Fourth Sunday of Easter: Risen Christ, Shepherd Us

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., p.612)


Revelation 7:9-17 (NRSV)

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,

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

This is one of my favorite Sundays in the Easter Season.  After three full Sundays of celebrating the Risen Christ; here we get to meditate on a very beautiful way to think of Jesus.  

The image of Jesus being the Good Shepherd in a beautiful hill country such as what we see in the image above, fills us with a sense of peace and tranquility.  The green pastures with only sheep and shepherd, beautiful mountains and trees fill us with a sense of wonder.  In these days as events around us seem so ugly with no end in sight; thinking of Jesus as The Good Shepherd feels like the relief we need.

The pastures in which Christians find ourselves are anything but peaceful and serene.  Our Christian Faith continues to be mocked and damaged in the form of "bathroom bills" and bills promoting discrimination against LGBTQ people on a fast track.  Yet, the programs that could help the poor, homeless, disabled and unemployed get their funds depleted and given to military defense programs.  Federal and State legislation that could be used to protect innocent people from the excessive gun violence that plagues our neighborhoods, schools and churches are denied a fair hearing because of lobbyists with very deep pockets.  These and many more issues in our society are being promoted by those who claim that this is what Jesus died to "save us from" on the Cross.  In so doing, our Lord Jesus the Good Shepherd becomes nothing more than a picture on the wall and a story told.  There is nothing more to the story, when our stories are no longer heard.

I want to tell you all a story of what someone I care about very much experienced this past week.

He is thirty-five years old.  Less than two years ago, his husband/partner died of cancer.  A year ago he was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with massive congestive heart failure.  His heart works now, but only at about 46% .  He has to take Nitro for occasional chest pains.  He gets headaches form the Nitro after he takes it.  He also experiences dizzy spells due to vertigo.  He has asthma.  He is obviously unable to work because of his health condition.  He is able to get on a local health care program through Medicaid, but he can only go to certain doctors.  He has applied for disability and has an eighteen month wait for an answer.  He is very fortunate to be in the care of his late husband's family.  He has applied for food assistance, but has recently lost the assistance because of a law that requires him to take classes about how to get employed.  In his health condition, no employer would hire him.  He is too much of a liability if anything happens to him on the job.  

It troubles me deeply that as a society we have come to this point, where helping this unhealthy young man is too much to ask of our political and religious institutions.  As Christians we are called to follow the example of our Shepherd who is Jesus Christ, to seek out the lost and to be an inclusive people who welcome and embrace others.  Other "sheep" may not be in the same pasture with us Christians, but, they are still God's people nonetheless.  As recipients of God's love and salvation through the mystery of Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection; we are empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit to challenge the status quo with the true Gospel of Christ by which the marginalized and broken find a place for healing and reconciliation.  

As we meditate on Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd today, may we spend sometime in holy silence to listen to our Shepherd call us to be His prophetic witnesses.  May we pray for the power of the Holy Spirit that we may welcome all people so that they may find in Christians a safe place to cool their burning feet, wash the sweat off their brows and find some rest in the One who's yoke is easy and burden light.  After all, the Pasture is not only a beautiful place to be.  It is God's atmosphere of limitless possibilities.

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. (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 225).

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.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

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.  (The Book of Common Prayer, p.823).

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost: Proper 20: Silence, Listening and Community

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 11:18-20 (NRSV)

It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew;

then you showed me their evil deeds.

But I was like a gentle lamb

led to the slaughter.

And I did not know it was against me

that they devised schemes, saying,

"Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,

let us cut him off from the land of the living,

so that his name will no longer be remembered!"

But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously,

who try the heart and the mind,

let me see your retribution upon them,

for to you I have committed my cause.

Psalm 54 (BCP., p.659)


James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (NRSV)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

Mark 9:30-37 (NRSV)

Jesus and his disciples went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

Blog Reflection

Two of the most important hallmarks of Benedictine Monasticism is silence and listening.  If we take the word silent and change the letters around we will arrive at the word listen.  The purpose of silence and listening is not just for that sake of our personal selves.  It is also for the good of the whole Community.   In Chapter 6 of The Rule of St. Benedict, he writes about that just as it is important to keep silent about many good things, it is that much more important to keep our silence with things that are not so good.  After reading the above sentence, we can easily ask ourselves the question, "By what measure do we decide what is good and bad?"  It is easy to say that we use the Gospel alone, but each of us has a different understanding of what that means.

