Tag Archives: Called to Love

Suffering Savior

Lent

March 19, 2021

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10

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. –Hebrews 5:7-10

We are seeing much suffering in our world today, most human-made. Our weird weather is partly related to our failure to address the challenge of climate change. Pandemics have been associated with the destruction of our rain forests. Our southern borders are being flooded with people whose homelands are so awash in danger that they risk their lives to save their children. One out of every four children living in the United States is classified as food insecure, which means they do not know from where their next meal will come. That is happening in a country with the farming capabilities to feed the whole world.

I do not want anyone to suffer, but I certainly do not want innocent people caught in the middle of society’s discord to suffer. We must take reasonability for the things we can do to solve problems, and we must facilitate others to take part in that call to action. Jesus came into a world to save us from ourselves, and in so doing was the innocent one who suffered for our inequities

During this Lenten system, let us rise to the challenge of identifying ways to address the many problems that plague us as we work toward oneness with those who suffer from hunger and disease, and environmental destruction.

Prayer: God of Love, show us how we can work together for a brighter and better existence for all your children. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Gentle as Doves

Living in the Spirit

October 25, 2020

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-46

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ‘What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?’ They said to him, ‘The son of David.’ He said to them, ‘How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

‘Sit at my right hand,

   until I put your enemies under your feet'”?

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?’ No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. –Matthew 41-46

Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, ‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. He practiced what he preached. He also instructed us in Matthew 5:37 to Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37)

We live in a world where words are twisted to self-interest. Yet, we are called not to practice that way of being and not to be taken in by it. We are being fed a lot of gibberish leading up to the November election. I practice muting my TV when ads come on sponsored by patriotic sounding organizations who will not share their sponsors. I check the facts of those candidates who say they support the advertisement because those ads, too, are, at times, questionable. And I do not share any information that is not provided by a trusted source. Foreign hackers are not always discernable and are not trusted sources.

These times demand a constant communion with God, close consultation with the teachings of Jesus, and regular discernment through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are the conduits of God’s love in the world today, and our fulfilling that calling is critical.

Prayer:
O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee.
I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine oceans depths its flow.
May richer fuller be*. Amen.

*First verse of the hymn O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, by George Matheson, See at https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/432

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Works/Grace

Lent

March 5, 2020

Scripture Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. –Romans 4:1-5

Abraham is called the first monotheist. God, of course, is the only one who knows the truth of that attribution, but he was the fore-bearer of monotheism among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. My guess is that is why Paul chose to use Abraham’s example as one reckoned as righteous rather than being justified by works. I suppose works vs grace has existed ever since Abraham had his aha experience.

Balancing works and grace is challenging particularly with our Puritan work ethics background. We humans seem to have a need to measure our worth through comparison with others rather than accepting our worth as children of God.

We, however, are called to love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart[s], and with all [our] soul[s], and with all [our]  mind[s]*. This is not the noun “love.” Jesus is instructing us to live our love in all our actions.

Prayer: God grant us the joy of your grace and enable it to be reflected in our works. Amen.

*Matthew 22:37

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Turning to God

Kingdom Building

October 18, 2019

Scripture Reading:
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. –2 Timothy 4:1-5

There are a lot of itching ears in our world, seeking teachers to suit their own desires. I suppose we all do it one time or another. I remember well a wonderful, well-education, and sensable couple upon hearing the wife had untreatable cancer and would only live a few more months, sought every unproven sham cure on the market today in hopes of a miracle cure. They never found one. They did quickly find themselves so that they spent the last few weeks of her life in meaningful, loving support of each other.

What is the dis-ease that is epidemic in our land that causes people to turn to hate and division instead of love and oneness? Have we tied ourselves so closely to the gods of wealth and power that we cannot excise ourselves from its fraud?  In our complex world, is the simple solution of love to trite for us? We are not called to judge anyone; the scripture above reminds us that judgment is Jesus’ job. We are called to love, which includes doing justice, seeking mercy, and walking humbly with our God. Evil makes the world chaotic, not God.

Are there shadows of deep disappointment,
And trusts that have proven untrue?
Has the darkness of night settled round you
Has your hope and your faith wavered too?
Chorus
Standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus,
He’s the Friend who always cares and understands.
Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find Him
And you’ll know Him by the nail prints in His hands.

Prayer: God be with us as we strive to love you and love all those made in your image. Amen.

*Verse 2 and chorus of standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find Jesus https://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/caelaw/standing_in_the_shadows/

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Moving from Division to Action

Kingdom Building

August 17, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:49-56

‘I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided:
father against son
   and son against father,
mother against daughter
   and daughter against moth
mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
   and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ –Luke 12:49-52

Sound familiar? Taking sides seems to be the norm in our society today. What is Jesus trying to say here? What is the benefit of such chaos? Jesus grew to manhood during Roman rule where Jews could practice their religion if they did not make waves against the Roman Empire, which showed no mercy to anyone who crossed them. Jesus learned early the need to go along to get along. Much of his ministry was targeted at teaching his fellow Jews that going through the motions of religion was not living up to the covenants God has established with them, covenants regarding how to live and more importantly how to love, which in many ways were diametrically opposed to the ways of the Roman Empire.

