Monthly Archives: January 2015

Living our Faith

Living Our FaithEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 31, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-28

They 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.  — Mark 1:21-22

 My first supervisor when I began my career as a social worker gave me some sage advice. She said, and I quote, “Marilynn, when you express your opinion about anything you sound like you are quoting from the Bible. In the future I want you to start your comments with the phrase, ‘In my opinion.’ Or something like that.” I actually worked really hard at incorporating such a phrase but apparently I can even say “In my opinion” with enough authority that it negates my saying it.

It is important that we not totally turn off our listeners by being overbearing or just being wrong at the top of our voices. I hear a lot of that on the news talk shows and in interviews with some of our national and religious leaders. I, however, was struck as I read our scripture for today by the statement for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Were the scribes so caught up in their theological discourses that they had lost sight of setting the tone for the life of faith?

I keep coming back to this same idea that we are so caught up in declaring what are right beliefs that we have lost momentum in living our faith. Jesus taught by word and by deed how the people of God are to live.

Prayer: Lord strengthen my faith and the way I live it and, as always, guard my tongue, O Lord, guard my tongue so that the words of my mouth are pleasing to you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Empathy

Preach the gospelEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 30, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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. — 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

 We do not have to deal with the question of whether food offered to idols was in some way wrong. We do have to face the fact that the way we live says probably more about how others interpret Christ through us than all the words we may utter. Our actions or more often our lack of actions do speak louder than words.

I enjoy the special segments on the evening news that attempt to introduce some of life’s positive moments. Some person goes out of their way to help a stranger. Those stories tell us that there is still good in the world. Truth is such actions should be so common place that they are considered news at all.

Our scripture today is taking this idea one step further. We are called to not temp others in areas of their weaknesses. Paul essentially said that the meat offered to idols is just meat and it was OK to eat it, unless our eating it impacted someone negatively for whom the meat still held some connection to the idol. What about serving wine for dinner to guests who include a recovering alcoholic? What about saying to someone trying to control their weight, “O, you can have one of these cookies, I took the calories out?’

Prayer: Lord, give me the strength to enter into the weakness of others with empathy and accompany them in their quest to overcome whatever is separating them from you. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Understanding Culture

Street PeopleEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 29, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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.  — 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

Well, we have apparently walked into the middle of a discourse between Paul and the Corinthians and we do not know what was said before our scripture started. Commentators have speculated that an issue had arisen about Christians eating meat offered to idols and Paul is trying to answer their concerns. The single quote marks are an attempt of newer translations to note quotes from the Corinthians.

We have probably all been engaged in these kinds of discussions. My guess, for one like Paul who saw the bigger picture, slowing down to deal with this level of intricacy was hard. Dealing with the doubts and distractions of our fellow Christians, however, may be very important. Paul  said To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. (1Corinthians 9:22) Thus the question about eating meat offered to idols was a no brainer to Paul, but to the Corinthians who were new in the faith, the eating of meat offered to idols was a big deal.

As we move out into the world of people whose cultures we do not share or know, we must take the time to be sensitive to their perspectives. Where I am sitting on the outskirts of the intercity those cultures includes the homeless, the mentally ill, and people in poverty. I have much knowledge to learn.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see and my heart to understand perspectives that are alien to me but are the way of life of many of your children living on the streets in my home community. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Study the Works of God

Works of GodEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 28, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 111

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
   in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
   studied by all who delight in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work,
   and his righteousness endures for ever.  

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures for ever.  — Psalm 111:1-3, 10

 How much do we study the works of the Lord? I am amazed at the depth and breadth of the insights of Bible scholars who compare, contrast, test, and meditate on the scriptures. There work enables me to probe the significance of the stories. It is interesting to find the common threads that are woven throughout the acts of God. God cares for God’s people, all of them. The Lord meets us where we are and turns even our weaknesses into strengths. God is always with us and knows us thoroughly. All God asks of us is for our total commitment of love. Is that the beginning of the understanding of the fear of the Lord. How can we love like God?

