Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost: Show Thanks for Mercy

Today's Scripture Readings

2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c (NRSV)

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, "If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me."

But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, "Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there is a prophet in Israel." So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha's house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean." But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, "I thought that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure the leprosy! Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?" He turned and went away in a rage. But his servants approached and said to him, "Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, `Wash, and be clean'?" So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.

Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company; he came and stood before him and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel."

Psalm 111 (BCP., p.754)


2 Timothy 2:8-15 (NRSV)

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David-- that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he will also deny us;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful--

for he cannot deny himself.

Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

Luke 17:11-19 (NRSV)

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Blog Reflection
 
There are very few experiences that can make a person isolated from one's community like a debilitating illness can.  To find oneself sick with something that disgusts other people.   The way they look at the color of your skin when pale.  The private conversations at a restaurant dinner table across the room.  The feeling that every where you go, there is talk about you and your health condition.  The feeling of the loss of dignity.  Where is there relief?

The readings this weekend from the Hebrew Scriptures and the Gospel tell us the story of people with leprosy.  Not only was such a person sick, they were cut off from their community.   It was thought that if they got the disease, they did something to bring it on themselves.   Not only were they considered not "fit" to participate in society, they were also to be excluded from worship, because they were viewed as unclean.

The Scriptures this weekend show us how God looks past our health condition, our social status, skin color etc, to see the person and her/his dignity.   Regardless of whatever our state in life is, we all are in need of God's mercy.  Unlike many of the laws and thoughts of how God applies God's law, the Holy One does not see things as we see them.  In Canticle 10 in The Book of Common Prayer, we pray the words from Isaiah 55:6-11 that include the words: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways says the Lord.   For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."   God is not about punishment and destruction.   The heart of God is mercy, forgiveness and unconditional love for every human person.

Jesus showed God's love when He healed the men with leprosy. Yet, after each experienced the healing power of God through Jesus, only one returned to give thanks.  The one who returned to give thanks was the foreigner.  The one who was thought to be the outcast among the outcasts, is the one who returns to give thanks and praise to God for the healing he experienced threw Jesus.  Jesus affirms his faith and sends him away a whole person.

How do we show thanks to God for the mercy we are experiencing because of Jesus Christ?

Do we welcome all of God's people in hospitality to bring about reconciliation?

Whom are we keeping outside of our communities because of some preconceived notion?

As our Congress continues to hold the poor, disabled and others hostage to the demands of the wealthy and powerful, we need to stop and think about what it is we are doing to each other in this debate.  What affect all of this is having on those who live with oppression, sickness, injustice and prejudice, and what are we doing to alleviate their suffering, or make it worse.   The worst part of this crisis is not felt by those who have nothing to lose.  It is experienced by those who have already lost everything, and have the last of everything left to lose, including but not limited to their dignity.   How can we as Christians turn a blind eye to what is happening, and not call on our government and it's leaders to get their act together?

We have the opportunity to show thanks to God for God's mercy by working for peace, justice and equality for all people.  Through our prayers, actions and coming together as the community of faith, we can fulfill our Baptismal Vows, by doing our part to bring hope to where there is despair.

May we give thanks God, by being merciful as God is merciful to us.

Amen.


Prayers

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and
follow us, that we may continually be given to good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 23, 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, Book of Common Prayer, p.826). 

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen. (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Book of Common Prayer, p.831).

 

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Looking to the Furture, Paying Attention to Now

Today's Scripture Readings

Genesis 15:1-6 (NRSV)

The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the word of the LORD came to him, "This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir." He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." And he believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Psalm 33 (BCP.,  p.626)


Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 (NRSV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old-- and Sarah herself was barren-- because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."

All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Luke 12:32-40 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

"But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."

Blog Reflection

I am sure all of us at one time or another have had the experience of looking too far ahead, and not seeing what is directly in front of us.  How many of us have bumped into someone because we had our eyes fixed on a different person way off in the distance.  In our excitement to get to that person before they leave where they are, we ignore who might be right in front of us.  Perhaps we've accidentally caused such a person to trip or lose their own shopping bags, because our regard for her/him is far less than the person in the distance.  What is far away is important, but if we are not careful it is we carelessly neglect or damage what is right in front of us.  God has us in the here and now for the time being.  Our responsibility and charity in what we have at the moment is God's gift to us, how we handle it, demonstrates whether we are paying attention to God, or ourselves.

Abram (who becomes Abraham in the future) is symbolic of all of us.  In this first book of the Bible, not only are we told the story of Creation and God's goodness to all people, humankind's immaturity that results in our fall from grace, the flood and Noah's Ark.  Genesis, also gives us a look at the behaviors of all humans.  Abram is a man of wealth.  Here he is depicted in a situation that many of us find ourselves in at one point in our life or another.  Like those who have much, he is concerned what happens to his wealth after he dies.  He is wanting a child so that he will know that he has an inheritor. God answers Abram's prayer by telling him that his descendents shall be as numerous as the stars of heaven. God is telling Abram about the future, and giving him a peace of mind.  Abram could not see what God was going to do in front of him, he had to have faith in God's promise, and trust God in the moment.

