Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 21: Remember Your Good Things and Others Without

Luke 16:19-31 NRSV

Jesus said, "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house-- for I have five brothers-- that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Blog Reflection 

The words that catch my attention in this Gospel reading are: "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things" (Luke 16:25).

This parable is one of those that is somewhere between making no sense, to one of the scariest Jesus told thus far.  It paints a picture through words of what heaven and hell might be like.  Or are we over interpreting Jesus and not seeing what He is telling us is in front of us in the here and now?

Abraham reminds the wealthy man of the good things he was given during his lifetime.  The wealthy man's situation in Hades is now opposite of Lazarus: and Lazarus is on the other side from the now miserable former rich man.  This story sounds a lot like those amazing words found in the Magnificat.  "[God] has cast the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.  He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty" (Book of Common Prayer, p.119).

I think that Jesus is suggesting that we remember the good things all of us are given in the here and now: while not forgetting those who barely have the necessities of life.  In our day and age of economical inequality of those with wealth and power affecting the rest of us; whether we are middle class or at the bottom of the food chain of life.  This does not only apply to the matter of economics and poverty; it also applies to how we view ourselves in light of our relationship with God, vs others who may not share our views or opinions.  

 

Sister Joan Chittister in her book Illumination: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light wrote,

 

Life is not perfect and people are not perfect. Only understanding and compassion--the ability to bear life with the rest of humanity, whatever burdens the bearing brings--perfect us.  When that concept gets lost in the name of religion, gets forgotten in the name of goodness, religion has gone awry and virtue has lost its meaning.  God is compassionate and gives us what we need.  No one can possibly be truly contemplative, truly in touch with the God-Life, truly infused by the spirit of God, who does nothing less for the sake of the other.

 

Contemplation is the mirror through which we come to touch the greatness of God, yes, but contemplation is also the filter through which we discern that scope of our smallness and the potential of our greatness.  The contemplative looks for perfection in nowhere but God.  The contemplative understands brokenness.  And, most of all, the contemplative realizes that it is precisely at the point of personal need that God comes to fill up the emptiness that is us.

 

If we are going to see clearly who God is, we must remember that we live in community with others.  Our relationship with God finds its holiness of life in our relationships with others; including and especially with those who are different from ourselves.  

 

I believe that Jesus is telling us this parable so that we may know that there is just as much heaven and hell for those who are poor as well as those who are rich.  What places us in heaven or hell is what we are doing with the good things we are given in the here and now.   When we remember the good things we are given, we need to remember those who are without such things and share from our abundance.

 

We are called to share the freedom of our lands with the immigrants who come to live here from their oppressive governments.  

 

We are called so seek the safety of every person who everyday face the threat of gun and racial violence.

 

We are called and empowered to give to LGBTQ people that piece of equality shared by those who are heterosexual, cis-gender and know who they are.

 

We are called to share our religious freedom with those who are in the prison of marginalization because they are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhism, Hindu and/or even atheist.  

 

How is God calling you to remember the good things you have, and how you can help others who are not so fortunate?

 

 

Prayers

 

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing
mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we,
running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of
your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 21, The Book of Common Prayer, p.234).

 

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Poor and Neglected, The Book of Common Prayer, p.826

Third Sunday of Easter: Do We Love the Risen Christ in Others?

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 9:1-20 (NRSV)

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said,

"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Psalm 30 (BCP., p.621)


Revelation 5: 11-14 (NRSV)

I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

"To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshiped.

John 21: 1-19 (NRSV)

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."

A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me." 

Blog Reflection

It must have been quite shocking for Ananias to be given the assignment of restoring sight to Saul.  We read in the account from Acts of how Jesus called him to lay hands on the soon to arrive Saul and give him back his sight.  Ananias hesitates based on what he had heard and known.  Yet, Jesus calls him to the task, that would be the beginning of Saul's new life in Christ.  Because for the first time, Saul would see anew with his physical eyes, and with the eyes of faith the Crucified and Risen Christ as he was baptized by Peter and taught by the Apostles to prepare him for the ministry to the Gentiles. 

Ananias experienced what all of us do at some point.  When we have heard something about someone else and then are called to confront her/him with an act of hospitality and kindness, we respond in fear.   The problem is that when we respond to God's call with the fear of the past, we become deaf to God's work in the here and now.  In Christ, God challenges us to let go of our blindness to God's presence and work in others around us.  Even those we may have some stereotypical thought about.   Especially those who have been blinded by ignorance, prejudice and a refusal to grow past their common held notions.  Yet, God empowers us for the ministry of giving sight to anyone who comes to a new understanding of God in Christ, and to invite them into the Household of God, to pray and work with them in the work of reconciliation and healing.

As we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, there are some problems with the text that we have to confront.

It is really odd that the resurrection story in John 21 is so disconnected from what happened in last weeks narrative in John 20.   John 21 seems to come from the point of view that John 20 did not actually happen.  What in the world is going on?