What is the fear of the Lord? I am the youngest of three children and can attest to the truth that at least paying attention to the acts of parents can save you a lot of grief as you get older.  I observed early, for example, by watching my parents interact with my sister and brother that my parents did not countenance lying. So the better choice for me was to render the truth and face the music for whatever infraction I had committed rather than face the more serious reaction if I had lied about it. I learned that from observing the acts of my parents. My parents were loving me enough to prepare me for life beyond the walls of my home. God is trying to prepare us for life in a fractured world. The Lord is not just preparing us for surviving in that world, but for joining God in healing its wounds.

Prayer: Praise the Lord! I give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
   in the company of the upright, in the congregation.  Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Follow the Leader

In synch with GodEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 26, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

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. — Deuteronomy 18:15-18

 Our scripture today are words shared by Moses as he instructs the Israelites on God’s response to their petition. Moses stipulates that the prophet to come must be like Moses himself. What were the characteristics of Moses?

  •  Moses was well acquainted with more than one culture before he was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He knew the Israelites through his birth parents, the Egyptians through his adopted parent, and the Midianites through his wife and her family.
  • Moses was not afraid to approach the unknown.
  • Moses worked well with a team of people. He could lead when he needed to lead, could support when that was called for, and could delegate after receiving some sage advice from his father-in-law.
  • Moses cared deeply about the people over whom he was given leadership.
  • Most importantly, Moses worked at staying in synch with God.

These are just a few characteristics but it is a nice list to consider as we are called to serve in any capacity. Of course, many see Christ as the prophet about which Moses was talking, and we are encouraged to emulate him especially.

Prayer: Lord you have sent many great leaders and prophets into the world to help us find our way to a closer relationship with you and to the furtherance of your Kingdom. Give us the courage to follow their examples. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Follow the Leader

MosesEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 26, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

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. — Deuteronomy 18:15-18

 Our scripture today are words shared by Moses as he instructs the Israelites on God’s response to their petition. Moses stipulates that the prophet to come must be like Moses himself. What were the characteristics of Moses?

  •  Moses was well acquainted with more than one culture before he was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He knew the Israelites through his birth parents, the Egyptians through his adopted parent, and the Midianites through his wife and her family.
  • Moses was not afraid to approach the unknown.
  • Moses worked well with a team of people. He could lead when he needed to lead, could support when that was called for, and could delegate after receiving some sage advice from his father-in-law.
  • Moses cared deeply about the people over whom he was given leadership.
  • Most importantly, Moses worked at staying in synch with God.

These are just a few characteristics but it is a nice list to consider as we are called to serve in any capacity. Of course, many see Christ as the prophet about which Moses was talking, and we are encouraged to emulate him especially.

Prayer: Lord you have sent many great leaders and prophets into the world to help us find our way to a closer relationship with you and to the furtherance of your Kingdom. Give us the courage to follow their examples. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Chance of a Lifetime

disciples fishing Epiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 25, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14-20

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. — Mark 1:16-20

Was this a sudden total response or had these men heard John and then Jesus before they left everything to follow Jesus? Was John’s arrest the last straw for these young men? What would it take for us to walk away from family and the security of a job and take a different path? Did they expect to be away only for the day or a few days or did they know that their decision would alter their entire lifetimes?

The Book of Mark ends rather abruptly with the resurrection and an add-on about the disciples being sent forth. The book of John says these four, Andrew, Peter, James, and John and others returned to their boats and their nets following Jesus’ death and resurrection until they had an encounter with the Risen Lord by the seaside. (See John 21:1-14) I suppose before that encounter they thought that they had given Jesus’ message their best shot but that their best shot was not enough. They learned from the Lord that they had not even begun to fulfill their call.

We have not either. As discouraged as I become at times, particularly about issues related to justice, I know that God does not want us to ever give up. When we dare enough to press forward, our Advocate is always by our side. We may never know what difference we are making but we are making a difference when we live into assuring justice for all.

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, create in us clean hearts and right spirits so that are actions toward justice represent your will and your way. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Phoenix Rising

Cherokee DancerEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 24, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Mark 1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’  — Mark 1:14-15

 It is rare when we have the opportunity to start with a clean slate. There has always been someone who did something before us and there will be those who pick up the mantel after we are gone. It happened with Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elias, and it happened with John, who we call the Baptist, and Jesus. We really do not know if Jesus had been proclaiming the good news of God before John was arrested, but apparently Mark thought it important to tie these two events together. Jesus surely was drawn toward being more assertive as the result of John’s arrest.