God's answers the prayer of Abram by telling him that not only will he have one who inherits the blessings God gave him, but that many, many others will also inherit God's blessings from him.   One important aspect of God's answer to Abram's prayer, is that our prayers are not answered for only us, but also for the wider community of humankind.   When we see our prayers and the answers we want as only being about us, God is then concerned about the wider picture.   The answer often comes in a way that benefits the community, by responding to us individually as part of a greater community of people.  What God gives to us as a result of prayer, is given to be shared with others beyond our own walls.

Sometimes in our prayers we are so worried about so many things, it seems like we can never quite communicate with God in the way we would like.  We do not seem to understand how much what is in our minds weighs us down.   In the Ninth Conference on Prayer by St. John Cassian, chapter 6, he describes the experience of an elder who saw another monk who was suppose to be at prayer.  Instead what the elder saw was the monk hitting a rock with a sledge hammer, while another watched and edged him on.  In the end, the monk was not able to do anything to affect the rock,  His over exerting himself over the rock not only left him empty in terms of taking care of the rock, it also left  his relationship with God experiencing a spiritual famine.  His prayer life suffered greatly.  He was so infatuated with being able to break the rock, that he abandoned his relationship with God.   It is so important to be able to put all things into God's hands and leave them there.  The rock can easily symbolize anything that we place between ourselves and God in prayer and allow it to have the important place in our lives that only God should have.  Only when we trust things into God's hands and work with God's commandments might we be able to successfully break those rocks in our lives.   At end of the chapter, Cassian writes:

And when the soul has been established in such a peaceful condition, and has been freed from the meshes of all carnal desires, and the purpose of the heart has been steadily fixed on that which is the only highest good, he will then fulfill this Apostolic precept: "Pray without ceasing;" and: "in every place lifting up holy hands without wrath and disputing:"[510] for when by this purity (if we can say so) the thoughts of the soul are engrossed, and are re-fashioned out of their earthly condition to bear a spiritual and angelic likeness, whatever it receives, whatever it takes in hand, whatever it does, the prayer will be perfectly pure and sincere.

In the Common English Bible, Hebrews 11:1 reads this way. "Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don't see".

Following the first verse, the writer to the Hebrews writes of the faith of Abraham.  The faith written about in Hebrews is not as much about what we believe in, or proclaim in the Creeds.  The faith that Hebrews' author writes refers to trust.  The same trust I wrote about in conveying St. John Cassian's Ninth Conference on Prayer.  It is the trust that lets go of all our securities and things as we think they should be, and walks with faith in God.  This is one way by which we move into the future, while taking care of the here and now.

This version of faith is not about looking for a comfortable set of words or thoughts that give us the warm fuzzies.  This faith is about following submitting ourselves to God's guidance, even when the path we are led to, seems like it is all wrong.  Though the dots are not all connected, nor do all things look like they belong together.  God is still in the chaos, guiding us now into where God wants us later on.

In many ways there is a faith that occurs in a woman or man who comes out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer   When Christianists continue their crusade of misinformation about same gender love, and the effects it has on children, families and individuals, someone coming out faces all of them and says: "No, I am someone loved by God as I have been created", that takes a great act of faith.  Whether the individual puts the Name of God on the experience or not.  Faith gives us the strength to face all of the obstacles before us, and do what we know is true and good for ourselves and others.  At the same time it is that great love of God that fills us with hope that we can trust in God and be whom God made us to be.

As more States are passing marriage equality laws, the couples who have faced the many obstacles in their way have demonstrated an incredible faith.  The faith that tells them that what they and others like them are experiencing is an injustice, and must be challenged.  They face their lives being opened by the media, and many groups both supportive and opposed, yet, they keep their sight on achieving equality for LGBT people near and far.

Jesus challenges those hearing him in the Gospel today to keep their attention on the poor and those experiencing oppression right in their midst.  While they want to be sure to keep their lamps lit and their doors open for the return of the master, it is important to remember that the master comes in those who are already knocking and looking for relief.

As immigrants seek justice and inclusion so that they can have the opportunity at a decent life for themselves and their children, are Christians keeping our lamps lit for them, and their doors open?    Are we ready to receive them in hospitality, and to be a source of healing and reconciliation where racism, and class discrimination continues to suppress and discriminate?

Are we concerned enough about the anti-LGBT violence in Russia to work with the leaders of our own government to take the stand that no violence because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression is worth being sure we get all the gold medals in the Winter Olympics? 

Are we too busy thinking about Jesus Christ coming back at the end of time, that we fail to be concerned about Christ growing hungry because of jobs being lost because of the sequester, or becoming sick because of our still corrupt health care system? 

Jesus Christ is not only the hope of our salvation into eternal life at the end of our lives or the end of time, He is also the Holy One who works with and through us today, at this moment.  Using the same faith that Abraham had, to know that God would do the right thing when Abraham almost sacrificed his son, Isaac, God will also help us with whatever we are facing at this point in time.  Even if it means we must sacrifice our very selves for the sake of others, as Jesus did on the Cross, God will still be with us and reward us, because of God's faithfulness to us. 