There is another author who wrote a lot about silence, speech and community.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his famous book Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community, wrote about what we say within community can be a reflection of who thinks they are the greatest or the least.  He also points out, the impact on community when when speak to one another, without listening more deeply to each other.   If we are not listening to one another, what kind of a reflection is it on how well we are listening to God?

Jesus finds Himself with these very issues and more in the exchange between the Disciples argument about who is the greatest or the least.  This argument is all tied up in not so much of who they are, but how they see themselves in relationship to God and each other.  Jesus' answer to all of this; is that as He did not come among us to declare Himself to be the greatest of all, only because of who He is; then those who claim to follow Him must be ready to serve others with the the same humility.  To give of ourselves in serving others, we become the Presence of Jesus in our world.

Christians of all sects, theological and social positions are in a battle of who's version of the Christian Faith is the greatest.  While Christians are doing this, those who really need to see the goodness of Christ in their lives are being left to wonder if it even exists.  The heart of who Jesus was/is is about serving the least among us so that the mercy and love of God can be a living reality for all Humankind.  These include the confused, the sick, the lonely, the marginalized, the dying, the ignorant and the arrogant.   It is about our relationships.  It is not about what we achieve for ourselves.  It is what we give to and for those who are wanting what others have in excess, while they can barely get their hands around a morsel.

Jesus challenges each of us to see and serve each other with respect for the dignity of every human person, and the nurturing of the Community of God's people.  This is a very difficult task.  It means that we must allow ourselves to be displaced by The Holy Spirit and redirected again and again in ways that are not completely comfortable, yet lead us through our opportunities for growth; to the ministry of healing and reconciliation.  The world needs Christians who live this life of Jesus. 

As politicians focus more on their campaigns, their billion dollar donors, and patronizing those who side with them and trashing those who don't; the real people and their needs for equal rights, personal safety, and a sense of belonging get brushed aside.  Today's Gospel invites all of us to be where the need for the unconditional and all-inclusive love of God brings hope with life-giving potential.

Are there any among us ready to fulfill the call of Jesus to serve the community, because we were silent long enough to listen for that call?

Amen.


Prayers

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Proper 20, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 234).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

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. 825).

Fifth Sunday of Easter: Jesus. Help Us Bear Good Fruit

Acts 8:24-30 (NRSV)

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it." So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" He replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:

"Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,

and like a lamb silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth."

The eunuch asked Philip, "About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Psalm 22:24-30 (BCP, p.612)


1 John 4:7-21 (NRSV)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, "I love God," and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

John 15:1-8 (NRSV)

Jesus said to his disciples, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples."

Blog Reflection

Our Gospel reading for today is a real gem.  It speaks of Jesus and the community of those who are grafted onto Him to serve the presence of Christ in others.

Our society is so individualistic.  "It is all about me."  As Christians, we too have been part of being religious for the sake of itself in statements such as "The authority of the Word of God" to arm twist non-Christians to our way of thinking out of fear.  We too have the "our way or the highway" expressions and ideas.  So long as Christians preach an exclusive Gospel, we might as well be the branches of a philosophy or political position and not to Jesus Christ.

Jesus invites us today to remember that without Him, we can do nothing.  

We as Christians cannot speak up about the institutional racism in schools, police departments, churches and public places if we do not remain in the love of God in the Risen Christ.   It is so easy to say that we are not racist just because we have non-Caucasian friends and still not understand what Black America has been feeling this past week.   Julia Blount wrote a great article about how they are feeling as we struggle to understand the riots in Baltimore.  You can read that article here.   While the news media focuses on the violent side of the riots, Christians are being called to cling to our Vine who is Christ, and to listen to the stories of what black Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans experience every day.  The experiences they are having, are often done while so many of us white Christians pat ourselves on the back, believing the famous "things are so improved, they don't need any more" lies.  

As Christians, we are baptized to proclaim what 1 John 4:7-11 says that God is love to every human person.  The Holy Spirit wants so much to empower us to live those words by letting go of our self-centered prejudices and stereotypes that keep us from reaching out to the marginalized of the Church and society.  If Christians cannot live into our vocation that God is love by loving our neighbor as ourselves, why should people believe in the Jesus that we celebrate?  We are the Body of Christ.  If we do not do our part, the Body becomes an abstract image.