History can be hard to overcome and perhaps harder from which to build. Our history of slavery in the United States, while technically ended 150 plus years ago, still cries for wounds to be healed and people to be made one. Years ago I attended an outdoor theater drama of the trail of tears that ended with the dance of a bird somewhat like the Phoenix* rising, an expression of hope for the Cherokee. Just this morning I read in the paper that the difference in salaries for women in Oklahoma as compared to men had actually grown larger this past year.

Jesus did many things in his short time on earth but one of the things he did do was to build on history. He championed the good that has emanated from it and he challenged the status quo and the regression that had been experienced from it. We are called to do the same.

Prayer: Lord enable us to learn from history and not to simply repeat it. Amen.

*From Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a long-lived bird that is regularly regenerated.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

God’s Judgment

Paul writing to the churchesEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 23, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

 While I was writing my book Houses Divided, I was struck by the possibility that the full realization of the coming of the Kingdom of God may be awaiting our capacity for loving God and loving each other to the extent we would be able to experience God “dwelling”* among us all the time. The irony of such an idea is that while we are waiting for God to fix the world we now live in, God has already saved us. God has given us the gift of God’s love in human form. Our task is to love like Jesus loves God and his neighbors, and in so doing transform the world. He also challenged us to make everyone in the world our neighbor. Paul puts it precisely: For the present form of this world is passing away. We humans just keep reaching back and trying to drag some of that former world with us.

We seem to be caught up in our human need to compete. Even to compete for God’s salvation. Now, I like a good basketball game as much as anyone, football too, but I do not move up on God’s rating chart by trying to be more righteous or more zealous or more anything than any of God’s other children or by assigning greater judgment magnitude to what I deem to be the sins of others while being blind to my own. God does not have a comparative rating chart. God’s judgment, as I understand it, is not based on who of us has the corner on “right” beliefs or are more self-righteous.  God’s judgment is based on how we have loved. Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? (Matthew 25:37+)

Prayer: Lord open my heart to the infusion of your love. Wash away all the barriers I raise to loving as you love. Free me from my need to judge myself by any standard other than the one you have established for me and free me from my need to judge others. Amen.

*See John 1:14 and Revelation 21:3

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Ready for Anything

Tornado shelterEpiphany
Celebration of God
Manifested in the World
January 22, 2015

 Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.   

I have lived in the heart of tornado alley most of my life. I, therefore, know the drill. When I was a child we watched the sky ourselves and made our own decisions about when to go to the cellar. Usually my mom, sister, brother, and I would be in the cellar while my dad watched from the top of the stairs often in a torrential rain and wind storm. Only a few times did he feel the necessity of quickly coming down himself and pulling the cellar door closed after him. We spent far more time in that cellar than necessary, because we did not have available then the tools of meteorological science use now. The excerpt from 1 Corinthians in our scripture today reminded me of those times of preparation when all that mattered was whether the storm was coming or not. Our favorite TV show, homework, chores all moved to the background until the threatening weather passed. It wasn’t really funny, but we laughed about it anyway, when several years later my parents slept through a tornado that destroyed the trees directly northwest of the house, apparently went back up over the house, and destroyed the hay barn and some other outbuildings southeast of the house.

The problem now is that with all the early warnings available, we can grow complacent. Last year I watched the TV in the safety of a shelter as the weatherman described a huge tornado coming straight down 23rd street in Oklahoma City. I must confess I was somewhat concerned about my own home that would not have been far from the storm had it continued on that path. Tornados are actually quite unpredictable, and we all watch in horror as it turned sharply south. Even some very savvy tornado chasers where killed in that storm.

Paul was no doubt anticipating the immediate return of Jesus Christ, a situation that dictated a level of preparedness that could not be sustained over the centuries. Yet it is still meaningful to us today, because it helps us realize that the living of our everyday lives, as mundane as they may seem, must be in synch with God’s priorities and purposes.

Prayer: God of our present and our future, align our lives with your priorities and purposes so that we are and will be ready and able to move forward toward the establishment of your Kingdom here on earth. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.