May God help us to trust God, and to follow Jesus as He leads us from this point in time, to whatever and wherever God's will wants us to go.

Amen.


Prayers

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always
those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without
you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 14, Book of Common Prayer, p.232).


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).

Second Sunday After Pentecost: Lord, Only Speak the Word and We Shall Be Healed

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 8:22-23 ,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.

"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 96 (BCP., p.725)


Galatians 1:1-12

Paul an apostle-- sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- and all the members of God's family who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)
 

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, `Go,' and he goes, and to another, `Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, `Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

Blog Reflection

It is often quite amazing how someone who doesn't quite fit in can change the dynamics of a community or neighborhood.  In many small communities, as soon as someone new moves in, suddenly everyone who has lived there up to that point, knows there is someone that is new on the block.  If the community is welcoming and accepting, they may send over a hot dish while the new neighbors get their house in order, or throw a block party.   If the neighborhood is not so hospitable, the gossip about the new family living in the house down the street, begins almost immediately.

The people in the time of Jesus had been waiting on a Messiah to come and rescue them from Herod and the Roman Empire.  They were not expecting God to arrive and teach them to love their enemies, or play a part in ending injustice, oppression and prejudice.  They were also not looking for a Savior who would challenge them to include others different from themselves, in particular someone who was part of the Empire that was oppressing them.  But, that is the Jesus that came to them as God's perfect revelation.

The servant of the Centurion was most likely his sexual companion.  It was common for men of that time to have same sex partners who would also worked for them.  If there was a point in the Gospels for Jesus to make a complaint against same-gender sexual relationships, this would have been the moment.  However, Jesus did not say anything about that.  Rather than say anything about how the Centurion lived, or worried about what organization the Centurion belonged to, Jesus saw the Centurion's faith that went beyond the limits of cultural norms, and saw God at work.  The Centurion knew that all Jesus had to do, was give the word and his servant would be healed.

The healing that took place, was also meant for the community that was experiencing the oppression.  Jesus made use of the occasion to point out that it is often those who are different from us, and even those who appear to be opposing us, who can teach us something about faith by way of trust.   Such individuals can often be seeing the bigger picture of what is happening, and provide new insights and opportunities for hospitality and reconciliation. 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people are not the enemies of Christianity, the heterosexual family of one man and one woman, with children and so forth.  Marriage Equality for LGBT people does not hurt the definition of marriage, family nor pose a threat to human society.  As more states open the way for marriage equality,  churches bless those relationships and ordain LGBT people to lead and minister, the opportunity for real healing for the Church and society can happen.  Because we realize that every person or persons are part of the human family, and should be treated with love and respect.  No person should become the target of violence and hurtful rhetoric just because we do not agree with the way they live, or who they love.  The Gospel is our reason to build bridges for diversity within community.   Not divide and fragment communities based on distinctions that are detrimental to the human family.

Today's Gospel invites us to pray that our eyes and ears will be open to listen to the Master's instructions and "attend to them with the ears of the heart" (Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict).   So that we can respond to God's invitation to continue to the work of radical hospitality and reconciliation that is possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit came so that healing and reconciliation could be an important part of the mission of the Church.   A work that continues with our saying yes to God.

Amen.


Prayers

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things
both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you,
all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable
for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.  (Proper 4, Book of Common Prayer, p.229).

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).

Fourth Sunday in Easter: O Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Lead Us Out of the Violence

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 9: 36-43 (NRSV)

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner. 

Psalm 23 (BCP., 612)

Revelation 7: 9-17 (NRSV)

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor

and power and might

be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God,

and worship him day and night within his temple,

and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;

the sun will not strike them,

nor any scorching heat;

for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

John 10: 22-30 (NRSV)

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

Blog Reflection

I think all of us wish we could just rewind this past week and forget all that happened.  The terrible bombing at the Boston Marathon, the catastrophic explosion in Texas, the tragic shooting of the young security officer at MIT and the manhunt on Friday with the national media attention. This past week is one of horrific violence and images forever stuck in our minds.  Runners and spectators with lost limbs and lives from the Boston Marathon and a twenty seven hour lock down.

The incidents by themselves are scary enough.  Yet, those who insist on using these events to further perpetuate the violence by exploiting racial and religious discrimination and conspiracy theories that "sexual liberalism" brought it all about, makes them that much more horrible.  Have Christians learned anything from the Paschal Mystery?  Are we forever linked to the immaturity behind a belief that God causes violence and horror based on humankind's sinfulness, so as to scare us into believing in an angry God of objective judgment only?

Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lead us out of the violence.

In Acts we read about Peter's faith resuscitating the dead body of Tabitha.  The Holy Spirit's witness to the death and resurrection of Christ, empowers those with the faith to believe do amazing things.  Yet, what is equally important is what Tabitha does out of thanksgiving for the gift of faith given to her.  She has taken seriously the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: 31-46.  She becomes the embodiment of Christ to others.  While Peter's ministry of preaching, teaching and healing continues to win souls into the early Church, Tabitha does the same by living into the meaning of the Gospel in her life.  So, not even sickness and death are able to permanently claim her life. The Paschal Mystery by which she lives and works, becomes the power that resuscitates her body with new life in the witness of the resurrection, to renew life in the world around her. 

