ways of dealing with out disagreements.  Instead, today, we want to embrace one another.  We continue in dialogue, listening carefully to God and each other.   May we listen and be silent to hear God speaking to and with us more clearly, with reverence and awareness of God's presence in each other.

Amen.


Prayers

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we
do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our
hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace
and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted
dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.216).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 260).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.818).

The Spiritual Blindness of Violence and Prejudice

Today's Scripture Reading.

John 9

A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbours and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing

 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’

 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, ‘He is of age; ask him.’

 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, ‘Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.’ He answered, ‘I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’ They said to him, ‘What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?’ He answered them, ‘I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?’ Then they reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.’ The man answered, ‘Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’ They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out.

Spiritual Blindness

 Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ He answered, ‘And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’ He said, ‘Lord, I believe.’ And he worshipped him. Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, “We see”, your sin remains. 

Blog Reflection

I was not planning to write an extra blog post this week.   Ash Wednesday is two weeks from this Wednesday.   I will have much to write about.  However, as I have looked over the Gospel Readings to be used with this weeks Daily Offices from The Book of Common Prayer, and the news that is coming to us, I felt that something needed to be written.   

Some horrific things are happening on the other side of our globe.   Anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and violence is on the rise.   It is happening because of prejudice disguised as religious driven zeal has influenced the leaders and people in the countries of Russia, Uganda and Nigeria.   Over these past few months there have been numerous reports of laws being debated, passed, and enacted.  Individuals are being beaten, rounded up, the cruelties are going unnoticed, without appropriate response or action.  

The Gospel Readings from St. John's Gospel chapter 9 this week deal with the removal of blindness.   The blind man was a beggar.  He had been unable to see since birth.  The first question out of the mouths of the Disciples was "what sin did the man or his parents commit?"  Jesus' reply was that he and his parents committed no sin, but was there to glorify God.  The religious authorities of Jesus' time make use of this man's healing by Jesus as an opportunity to mock and defame Jesus of Nazareth.  Their jealousy over His popularity, just cannot be contained any longer.  They need a scapegoat.  

Many LGBT people all over the world who have been blinded by the prejudices of others, have begged since their birth to have their rightful place in the Church and society.  They've been blinded to the true and compassionate Jesus, by those who are also blinded by misinterpretations of Scripture, and misinformation about them.  Now, marriage equality is sweeping much of the Western World, because the inability to see Christ in LGBTQ people is being healed, by the inclusive message of the Gospel,    Yet, the religious zealots of our time, continue to spread false rumors, and call what God is doing in our world, the work of evil.  Even to the other countries, formerly raided and colonized for the slave trades.  I guess those same countries are now being raided and colonized for prejudice towards LGBTQ people too.

It is more important now than ever, that Christians who know the Light of Jesus Christ and His Gospel of healing and reconciliation, become messengers of hope for those still experiencing the oppression of discrimination and misplaced religious-based bigotry.   As Baptized Christians, we must pray and work together so that the Name of Jesus Christ and His Church will have a good Name, because it is a "house of prayer for all God's people."   

May the hospitality and graciousness of God move upon all people of good will everywhere, call out those who use the Bible and their erroneous interpretations to injure and hurt, inviting them to repentance, mercy and conversion.   Yes, it is possible for the blind to see, because Jesus through us has cleared the dirt from our eyes, to see His loving presence in every person, every where.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p.826). 

Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: Authentic and Transparent Love of Neighbor

Today's Scripture Readings

Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 15:15-20 (NRSV)

If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
He has placed before you fire and water;
stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
Before each person are life and death,
and whichever one chooses will be given.
For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power and sees everything;
his eyes are on those who fear him,
and he knows every human action.
He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
and he has not given anyone permission to sin. 

Psalm 119:1-8 (BCP., p.763).


1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (NRSV)

Brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready, for you are still of the flesh. For as long as there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving according to human inclinations? For when one says, "I belong to Paul," and another, "I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human?

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God's servants, working together; you are God's field, God's building.

Matthew 5:21-37 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not murder'; and `whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, `You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

"It was also said, `Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

"Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, `You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be `Yes, Yes' or `No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Blog Reflection

How do we know something is authentic and transparent?   We know, because it is more than what is on the surface, and what is under the surface gives new life beyond itself.  

