Christ the King Sunday: Christ Is Served When We Serve

Today's Scripture Readings

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 (NRSV)

Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Psalm 100 (BCP., p.729)


Ephesians 1:15-23 (NRSV)

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

 

Matthew 25:31-46 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he will say to those at his left hand, `You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Blog Reflection

If I had to pick my favorite passage from Matthew's Gospel, this reading would be number 1.  There are many stories from Matthew that are inspiring.  We have meditated together in this blog using many of them through out this past Liturgical Year.  The words of Matthew 25:31-46 are so appropriate for the "crowning" if you will, of the Church Year.  We are reminded that when we serve others, we serve Christ who is present in all people.

I have written any number of times, and I think it bears repeating; the Christian Church and our Christian Faith are awesome.  If we could remove all of the politics and social problems the Church cannot avoid; what makes the Christian Faith what it is about is absolutely wonderful.  Speaking only for myself here, the day I recognized that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that I can serve Him as a child of God was among the happiest moments of my life.  It is impossible for me to write down all of the things I love about Christianity. 

At the same time, over these many years that I have struggled in no small way with the politics within the Church.  I have struggled as much with the ways in which many in the Church are not only the cause of much injustice; but encourages oppression and prejudice in the Name of Christ and/or the Scriptures.  

As we celebrate this Feast of Christ the King, we are reminded that our Faith is not all about our doctrines and/or our personal beliefs.  As with anything, if all of these are sought for the sake of themselves; the only purpose they serve is another incidental that can be so easily dismissed as meaningless.  The readings for this Feast combined with our living Faith are all pointing us to serve Christ in others.  Serving Christ in others is most inconvenient.  Serving Christ in others means assisting all others without exception or excuse.  It requires us to do the hardest thing.  We must let go and care for Christ in others for the sake of Christ.  This requires a purity of heart that seeks to serve God without wanting anything from God in return.  Not even warm fuzzy feelings.  To serve Christ in others should open our doors beyond even our own Christian Faith; to see in others, including other religious expressions the face of Christ interceding with His Father on behalf of all humankind.   If we make the claim to love God in Christ the King and limit ourselves to our own circle without sharing our time, resources and talents to expanding the Church into a House of Prayer for all persons; we are making our Christian Faith the biggest lie ever told for the past two thousand years.  Is it any wonder why many see a Feast such as Christ the King as another Medieval legend?

Last week the news broke that The Washington National Cathedral held a prayer service for Muslims.  Since that event, the Bishops office in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has been inundated with calls complaining about it.  The basis of the largest number of the complaints were that the Scripture says that "Thou shalt worship the Lord our God and only Him."  I could not support the response of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde more.  I would add that inasmuch as we would like to believe that Christianity is the privileged religion; the fact is there are other faiths through which people find their way to God without being a Christian.  Those religions are no less real or valid.  Furthermore, because I believe in the Person of Christ the King, I also believe that different religious expressions of belief are not an impediment for God's saving grace to be at work through them.  

Christ the King was cared for this week as The Church of England finally gave the go ahead for women to be ordained as Bishops. Sadly, there are still many individuals that would prefer that women and LGBTQ people remain as second class citizens in the Church and society.

Christ the King was welcomed in a wonderful new way when President Obama announced that his administration would be taking executive action concerning the deportation of about a million immigrants.  Christ in "the stranger" was served in that action.  It is truly shameful that Christianists and those who prefer that our nation have limited citizenship, suggest that what the President did was "unlawful."  Interestingly enough, all Christians are immigrants in the United States of America.  The Native Americans can educate all of us about that fact, if we would only listen to them.

It is apparent that many would prefer that Christ the King be allowed to starve, than for a Priest to feed the poor in his local area. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ who is King now and at the end of time calls on us who have been baptized into His Church to serve Him by attending to the needs of others.  Let us remember that by Christ's death and Resurrection, He has already conquered sin, death and suffering.  The compassionate mercy of God has already been unleashed through Paschal Mystery.  It is the mission and ministry of all of us who have been initiated into the Family of God in Christ; to open up our own hearts, minds and doors to receive and serve Christ the King in all people.  If the Church wants to care for and nurture the Body of Christ, we must be ready to care for Christ in all people including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer persons.  We cannot oppose homophobia and support racism, or sexism, or any religious based prejudice or violence. 