If the work of Peter and Tabitha is about healing and reconciliation, so then should ours.   A healing and reconciliation that does not spread conspiracy theories or racial and religious based prejudice. On the contrary, by those who have truly experienced the redeeming and transforming power of the Paschal Mystery, should result in a renewed reverence for the dignity of all human beings.  Especially in the shadows of all that we witnessed this past week. 

This past week, we witnessed the meaning of the Cross as EMT's, national guards, police, fire fighters, and spectators of the Boston Marathon laid down their lives to help those who tragically lost their lives or limbs.  Even in the midst of the raging blasts of fire, flying debris and danger, so many risked all to  help others, even if it meant losing their own lives or comforts to do so.   A 26 year old Sean Collier, a man born to be a police officer, became the embodiment of John 15: 12 and 13.  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

Our worship of the Lamb in Revelation and prayer of thanksgiving in Psalm 23 need to pierce our hearts that are weighed down with sorrow and grief by this weeks events.  The Lord who is our shepherd leads us not into more violence, but to those green pastures where we can find rest for our weary souls.  In the company of all who enjoy the table of the Banquet of the Eucharist, we gather with all who have shed their blood for faith and justice, to worship the Lamb that was slain.   The Lamb who is Christ.  Christ who draws all people to Himself, because He has been lifted up to glorify God in all of heaven and earth.  (See John 12: 27-36). 

Our Gospels from this Sunday until the Seventh Sunday of Easter are no longer recording for us appearances of the Risen Christ.  We are brought to those stories in John beginning with Good Shepherd Sunday today, and through the discourses in St. John's Gospel.   These Gospel narratives present us with a necessity to be very careful, not to be taken back to Christianity as "the religion" that supercedes all others.  That is not what is happening here.  Nor is it an appropriate interpretation.  The messages contained here are to lead those of us into a deeper reflection of who the Crucified and Risen Christ is to us, and how we represent Him to others.   If we really regard ourselves among those  whom cannot be snatched out of the hands of Christ, then we have to be very careful about what Shepherd we are listening and responding to.   If the shepherd is one that guides us towards a spiritual isolation where Jewish people, Muslims, Atheists and those of other religions and spiritual practices are negatively stereotyped and targeted, then I don't think we are listening to the voice of Jesus, the Risen Shepherd.   If we are listening to those wolves, masked as shepherds suggesting that all the violence witnessed this week is because of church communities, States and municipalities passing marriage equality laws for LGBT Couples, individuals and families, it appears we have been snatched away from Christ, the Good Shepherd.

O Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lead us out of the violence.

Lead us away from the violence of rhetoric designed to marginalize those already stigmatized and oppressed by social, religious and political discrimination.   Lead us, O Good Shepherd away from resorting to violence because of someone who is different from ourselves. Instead let us with you, embrace the immigrant, the one seeking refuge from repression, poverty and nationalized income inequality.  Help us, O Jesus, to respond to our neighbors in charity, respect and recognition of your Divine presence in them. May we stop trying to be our own masters, and surrender to be your followers, so that we may be learn to not be afraid of the storms that cause us to sink, but to have faith to recognize you as the one who can guide us through the worst wind, fog and fire. 

May we walk by faith, and not by sight to comfort by our prayers, love and support those who have experienced the effects of this weeks violence.  May we look beyond skin color, ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, gender, physical/emotional or developmental challenge, wealth status, political party, and more, to see the face of Christ the Good Shepherd, and trust in Him to lead us forward.  

As the horrible rhetoric, stereotyping and conspiracy theorists spread the lies and stories, may we stand behind Jesus Christ, who is the way, truth and life, so that through His Father, we may be lead to the way of life that is eternal and transforming.   The life of grace, where we take seriously our Baptismal Vows, and with God's help, we will live into them.  

Though God does not stop all violence, God does walk through it with us in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Risen Shepherd.  God empowers us by the Holy Spirit to be agents of Gospel conversion in our times, through the work of Christ in our lives and those of others around us. 

Amen.

Prayers

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people;
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who
calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with
you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p.225).

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.  (Collect for the Mission of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.257).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.  (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Book of Common Prayer., p.833)

O Lord my God. Teach my heart this day where and how to see you, where and how to find you. You have made me and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, and still I do not know you. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you. Amen. (Prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury, St. Benedict's Prayer Book., p.118).

The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ: What are We Treasuring and Pondering?

Today's Scripture Readings

Numbers 6:22-27 (NRSV)

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them,

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Psalm 8 (BCP., p.592)

Philippians 2:5-11 (NRSV)

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

who, though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death--

even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Luke 2:15-21 (NRSV)

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.

But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Blog Reflection

My readers might recall my post on St. Thomas the Apostle at which I wrote about using the Common English Bible (CEB).  The CEB is said to be "A fresh translation to touch the heart and mind."