Last Sunday Jesus told us that He is the fulfillment of the Law.  Jesus also told us to be salt that seasons, light that shines and gives glory to God.  

This Sunday, Jesus is telling us that love of neighbor as oneself is more than just doing what the Law requires on the surface.  It is seeing beyond cultural norms, common prejudices and suspicions.   Love of neighbor means living from what is under the surface of the act.  It means we see Christ in our neighbor and would not even entertain the notion that doing that which fails to show reverence and respect for the presence of God in one another.  Because showing reverence for the consciousness of God, means that to injure that relationship is much too important to us to just ignore our gratitude for God's unconditional love. 

The fact of the matter is, if Christians really did have a higher degree of reverence and respect for God's presence in our neighbor, many of the things we entertain concerning women, LGBT people, people of other races, cultures and religions would be the furthest thing from our mind.

In Chapter 4: On the Tools for Good Works in The Rule of St. Benedict, verse 50, he instructs us to: "Dash against the feet of Christ your evil thoughts, as soon as they come into your heart...." (Preferring Christ, by Norvene Vest, p.59).   It is amazing how much power our thoughts can have over our heart and our actions if we do not keep Christ as the center of our lives.  Not just in our personal prayer, but also in terms of what we think and do to one another.  A Christ-centered life goes beyond what we pray, and becomes an authentic and transparent love of neighbor. 

Yet, what we witness in our world around us and sadly by the hands and wills of individuals claiming to be Christians, is violence, disregard for the poor and the sick, irresponsible stewardship of the earth, and prejudice of all kinds. 

A recent article written in Plain Simple Faith suggests that Christians immerse themselves in the Bible in a way that disregards the need for earth changing social justice in the name of sanctity.   The article sings a nice tune about no longer opposing inter-racial marriage, but it no where mentions no longer opposing the freedom to marry for same-gender couples.  There again, is that exception for LGBTQ people, that Christians can just continue to disregard their cruel rhetoric and speech with a religious based bias.  

We also received the really sad news that the President of Uganda is going to sign the bill that will further criminalize certain citizens in it's own country, because of who they are, and who they love.  This kind of thing is bad enough by itself.  But, the very reality that there are Christians who support laws like this, is the Christian faith lived only skin deep, with a really big and angry mouth.

On the other hand, this past week when the Kansas House passed a bill that would make discrimination against LGBTQ people legal on the basis of "religious liberty",  Two Episcopal Bishops in Kansas spoke out, and shared the Gospel of concern for God and neighbor.

We continue to have problems with laws passed that violate the dignity of women.  The right of minorities to exercise the right to vote.  The environment continues to be abused by corporate greed, resulting in the fracking of our drinking water, the land, our forests and our air.  

In our prayers it is important to open ourselves up to the movement of God's Holy Spirit.   The Spirit helps us in our prayers, where our own words and emotions alone cannot move the heart of God. (See Romans 8:26-27, NRSV).  Yet, the Spirit also pleads for us to make our relationship with God authentic and transparent.   So that the Christian Faith may be real and visible in the hearts and lives of those who profess belief in God by way of the Catholic Creeds, and the Sacraments become the means of grace that bring real life-giving evidence of God's revelation in Christ in our churches, communities and the world around us.

Amen.

Prayers
  

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you:
Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness
we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your
grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please
you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p. 216).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 260). 

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this
land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as
their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to
eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those
who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law
and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of
us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Oppressed, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826). 

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: Season, Shine, Fulfill

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 58:1-9a (NRSV)

Thus says the high and lofty one
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
Shout out, do not hold back!
Lift up your voice like a trumpet!
Announce to my people their rebellion,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
Yet day after day they seek me
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness
and did not forsake the ordinance of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments,
they delight to draw near to God.
"Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?"
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day,
and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

Psalm 112  (BCP., p.755)


1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (NRSV)

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him" --

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Blog Reflection

As wonderful as it was that we celebrated The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple last Sunday, we missed the wonderful Reading from Matthew 5:1-12 which would have included the Beatitudes.   The central message is that Blessed are those who recognize their need for God. God will satisfy such a need by God's abundant grace.  Being poor in Spirit, means relying on God's mercy and faithfulness.  Recognizing that all that we could hope for, or need, can be found in God.  God's mercy, righteousness, a peacemaker, and those persecuted in Jesus' Name.