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving and make our way into Advent next weekend, let us all recommit ourselves to serve Christ the King by attending to the needs of others in His Name.

Amen.


Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all
things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of
lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided
and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together
under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (Proper 29.  The Book of Common Prayer, p.236).

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 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).
   

St. Martin of Tours and Veteran's Day: A Connection to Christ and One Another

Today's Scripture Reading

Matthew 25:34-40 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "Then the king will say to those at his right hand, `Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' "

Blog Reflection

St. Martin of Tours is one of my favorite Saints commemorated in our calendar.   When I think of the great evangelical Saints like St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, as well as missionaries like Mother Theresa of Calcutta and St. Vincent de Paul, they all got their start from St. Martin of Tours.   At one point, St. Benedict had erected a shrine to St. Martin of Tours.


I just read a great article in the Daily Episcopalian about the connection between St. Martin of Tours and celebrating Veteran's Day.   It appears that St. Martin was also a soldier in the army.  It was during his journey toward a day of battle that he saw the naked man shivering in the cold, and using his own sword to divide his cloak in half, gave the other to the freezing man.   Later, Martin had a vision of Jesus wearing the other half of his cloak.   So, Martin lived out the meaning of the Gospel used for his Commemoration today.  It also turns out that St. Martin was a peacemaker at a time when the Barbarians were going to attack.  His refusal to participate in the battle, but placed on the front of the battle field, was among the reasons the Barbarians decided not to attack.

So many of our Veteran's are those who put their own lives on the line for our benefit.  They risked their health. Their time with their families.  Their own careers and many of them. Their whole lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.  Yet, as much as our Veterans have given on our behalf, so many of them have never been appropriately thanked, or received the care and compensation their sacrifices deserve.   Many of them are poor.  Others suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, loss of the ability to parts of their bodies and more.   Many of our Veterans are of mixed races, religions, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions, ages, speak and write in many languages, and abilities.


Our Veterans are the face of Jesus who is hungry, thirsty, naked, a stranger, in a prison of one kind or another, or sick.  Turning our backs on our Veterans is to leave Jesus out in the cold, looking for some warmth.  St. Martin of Tours reminds us that we must be willing to put ourselves out there for the cause of peace, and to serve others as Christ Himself.  Serving God and one another, including our Veterans brings the Community of Christ closer together in hope, holiness and an opportunity for all of us to grow in our faith.

Let us all today say thank you to God for the witness of St. Martin of Tours, and our Veterans.   May we express our undying gratitude to them, and do what we can to encourage our government, church communities and local communities to recognize and care for our Veterans.   Remembering that when we serve and thank our Veterans, we honor and serve Christ Himself.

Amen.


Prayers

Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a Bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy foot steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p.675). 

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and
keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home
and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly
grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give
them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant
them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for those in our Armed Forces, Book of Common Prayer, p.823).

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). 

Fifth Sunday in Lent: From Cana to Bethany, Discipleship Is Costly.

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 43:16-21(NRSV)

Thus says the LORD,

who makes a way in the sea,

a path in the mighty waters,

who brings out chariot and horse,

army and warrior;

they lie down, they cannot rise,

they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:

Do not remember the former things,

or consider the things of old.

I am about to do a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert.

The wild animals will honor me,

the jackals and the ostriches;

for I give water in the wilderness,

rivers in the desert,

to give drink to my chosen people,

the people whom I formed for myself

so that they might declare my praise.

Psalm 126 (BCP., p.782)



Philippians 3:4b-14(NRSV)

If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

John 12:1-8 (NRSV)

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?" (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

Blog Reflection

We have traveled quite the journey since the Second Sunday after the Epiphany.  When we last joined Jesus in the Gospel according to John, we found ourselves at Cana where Jesus transformed the water into wine.   During the last eight weeks, we have been reading our way through the Gospel of Luke.   From Jesus' inaugural address, right up to the parable of the prodigal last weekend.  Now suddenly, we are returned to John's Gospel with Mary Magdalene pouring ointment on the feet of Jesus, wiping them with her hair and kissing them.   What might the significance of this be?