As we were waiting for Midnight Mass to begin on Christmas Eve, I took my CEB along with me to do some brief Lectio on some of the Christmas texts.   I was most interested when I came to Luke 2:19 that in the CEB reads: "Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully."  I began to think about the differences between the text from the CEB vs.the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)  which reads: "But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart."   In my mind there was a big difference between "Treasured all these words" and "committed these things to memory and considered them carefully."   As I thought about this, I was more drawn to treasuring and pondering.   When we treasure something, it becomes so valuable, that we will do whatever it takes to protect it.   To commit them to memory is just not quite the same.  We can remember something, and when we do, we make it very present.  When we treasure something, not only do we remember and make it present, we never quite put it away.  If we do it is only in those safe places where we can "ponder" it and keep some silence about it.

On this New Year's Day, we are treasuring and pondering the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.  We are bringing it to the forefront of our memories and making that Name especially present today.  It is very interesting to me that on this day, Roman Catholics celebrate Mary, the Mother of God.   We Episcopalians celebrate the Holy Name, while reading about Mary as giving Jesus that Name, as she and Joseph were instructed by the Angel who greeted them.   This Feast used to be called the Circumcision.  It almost appears as a Christening.  But, what is most important about this Holy Day during our celebration of Christmas, is that the Christ-Child's Name is Jesus.

What kinds of things are we treasuring and pondering as we consider the Holy Name of Jesus Christ?

I have spent much of my life in the various movements within Christianity.  I remember hearing the Name of Jesus Christ used by those who consider themselves Charismatic, to have the power to drive out demons and dark forces.  I have also seen this Name used to inflict the worst of spiritual and pastoral violence on people.  I know of one such instance in a Pentecostal church where a minister brought a 10 year old girl forward during the service and nearly beat her to get her speak in tongues in the Name of Jesus Christ.   Many who oppose lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people accepting and celebrating who they are, will invoke the Name of Jesus to try to change their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression and/or prevent equal rights from moving forward.   I remember while the health care reform bill was in debate a prayer service being held and invoking the Name of Jesus Christ to prevent it from being passed.

What are we treasuring and pondering in the Name of Jesus Christ?

At the 42nd Trinity Wall Street Institute on Radical Christian Living, Sr.Joan Chittister, OSB said: "What we believe about God is how we relate to God."   If we believe that the Name of Jesus Christ is about shaming people or preventing the sick from getting affordable health care, or Social Security benefits, then that Name has very limiting power.  It is only available to us to bully and hurt people who are different from ourselves.   The way we use the Name of Jesus Christ, is how we relate to who Jesus Christ is.   

The hymn from Philippians suggests that the Name of Jesus Christ was given to him, because instead of seeking equality with God, Jesus was a servant of humankind on behalf of God.  The honor and exaltation of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ is so, because he suffered along with suffering humankind, and sought to help the marginalized.  Jesus was a healer of broken relationships.  Jesus sought to include the outcasts and those suffering from prejudice and oppression, to help them know of God's unconditional love for all people.

What are we treasuring and pondering in the Name of Jesus Christ?

It appears to me that to use the Holy Name of Jesus Christ to invoke any kind of militaristic hate towards any person or group of people, is to use his Name in vain.  To suggest that God allowed twenty eight individuals, including twenty children to be shot to death was because we have forbidden prayer in our public schools, and that we should all invoke the Name of Jesus Christ is quite the misuse of that wonderful and glorious Name.

To suggest that it was through the Name of Jesus Christ, that natural disasters happen to certain parts of the world because of marriage equality or parties for LGBT people of any kind, is to presume things about Jesus Christ that do not exactly fit his description.

On the other hand, to suggest that it is because of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ that we need to pray and seek union with God, so that we might do what we can to alleviate religious based prejudice and violence; now that is really honoring the Son of God.   If we will carry the Holy Name of Jesus Christ by walking with those who suffer due to poverty, economic injustice and sickness; we are not only worshiping Christ, but carrying out his commandment to love others in his Name.

As we begin 2013, may we treasure and ponder the Name of Jesus Christ by looking at the example of Mary and Joseph, as well as many other Saints who have and continue to demonstrate what it means to serve on behalf of that incredible Name.  May we spend time in prayer to Jesus, as well as reading and studying the Scriptures, but also be willing to do some thing that makes Jesus Christ a good Name among humankind.

Amen.


Prayers

Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name
of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart,
we pray, the love of him who is the Savior of the world, our
Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Collect for the Holy Name, Book of Common Prayer, p. 213).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).

St. Luke the Evangelist: May Christians Be More About Healing and Reconciliation

 Today's Scripture Readings

Ecclesiasticus 38: 1-4, 6-10, 12-14 (NRSV)

Honor physicians for their services,

for the Lord created them;

for their gift of healing comes from the Most High,

and they are rewarded by the king.

The skill of physicians makes them distinguished,

and in the presence of the great they are admired.

The Lord created medicines out of the earth,

and the sensible will not despise them.

And he gave skill to human beings

that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.

By them the physician heals and takes away pain;

the pharmacist makes a mixture from them.

God's works will never be finished;

and from him health spreads over all the earth.

My child, when you are ill, do not delay,

but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.

Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly,

and cleanse your heart from all sin.

Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him;

do not let him leave you, for you need him.