Today, we are presented with three interesting images.  We are told that we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world and that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law of God.  

Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth.  A good interpretation is that we are the seasoning for the Gospel in the world.  The Gospel without being transparent in the lives of Christians, can become pretty useless.  The Gospel may be full of beautiful stories, sermons, parables and events.  But those words alone are not enough to transform the world, if they are left abstract on the page.  Jesus is the Incarnate Word of God made real in the world.  There is not just a stone that tells us what God has done, or a parchment with a lesson.  In Jesus, that which God speaks, lives, breaths, walks, talks, heals and changes the lives of those around Him.  Jesus invites us as Christians to live what we are hearing Him teach us.  If what we hear Jesus teach us does not become the seasoning that adds a fantastic aroma to our lives, we become tasteless and useless.  We become unable to do more than tell a good story, and become a loud mouth know-it-all.  

Jesus who is called in St. John's Gospel as the Light of the world, tells us that we are the light of the world.  In other words, we are the image of Christ in the world around us.  If we take what Jesus teaches and does to heart, and give it life by how we live and worship God in our families, jobs, communities, and homes, that light shows the glory of God.   If we allow Jesus to be darkened by our personal prejudices, arrogance and a false sense of self, it is the same as putting a lamp underneath a table where it is of little value to those who need to see light in their lives.

Jesus then identifies Himself as the fulfillment of the Law.  The Law of God, is love of God, neighbor and self.  Jesus is telling us, that He Himself fulfills this as He is closest to God as God's Son, and that we are also to draw closer to God through Jesus.   Jesus did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.  To live the meaning of the love of God, neighbor and self, not just from an exterior experience, but from the inside out. 

A month or so ago, I had the opportunity to do Lectio Divina on the beginning of Chapter 4: On the Tools for Good Works, from The Rule of St. Benedict.

First of all, love the Lord God with your whole heart, your whole soul and all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt 22:37-39; Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27) (RB 1980, p. 26).  

My experience of actually spending time meditating on these words in my heart, changed my life.  Instead of reading it, or hearing it in a Liturgy, the words become part of me.  I am able to meditate on what God expects of me, when God asks me to love God, my neighbor as myself within my own heart.  When what we read goes from the head to the heart, it can transform our relationship with God and others.

What St. Benedict is telling us, that the beginning of our doing good in the world, begins with God's commandment to love.   To recognize God as the beginning of all love, as well as the purpose and destiny of love.   Whatever good we might wish to accomplish, if we are not able to love, we will do so with no good reason if love is not the driving energy of what we do.  (See 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NRSV).

When Christians make the choice to preach a gospel of hate for people of different races, cultures, abilities, the poor, LGBT people, women etc, it is a gospel that is tasteless, dark and contrary to the Law of God's love.

When Christians suggest that gun owners are being persecuted by a movement such as Episcopalians Against Gun Violence, what is happening is that the Holy Spirit is moving upon people to change their ways with regards to justifying horrible violence as a way to make a political point, and those who are resisting, are running to the "we are being persecuted" as a defense mechanism.   The Gospel in this instance, because useless salt and lights that are burning out.  Because violence in any form is never the will of God.  Not even to defend a particular belief of Christians, or to suggest that all other points of view in Christianity are wrong, while others are completely right. 

If Christians are to make a difference in the world, where justice is regularly watered down by corporate dollars for political campaigns, and missionaries of hate transport homophobia to countries like Uganda, Nigeria and Russia, it is so important for us to be true to the Jesus who is compassionate, inclusive and merciful. 

In our prayer and work, if we can support a diverse Church and society, the Gospel will be transparent and living, giving salt, light and fulfillment to all who observe and interact with Christ in us.

Amen.


Prayers

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us
the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known
to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Book of Common Prayer, p.216).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations
into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten
the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.257).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.816).