We must keep in mind that the Gospel according to John was most likely not written by the Apostle and Evangelist himself.  Though there are indications that what is written could have come from John, the various twists and turns in the Gospel suggest that it was probably compiled by more than one person.   It is very possible that it could have been a small committee of people who just couldn't agree on what belonged in it. So they all got a little piece of what they wanted in there to satisfy everyone.  There are plenty of  good commentaries out there, but they are just that.  Commentaries, opinions.  Some more educated than others.  Also, the argument to let the Scriptures stand on their own and the Holy Spirit take care of it, doesn't work either.  Christians have been interpreting the Holy Spirit for centuries.   Look where that has gotten us?  Antisemitism, homophobia, sexism, racism, religious supercessionism, you name it.  No thank you.

Instead, let's pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying through the accredited scholarship of those who know a lot more than we do.

This Gospel reading though has some things in it that are very familiar.  The sea near Galilee as was said in Luke 5 when Jesus called Peter and the other disciples to be fishers of people.  Is it possible that this was something extra from Luke that just got thrown in?  Anything is possible.

What is written there has a lot to say.  Some important things we need to consider.  Many of them come from a terrific Biblical Commentary (opinion I know) blog called Progressive Involvement. 

First, each of the Apostles named are those who have had some problem with their relationship and/or faith in Jesus.  So, we begin not with those who were said to be strong and courageous, but those who have had issues that remain unresolved. God often comes to us in the midst of our confusion and unresolved issues, to bring us some kind of truth that we may not have looked at before.  Jesus will knock as long as it takes.  But, He fully intends to get our attention.   The question is, are we listening and watching for Him?

Second, the Apostles in this narrative have kind of broken away from the group and gone back to what they were doing before. The Jesus thing did not quite work out the way they wanted.  So, they go back to fishing all night.  And as they return to what they were doing before they were called by Jesus, so they are unable to make progress in their lives. They are in darkness and disbelief.  So, they spend the night on the old boring, but familiar things. They don't require a lot of energy, but they are willing to spend what they have on that which does not bring them results. They are kind of like those who attended the Great Vigil of Easter, and well, all the excitement is over.  Lent is done. Let's go back to no longer paying attention.  Let's go back to living in the dark about what the Christian life is really about. After all, it was only a Sunday. We don't live Easter. We just celebrate it, and well, it's all over.

As the darkness gives way to the "dawn from on high that breaks upon us" (Luke 1:78) Jesus comes and tells them to throw the net on the other side.  That's when they catch so much fish, that they are lucky that the nets did not break.  Still, they did not recognize Jesus.  You mean, they did not recognize Jesus from the last time they caught all those fish?  Sometimes, it takes another knock of reality from God, before we get our act together.  Are we listening for the knock?  Or have we rolled the stone back over th entrance to the tomb.  Who wants to be reminded of what the Risen Christ might call us to do?

When they realize that it is Jesus that calls them from the sea shore, we see Peter jump in to the river to cleanse himself and swim towards Jesus.  When the disciples meet up with Jesus, they share a meal by breaking bread and sharing in the fish they caught.  This scene is very familiar to the story in Luke 24: 13-35.  It is in the sharing of a meal in thanksgiving to God that they come together to listen and learn from Jesus. 

Do we see our Baptism as the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit so that we are part of the Household of God, with a responsibility towards others? 

Do we come to the Eucharist to listen to and learn from Jesus as we share in God's Goodness through the Body and Blood of Christ, to share God's Presence with the world around us?

The last part of this Gospel has some very important points to be made.  The following is take from Progressive Involvement.

Jesus addresses Peter directly.  Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him.  In the first two instances, Jesus uses the word agapas--unconditional love.  In the last query, Jesus uses the word phileis--brotherly love.  Each time, Peter responds that he does love Jesus, but with a phileis love, not an agape one.  In other words, Peter's "love" is not at the same level as the "love" in Jesus' question. 

This seemed to be one of the Beloved Disciple's main points of dispute with Peter:  Peter doesn't love Jesus enough.  Indeed, the first question Jesus asked--"Do you love me more than these?"--would indicate that Peter may love "these," the disciples or perhaps the implements of his fishing craft, more than he loves Jesus. 

Secondly, each time Peter responds, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you," the word the fourth gospel uses for "know" here is oida.  This is knowledge at the "every day" level, the knowledge based on direct experience and intellectual discernment.  In the last exchange, Peter says again, "Lord, you know--oida--all things."  Then, however, Peter shifts to ginosko for "know":  "You know--ginosko, interior, mystical, "spiritual knowing"--that I love you." 

Ginosko is the kind of "knowing" that really counts in the fourth gospel.  Peter finally gets the "knowing" right--(as an addendum on the third try)--but he still doesn't get the love right.  Jesus finally gives in a bit, again on the third try, by reducing the love from agape to phileis perhaps in the hope that Peter can finally identify with him at least at that level.