This Gospel narrative contains some comparisons to the Wedding feast at Cana in John 2:1-11.  First, Jesus is present for a feast.  In Cana it was a wedding feast at which Mary his mother was present who tells Jesus that they have no wine.   Jesus' reply to her "Woman, what is this to you, my hour has not yet come." After, Jesus suddenly becomes the host and turns jars of water into the best wine served at the feast.

Here in Bethany, Jesus has just raised Lazarus from the dead. Martha, Mary Magdalene and Lazarus prepare and celebrate a dinner together. Mary breaks open a very expensive jar of ointment. This ointment in their time, would be the rough equivalent of 600 bottles of the best wine, each priced at about $9,250.00 in our time.  It was by far the most expensive and extravagant on the market.  It might very well have cost Mary every thing she had.  She used it to prepare the feet of Jesus to walk to his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  Jesus will celebrate His Last Supper with His disciples.  Jesus will be tried, and handed over to be scourged, spit upon, mocked and finally nailed to the Cross to die.  Jesus will be laid in the tomb on Holy Saturday.  On Easter Day, Jesus will rise from the dead.

Mary Magdalene is breaking many traditions here.  First, she is a woman, considered the "weak" one in her society.  She is choosing to do something to this man named Jesus that appears to be foolish. Unheard of. She is also not concerned of what the authorities of the day think of this man. She is not concerned about the cost of the ointment, nor her reputation for being a slave for the One who is God, who came among us as a servant of the marginalized and oppressed of society. She is challenging those who are complaining about her, to think far outside the box of serving the poor. She is challenging them to see and serve Christ in all whom they may serve.

This past week during my formation studies I read Chapter 64, The Election of a Superior in The Rule of St. Benedict.  In verses 11-13 Benedict wrote:

He (the Abbot) must hate faults, but love the brothers.  When he must punish them (the monks for their faults), he should use prudence and avoid extremes; otherwise, by rubbing too hard to remove the rust, he may break the vessel.  He is to distrust his own frailty and remember not to crush the bruised reed (Isa. 42:3).

In A Life Giving Way: A Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict, Esther de Waal writes of Benedict having taught the brothers to handle all of the goods of the monastery as the sacred vessels of the altar (cf. RB 1980 Chapter 31 vs. 10).   In her commentary on Chapter 64: 11-13 she writes:

When it comes to the need to punish, there is a very nice picture of the abbot being bewar not to rub too hard to remove the rust in case the vessel gets broken.  This is for me a picture that catches so completely Benedict's emphasis on gentleness, on compassion, on handling with care.  But it is also surely more than that.  In using that image of the person as a vessel, he is saying something incarnational.  Is he not telling us that each person is a Eucharistic vessel (p.214)?

All of us need to learn to see Christ in our neighbor. Each person is a sacred vessel containing the presence of Christ. We can and should serve one another with gladness and joy. To serve another, is to serve Christ. 

What might all of this say to us on this Fifth Sunday in Lent?

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly.  It will demand our best and our all.   We will be challenged to let go. Turn over ourselves over and over again for the use of God's will.  At times, it will cost us that which is most precious to us. It might be that special date or time we had planned to entertain ourselves or become an entertainer.  It may cost us our popularity. It may cost us those possessions that we are hoarding all for ourselves, when others could use our excess.  It may be our intellectual pride by which we think we are smarter than others.  It may be our desire to fit in with the most powerful, wealthy and the best looking.

Our society and the Church need this message desperately.

This past week we witnessed the incredible rising of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio now elected as Pope Francis I.  The tradition that brought it all about captured the world for a brief period of time.  He has been a huge supporter of ending the income inequality of the people of Argentina for many years.  Yet, he is opposed to marriage equality and adoption of children by LGBT people, a woman's right to choose and contraception.  He chose the name Francis of Assisi because of his affection for the poor of the world.  Earlier today, in his first press conference since his election, he said "I would love a Church that is poor."   With the exception of his position on women and LGBT people, what he proposes so far, sounds promising.  Time will see and test the sincerity of Francis 1sts message and leadership. 