The arguments about the freedom to marry heard by the Supreme Court this past Tuesday, tell us that there is much more work to be done.  States all over the country continue to be lobbied to pass license to discriminate bills on the basis of "religious freedom."   It is wonderful that LGBTQ people can marry in our Civil governments and many of our church communities.  However, we still have the tragedy of transgender individuals being denigrated by so called "bathroom bills' when it is about recognizing (or failing to acknowledge) their dignity as individuals.  When we can create and pass legislation to "allow" discrimination against one group of people, it means that no person is truly safe from religious based prejudice.  The Vine gets a bad reputation while the branches become fruitless. 

Let each of us pray for each other that Jesus will help us to bear good fruit, because we become dependent on the Vine, and cooperate with the other branches.  May we recognize the diversity of the branches around us, and respect their dignity so that everyone has the chance to bear fruit that will nourish the hungry souls of this world.  When and where there is violence and oppression in the Name of the Risen Christ, our task as His branches is to represent the truth of the Vine.  Each of us are welcomed and empowered with opportunities to bring healing and reconciliation, so that the fruit of the Vine is the love of God that has no exceptions or limitations.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant
us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way,
the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his
steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.225).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.815).

Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany: Authority, Evil, Salvation

Today's Scripture Readings

Deuteronomy 18:15-20 (NRSV)

Moses said, The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." Then the LORD replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable. But any prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, or who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded the prophet to speak-- that prophet shall die."

Psalm 111 (BCP., p.754)


1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (NRSV)

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.

Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "no idol in the world really exists," and that "there is no God but one." Indeed, even though there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as in fact there are many gods and many lords-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. "Food will not bring us close to God." We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if others see you, who possess knowledge, eating in the temple of an idol, might they not, since their conscience is weak, be encouraged to the point of eating food sacrificed to idols? So by your knowledge those weak believers for whom Christ died are destroyed. But when you thus sin against members of your family, and wound their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.

Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Blog Reflection

My husband Jason loves the Muppets.  In the movie Muppet Treasure Island, Captain Abraham Smallet (played by Kermit the Frog), approaches in a stage coach that throws the streets in England in a chaos.  The First Mate, Samuel Arrow (played by Sam the Eagle) says that the Captain is so badly tempered that he has demons.  Gonzo, the odd one in the bunch replies, "He's got demons?  Cool!!"

Today's Gospel narrative depicts Jesus addressing an evil spirit in a man.  In His conversation with the evil spirit, the spirit knows that Jesus is the Holy One of God, and fears Him terribly.  Because Jesus is the Holy One of God, even the evil spirit obeys His voice.  Those around Jesus are amazed at the authority by which He is able to free this individual from the evil force that raged within him. 

The Biblical depiction if individuals with "unclean spirits"  is quite unfair.  Among the classic interpretations of individuals with unclean spirits is that it refers to individuals of that time with severe mental illness.  Such an interpretation has been responsible for individuals with mental illnesses to be marginalized and stigmatized.

At the center of this Sunday's Liturgy of the Word is are the themes of authority, evil and salvation.

As an individual who has experienced the abuses that can come from those who use "the authority of Scripture," I personally have an issue with those words.  I agree with Bishop Gene Robinson who wrote in his book, In the Eye of the Storm: Pushed to the Center by God,

"let's not forget that the real "Word" of God is Jesus himself. ...To elevate the words of scripture to a place higher than the revealed Word of God in Jesus Christ is an act of idolatry" ( Page 22).   

The authority figure here is Jesus, God's perfect Self revelation.  In this Season after the Epiphany, we are reflecting on the manifestation of God to all humankind through the Person of Jesus.  If the authority of Jesus is only limited to those of us who are classified as "normal" (whatever that means), then God is limited to a particular definition of persons.  As such, Jesus shows that by His authority as God's Son, He is able to address evil by name and call it out, and that He is the salvation for all those who feel that they have no hope.

Individuals who have been stigmatized due to the erroneous use of the Bible are set free by the redemption that Jesus brings; as He calls out the evil of prejudice, injustice and oppression by name.   The evil that Jesus addresses is an individual being so full of the evils brought on to him by the cultural notions and stereotypes; that the individual is deemed helpless to the powers that have seduced and reduced him.  The fear of others around him, also makes him susceptible to those powers of evil that bind him mercilessly.   Jesus came to him, called out the evil by name and set this person free.  He did not chastise the individual, assign him to an institution or declare him an invalid.  In fact, what Jesus did for that young man, was set him free to become part of the larger community as a person made whole by the grace of God.