Jesus' instructions to Peter follow this pattern:  feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.  Wes Howard-Brook:  "The alternation between lambs and sheep also brings to mind the dual role of the disciples.  They are both like Jesus, the Lamb of God, who will be sacrificed for the sake of the people, but are also those who follow, like the sheep Jesus leads (p. 478)."

The last time Peter was at a charcoal fire, he was there with "the slaves and the police" (18: 18) at which he denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus.  At this post-resurrection charcoal fire, he is with Jesus and the disciples, but still doesn't quite get that the center of discipleship is unconditional and intimate love of Jesus.  Nevertheless, in spite of Peter's disappointing performance in this dialog, Jesus calls him to the central task of discipleship which is tending and caring for the sheep. 

After the three-fold question of love, Jesus issues an "amen, amen" saying, an indication of special importance.  In the fourth gospel, Jesus willingly goes to the cross (10: 18).  Here, Jesus says that, while Peter will indeed die for the faith, he will do so unwillingly.  Peter is being taken where he does not wish to go.

Are we willing to seek God's help to love one another with the sense that each person is our sister and brother?  Can we love them with phileis (brotherly love) so that they can be drawn closer to God's (agape) love?   Can we understand that being a Christian is about living in community with others? 

Today, the Risen Christ asks us with Peter, do you love (phileis) me? 

How are we responding to His question?

Amen.

Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday in Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p.224).

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).

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of
peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel
for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion
may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your
love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p.246),

Second Sunday of Easter: Doubt Is The Way To Faith

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 5:27-32 (NRSV)

When the temple police had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

Psalm 118:14-29 (BCP., p.761-763)


Revelation 1:4-8 (NRSV)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

John 20:19-31 (NRSV)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Blog Reflection

Over the span of Church History, St. Thomas got a bad rap.  It was thought that Thomas doubting the Resurrection and wanting proof suggests that he was a man of weak faith.

Thomas is the one who wants more than just the words of the Disciples that Jesus rose from the dead.   Thomas wants to know it for Himself.  Thomas along with the other Apostles heard Jesus say on many occasions that He would go to Jerusalem, be put to death and rise again.  Thomas was not satisfied with the words alone.  Thomas did not want to believe on pure blind faith.  Thomas wanted his faith to be affirmed by the physical touch of Jesus and to know the words from Jesus to Thomas' heart were reliable.  Thomas wanted more than the literal translation.  Thomas wanted to see the truths he had been told become part of his every day experience.

The Rev. Barbara Mraz wrote these outstanding words in her blog for this Second Sunday of Easter, entitled "Got Doubt?"

"I don't think that doubt is the enemy of faith, but blind fanaticism is." 

Blind fanaticism can take the form of Biblical literalism to the point of lobbying for those crazy "Religious Freedom" bills, that really are no freedom of religion at all.  They are only the freedom of religion for over zealous conservative Christians to justify discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people and their struggle towards full equality.  The fanaticism behind the "Religious Freedom" laws is about control.  The ultra-conservative Christians want to be the voice and law makers as to how Christianity will be defined in American politics.  It does not stop with LGBTQ people, it extends to women's reproductive rights, health care, education, climate change and managing gun violence.

Thomas' encounter with the Risen Christ in our Gospel story today, tells us to doubt the fanatical and search for the faith that allows us to question how things have been, so that the Holy Spirit may "lead us into all truth."  This kind of faith questions on a level of deep trust, not in our certainties of what we think and/or do.  The kind of faith that Thomas' doubt leads to breaks the hard concrete, and makes it into a wonderful flowing stream of life giving water.   The same water that flowed in our Baptism and makes all of us in our diversity of beliefs and convictions part of the one family of Christ known as the Church.

May we with Thomas never dismiss doubt as an obstacle to faith, but embrace it with trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us towards the truths we have yet to receive and live by.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 224)

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. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 21: It Is The Little Things We Do

Today's Scripture Readings

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 (NRSV)

The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, "If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at."

Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the LORD became very angry, and Moses was displeased. So Moses said to the LORD, "Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,' to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, 'Give us meat to eat!' I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once--if I have found favor in your sight--and do not let me see my misery."

So the LORD said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you."

So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.

Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, "My lord Moses, stop them!" But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!"

Psalm 19 (BCP., p.606-607)


James 5:13-20 (NRSV)

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

Mark 9:38-50 (NRSV)

John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

"If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

"For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

Blog Reflection

Saint Theresa of Avila was quoted as saying, "The smallest thing when done for the love of God is priceless."  This is not the same meaning of priceless that followed every MasterCard commercial once upon a time.  This is priceless in the sense that God does not count what we do for the love of God by how well, how big, how much or how expensive.  God accepts what we do out of love, because as far as God is concerned, there is no price to be paid.  Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection took care of that.