One of the reasons that the Rule of St. Benedict attracts me so much, is because in chapters 60 and 62 Benedict puts the idea of his monastery becoming fertile ground for clericalism out the front door.   Complete with a "do not return" sign, so to speak.  Priests are not to come to the monastery with the intention of rearranging the monastery for their own comforts.  Nor do they hold any place of privilege among the brothers. Only if the Abbot chooses and deems it profitable for the whole community, can a Priest who might enter the monastery, be given a different place of rank.  If by chance a priest becomes difficult to live with, he could be asked to leave.  The number one concern for Benedict is that the stability of the community in Christ be maintained and not be overcome by grumbling or any kind of political maneuvering.

As I have been watching many of the things going on in the whole Christian Church  (Catholic and beyond), I have great respect for the good leaders of the Church.  Many, whom even though I have disagreements with are respectable leaders, with good intentions and great vision.  However, in just about every situation, there is that horrible "animal" for lack of a better word, called clericalism.  Clericalism is suppose to be an aid to ministry.  In the hands of the best of leaders, clericalism serves God's purposes first.  Not the cleric moving up the popularity ladder among her/his colleagues.  Such great leaders use their leadership to breath new air into the lives of many who have often experienced estrangement from the Church.  They make serving Christ and His people in the Church their first priority.  Not defending their clerical authority.

However, in the wrong hands, clericalism becomes a measuring rod for political power.  These include the influence of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and their campaign with the National Organization for Marriage to organize a "March for Marriage" opposing marriage equality for LGBT people at the Supreme Court on Tuesday of Holy Week this year.  It includes the clericalism within the Roman Catholic church that refuses to bend so that actual justice and compassion can be exercised on behalf of countless sexually exploited and abused children.  Because of clericalism, those responsible for committing the abuses and protecting the abuser for the benefit of the institutionalized church, there is no public accountability.  Because there is no accountability, the healing for the faith of wounded believers cannot be properly cared for.  These two examples, should raise serious concern about the harm to the Name of Jesus Christ and His Church. In this case, clericalism is the expensive thing, being held close at the expense of the glory of God and all that Christ came to achieve in the Paschal Mystery.

In our society, we have politicians in Washington, DC treasuring and protecting their political party, their corporate billions in donations as more precious than addressing the issues of climate change, regulation of the most dangerous of fire arms, public funds for health care, education, good paying jobs, and infrastructure.   Keeping the donations and friendship of the Family Research Council, the American Family Association and the National Rifle Association is more important than granting the freedom to marry for LGBT people, protecting our youth from bullying in our schools and keeping everyone in our neighborhoods safe.

Our Gospel today challenges us to give the very best of what we have, that which we most treasure and use it to serve Jesus Christ first and foremost.  For example, our sexuality is given to us for our enjoyment and sharing with that special someone we love.  The gender of those sharing in the experience is the least of God's concern.  What is God's concern is that we are using it out of love for the other person. That we respect and being willing to commit ourselves to the common good of the other person.  Our sexuality is not an end in and of itself.  Nor is it an opportunity to compete for the best looking person, to use for our own end. In giving this gift back to God, we give of ourselves out of love for God, our neighbor and ourselves.

What might God be calling on us to give out of our love for Jesus Christ today?

What would the giving of our most precious thing for Jesus Christ, and the common good of others look like for you?

How do we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter, by giving the very best of what we have, so that "God may be glorified in all things" (1 Peter 4:11 NRSV)?

St. Benedict offers a suggestion that we might all do well to meditate on this last week of Lent.

Do not be daunted immediately by fear or run away from the road that leads to salvation.  It is bound to be narrow at the outset.  But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God's commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.  Never swerving from his instructions, then, by faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery [or where ever you happen to be] until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom.  Amen. (RB 1980, The Rule of St. Benedict in Latin and English, p. 166,167).

Prayers

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly
wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to
love what you command and desire what you promise; that,
among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts
may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found;
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 Fifth Sunday in Lent, Book of Common Prayer, p. 219).


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).

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to
other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors
of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative
authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their
duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our
laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and
foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to
fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding
and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and
justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to
accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they
may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for
the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as
head above all. Amen.  (Prayer for Sound Government, Book of Common Prayer, p.821,822).

