Tag Archives: Oneness

Sons and Daughters Not Hired Hands

Eastertide
April 21, 2018

Scripture Reading: John 10:11-18

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. –John 10:11-15

Growing up on a farm, we did not have either sheep or wolves, but we did have chickens and coyotes, which cause the same sort of concern.  We children were the only thing close to hired hands on the farm and we were not paid individually but contributed to the family income. I suppose we had inherited the same attitude of the owners. It was a family farm.

The Kingdom of God is like a family farm where the livelihood and wellbeing of all matter because in the ideal situation the family is held together in the bonds of love.  The earth and all that is in it is Christ’s farm (perhaps some other planets as well) and all its inhabitants are Christ’s sheep. As children of God, we take the place of the untrustworthy hired hands and are called to care for all our brothers and sisters in Christ as well as the earth.

This is a simple story plucked from the culture from which Jesus came as is my story, but it is played out, in reality, every day. Fires are burning as I write destroying property, farm animals, and wildlife. The weather prediction is for higher fire damage tomorrow. A call has gone out for hay to feed surviving livestock as there is not enough grass or hay for them. One man so far has died as he tried to save a town. He is a member of the family of God. Our hearts go out to all those who have lost everything or something and particularly those who lost loved ones.

Prayer: Lord, wrap your loving arms around those devasted by fire today giving them strength to move forward and show us how we can help. 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.

Wrestling with God

Eastertide
April 20, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:16-24

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us. –1 John 3: 23-24

I feel like Jacob sometimes wrestling with the angel. What is prayer? What does it mean to commune with God? Dealing with people is sometimes difficult. Finding that common center is often allusive. Is the Spirit the One who comes in the wee hours of the morning when all is quiet and wakes me from my slumber to struggle with an issue that seems beyond my control that I so want to control?

The Spirit tugs at my stubborn discontent until I finally release my fierce grip on not dealing with what must be solved and accept that I am responsible for my own malcontent for I am the one who sees what others do not see or do not care to address. I own the problem. Does the Spirit plant those seeds of discontent in calling me to service or is the Spirit trying to cleanse me of my preconceived notions that are getting in the way of being of service? Probably a little of both as the wrestling match continues.

Is abiding in Christ and Christ abiding in us part of this intersection with the Spirit? We are called to an extraordinary life of loving until the way of love wins. In a world where personal, family, team, national success is everything to many we who follow Christ must choose to always let love rule. As I listen to the news and view the discord in our world today, I gain a far greater appreciation for those wrestling matches with God as God saves me from myself and enables me the privilege of being a part of the Body of Christ working to welcome the full Kingdom of God to this earth.

Come and find the quiet center
     in the crowded life we lead,
          find the room for hope to enter,
               find the frame where we are freed:
clear the chaos and the clutter,
     clear our eyes, that we can see
          all the things that really matter,
               be at peace, and simply be*.

Prayer: Holy One, never stop wrestling we me until I perfect loving like you. Amen.

*First verse of Come and find the Quiet Center by Shirley Erena Murray. See at http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sitesec=40.2.1.0&hymnID=2366

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.

Being a Witness

Eastertide
April 15, 2018

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36b-48

Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. —Luke 24:44-48

What have we witnessed about God in our world today and to whom did we share our observation? Personally, I am trying to deal with my pre-judgments about people not related to the color or gender but how differences in our backgrounds or personalities make it hard for me to communicate with them. A wise friend once advised me that when I had a problem with someone I needed to pray for them and for help in dealing with the negative vibes I feel. It works. God broadens my understanding, helps me see the person from a clearer vantage point, and suddenly the problem slips away. I have shared these experiences without naming names and had others tell me that it worked for them too. Now if I could just start these prayers at the first sign of tension, it would save me a lot of frustration and thought that could be channeled for more productive purposes. We are all works in progress.