As much as we profess to celebrate all that God does for us, it is easy for us to get all wound up in what we do not have.  I think this was the case with the People of Israel in our reading from Numbers.  Their complaint is not entirely invalid.  Yet, that which they are craving from their time in slavery, was where they were also oppressed.  At times, even when God has delivered us; our eyes are in our past and not being attentive to the here and now.  Moses recognizes that he is only one person.  He can only do so much.  So God gathers others to help Moses in the guidance of the community.

The ministry and mission of the Church can be summed up very well in our reading from James.  The Church is called to be the healing presence of God through prayer, word and sacrament.  Yet, that call is meant for something larger.  Namely, the whole community.  This means that Christians are entrusted by God with the work of healing and reconciliation.  It begins in part, by the Church being interested and responding to the needs of the sick, the suffering and the lonely.  The prayers and work of the Church is very powerful when exercised by trusted stewards of God's gifts.  James is admonishing the community in which he writes, to make use of that ministry to cast out the evils of their time.

I labeled this blog post as "It Is The Little Things We Do" because of what we read about in today's Gospel.  The disciples saw someone doing a similar thing that they did.  They were just in another community observing and following Jesus.  In their haste, they tell Jesus what they did.  Jesus' response is something that Christians need to hear today.  All Christians (and all people for that matter) can serve the Name of Jesus from where ever they are, and still make an impact on those around them.  All Christians are part of the same ministry, even as they perform that ministry in different ways and in different company.   It is not a matter of being liberal, conservative, Anglo-Catholic, moderate ofr evangelical.  It is a question of what are we doing with the opportunities that God presents us with at the point of where we are.  Someone who just sharpens pencils for a meeting is still serving God in great ways; as does the Parish Formation Director.  The one who shows up to help rearrange the chairs for choir rehearsal is still part of the song being sung by the choir.  Whether or not they sing every note perfectly.

The Church finds ourselves at an interesting crossroads.  We are blessed with our Baptism with it's covenant through which we commit ourselves.  We commit ourselves to the work of ministry and mission, while living into our vows by opening ourselves up to the presence of God including in those who are different from ourselves.  The last thing we want to do, is make anyone feel that they are less important to the life and ministry of the Church so as to scandalize them about who Jesus Christ is.

Jesus Christ is seeking deeper relationships through those who are seeking union with God.  Each individual searches for that union according to who they are and where they are.  We must be most attentive to our own search for God, so that we may love and desire God wherever God is found.  God is most likely sought and found where we have not looked for God, desired God and committed ourselves to love God from where we are at.  Whether we are individuals of diverse races, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions and such, each of us is in a place, where God wants to love us.

There are opportunities in front of us to not only tell our own stories of what God is doing in and through our lives; but also listen to what God is doing through others.  If we will spend some time to "listen" while "inclining the ears of our hearts", we will encounter God in ways the draws us deeper in to the mystery of who God is.

Fellow Christians, let us all work together at what God has before us, wherever and who ever we are.  God has so many wonderful things God wants to do with, for and around us.  Let's get to it.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing
mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we,
running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of
your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for
ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 21.  The Book of Common Prayer.  p.234).

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.  (Prayer for the Unity of The Church.  The Book of Common Prayer. p. 818).

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 16: You Have The Words of Everlasting Life

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 22-30, 41-43 (NRSV)

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven. He said, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants who walk before you with all their heart, the covenant that you kept for your servant my father David as you declared to him; you promised with your mouth and have this day fulfilled with your hand. Therefore, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for your servant my father David that which you promised him, saying, `There shall never fail you a successor before me to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children look to their way, to walk before me as you have walked before me.' Therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you promised to your servant my father David.

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built! Regard your servant's prayer and his plea, O LORD my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today; that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you said, `My name shall be there,' that you may heed the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.

“Likewise when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a distant land because of your name -- for they shall hear of your great name, your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm-- when a foreigner comes and prays toward this house, then hear in heaven your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and so that they may know that your name has been invoked on this house that I have built.”

Psalm 84 (BCP, p.707)


Ephesians 6:10-20 (NRSV)

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

John 6:56-69 (NRSV)

Jesus said, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 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." He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father."

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Blog Reflection

There are few relationships in the Gospel texts that are as fascinating as Jesus and Peter; no?   This particular reading from St. John's Gospel which concludes the discourse in which Jesus tells us that He is the Bread of Life; shows Peter the be the most faithful and trusting.  It is an odd, but wonderful display of the journey Peter has been on.  

Let us take a closer look at a few examples of the journey of Peter with Jesus in the Gospels.