Twenty First Sunday after Pentecost: Faith and Service are Inseparable

Today's Scripture Readings

Isaiah 53: 4-12 (NRSV)

Surely he has borne our infirmities

and carried our diseases;

yet we accounted him stricken,

struck down by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,

crushed for our iniquities;

upon him was the punishment that made us whole,

and by his bruises we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have all turned to our own way,

and the LORD has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,

and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

By a perversion of justice he was taken away.

Who could have imagined his future?

For he was cut off from the land of the living,

stricken for the transgression of my people.

They made his grave with the wicked

and his tomb with the rich,

although he had done no violence,

and there was no deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain.

When you make his life an offering for sin,

he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;

through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.

Out of his anguish he shall see light;

he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.

The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;

because he poured out himself to death,

and was numbered with the transgressors;

yet he bore the sin of many,

and made intercession for the transgressors.

Psalm 91 (BCP., p. 720).


Hebrews 5: 1-10 (NRSV)

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,

"You are my Son,

today I have begotten you";

as he says also in another place,

"You are a priest forever,

according to the order of Melchizedek."

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Mark 10: 35-45 (NRSV)

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Blog Reflection

By now the political mudslinging has just about everyone fatigued from all the negativism and competition.  Whether on the television, radio, internet, just driving on the roads with bill boards, lawn signs and bumper stickers in our faces no matter where we go.   Billions of dollars being poured into the campaigns for President, Congress, State and local offices, on many sides of the political debates. 

In today's Gospel it appears as if Jesus found himself present for a political debate.  James and John wanted from Jesus the decision concerning who would sit on his right or his left.  They are seeing the Reign of God as a matter of power, prestige and a position of dominance.   Jesus replies to them with the reality of what God's Reign is really about.  Jesus is the Reign of God who came to give those who had been shut out, a place at the table.   Jesus not only called his followers to be servants and to give their lives, he was the very example of what he was calling others to do in his Name.   Jesus was not afraid to take off his clothing, wrap a towel around his waist, kneel down and wash the feet of the disciples.   Jesus reached out to the woman who wept at his feet, and dried them with her hair, and showed her that the mercy of God was greater than her social status and her sins.  Jesus saw the value of a tax collector called Matthew and invited him to be part of those who serve others so that God's Reign might be more present in the world.  Even though our sins put Jesus on the cross, he had the faith and selfless love to say: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to see that our faith and service are inseparable from each other.  What we believe, needs to be visible by what we do.  All of us are redeemed by the Grace of God.  We have been invited to partake of the Presence of God in worship, prayer and Sacrament, but we are also empowered to be an example of Christ in our world.  In our jobs, families, communities and relationships.   This means that our prejudices and violent rhetoric that could serve to exclude and oppress others who are different from ourselves, is out of line with what Jesus calls us to in the Gospel today.

This past Friday, we celebrated Spirit Day, when we take a stand against bullying of LGBT youth.  Too many young people who are questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, find it so difficult to tell their families, friends, church community leaders and any one close to them.  This fear is not without its legitimacy.  In addition to these and many other challenges, they face being bullied for their actual sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, or even if they are perceived as LGBT.   While concerned parents and citizens seek to ask local school districts to create stronger policies addressing the bullying being experienced by LGBT youth, other individuals who call themselves Christians or even "true Christians" feel it is their duty to the "infallible Word of God" to allow bullying.   "If only they are bullied, the just might change or want to be changed."  Such is their attitudes.

Sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression are not the only issues by which people are bullied.  People of different faith backgrounds, or no faith at all, individuals of different races, cultural backgrounds, physical/emotional and developmental challenges, wealth status etc are bullied by politicians, religious folks and common people every day.  Hard working, middle class people are being bullied by corporate CEO's to vote for the candidate that best supports their CEO's billion dollar profits.   Veterans who have fought in our wars and come home with injuries, PTSD and multiple issues are ignored by our political and social systems.   People who are poor and in need of local social services are losing the agencies they need, because the public dollars are being spent on billion dollar ad campaigns and so forth.  

Jesus invites us today, to see beyond the rhetoric of what it means to be a Christian.  He calls upon you and me to know that our discipleship is about being willing to see past our prejudices and see an opportunity to serve Christ in others.  Whether by our vote, our worship, our volunteer services or even our occupations, as Christians we have been given an example of inclusive and unconditional love in the Person of Jesus Christ.  Rather than look for the greatest of glory by being God's Son, Jesus "does not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and 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" (Philippians 2:6-8, NRSV). 