What have we witnessed about God in our world today and to whom did we share our observation? My faith group is taking a long hard look at the need for reconciliation in our world particularly related to racism. The Spirit is present in each of the events and work that we do when our focus is on loving like Jesus loved. It is hard to rid ourselves as individuals but also as the church and as a nation of deeply ingrained habits and thought patterns. Cleaning our values and moral filters takes intentional work requiring constant communion with God to help us see ourselves more clearly and understand that what might seem innocent to us is very painful for others with different backgrounds. It takes courage to admit such shortcomings but taking that step is a witness of Christ’s love for others to see.

What have we witnessed about God in our world today and to whom did we share our observation?

We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.

 Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.*

Prayer: Lord, broaden my sight to see your work in our world and empower me to witness to it. Amen.

First verse and refrain of Hymn We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations by H. Ernest Nichol see at https://hymnary.org/text/weve_a_story_to_tell_to_the_nations

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.

Sin’s Definitions

Eastertide
April 13, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-7

Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. –1 John 3:4-7

We play with the meaning of sin. Some see sin as being separated from God. Some translate sin as missing the mark. Others cling to following God’s laws as avoiding sin. In all three instances, we hold on to the controls of what it means to be separated from God or missing the mark and determining the laws that count and the ones that do not. What may matter more is our relationship with God in holding ourselves accountable to God for each or all these types of sin, not our definitions.

In my mind, I return again and again to the story of Judgment in Matthew 25 and put myself in the shoes of the one standing before Christ asking the question, “When were you hungry and I fed you?” At what point does our relationship with God become so much a part of our being that mirroring Christ’s behavior has become second nature to us? When dinner with Christ is no different than dinner with our families and we understand completely that all of God’s children are members of our family.

In our practice of the spiritual disciple of self-examination, all three of these meanings of sin are relevant. We need to develop an awareness of when we move away from God and in humility return to God’s presence. We need to develop an objective judgment of our missing the mark and making necessary corrections. God’s laws are shortcuts to guiding daily behavior as we adapt the ancient writings to our time and place when healthy eating is more likely to mean cutting down our intake of salt and sugar than avoiding catfish and shrimp.

Prayer: Lord, we long to sit at your love feast where there is enough food for all your children and all bask in the wonder of your love. Tug us back when we stretch too far from your reach, help us see our love targets more clearly and correct our aim, and make the spirit of your law our guiding light. 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.

God’s Children

Eastertide
April 12, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-7

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. –1 John 3:1-3

We are told from the first book in the Bible that we are made in the image of God. The more we understand God the more we understand ourselves. I am participating in a study of the book of Hosea which deals among other things with idolatry. This group just finish reviewing Amos and Joel, so we have been dipped deeply in the prophets’ disdain for idol worship. The scary thing is they each describe our society today. We do not have many golden calves left but we certainly have our own set of other gods to worship. Most are carefully crafted in whatever style makes us feel better and reflects our values. The obvious problem is we are called to reflect God’s values.

All humans are children of God, created in God’s image. Since we all do not look or act alike what does that mean? Perhaps the answer lies in Jesus’ summary of the most important commandments to love God and to love one another*. Is the capacity to love our reflection of God’s image? Love certainly is a large portion of what it means to be made in the image of God.

I like M. Scott Peck’s definition of love, defining it as wanted the very best for another. But we cannot merely view love in as a one-on-one relationship. It is indeed, but it is also a one-on-many relationship and a many-on-many relationship. Of course, the ultimate love relationship that is the model for all types of love is the love between God and God’s creation, which is a paradox of being unconditional and ultimately binding.

How do we extract ourselves from the web of lesser gods that always are conditional and never last? We must fulfill our makers design of being made in God’s image by letting go of all the conditions we place on others while building relationships that stand the tests of time.

Prayer: Lord, help me see others as you see them making me better able to love them as they are and as you see them becoming. Amen.

*Matthew 22:35–40 and Mark 12:28–34

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.