I do not know Jesus’ motivation for allowing or encouraging division. I do know that division challenges the ennui* resulting from going along to get along. Perhaps Jesus was stirring up divisiveness to refocus God’s followers to take up their calling to foster God’s rule rather than Rome’s. Perhaps the divisiveness we are experiencing in our world today can be channeled into positive energy to lift us out of the ennui of our lives and help us to take up Jesus’ vision.

‘Why do we fast, but you do not see?
   Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day,
   and oppress all your workers.
Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
   and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
   will not make your voice heard on high.
Is not this the fast that I choose:
   to loose the bonds of injustice,
   to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
   and to break every yoke? –Isaiah 58:3-4, 6

Prayer: Lord, let your Spirit flow through us channeling discord into energy for creating a just world. Amen.

*Afeeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement

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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Glorified?

Eastertide
May 27, 2017

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-11

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. –John 17:1-5

What connotation do we give to the word “glorify”? Do we turn it into condescending slang? When we use the word glorified are we saying someone or something is overrated? The Greek word translated glorify, doxazó* means to ascribe weight by recognizing real substance (value).  It seems what Jesus is saying here is that he is ready to fulfill his calling come what may. Hebrews 5:5 describes this phenomenon, 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.’.

 I think the disciples knew Jesus was special; I doubt they knew he was who he was before the resurrection. Some I am sure wondered, and others like Peter turned hot and cold. The disciples often did not understand him, but they knew they wanted to be around him. He had charisma. We are even jaded in that department. We encounter folks with charisma who use it for selfish gain.

Why is he saying this in the presence of his disciples? Why was it retained for us to read today? Jesus promises eternal life and says that eternal life is knowing God and is available through an encounter with Jesus. Jesus is setting the example for us to follow. He is glorifying us through our relationship with him so that we can pass on to others the real substance of the God who is love.

.Prayer: Lord make us worthy of your trusting us to carry forth your mission as the Body of Christ in the world today. 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 America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Partners in Kingdom Building

1-corinthians-13-4-7Living in the Spirit
August 16, 2016

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 1:4-10

See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.’—Jeremiah 1:10

Just like the earth exists in a constant pattern of cleansing and growth and harvesting and nature’s composting and reseeding and regrowth so too does the Kingdom of God. Like a river flowing to the sea, God is working God’s purpose out, as we partner in its course. While we may gain great joy from the building or the harvesting, they neither happen without the other processes.

Constant vigilance results in the wise use of our time and energy. Going through the motions of church without commitment to outcomes is not productive. Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet came at a time when the Israelites needed to hear such a message. All people of faith need to hear this message. Our worship and service done without our hearts and minds fully engaged are indeed as Paul described in 1st Corinthians 13:1-3

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Prayer: God of Mercy, enable our loving so that we may further your Kingdom. 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.

Timing is Everything

All-the-forces-in-the-world-are-not-so-powerful-as-an-idea-whose-time-has-comeChristmas
December 27, 2015

 Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52

When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, ‘Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.’ He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.  

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. –Luke 2:45-51

Timing is everything. Historians looking back on the time of Jesus backtrack the perfect timing of his arrival. It was the right place, right time for a confrontation of the peace of Rome, a phenomenon of power and violence, with the Peace of God, the outcome of love. Few of those who were experiencing such a revolution could probably not even perceive such a shift in the societal plates of the world as possible. Some, indeed, recognized it as the better way but merely  a pipedream. Others found it threatening to their chosen way of life. The interesting thing is that some two thousand years later we are still having these same reactions. If we can just win one more war than we can have peace.

In our story today, Jesus recognized the need to bide his time. While a few teachers might be impressed with a well-studied 12 year-old the masses would not. The scripture says Mary remembered this event. Even though I change gospels, I could not help but remember that it was his mother at the wedding in Cana (John 2) who pushes Jesus out into ministry when he said his time had not yet come.

What is God’s call to his children today? Are we hearing it? Are we living it? Are we enabling it in others? Emmanuel is with us. Now is our time.

Prayer:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy*. Amen.

*First verse of prayer by st. francis of assisi see at http://www.worldprayers.org/archive/prayers/invocations/lord_make_me_an_instrument.html

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.

Condemnation

No condemnationLiving in the Spirit
May 31, 2015

Scripture Reading: John 3:1-17

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. –John 3:17

There is a lot of condemnation going around in the world right now no more apparent than in the church where it has no place at all according to the scripture today. Why do humans have a need to condemn?

There was a man where I worked many years ago with whom I did not get along. He was in a powerful position and frankly, he was of the opinion women should be seen and not heard at least certainly not in the work place. His main tactic to keep me in my place was to withhold vital information from me that impacted the work I did and then casually toss it into the dialogue in meetings with our superiors rendering whatever I had presented useless or at least naive.  In one meeting while I was presenting a major new program he kept getting up and pacing about the room like he was bored to death. It was very distracting and I final called him by name and said in I am sure an exasperated voice, “Would you please sit down.” He did and I completed my presentation. My immediate supervisor was in the room, was very aware of this person’s treatment of me, and had actually come to my aide in the past. After the meeting the supervisor told me that this was my advisories first day back from having had hemorrhoid surgery and he probably was having problems sitting.

We do not know what God does about anyone. We do no good by condemning anyone for behavior we may or may not understand. Our assigned duty is to love them, welcome them, and let God deal with anything that might need to be addressed.

Prayer: Lord, guard me from letting my insecurities overpower my ability to love as Jesus loved. 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.