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple: Humility, Obedience, Prophesy

Today's Scripture Readings

Malachi 3:1-4 (NRSV)

Thus says the Lord, See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight-- indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

Psalm 84 (BCP., p.707)


Hebrews 2:14-18 (NRSV)

Since God's children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Luke 2:22-40 (NRSV)

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Blog Reflection

I could not rejoice more that this feast of the Presentation is on a Sunday this year.   This Holy Day on our Church calendar has many significances that are worth reminding ourselves of.  Their significance to our faith and our spiritual lives are so crucial.   It is so wonderful that we get to observe them as part of our Sunday Eucharist.

One of the meanings of the Presentation is to recognize that we are now between the Nativity at Christmas, and Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent.   Here the two meanings of the coming of Christ as the Word made flesh, from the cradle to the cross find their crossover point.  

In the history of the Church, this Feast is also referred to as Candlemass.  It was on this date that all the candles used over the previous year were melted down, as the early Christians prepared the wax for the Easter Candle for the Great Vigil of Easter.   The light that came into the world, brings with Him a new era.  The darkness of sin is extinguished by the Light that is Christ by His death and resurrection.   We celebrate the Light of Christ's Redemption in the Paschal Mystery, and participate in it, through the waters of Baptism.   Hence the commitment of Christians to live in that Light of the Easter event, because of God's grace through Christ.

There are three main points about the Presentation of Christ in the temple that have meaning for our spiritual lives.  They are humility, obedience and prophesy.   Mary, Joseph and Jesus fulfill these by their humble submission to the law of Moses, and is confirmed through the Prophets Simeon and Anna.

In this 21st Century, the very idea of humility and obedience seem archaic, useless and things of the past.  However, the necessity of them could not be more real.  

In humility, we acknowledge that we are not an entity unto ourselves.  Nor can we save ourselves without God's help.  Mary, Joseph and Jesus come to the Temple in humility, recognizing their humanity, and need for the God of their salvation.  We too, must return again and again to the God who has redeemed us in Christ, confess our sins, and accept God's mercy.   We cannot do this if we cling to a false sense of self.   Humility means we accept that God is God, and we are not.  Our true selves are found in Christ, who humbled Himself to the point of death on the Cross. (See Philippians 2:1-11).

Obedience says that we respond to God's mercy, by placing ourselves in God's hands, and serve others in the Name of Christ.  The humility of Jesus was such that the God who created us, became one like us in all things, yet did not sin, became a servant of all of us.  Even those of us who will  not get up and wash our neighbors feet, or accept others who are different from ourselves.  The humility and obedience of Jesus, is our example of how to love one another, and be reminded that none of us are really above anyone else in any way.  We are all sinners, saved by God's grace.  In faith, our response needs to be one of obedience.

Lastly, is prophesy.  The Prophets Simeon and Anna greet Christ, recognizing that He is the hope that they have been awaiting.   As they both declare to have received the answer to their prayers, they also prepare Christ for the fulfillment of His life.   He has come to be the rise and fall of many.  He is the Light revealed to the nations, as God's perfect revelation of Self.   He has come to set free the marginalized, the oppressed and to give a sense of purpose to those who are left on the sidelines to fend for themselves.  Jesus has come as God's love embodied in the human person; living, serving and dying.   In God's revelation that there is no such thing as one so lost, that God is not concerned or reaching out for us.

These past couple weeks we have become aware of the increased violence towards LGBT people in Uganda, Nigeria and of course, Russia.   Thanks be to God that there have been responses by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.   Yet, we cannot over look the unfortunate reality that there are Christians within the Anglican Communion and beyond who support the criminalization of homosexuality based on erroneous interpretations of the Bible.  A difference of opinions by which we dialogue and debate with mutual respect and charity, is a response worthy of Christ.   A response through the violence of putting people in jail or threatening them with death because of who we are, getting people into the government to pass and administer such laws cannot be a greater contradiction to the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.  

Humility, obedience and prophesy on this Presentation of Christ in the Temple, calls on us to see the Light of Christ in others around us.   To honor Christ's presence and to serve others in His Holy Name.  Without distinction, exception or excuse.   After all, which one of us is truly worthy of God's love in Christ?   Which one of us is so humble and obedient to not need God's grace to save us, so that we have the hope of everlasting life?    Therefore, who are we to withhold it from others?

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your
only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so
we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by
Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p.239).

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully
restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may
share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our
humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer, p.252).

Almighty God, who created us in your image: Grant us
grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace
with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom,
help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our
communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p.260).