Women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people, individuals of other races, cultures, religions, languages, disabilities etc., continue to be among those whom society and the Church make into "others" to be set aside.   Just this past week, the Anglican Communion witnessed the wonderful occasion of the Rt. Rev. Libby Lane ordained as the first female bishop in the Church of England.  The reaction from not too few Christians in various denominations and sects to the role of women in the Church, has been just terrible.  There is a wonderful podcast led by  Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, in the program All Together.  The podcast is entitled, "Sexism: The Original Sin of the Church."  I strongly encourage my readers to click here and listen to the program.  It is outstanding. 

The only way that the Church is going to address the evils within itself, is for Christians to call that which is contrary to our Baptismal Covenant out, and become individuals empowered by God for the work healing and reconciliation.  The greater acceptance of LGBT people, women and many others mentioned is so critical to the ministry and mission of the Church.  More importantly however, is for Christians themselves (as in ourselves) to acknowledge such evils within ourselves, let them go into the hands of the living God and find salvation in Jesus Christ as truly liberated and saved people.

Let the work of the Holy Spirit also lead us to be responsible and respectful people, to see that we do our part to care for the lonely, the sick, the poor, those who live in war torn areas of the world, and those right within our own communities.

May Jesus by His authority "save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.  For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are God's forever and ever.  Amen."


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in
heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of
your people, and in our time grant us your peace; 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 Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer, p. 215).

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

Second Sunday After the Epiphany: Listen and Follow

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NRSV)

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!" and ran to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down. The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. The LORD called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the LORD was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, `Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Psalm 139: 1-5, 12-17 (BCP., p.794).


1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (NRSV)

 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, "The two shall be one flesh." But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

John 1:43-51 (NRSV)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Blog Reflection

A good contemplative loves the story of Samuel and his experience of hearing God's voice.  He is awoken by a voice calling his name.  He thinks Eli called him, but, it was not Eli.  Eli told him what to do the next time Samuel heard a voice calling him.  When God calls on Samuel, he answers with, "Speak for your servant is listening."

These words of Samuel, are among a good set of words to say as we begin the prayerful reading of Scripture (also known as Lectio Divina).   When we say such words as we enter into a prayerful conversation with the Word, we are able to redirect ourselves away from our inner noise and listen more intentionally to God.

Just in the first three weeks of 2015 we have heard about violence in various corners of the world.  The horrific episode in France along with the equally awful responses with rhetoric that stirs up more violence towards Muslims and/or Atheists.   Is there anyone who is willing to listen to God?

This past Friday, the Supreme Court announced that they will hear and decide freedom to marry cases for the States of Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.  On a building in another state was written the words: "No gay marriage, kill them all."  Oh, so charitable.  Is there anyone who is willing to listen to God?

In our Gospel reading for today, Jesus calls His first Apostles.  Nathanael is skeptical of Jesus because of where He comes from.  It is only when Jesus tells Nathanael that He has known him on a deeper level, that Nathanael acknowledges who Jesus is.  This exchange of conversation suggests to me that knowing who Jesus is, is intimately personal and communal.  God is seeking a closer union with the Christian through a relationship with Jesus Christ that is known in the depth of one's heart; while being expressed in the love of our neighbor as ourselves.

Why is it so much easier to live into a personal relationship with Jesus within ourselves, than to also live it in community?   Because each of us (myself including) thinks either too highly of ourselves; or, has such a low self-esteem that we try to cover up our inferiority complex by putting others unlike ourselves down.   We identify ourselves and our relationship with God because of how much we pray, what we know, our age, education level, Church vocation, psychologically nice vibes in prayer, etc. 

I have begun to read Thomas Keating's book, Open Minds, Open Hearts.  I am reading the book as part of my formation.  The book is about centering prayer.  Keating suggests that among the reasons that we drift away from God within ourselves and in our relationships with others, is because of how we identify ourselves.  Our thoughts, feelings, labels, images, ideas, etc which are good by themselves; but, when we begin to identify ourselves and our relationships with God through them, we lose touch with God as our personal center.  When we lose our touch with God in our own center, we can so easily begin to become tone deaf to God's presence in others around us.  We place obstacles in our relationships, and we become too self-centered.

Jesus is calling each of us into a deeper relationship with Himself, through our relationship with that spouse who is struggling with addiction issues.  God calls us to follow Jesus in that job that frustrates us to no end.  We are being called by the Holy Spirit to respond to the call of Jesus through the house project that seems to never get done.   If we respond to God calling us in that individual who is poor, sick, labeled beyond second class citizenship, disabled, lonely and without the bare necessities that we take for granted; we need to respond to God with reverence, respect and humility.  A humility that knows we make mistakes, but are willing to learn how to trust God through them to make things right.   What we are unable to do ourselves, we can always ask God for help, and/or for the assistance of others who can better help than we can.