We know from the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke that Peter was among the first disciples called. (See Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11).  We also read about the calling of the first disciples in John 1:35-42.   Peter is the one who has trouble with his faith during the storm in Matthew 14:22-33.  Yet, it is Peter's mother Jesus heals back in Matthew 8:14-17.  It is Peter's faith through which he says that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of the living God in Matthew 16:13-20, and not long after that in verse 22, Jesus rebukes the devil in Peter.  We can point to Peter's ups and downs in today's Gospel texts, and of course Peter's denial of Jesus in the Passion Gospels.  We also see Jesus's reinstatement of Peter in John 21:15-19.  Lastly, Peter is the Apostle in the Church after Pentecost, leading the other Apostles to evangelize and eventually send Saul; now called Paul to preach to the gentiles.  We also know that Peter was crucified upside down, claiming that he was not worthy to die right side up as Jesus had done.

Peter represents the reality in all of us.  We each have our moments of being called, being weak in faith, needing to be rebuked and corrected, having moments of very strong faith; even denying Jesus and needing Jesus' redeeming love to be restored in our relationship with God.  We each have our moments of courage and cowardice. 

In this passage from today's Gospel, Peter shines like a new penny in the midst of a trying time for Jesus.  Jesus has been teaching that He is the Bread of Life.  Those who would receive Jesus as the Living Bread that came from heaven, would have every lasting life.  Many of those who were following Him up to this point just could not take this teaching they were hearing from Jesus.  So, they turned and walked away.  When Jesus gives the rest the option to leave or stay, it is Peter who said those wonderful and famous words.  "Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of everlasting life."

As I meditate on this Gospel text, I am lead to invite us to ask ourselves some important questions.

Who among us believes that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

Who among us is not so sure that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

How is Jesus the Bread of Life for us?

Who among us sees that people have a hard time believing in this Bread of Life that Jesus proclaims Himself to be?

Who among us is ready to help Jesus as Peter did, and proclaim him as our Bread of Life, and that He has the words of everlasting life?

What are the words of everlasting life that we hear in our everyday lives?

Jesus is having some hard times among us these days.  Jesus so wants to give of Himself again as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation; not only through His Church, but from those who claim to believe in Him as the Bread of Life, and claim to follow Him. 

Jesus wants to work in and through the gifts and lives of Christians to relieve the lot of the poor, the sick, the disadvantaged, the underprivileged and those who are marginalized, surrounded by injustice and oppression.  

Jesus wants to be the Bread of Life that stops the violence used towards Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and other religious faiths often used by well meaning Christians, who just are not getting it.  The Christian Faith does not mean that all the others are to be reduced into Christianity to be viable faith communities.

Jesus is not the Bread of Life to be refused to or proselytized to those who believe differently than we do. 

Jesus is not the Cup of Salvation to be denied to LGBT people who are getting married, adopting children and seeking equality in the work place, financial institutions and public assistance.  

Jesus wants to be the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, to share His words of everlasting life, through real freedom and equality, without "protection of religious liberty" legislation being passed because of the paranoia of ultra-conservative Christians to continue their crusade against the rights of women to protect their reproductive health care, and marriage equality for LGBT people, and other religious traditions.   

Jesus seeks those who seek union with Him as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, as having the words of everlasting life, through the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation. 

Jesus Christ can be and is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation through independent thinking and a diversity of theology, philosophy and understanding of the Bible and Creeds.

Jesus is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, with the words of everlasting life; who is with us in our moments of illness, loneliness, addiction, loss, and difficulty. 

The summer is winding down.  Soon children will be going back to school.  College and Universities are already beginning orientation programs.  Sports teams are practicing to make that Superbowl touchdown, and win the Stanley Cup.  The violence and prejudice in the world is not going to slow down or stop, without Christians who know that Jesus has the words of everlasting life, living as faithful members of the Body of Christ. 

Let us all take our place in our work places, families, communities, activities and wherever we are, and do our part to help Jesus in these trying times.  May we live as believers in Jesus as the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation, with His words of everlasting life to guide us and encourage others to stay around and pay attention.

Amen.


Prayers

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered
together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your
power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 16.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 232, 233).

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.  (Prayer for the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

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.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 818).

Second Sunday of Easter: Thank You Thomas

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Psalm 133 (BCP., p.787)


1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)

We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

John 20:19-31 (NRSV)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Blog Reflection

Imagine what a great world we would have if all of us lived like those first Christians in Acts 4:32-35.  Everything was truly held in common.  Those who had property sold it and gave the proceeds to those who needed it.  If such a community in the times in which these events occurred was not all that well received by the power structures then; they certainly are not a draw for popularity now.  Every politician and religious based organization would be put to shame.  Such is mostly the case now.  Is it any wonder why many see the Christian religion as a stage act full of soap box speeches?  

A Christian community such as what is described to us in Acts needs witnesses to the redemption of Christ.  It also requires those who profess a belief in the Incarnation and Paschal Mysteries to give evidence of what they believe in how they live.  How can we give evidence of what we believe those first Apostles saw if we ourselves have not seen Jesus alive after the resurrection? 

This is where Thomas comes in.  Speaking to the Soul: Touching Faith an article in The Episcopal Cafe says it well.