There may come a time when recovery lies in the hands of physicians,

for they too pray to the Lord

that he grant them success in diagnosis

and in healing, for the sake of preserving life.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p. 804)


2 Timothy 4: 5-13 (NRSV)

As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Do your best to come to me soon, for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.

Luke 4: 14-21 (NRSV)

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Blog Reflection

Today is one of those days through which there are so many messages going back and forth in the news, politics and the Church.  There is confusion, pain, the struggle for justice and equality, a fatigue from all of the campaigning, and a fair amount of anger.   Every one is experiencing the urgency of the moment to seeing what can be done to get on the path towards securing some kind of certainty for the future.  Yet, there is still great hope, with a sense of cautious optimism.

We commemorate a special holy day on this feast of St. Luke, the evangelist and physician.  He is considered the patron of the sick, doctors and hospitals.  He is also the patron of the Companions of St. Luke/Order of St. Benedict.   St. Luke is recognized for the focus of the Gospel attributed to him, by which the focus of Jesus is the ministry of healing and reconciliation.  We can certainly derive that from the Gospel reading chosen for today's feast.   Jesus proclaims the reading from the Prophet Isaiah "fulfilled in your hearing" after he reads it aloud from the scroll in his local synagogue.   Jesus views as his mission and purpose to bring good news to the poor, release the captives, give sight to those who are blind and to allow the oppressed to go free.  What Jesus read and accepted as his mission, is the work of all baptized Christians.   As we are incorporated into the Body of Christ, which is the Church, we vow in our Baptismal Covenant to "seek and serve in Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself" and "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being" with God's help (see The Book of Common Prayer, p.305).

The care of the sick in St. Benedict's monasteries was so important to him, that he devoted Chapter 36 to the sick in The Rule.  Benedict instructs that: "Care of the sick must rank above and before all else so that they may be served as Christ who said: "I was sick and you visited me" (Matt 25:36) and, "What you did for these the least of my people you did for me" (Matt 25:40)."

What role of healing and reconciliation, might Jesus be calling us to today?

The Episcopal Church is experiencing a time of great difficulty, because we have taken a position with the Holy Spirit with regards to the reception of LGBT people for ordination as Bishops, Priests and Deacons, creating marriage rites for same-sex couples, non-discrimination policies for transgender individuals, and the ordination of women.   Recently, the Board of Discipline along with the Presiding Bishop have written a Certificate of Abandonment for the Bishop and Diocese of South Carolina.   

Earlier today, the Second Circuit Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional.  

What direction for healing and reconciliation might God be calling the Episcopal Church to, with regards to the inclusion of LGBT people, and those who do not agree?   What role might God be calling on LGBT and allied Christians to help the Diocese of South Carolina and it's Bishop recognize their role in healing and reconciliation?

The issues at hand are not without their challenges.  The challenges are as much with the pros as they are with the cons.  The individuals on both sides of the debate are just as passionate about their call to serve Jesus Christ and the Church.  How can everyone remain at the table and talk, allowing the Holy Spirit to do her work of healing and reconciliation?

Christians have an unfortunate history of using the Name of Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible, the Sacraments to drive wedges between people of diverse opinions and ways of living.   Just recently the Roman Catholic Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis told the mother of a gay son, that she could go to hell if she does not embrace the teaching of the Catholic church with regards to marriage equality.   Chris Kluwe of the Minnesota Vikings and Herbert Chilstrom, a former Presiding Bishop in the ELCA have responded to the Roman Archbishop's statements and push to pass an amendment that would limit the freedom of same-sex couples to marry the person she/he loves.

I think the Gospel attributed to St. Luke gives us an image of Jesus as allowing to go free those who are oppressed.  As part of the ministry of God, through Jesus for healing and reconciliation, we have a picture of a compassionate Holy One, who through grace comes to those who are sick with despair and a feeling of separation and isolation.  Jesus welcomes each with the love of our Creator to graft all of us into the vine that is Christ, so that we who can do nothing without him, may experience the healing and reconciliation that can only come from God.  Jesus does not use the Name of God to exclude, to act in violence or prejudice.  He comes as the perfect revelation of God, to welcome, receive, soothe and restore all who are oppressed and experiencing injustice to their right place as one created, redeemed and loved by God.  To call each of us to play our part in the ministry of hospitality, healing and reconciliation, by seeing in each person, Christ present: coming to us, sick, wounded, lonely, excluded and in need of God's mercy.  As Jesus has made us part of the Body of Christ, he empowers us by the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church, to help graft others onto the Body of Christ so that God's ministry can gain more people and become the greatest vehicle of diversity and compassion, that the world could ever see and know.

Is Jesus calling us to use his Name to be more about the work of healing and reconciliation?

How are we answering that call?


Prayers

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician
to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your
Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power
to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; 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. (Collect for St. Luke, Book of Common Prayer, p. 244).

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and
follow us, that we may continually be given to good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Proper 23, Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).

Gracious Father, we pray for they 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, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).     

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: O Wisdom of God, Nourish Us

Today's Scripture Readings

Proverbs 9: 1-6 (NRSV)

Wisdom has built her house,

she has hewn her seven pillars.

She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,

she has also set her table.

She has sent out her servant girls, she calls

from the highest places in the town,

"You that are simple, turn in here!"