Jesus calls us to listen and follow Him.

What will your response be?


Prayers

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light
of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's
glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the
ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Second Sunday After The Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.215).

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).

The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The Astrologers Got It Right

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 60:1-6, 9 (NRSV)

Arise, shine; for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth,

and thick darkness the peoples;

but the LORD will arise upon you,

and his glory will appear over you.

Nations shall come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Lift up your eyes and look around;

they all gather together, they come to you;

your sons shall come from far away,

and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms.

Then you shall see and be radiant;

your heart shall thrill and rejoice,

because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you,

the wealth of the nations shall come to you.

A multitude of camels shall cover you,

the young camels of Midian and Ephah;

all those from Sheba shall come.

They shall bring gold and frankincense,

and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD.

Psalm 72 (BCP., p.685)


Ephesians 3:1-12 (NRSV)

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

`And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Blog Reflection

This past Sunday, Jason and I took a small day trip to visit the historic Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault, Minnesota.  It is historic in that it was the original Episcopal Cathedral of Minnesota  in which the cornerstone was laid by The Rt. Rev. Henry Benjamin Whipple in 1858.  It was also the first Cathedral in The Episcopal Church.  We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. 

The Very Rev. Justin Chapman, the new Dean told us all in his sermon some incredible things.  Among them, is that we Christians have often gotten the Christmas story all wrong.  The inn that had no room for Mary and Joseph was not like a Days Inn.  It was an inn with a family space and a guest house.  The reason there was no room is because the guest house was already occupied and the family room also had one guest.  The Manger would not have been a wooden cradle with hay.  It was a cave where straw and food for the animals would have been.  Therefore, the Child Jesus would not have been in the cold, He was laid in a very warm place.  Fr. Chapman also gave me a bit of an education about the Magi.  Notice that no where in the Gospel of Matthew do we read the word "kings."  Instead we read about the "wise men" and we do not see the word "three" in there.  How many men (or possibly women) were there?  Additionally, the Magi would have been the outcasts of the outcasts of their day.  They were astrologers who read the stars.  Some very good insights indeed.

On this celebration of The Epiphany, the center of our worship today is the manifestation of God in Christ.  Another word for Epiphany is "revelation."  Jesus Christ was the perfected revelation of God's Self in The Word Incarnate.  The visit of the Magi and the offering their gifts to the Christ Child turns the page on the Christmas story.  The twelve days of Christmas are over.  Now a new chapter begins.  The Lord shows forth God's glory by not limiting God's Self to only one people with one way of thinking and/or believing.  Jesus Christ is the revelation of how God seeks the healing and reconciliation of all people with God, even those who are not the most included or accepted.  On the contrary, in Jesus, God manifests the presence and grace of God upon the lowly and poor.  For "He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight" (Psalm 72:14).  "He shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper" (Psalm 72:12). 

As the Church continues to struggle to be more inclusive and to share the Good News of Jesus in a world full of oppression, poverty and prejudice; the greatest challenge we have is facing the ways in which we have failed in our mission.  The Church too has our history of keeping the outcasts out because of our biases that we have in many cases nurtured.  Each time we discover something that we Christians have been getting it wrong, we begin a journey towards the Christ Child with the Magi to learning the truth about our faith in a new way. 

Maybe our journey will be guided by the astrologers who study the stars and their meaning again. 

Maybe heterosexual couples will learn how to better understand the value of their own relationships as the freedom to marry for same-gender couples becomes better known and accepted.

Maybe we will develop a greater understanding of how to eliminate gender bias, by learning to embrace and love transgender people. 

Perhaps if we allow our hearts to be punctured by the excessive racism that we saw in 2014, we just might do something about it in 2015.  

If all of us are really sick of our communities and schools threatened by gun violence; we might do more than just talk about reducing the violence, but actually become responsible and act to protect our children citizens and law enforcement.

Maybe we just might become better stewards of the earth and its many resources, and address the issue of climate change.

If the astrologers as in the Magi got it right about who Jesus was (and is), then so can we.  If the Magi can change the story about Jesus in a way that makes Him the Savior of those marginalized by society and the Church, so can we.  The Light of Christ is our guide to finding Jesus present in our sisters and brothers who cry out for justice, equality and peace.  If we follow the example of the Holy Family and the Magi, we can and most likely will make an impact on humankind that will be told in the here and now, and eventually into eternity.  