Lucky Thomas, he literally got hands-on proof to bolster his faith. We will have to wait a little longer for that awesome experience. Until that time, Jesus tells us we are blessed because we believe in what we do not see. But before we congratulate ourselves on a pious achievement, we should understand that our faith is entirely a gift from God. It is his grace infused in us, not a virtue generated by us. Our job is to cooperate with God’s grace… to nurture, protect and share it. That means our faith cannot be rationed, hoarded or hidden. Jesus did not go to the cross so that closet Christians could slink under the radar of an increasingly cynical, secular world.

In a world in which hospitality, reconciliation and healing are less appreciated unless their is a large sum of money is on the other end of achieving it; the experience of those first Apostles and especially Thomas seems like a long shot.  On the contrary, the opportunity to witness the power of Christ's resurrection and a faith like that of Thomas is in our neighbor next door, our co-worker, the transgender person just beaten when a guy found out his date has different organs that what she/he appears.  The Risen Christ comes and says, "peace be with you" to the communities all around the world wounded by racism, sexism and religious intolerance.  Those who are tired of the Christian religion being used as an excuse for this ridiculous  argument of "religious liberty" to exempt public services from serving LGBTQ people, Muslims, Jewish people and more; the Risen Christ invites you to come and put your hands in the holes in his hands, feet and side.  The Common English Bible for John 20:27b reads that Jesus told Thomas, "No more doubting!  Believe!"  Such is what the Risen Christ tells us know.

We are able to doubt and find faith, because Thomas was a skeptic.  He was not satisfied with just being told that Christ rose, he wanted to see it for himself.  He questioned faith, and he found faith.  Because of Thomas' courage, we who have not seen the Risen Christ as Thomas did are blessed when we believe without seeing.  We are empowered to be witnesses of the Resurrection as we embrace the disenfranchised, the oppressed and  those living with injustice; and respect the dignity of every human being.

Thank you Thomas!

Amen.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.

The Lord in risen indeed.  Alleluia!

Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Second Sunday in Easter.  The Book of Common Prayer. p. 224).

 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.  (Prayer for the Unity of the Church.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.818).

First Sunday in Lent: A Journey Into Our Best and Our Worst

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 29:8-17 (NRSV)

God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."

Psalm 25:1-9 (BCP., p.614)


1 Peter 3:18-22 (NRSV)

Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you-- not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Mark 1:9-15 (NRSV)

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." 

Blog Reflection

In my preparations for this blog post, I have been doing a word comparison study on the words, "And the Spirit immediately drove him into the wilderness."  

Mark's Gospel account of the temptation of Jesus is the shortest version of the story. There is no detailed information about how Jesus was tempted, and what the conversation between Jesus, the Scriptures and the devil was about.  Mark's description begins with "the Spirit drove Jesus."  In Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4:1, they read that The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted.  There is quite the different meaning in those two words led and drove.  When I researched other translations of this text, I found some interesting variations on the word drove.  The word used in The Common English Bible is forced, while the word used in The Message Bible is pushed.  The New American Standard Version uses the word impelled.   The only version that suggests that the Holy Spirit was more gentle with Jesus is the New International Version which reads that the Spirit sent Jesus into the wilderness.

To better understand what is happening in Mark's Gospel, it is best to go back to the beginning where we reread about what took place at the Baptism of Jesus.  As Jesus was coming up out of the waters of His Baptism, and the heavens are torn apart and the Holy Spirit descends on Him and a voice says: "You are my Son the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."   The Holy Spirit represents the Essence of God.  A good synonym for Essence is "the Intrinsic Nature" of God.  The word 'intrinsic" is best understood as "in and of itself (herself, himself)."  So why would the Essence of God drive, push or impel God's Beloved into the wilderness to be tempted among the wild beasts?   If God is so "pleased" with Jesus, why send (or drive) Him to face such personal danger?

To contemplate this mystery it is a good idea to look at the lives of Desert Mothers and Fathers.  They went into the desert not to escape the world as some suggest; although that was certainly an important part of the reason.  In the desert, one loses all attachments to how things used to be.  All of the illusions of ourselves are gone.  It is in the desert (or in solitude) with God, that we see as clearly as possible, the best and worst of ourselves.  We are confronted with the reality of just how wounded our bodies and souls are by our false-sense of self.  The false self that thinks that we are "someone" or "something" other than who or what we really are.  We see how we define ourselves by the damaging labels others place upon us.  We see how much we really rely on wealth, personal pleasure, possessions, power, fashion and knowledge to make up who and what we are.  If we are to receive some kind of healing with the help of God's Essence; then the Holy Spirit must be united with our own spirit, our own essence.  When we remove all the deceptions in our bodies and souls and seek a holy union with the Intrinsic Nature of God within our own essence, we are living from our Eternal Truth.   Then there can be true healing and we can live from our true selves.

So, why did the Spirit drive Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted?