How is God calling us to be servants?  

How are we answering that call?

What might we do so that others may know that our faith and service are inseparable?

Amen.


Prayers

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


Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen. (Prayer for Mission, Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).


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).

Maundy Thursday: Who's Feet Would You Be Willing to Wash?

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 12: 1-14 (NRSV)

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. [Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.] This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Psalm 116: 1, 10-17 (BCP, p. 759)

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 (NRSV)

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

John 13: 1-17, 31b-35 (NRSV)

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Blog Reflection


The only Gospel of the four with the narrative about the Last Supper that does not contain the institution of Holy Communion, is John.  In it's place is the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.   The oral tradition that was passed on since, is that most likely Jesus washed the feet of the disciples before he instituted the Eucharist.

We don't do the washing of feet before every celebration of the Eucharist.  The once a year ritual on Maundy Thursday happens as a reminder to live out the meaning of the Eucharist in our every day lives.   When what we do at the Eucharist ends as we walk out the doors of our places of worship, so the Gospel story of the compassionate and loving Jesus, remains just another legend that happened in our imaginations.  It hasn't actually happened, because the story cannot be read from ourselves.   This is why I really do think that when a church community limits the ritual of the washing of feet to certain chosen people, specifically those that limit it to twelve men, they do the larger Parish community a terrible disservice.

The ministry of Jesus is not limited to those in Holy Orders.  According to the Catechism or Outline of the Faith in The Book of Common Prayer on page 855, the Laity are an order of ministry, who's responsibility begins with the same calling as anyone in Holy Orders.  "To represent Christ and his Church..."   We represent Christ and the Church whenever we give of ourselves selflessly for the benefit of another.  If we are not willing to stoop down and wash the feet of those we worship with, how will we help those in need beyond the walls of our churches?

The reality of human life is, that all of us, regardless of who we are will need someone to help us at some point in time.  We all find ourselves in a tough spot.  We just cannot do it with out someone's help.  Whether it is a need to pay a bill, find a job, go grocery shopping, make dinner or plan a meeting.  We all need to reach out and ask for help.  For some, asking for help is the most difficult thing to do.   For others, accepting the help of another person is even more challenging.

In the discourse of St. John's Gospel's account of all that Jesus says, is the new commandment to "love one another as he has loved us. No one has a greater love than to lay down one's life, for one's friend" (John 15: 12-13). We are all called at one point or another, to lay down our lives for someone else.  Whether that be by way of doing for another, or allowing another to do for us. 

The Sacrament of Holy Communion which is at the heart of our worship as Episcopalians, is how God poured out God's Self in the Person of Jesus, as he gives of himself as our Savior, and as our Spiritual nourishment.  By the giving of himself in the bread and wine, to become the Body and Blood of Christ, God becomes for us the means of new and unending life, through the outpouring of God's grace and mercy.   We become partakers in God's work of redemption and salvation as recipients and participants.

We also become disciples who are called upon to take up our own cross and follow Jesus in deed and example. We seek out those who experience prejudice, violence and oppression and work for justice, equality and open up possibilities for hospitality and reconciliation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people along with many others who are marginalized in the Church and society are among those whom God challenges the followers of Jesus, to go to and bring healing, holiness and wholeness.  Even to the point of washing their feet and allowing others to wash ours.  We are to look beyond a person's clothing, behavior, race, culture, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, gender, language, immigration status, employment or economic status, health, challenge etc., and see the face of Christ who has loved us, and gave us the new commandment to love one another as we have been loved.


Prayers

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he
suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood:
Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in
remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy
mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Maundy Thursday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 221).

Monday of the Third Week in Lent: Gregory the Great: Servant of the Servants of God

Today's Scripture Readings

1 Chronicles 25:1a,6-8

David and the officers of the army also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with lyres, harps, and cymbals. They were all under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. They and their kindred, who were trained in singing to the LORD, all of whom were skillful, numbered two hundred eighty-eight. And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

Mark 10:42-45 (NRSV)

Jesus called his disciples and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Blog Reflection

Today's commemoration of St. Gregory the Great is one that I cannot so easily dismiss.  Even during Lent by which we have the option of omitting commemoration of Saints, because the Lenten weekday takes precedence.  Being an Oblate of St. Benedict, and Gregory's contribution to Benedict's legacy by writing about him in Book II of the Dialogues, and being a musician who loves Gregorian Chant, I have to stop and write about him today.