Wouldn't that be just wonderful?

Amen.


Prayers

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by
faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to
face; 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 Epiphany.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.214).

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).    

First Sunday After Christmas: Oh, That Word Again?

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 61:10-62:3 (NRSV)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

my whole being shall exult in my God;

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,

and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,

until her vindication shines out like the dawn,

and her salvation like a burning torch.

The nations shall see your vindication,

and all the kings your glory;

and you shall be called by a new name

that the mouth of the LORD will give.

You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,

and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.

Psalm 147 (BCP., p.804)


Galatians 3:23-25 (NRSV)

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

John 1:1-18 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.

Blog Reflection

Yes, it is that Word again.  It is the same Word we heard and read about on that amazing Christmas Eve, Day and since.  Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word came among us as God's perfect revelation of Self.  As Christians, we make no excuse or apology for believing in what seems so absurd to the rest of the world.  We do not just believe in a God who is far removed from us.  We believe that we live in relationship with God who is very close to us in God's Son. The Christmas mystery is about how God broke through time, space, matter and what seemed so impossible; and became a human being.

If we Christians owe the world an apology and/or a better representation of Jesus, the Word; we should begin and become constant in seeking to deepen our relationship to Christ through our relationships with one another.  It is our responsibility to The Word to be better stewards of the earth and it's resources.  Our response to the wonderful Grace of God in The Word should be to build and maintain an inclusive Church and society.  One combined existence of the Church and our communities can give a better witness to The Word by doing more to protect our vulnerable children from senseless gun violence.   If we want other religions to respect the Christian Religion, then we must become agents of healing and reconciliation between the different religions of the world.  Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and many others have something to contribute to the diversity of beliefs.  Christianity makes an important contribution to the good that is in many other religions, so long as we do not use the privilege we have as Christians to disregard the dignity of others.

The Word who is Jesus, wants to make an impact through us with the marginalized and stigmatized.  To accomplish what God wants from us, we must avail ourselves to the Holy Spirit's grace to confront our interior dispositions towards others who are different from ourselves.  We must work to end racism in the Church and the rest of the world, so that each person can find their path to a God who is present among us all in the Word made Flesh.

It is no secret that what I am writing about here, and what I have been writing about in this blog for nearly six years is hard stuff.  It challenges us in ways that not only shake others up, but ourselves too.

The wonder and mystery of the Incarnation is that God came to shake us up not in some all powerful and war like being; but in an innocent and helpless Child born just as each one of us was.  Jesus had His relationship with God His Father up to the point of the Garden of Gethsemane.  At that point, not even Jesus' relationship to God was as so important for him, that out of love for us; He gave up even that to be our Redeemer.  He was God who served us as one like us, with all of God's unconditional and all-inclusive love as His only concern.

If we want to know how to love others as God loves us, the example of the love of Christ is our best teacher.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of
your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our
hearts, may shine forth in our lives; 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 the First Sunday after Christmas.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.213).

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.  The Book of Common Prayer., p.815).

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Truly, Christ Taught Us to Love One Another

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NRSV)

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who lived in a land of deep darkness--

on them light has shined.

You have multiplied the nation,

you have increased its joy;

they rejoice before you

as with joy at the harvest,

as people exult when dividing plunder.

For the yoke of their burden,

and the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor,

you have broken as on the day of Midian.

For all the boots of the tramping warriors

and all the garments rolled in blood

shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

For a child has been born for us,

a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders;

and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

His authority shall grow continually,

and there shall be endless peace

for the throne of David and his kingdom.

He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time onward and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Psalm 96 (BCP., p.725)


Titus 2:11-14 (NRSV)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Luke 2: 1-20 (NRSV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

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.

John 1:1-14 (NRSV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.

Blog Reflection

As I am typing this blog post, I am listening to a beautiful recording of Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night) written by Adolphe Adam and John Rutter.  Some how, the words "Truly He taught us to love one another" seem so appropriate for us on this Christmas Eve/Day.