Because Jesus is the Word of God, united with the Essence of God.   In Jesus Christ, the Perfect Revelation of God in the human Person, our humanity finds its fulfillment and healing when we face the best and worst of ourselves in the Light and Grace of God's Intrinsic Nature.  If God's Beloved in Christ can face the best and worst of our human nature in the wilderness, and rely on The Essence of God within Him: He will be more than able to face the reality of all human suffering in His Passion and Death on the Cross.  Humankind continues to fail under the reality of our communal, personal and spiritual immaturity.  We are all tempted.  At times, we all give in and live by our false-sense of self.  We all suffer because of things that have happened to us, including addictions, abuse, violence, prejudice and more. The reality of our human nature does not disappear because of God's grace.  On the contrary, we must, by faith in God, accept our false-selves and let go so that we can live into and from our true selves, united with God's Holy Essence.   

If we are to see a change in the Church and society with regards to the marginalized, destitute, sick and oppressed; we must begin by facing the best and worst of ourselves, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, find victory and strength in Jesus the Christ.  We must experience and live from our essence and the Essence of God, and seek healing and reconciliation within ourselves and the world around us.  In this great mystery, is that "truth" that "sets us free" (See John 8:32).

As we continue in our journey of Lent, may we be willing to walk with Jesus to face the best and worst of ourselves; so that, we can also seek and find the rejuvenation of God the Holy Spirit to live into our true selves to respect and uphold the dignity of every human person.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of
each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for the First Sunday in Lent, The Book of Common Prayer, p.218).

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. Amen.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p.100).

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: Transfiguration, Contemplation, Action

Today's Scripture Readings

2 Kings 2:1-2 (NRSV)

Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent."

Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be silent."

Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

Psalm 50 (BCP., p.654)


2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)

Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV)

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Blog Reflection

Well, here we are.  The Last Sunday after the Epiphany.  Lent begins in three days.  Since the First Sunday after the Epiphany at Jesus' Baptism, we have followed Him through the calling of those first disciples, casting out demons and healing the sick.  Every year just before Ash Wednesday, the Church takes us to the mountain top with Peter, James and John as they experience Jesus' Transfiguration.  Just as with Christ the King Sunday before Advent begins, the Sunday prior to beginning Lent takes us to one of those glorious moments in Jesus' life and ministry.  The Transfiguration is also understood traditionally as an event within the Season of Epiphany.  God is manifested in Jesus in a luminous image of His glorified body after the Resurrection.  When Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries to the Dominican Rosary, the Transfiguration is one of the mysteries to meditate upon.

The Transfiguration is symbolic of what contemplative prayer is about.  Jesus is so in touch with who God is to Him, that He experiences the fullness of God's perspective of Him.  At this moment, Jesus makes preparation to walk down the mountain and make His way to Jerusalem where He will face His death and resurrection.  I believe that in the Transfiguration, Jesus receives from Moses and Elijah the connection of who He is and what He is about to do with the history of God's People.  Peter, James and John are so mystified by what takes place on the mountain, that they are terrified.   While these three disciples are following Jesus and learning from Him, they have not yet given themselves completely to the sacrificial work that God is doing in Jesus.  In this experience they witness for themselves the full revelation of Jesus so marvelously, that it fills them with a joy that makes them want to stay there with Him.  In that moment, their fear gave way to faith and they were able to hear God tell them to listen intentionally to Jesus from their hearts.  Jesus was transfigured, while the lives of Peter, James and John experienced transformation.

The last thing that Jesus said to the disciples seems rash if taken at face value.  Jesus is challenging them and us, to do more that just talk.  We are encouraged to live what we experience as we know God more deeply in our prayer and meditation and translate it into how we live.  As with any of the Biblical mysteries of Jesus' life cannot be explained or comprehended in our limited human minds.  But, they can be lived into reality as we listen to Jesus within our own hearts and respond in faith.  To respond in faith is our consent that we do not know how God wants to be transparent through us; but, we are willing to put one foot in front of the other in trust that God will take us the rest of the way.   It means allowing the Holy Spirit to widen those closed up spaces within our whole selves, so that we can face the prejudices that are there as they are, and seek healing and reconciliation with God and our neighbor.

This past week, we saw an outrageous example of how the Name of Jesus Christ is profaned in the State of Alabama.  As the freedom to marry became legal with the blessing of the Supreme Court, we saw several judges misuse their power to determine that their understanding of the Christian faith will be what everyone else observes.  By the way they used their judicial power the judges inflicted spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse on LGBTQ people and those who support their right to marry the person they love.  Jesus came not to decide who is saved and who will be damned.  Jesus came and made God's unconditional and all-inclusive love transparent through how He lived His life.  In the life, death, resurrection and transfiguration, Jesus gave a human face to God, as God became visible in transforming our human nature through a relationship of experiencing union with God in all aspects of our life.  Jesus upholds and preserves the dignity of every human person in His own divine reality and impacts humankind for all ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, religions, etc.  We owe Jesus and our neighbor our purest love, devotion and humility to do no less than what He did.