My admiration of the Saint has nothing to do with how much I might disagree with his work that led to the idea of the Papacy being one of supreme authority in the Universal Church.  A Saint is someone who has their share of vices, even while they may excel at virtue.  Each individual in the Churches' history added as much woe as they did wisdom and hope.  St. Gregory the Great is no exception.

If you have attended Mass and/or a celebration of the Holy Eucharist recently and prayed the Lord's Prayer after the Eucharistic Prayer, you have celebrated an accomplishment of St. Gregory the Great.  Attention to the worship and music in the Church was one of Gregory's many passions and projects.  If you have ever listened to any Psalm chanted in plain chant, it was Gregory the Great who put those chants and Psalms into an order to be used and referred to. 

Gregory the Great also had a passion for Monastic Life.  He was inspired by St. Benedict, and from his model began his own Monastic community.   He sent his Prior St. Augustine to Canterbury to become the first Archbishop of Canterbury to spread the Gospel to the English people. It was the work of St. Augustine of Canterbury that gave so much life to the Church of England and the Anglican Communion to which the Benedictines made so many contributions to our worship, music and architecture.

The contributions and accomplishments of St. Gregory the Great would not be spelled out as well, if we did not mention his passion for the poor, disadvantaged and the marginalized.  We have to be careful here, because in his short comings, he definitely did not contribute well to the history of the Church and their relationship to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.  Yet, his devotion to the Gospel to be a "servant of the servants of God" should speak to the Church of today about the importance of pursuing justice, inclusion and equality for LGBT and other persons marginalized in both the Church and society.

What might it mean to be a "servant of the servants of God" for us?

Jesus in today's Gospel reading from Mark tells us that to be considered a leader is to be a servant to others.  Leadership and/or being in a place where what we say and do has such an important impact on others, gains its momentum by being a servant first and foremost.  It comes from seeing a need and our readiness to serve that need so others can join us in speaking to it.  Being a servant of the servants of God, recognizes that all of us are human with the potential to be wrong, while at the same time seeing the potential for something good to come out of even the worst of situations.  That will happen, as we are willing to bend down and wash the feet of anyone who comes to us.  Even someone with whom we disagree.  That is no small order.  That kind of thing takes a lot of humility.

Jesus is the example and model of humility.  Jesus was not just some Joe Schmoe who happened to be a really good person. He was a great person.  Jesus was God's perfect revelation of Self.  God who had come among us as one like us in all things, but did not sin.  Affected by our humanity with all it's prejudices such as the episode with the Canaanite Woman in Matthew 15: 21-28.  Yet, even in that moment, Jesus does not "regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,,," (see Philippians 2: 6-7).   Jesus seeks not what is his own will, nor what is ultimately best for himself, but what is the will of God and the good of the individual before him.  At the Cross, Jesus regarded all of us as more important than even his own body and blood, by pouring himself out, from that amazing love that comes from God for all humankind.  God redeems us through God's total giving of Self in the Person of Jesus Christ, in his Passion, Death and Resurrection.

This Lent we are challenged to be servants for the servants of God.  We are given a model by St. Gregory the Great, and the ultimate example through Jesus Christ.  As we make room for God within the silence of our hearts, it is crucial that we also make space there for the marginalized and destitute of society and the Church.  We must challenge our leaders to seek not what is best for themselves in terms of free flowing political cash, or getting their name in front of someone else's.  But, because the good of people who are different from them and us, needs to come to the fore front and be given the opportunity to uphold and move forward the dignity of all human beings.

How might we be called to be the servants of the servants of God?


Prayers

Almighty and merciful God, you raised up Gregory of Rome to be a servant of the servants of God, and inspired him to send missionaries to preach the Gospel to the English people: Preserve in your Church the catholic and apostolic faith they taught, that your people, being fruitful in every good work, may receive the crown of glory that never fades away; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for St. Gregory the Great.  Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p. 269).