All of the readings in the Christmas Lectionary have something to say to us.  We are a people walking through a time of intense darkness.  There are way too many people living in poverty.  People have lost jobs and income at a staggering rate.  The violence on our streets, the execution of African American young people by police, the out of control gun violence all disturb us; and rightly so.  Just like the people in the time of the Prophet Isaiah, there is a light that shines in our darkness.  A cry for peace and justice in the midst of oppression and destructiveness.  As Christians, the Light comes not by a mighty warrior with weapons drawn and an army of tanks.  It does not come in a moral code designed to determine who is in and who is out.  God's answer for the Christian was born as a tiny baby in a Manger.  A baby born in humility surrounded by humanities' refuse.  Jesus Christ is born in our vulnerable human hearts in the Word made Flesh.

The vulnerable Word of God in Jesus the Christ was not born among noble castles with the best of food to eat, a paid wet nurse, or kept warm by wealth and power.  God was born in a stable (or cave) that was cold and drafty.  Christ needed a bed to sleep in, but he got a wooden Manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.  He was greeted by shepherds, and surrounded by sheep, goats, donkeys and ox.   

Did you notice what happened and what did not?

Jesus was born in the midst of poverty, helplessness and indifference.  Did Jesus end them all?  No.  Jesus was born into all of it so that God could show us how to live among it in a holy and life-giving "way."  Christ comes to walk with us and share our experience with us.  Jesus is born to "teach us how to love one another" in all that is different about each of us.  Jesus was born so that all of us can be reborn in our Baptism "not of the flesh, nor of the will of human beings, but of God."  We are reborn in Christ so that all who "receive Him have the power to live as children of God."  It matters not whether we are black, red, brown or white.  It matters not that we are women, men or another gender.  We are all children of God because of Jesus Christ who is born on this Christmas Day.  Regardless of our sexual orientation and/or gender expression/identity; we are adopted as God's own by reason in the Word made Flesh, who is Jesus the Christ.

We gather in our churches, with our families, friends and communities to celebrate this holy day.  This holy day was made for us to celebrate our God who came among us in Christ.  Yet, in our very neighborhood some where, someone is lonely, cold, without family or friends.

In our own families there is someone who is afraid to reveal the truth that is deep within him/herself, because of how he/she may be received and/or rejected.  She/he may hear someone in the family quoting the Bible while trashing the President, a particular political party, and/or jokes making jokes about legally married same-gender couples and/or bullying LGBTQ people/youth.

Somewhere there is a member of the family with a drinking problem.  Somewhere, a friend or family member is terrified of someone in their gathering who is drunk, and cannot stop themselves.

Perhaps a college student has come home with his/her girl/boy friend who is an illegal immigrant; while someone at the Christmas dinner table talks about the President's executive action on immigration reform.

In a home in our neighborhood, a family is grieving the loss of a family member through gun violence, cancer or dementia.

Why do I bring this up on this holy eve/day?

Because Jesus Christ was born into our uncertainty.  Christ is among us, weeping in the cold and bitterness of our prejudices; to call us to see, know and love Christ present in one another.   He came to teach us "how to love one another."  Jesus was born to call us to the ministry of healing and reconciliation with one another. 

Finally, Christ is born as God's perfect revelation of God's Self among us to show "us how to love one another" in a continuous and self giving relationship.   In this relationship, God pours out God's perfect love for all of us in the Son of God who is Jesus the Christ.

For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

As we celebrate this Christmas Eve/Day/Night in joy and wonder, may we be open to the relationship of God with us in Christ as He teaches us "to love one another."

A Merry and Holy Christmas Day and Season to you all.


Amen.


Prayers

O God, you make us glad by the yearly festival of the birth
of your only Son Jesus Christ: Grant that we, who joyfully
receive him as our Redeemer, may with sure confidence
behold him when he comes to be our Judge; who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.
 
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the
brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known
the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him
perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he
lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

 Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to
take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure
virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made
your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed
by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom
with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and
for ever. Amen.  (Collects for Christmas.  The Book of Common Prayer., pages 212-213).

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Love the Cross. The Cross is Love.

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 15:15-21 (NRSV)

O LORD, you know;

remember me and visit me,

and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors.

In your forbearance do not take me away;

know that on your account I suffer insult.

Your words were found, and I ate them,

and your words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart;

for I am called by your name,

O LORD, God of hosts.

I did not sit in the company of merrymakers,

nor did I rejoice;

under the weight of your hand I sat alone,

for you had filled me with indignation.

Why is my pain unceasing,

my wound incurable,

refusing to be healed?

Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook,

like waters that fail.

Therefore thus says the LORD:

If you turn back, I will take you back,

and you shall stand before me.

If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,

you shall serve as my mouth.

It is they who will turn to you,

not you who will turn to them.