As we prepare to begin Lent this week, may we recommit ourselves to listening more intentionally to God within our hearts and respond by serving those in need around us.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Last Sunday After The Epiphany,The Book of Common Prayer, p.217)

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, The Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Whose Is It Anyway?

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 33:12-23 (NRSV)

Moses said to the LORD, "See, you have said to me, `Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, `I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."

The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, `The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live." And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

Psalm 99 (BCP., p.728)


1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (NRSV)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

Matthew 22:15-22 (NRSV)

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

Blog Reflection

Another week has passed us with some amazing history being made before our eyes.   Alaska, Arizona, Idaho and Wyoming have been added to the number of States where the freedom to marry for same-gender couples is legalized.   The news that came to our attention this week about the remarkable, albeit small progress in the Extraordinary Synod on the Family in Rome, concerning language about LGBT people, divorced Catholics, couples cohabitation and birth control; was no small pill for the more conservative Bishops to take.  The continuing developments at General Theological Seminary.   Last, but certainly not least the Ebola crisis.  For all of these intentions and many more let us pray, Lord, in your mercy.  Hear our prayer.  Amen.

Here we are, with these Bible passages to challenge us in our relationship with God and one another.  

Among the many things to be learned from those who are contemplative, is that God is closer to us through what is going on in our daily lives than we think.  Contemplative prayer is not about seeing things as if there is some great mystery to be solved.  It isn't based on whether or not the mechanical details of how to do it can be understood let alone learned.  Contemplative prayer happens because of God's movement in the human heart, through the every day things that happen in our lives.  In contemplative prayer we are given a vision of the things of this world from God's perspective.  As we listen more and more for the Holy Spirit speaking and moving through those things and places that seem far removed from anything having do to anything about God; we discover God speaking to us in a way that the heart can receive only through faith.

Jesus was being challenged by those who are curious and looking for a way to stump Him.   They saw things going on around Him, and they had an issue with His popularity.   Their case for where Jesus' authority came from was met with a parable about who really is obedient?  The one's who say no, but follows through with doing what is right, or the one who said yes, but did nothing.  Some might interpret the parable of the wedding feast as Jesus trying to get His opponents to think a bit more carefully about what their motives are.  In the challenge to Jesus in this Gospel Reading, Jesus' opponents are trying to make Him trip up using something that could make those who are following Him closely, reject Him as someone who threw them under the bus when the chips were down.  Jesus' answer winds up disappointing everyone.   The issue isn't what you should do, but whose is it in the first place?

This Gospel Reading has a special meaning in the arena of social justice politics.   A few years ago, a group of social and theological conservatives penned the Manhattan Declaration.   Those who wrote it and signed it said that they would go so far as to break the law to make abortion illegal and/or marriage equality from becoming legal.  They cited this Gospel passage saying that marriage and the life of the unborn are "God's" and not "Caesar's" as in the governments to affect by their civil authority.    Since that time, we now have 32 States with legalized marriage equality.  One couple of two lesbians have been together 72 years, and they were finally able to be legally married in their home state.   There are countless stories of couples who are weeping with joy, because they can finally marry the person they love with rights, privileges and responsibilities that protect and provide for their future.  While those who want to take those newly legalized rights away in the name of their understanding of what the Bible "says" about homosexuality; those things that are God's to give to these women and men are healing wounds.   They are opening many eyes that could not see the beauty of God's love expressed through a life of commitment and self-sacrifice between two people of the same gender in a life-long marriage.

In Psalm 115 we can sing "Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your Name give glory; because of your love and because of your faithfulness."

Christians have the invaluable opportunity to use all the good things God has given us to do immeasurably more good in this world.   We can make an impact that can make the Gospel a transparent and authentic reality through the radical work of hospitality, healing and reconciliation.   The grace of God has placed so much into our hands that we can use to honor and glorify God in all things.  Perhaps this came through a new relationship, a new job or a different place to live.  Our perspective may be limited because of what we cannot see.  Yet, through those things that elude our senses, faith can become the light that shows us a new path, through which we can know God more completely in new and fresh ways.   Our response to the call of God on our life to give back what is God's is the first step we can take that will help those who are looking for evidence of the presence of God in our lives, find God there.

Let us all pray for one another.  May all of us be thankful for what God has given to us, and respond with the desire to give it back to God.   May an important part of our response to God's graciousness be to give those who have no voice, a voice in which to speak up for justice, equality and peace for all people.   May we all give God the glory for all that God does in and through what belongs to God in the first place.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed
your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your
mercy, that your Church throughout the world may
persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your
Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.  (Proper 24: The Book of Common Prayer. p. 235).

Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you
all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us
to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick,
and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those
who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow
into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for
our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  (Prayer for the Poor and Neglected.  The Book of Common Prayer. p.826).