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Collect for Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).

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).

 

Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent: The Potter vs the Pottery

Today's Scripture Readings

Jeremiah 18: 1-11 (NRSV)

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.  Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, but if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will change my mind about the disaster that I intended to bring on it. And at another moment I may declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, but if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will change my mind about the good that I had intended to do to it. Now, therefore, say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Thus says the Lord: Look, I am a potter shaping evil against you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, all of you from your evil way, and amend your ways and your doings. 

Matthew 20: 17-28 (NRSV)

While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified; and on the third day he will be raised.’

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, and kneeling before him, she asked a favour of him. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Declare that these two sons of mine will sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left, this is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’

When the ten heard it, they were angry with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.’ 

Blog Reflection

The reading from Jeremiah reminds me of a hymn I played and sang many times.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine Own Way!
Thou art the Potter: I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will.
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
(Written by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934).

I can think of many times this hymn might have been used for an altar call.  Either at revival meetings or evangelistic crusades, to encourage people, old and young to come forward and give their hearts and lives to Christ.   A hymn like this, also gets used as a real guilt trip on individuals questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression.   A hymn such as Have Thine Own Way, Lord becomes a vehicle through which it is suggested that if one is LGBT, then one has not surrendered one's will to God.

I look at this from the completely opposite perspective.  As a gay man, if I attempt to be someone I am not, or resist the natural reality of my sexual orientation and chose to not love people as I have been created to love them, I am defying the will of God.

We have a hard time with the reading from Jeremiah.  It is difficult to imagine a loving God plotting evil against God's own people.  Such seems contrary to how we understand God's nature.   Except that this is written from the perspective of the writer of that time, place and culture.  A culture that believed that God punishes people for sins and injustices. Biblical scholars and theologians in the modern age have come to see these things very differently, in light of science and actual archeology. 

Our focus needs to be on God seeking to mold us and shape us into a people who care for those who are oppressed, who facing injustice and intolerance.  God does not desire to see people destroying each other through denigration and violence.  God challenges us to look at God's mercy and holiness as God reaches out to the poor, the lonely, the depressed and the marginalized. 

In our Gospel reading today, Jesus is presented with James and John and the question of who sits on his right or left.  It is a question of who can be placed closest to Jesus as a means of a privilege that no one else might have.  Here, we see scene much like the typical mother coming with her sons, to ask the music director to give her sons the first place solo parts, or to be captains of a school football team.

Jesus points out that greatness is not a matter of where one sits, or even who one is.  Greatness in the reign of God is about who is willing to become a servant of the servants.  Are we willing to bend down and wash the feet of those who walk day and night without proper shoes to wear?  Would we be willing to receive and feed a person who comes to us, who has not bathed in weeks and provide for them a place at our table, offer them our couch to sleep on and our shower to clean themselves up?   Are we willing to become a voice for individuals who often have no voice, or have their voice taken from them through no fault of their own?

Lent is the opportunity to take a look at what kinds of spaces we are making for God.  As we spend time in prayer, fasting and acts of self-denial we are challenged during this Lent to find ways of making God our center.  It is easy to spend time in quiet prayer and be so in love with God, and then see someone and treat them as a second class citizen for any number of reasons.  Jesus in today's Gospel, calls upon us to be willing to serve all people, even to the point of being willing to sacrifice ourselves.  Not all of us will be called up on to die physically, per say.  But, when we open our lives to others, to serve their needs ahead of our own, we are being shaped by the Gospel as we seek to serve God in another person.

As we approach Holy Week when we will remember how Jesus literally served all of us by giving of his very self as a sacrifice for our sins, we will see in Jesus the example of humility as a servant of all persons.  With no exceptions.   God's unconditional and all-inclusive love becomes the way for all who wish to follow Jesus to the Cross and be there to greet him at the empty tomb.


Prayers

O God, you so loved the world that you gave your only-begotten Son to reconcile earth with heaven: Grant that we, loving you above all things, may love our frineds in you, and our enemies for your sake; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent.  Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, p. 45).

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.  (Ash Wednesday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).

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 the Neglected, Book of Common Prayer, p. 826).

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).