And I will make you to this people

a fortified wall of bronze;

they will fight against you,

but they shall not prevail over you,

for I am with you

to save you and deliver you,

says the LORD.

I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,

and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.

Psalm 26 (BCP., p.616).


Romans 12: 9-21 (NRSV)

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 16: 2-28 (NRSV)

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Blog Reflection

At times, you have to wonder if Christians give any thought to what we look like to those who observe us.  We say our prayers, recite our creeds and receive the Sacraments.  We boast of the word of God.   We say we believe in the love of God, neighbor and self.  Yet, what so many see, are Christians clinging to a faith without evidence of reality.   The more Christians are viewed as supporting injustice and oppression, including violence and prejudice the less real our Christian Faith appears to those looking from the outside in.

Just this past week, there was a horrible story about two Christian parents who beat up their gay son, after they disowned him.   Just the notion that a Christian would justify an act of heinous violence is frightening to say the least.  Not only does the Name of Jesus Christ become profaned by things like this, but the hope that Jesus could make a real difference in the life of that young man might very well be crushed.  In the son's case, any effort to embrace God with the reality of who he is, will seem like that God is just against him.  What he may never know, is that God's love for him does not stop because he is gay. 

As I read from the Prophet Jeremiah, I think he must have felt like that.  Jeremiah was speaking the truth about God to God's people.  They had indulged in acts of injustice.  They had forgotten all the wonderful things God did through out their history.  He was doing the work God gave him. Yet, all he found was resistance, threats against his life, and those who ignored him.  God in this reading does not promise to take him away from all that is happening to him, God promises to be with Jeremiah and that in the end, God's will will prevail for Jeremiah and for God's people.   God gives Jeremiah hope to face his sufferings and his salvation.

When Jesus tells Peter and the other disciples about His coming death, Peter did what I believe we all would have done.  If a man knows he is about to be killed, the proper thing to do is to try to save his life.  How could Peter and the others, get to know this amazing man, see his miracles, hear his words and just let him die?   That would be the case, except Jesus was God's perfect revelation of God's Self.   Jesus came to redeem us from our personal and spiritual immaturity, and return us to our Divine relationship with God.   Our redemption in Christ not only returns us to friendship with God, but also restores the relationship of humankind with the human community.   To experience the contemplative vision into ourselves, with a renewed view of the world around us.

"The function of prayer is to change my own mind, to put on the mind of Christ, to enable grace to break into me. When prayer is privatized religion on a spree, it's not prayer. Contemplative prayer, converting prayer, is prayer that sees the whole world through incense--a holy place, a place where the sacred dwells, a place to be made different by those who pray, a place where God sweetens living with the beauty of life. Contemplative prayer is prayer that leads us to see the world through the eyes of God." (Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB, Wisdom Distilled From the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. p.35).

Jesus accomplishes all that He sets out to do, through the Cross.  Our hope of knowing Christ in our own lives and sharing Him with others, is when we accept our crosses and follow Him in obedience to the will of God out of love.   Our cross as Christians, comes because we see past human labels, the suggestion that some people are first class citizens, and others are secondary and we embrace Jesus Christ and Him crucified as we embrace others because of Christ's love for us.   The love of God comes through laying down our lives for others.  In our relationships, in our communities, in those places where life is anything but certain.  Jesus Christ and His Cross lovingly saves us from our own sense of certainty.   We are saved to live with open hearts, minds and arms to love others as Christ has loved  us.

If you are like me, you can read these words and even repeat them.  But, to live them means we have to face our own prejudices, and displace our comfort zones.   To do what this Gospel reading is about, we must let the Holy Spirit lead us away from complacency, so we can be open to conversion.   A conversion that wants to see an end to the racism that has lead to the excessive violence in Ferguson, and calls out the injustice for what it is.   A change of heart and life, that rejects heterosexism that breeds a hate so violent that the beating described above, ex-gay groups and so forth is condoned, and Christianity continues getting a very bad name.

As we journey from the summer into Labor Day weekend, may be all pray and work together so that we may fulfill the vows of our Baptismal Covenant, and bring the honor and glory due the Name of Jesus Christ.   May our efforts be blessed by the Holy Spirit, and what we accomplish give evidence of God's transforming grace.

Amen.



Prayers

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good
things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in
us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth
in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 17. The Book of Common Prayer, p.233).

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another
that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide
us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but
for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for
our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of
other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out
of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen. (Collect for Labor Day, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 261).

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