To those without sense she says,

"Come, eat of my bread

and drink of the wine I have mixed.

Lay aside immaturity, and live,

and walk in the way of insight."

Psalm 34 (BCP,. p.628)


Ephesians 5:15-20  (NRSV)

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 6:51-58 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 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."

Blog Reflection

There are those who would go so far as to suggest that Jesus was a transgender person.  In Patrick S. Cheng's book: From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ, he writes about the transgender theologian Justin Tanis.

Tanis develops a trans-christology that focuses on Jesus Christ's breaking through "barriers of gender" during his ministry, including speaking with women, performing traditionally female acts such as washing feet, and having women as followers.  Furthermore, Jesus experienced harassment and a sense of homelessness, in much the same way as trans folk do today.  Tanis also draws connections between the resurrected body of Christ and the process of transition that trans people go through (p.104).

This particular point is well taken, in light of our reading from Proverbs.   The image is that of a woman setting the table and preparing a feast.  Wisdom for Christians is in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the Wisdom of God made flesh.  So, it is quite possible to think of Jesus as all male on the outside, but quite feminine on the inside.   He would have transgressed many gender and cultural boundaries in his time.  The idea of a male assuming the duties and work of a woman would have been a major cultural violation, that would result in rejection.

If we take this to heart and think more about the possibility that Jesus was the Queer Christ, that would explain a lot about why he often found himself among those marginalized.  It would also explain why he was so good to help free the stigmatized, and call those doing the stigmatizing to repentance and conversion.

I really think that the bread of life discourses that we have been reading through the month of August, could give us some fresh insight into Jesus as Savior.  Jesus is offering us the opportunity to feast on his flesh and drink of his blood.  He said that he is the bread that came from heaven and that all who eat of his flesh and drink of his blood will be raised up on the last day.  In this very discourse, Jesus the Son of God, is offering to feed us like a mother feeds her children.  Jesus not only sets the table, but serves us what we need so that we might be connected to him, God and one another.  He offers us a place where we can sup with him, and on him, so that we can become part of the Body of Christ.

Here again, Jesus is transgressing his culture and the social norms of his day.  Those who heard him speak must have thought he was supporting cannibalism.  Yet, what Jesus is doing, is telling them how he is the spiritual food by way of the physical signs of bread and wine.  As we partake of the consecrated host and cup, we receive the very presence of God, through Jesus, who gives us his flesh to eat, and his blood to drink.  It is a presence we cannot see with our physical eyes.  Only through the eyes of faith is Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. 

As Jesus transgresses gender norms, cultural unspoken rules and common ways of thinking and/or behaving, to impart God's grace, he invites us to open our hearts and minds to the wonder of the Holy Spirit's work.   Our Mother, the Holy Spirit also challenges us in the 21st Century to go beyond gender and cultural norms so that we can bring God's healing and reconciliation to a wounded Church and society.    Bruised and broken by racism, heterosexism, gender discrimination, sexism, religious exceptionalism and the powerful oppressing and exploiting the poor.   Even suppressing the ability of minorities and low income individuals to vote to change the power structure to benefit everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful.  Such is the case in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  Hate groups such as the Family Research Council that experience a deadly shooting, and blame it on the very people they constantly work to marginalize and hurt through their words and the political process.  

Jesus shares the gift of himself with those who come to receive the presence of God in Holy Communion without distinction or prejudice.  God's grace through Christ reaches across political, religious and social norms, to bring wholesome healing and reconciliation.   God does this through Christ and the Church.   Why then can't the Church (as in the whole Christian Church) reach out, using Christ as our example and purpose?  When will we stop arguing about creeds and prayer books long enough, to realize that the Bible is being used as a weapon of mass destruction on the lives and souls of African Americans, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  Native Americans.  Jewish people.  Muslims.  Atheists and more.  We do not set a good example of Jesus Christ by using harmful rhetoric and/or hateful behavior.  We do not present Jesus as the kind and merciful Savior, by telling LGBT people that they must surrender who they are, and who they love in order to find salvation in God, who has not rejected their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.  Nor has God condemned the physical act of love between people of the same sex any more or less than people of the opposite sex. 

May  Jesus, the Wisdom of God, nourish us with God's presence.  May the Holy Spirit move on the hearts and lives of Christians and people of good will every where, to open our hearts and minds to all of God's people.  We cannot heal every disease, nor are we totally capable of handling every problem that comes to us.  Only God can do that.  But, we can extend a welcome from the doors of our churches, and the altar of the Lord's Supper, and our hearts and minds to hold these individuals in our prayers.   We can provide a place of affirmation, by which we support their dignity in society and the Church.  We can also be active in promoting justice and equality on their behalf, in whatever way God may be calling us.   When God calls us, may our answer be yes.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a
sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us
grace to receive thankfully the fruits of this redeeming work,
and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.  (Proper 14, Book of Common Prayer, p. 232).

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).

 

 

 

For All the Children....Vote No

Today is one of those days when I must share a work of God's grace that is so powerful, that I cannot keep it to myself. As many of you may know, Minnesota is facing a vote on limiting the freedom to marry to straight couples, effectively banning marriage equality for LGBT people. The effort to push this amendment is getting a lot of strength from the local Catholic Archbishop. A group of Catholic choral members with other faith allies, came together to record this beautiful song: For All the Children...Vote No. The message is powerful, the voices magnificent and the movement of the Holy Spirit very real. Please consider watching this powerful video and sharing it. Help it to go viral. The message of this video and those who sing, should be the message of all Christians for all the marginalized, by virtue of our Baptism. In the words of the music: May God's welcome, be our song.

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Hospitality, Reconciliation and the Living Bread

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Kings 19:4-8 (NRSV)

Elijah went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, "Get up and eat." He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you." He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

Psalm 34  (BCP., p. 627)


Ephesians 4:25-5:2 (NRSV)

Putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

John 6:35, 41-51 (NRSV)

Jesus said to the people, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, `I have come down from heaven'?" Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, `And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Blog Reflection

St. Benedict in his Rule, chapter 53, On the Reception of Guests begins with the following at verse 15:

Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of the rich guarantees them special respect.

The kitchen for the abbot and guests ought to be separate, so that guests--and monasteries are never without them--need not disturb the brothers when they present themselves at unpredictable hours.  Each year, two brothers who can do the work competently are to be assigned to this kitchen.  Additional help should be available when needed, so that they can perform this service without grumbling.  On the other hand, when the work slackens, they are to go wherever other duties are assigned them.  This consideration is not for them alone, but applies to all duties in the monastery; the brothers are to be given help when it is needed, and whenever they are free, they work wherever they are assigned.  (R.B. 1980, The Rule of St. Benedict: In Latin and English, p. 259).

Sr. Joan Chittister in The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century wrote:

The fact is that we all have to learn to provide for others while maintaining the balance and depth, of our own lives.  The community that is so to greet the guest is not to barter its own identity in the name of the guest.  On the contrary, if we become less than we must be then we will no gift for the guest at all. (p.233).

As we continue through the sixth chapter of John, Jesus is identifying who he is.  He identifies as "the Living Bread".  Jesus proclaims that whoever partakes of him as the Bread of Life, comes as someone moved by God to approach and receive this grace.  Jesus is the fullness of God's grace as the Word made flesh. Yet, as Jesus shares the ultimate in hospitality, he still remains who he is.  The Holy One of God, sent to love us and help us become more like God.

Notice in the Gospel, Jesus says: "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and who ever believes in me will never be thirsty."  Jesus never said, nor implied that only those lesbian or gay people who will seek to change their orientation, who comes to him, will never be hungry.  Jesus' invitation and proclamation of himself, is to share what he is with all who come to partake of God's grace through Christ.

Many of us feel a lot like Elijah.  We have been working for justice and inclusion.  Trying to talk to people we know, and others across political and religious lines about why we need to be concerned about the dignity of every human being.   We have gotten politically sandbagged.  They have spread lies and misinformation everywhere.  We are often worn out and in need of refreshment.   We need to escape to find rest and refreshment.  To pray and find peace with God and ourselves.   We need to be loved by our partner(s) and given the energy to get back into the activities of our lives.

Jesus invites us to come to him as the Bread of Life.  The Living Bread sent by God to welcome us and reconcile us.   God invites us to see sin and grace from a Christ centered model, instead of a crime and punishment model as Patrick S. Cheng writes in From Sin to Amazing Grace; Discovering the Queer Christ.   To understand that sin is an immaturity that keeps us from being more like Christ, and grace is to mature more into the image of the Divine.  When we receive Jesus as the Living Bread, we are welcomed by God's hospitality, and reconciled by Christ's Divine and healing grace.   The healing grace that helps us to grow in the knowledge and love of God for us and others.

The ministry of hospitality and reconciliation we are nourished to continue in, calls us to give of ourselves for others, without compromising who we are.  As LGBT people, we are called to reach out to others, to share and help, while never giving the anti-LGBT folks the power to decide who we are, or how we love others.   It is way too easy to allow them to have more power over us than they should have.   In the example I gave from St. Benedict's Rule, the community welcomes and feeds the guests, but at no time do they stop being the community that they have created.  They go about their work, and help each other as the need and availability arises.  So, should all of us do for each other.

As people of faith, we are commissioned to not only be who we are, and to offer ourselves in service to others, we also have a great responsibility to do so, going forward in sanctifying grace.  The grace that calls us to mature, by being more like Christ.  The One who gives of himself for the good of others, while sill remaining who he is as God's beloved.

So should we all do.

Amen.


Prayers

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always
those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without
you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 14, Book of Common Prayer, p. 232).

O Lord my God, 
Teach my heart this day where and how to see you,
where and how to find you.
You have made me and remade me,
and you have bestowed upon me
all the good things I possess,
and still I do not know you.
I have not yet done that for which I was made.
Teach me to seek you,
for I cannot seek you unless you teach me,
or find you unless you show yourself to me.
Let me seek you in my desire,
let me desire you in my seeking.
Let me find you by loving you,
let me love you when I find you.  Amen.  (Prayer by St. Anselm, St. Benedict's Prayer Book for Beginners, Ampleforth Abbey Press, p. 118).