Globalization

Eastertide
April 6, 2018

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. –1 John 2:1-2

Each morning watching the morning news and reading various newspapers generally leaves me unsettled these days. I think those reporting the news must feel the same way as I have noted the routine inclusions of stories about good things peppered in as an antidote to the disconcerting reports. Reading first John is such an antidote. The author does not mince words; he jumps in immediately and challenges us to face up to our sins individually and collectively. The antidote he offers is Jesus Christ the righteous whose desire is not just to save us as individuals but to save the whole world, God’s world.

Globalization is a political hotbed discussion. People are very inclined to see their social group as the center of the universe. It starts at the community level. I attended a tiny public school. There were seven students in my high school graduating class. Talk about consolidating my school with our arch rival six miles away began the year I graduated. We were furious at the thought. I left for college and consolidation had lost its importance for me when two years later the schools were united. The move improved the quality of education. Today the students could not imagine school any other way. Now they might not want to consolidate with their nearest arch rival.

In God’s world, there are no boundaries, everyone has enough to meet basic needs, and all can enjoy the diversity of cultures on God’s good earth. Power is vested in the quality of our love and weapons long ago were converted into tools that produce that which nurtures us.

God’s vision of our world is our goal as we strive to be the Body of Christ today.

Prayer: Jesus Christ the Righteous, enable us to live in righteousness as we work toward your vision’ fulfillment. 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.

Choices

Eastertide
April 4, 2018

Scripture Reading: Psalm 133
How very good and pleasant it is
   when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
   running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
   running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
   which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
   life for evermore.

 God likes it when we get along. The world was designed with just that in mind. The earth is a very complex ecosystem that supports a beautiful diversity of plants and animals, earth and water, men and women. All are important and necessary for our world to thrive. This is the oneness Christ desired for us.

Our response is lukewarm at best and downright evil at worst. Humans are capable of being selfish. We will work toward oneness when there is something in it for us, which is not true oneness at all. This is best illustrated by Heaven and Hell: The Parable of the Long Spoons* by Sofo Archon. Hell is a place full of starving people who would not be starving if they feed each other. Heaven is the opposite, a place where people readily feed each other and flourish as a result.

God created humans with the power of choice. Along with that responsibility, we are also required to face the consequences of our choices. God did not leave us without guidance. Many of the stories of God and God’s peoples are recorded for our use, prophets brought messages from God in ancient times and still speak today. God sent Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to help us make wise choices. Perhaps the most important choice we make is accessing and applying these readily available resources.

Prayer: Thank you God for the world in which we live, the freedom to think and make choices, and the ever-present help you provide in our journey of faith. 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.

Grace

Eastertide
April 3, 2018

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

What do we think about when considering the word “grace”? When I was a child I would most likely have answered grace is the prayer said before meals. A ballerina is graceful, meaning she dances in perfectly timed and placed motions. Theologically speaking grace is a gift freely given with no strings attached as in God’s grace saves us. The word translated “grace” in the above scripture refers to a gift freely given but with an interesting nuance.

/xáris (“grace”) answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580 /Kaná (“grace, extension-toward”). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them*.

 Considering this word “grace” led me to wonder if I live my life in such a way that God would be disposed to be near me. Indeed, there are times I do not even like to be near myself. How can I, predispose myself to God, myself, and others?

Grace before meals suggests that each time we eat we recognize the food before us is the bounty of God’s gift to us of the earth which reminds us we are responsible for the care of the earth. Using all our skills and talents in proper times and places reflects our response to the interdependence of all people on that same earth. Every part of God’s creation has a purpose.

Those considerations bring us to the fundamental question are we living together with one another in such a way that God is disposed to be near us collectively. I fear we bring God to tears by our interactions or lack of interactions more than we draw him to us. We seem to search for things about which we disagree and rarely work toward finding the common threads that weave us together.

Individually being in right relationship with God is the first step toward being gracious. Intentionally working to love one another of necessity implies that we know one another. Taking the time to get to know the diverse people around us is a starting pointing toward learning to love them. Jesus mingled with everyone, sometimes much to the displeasure of the religious leaders of the day. He understood their lives and what formed them to become the people they were. He was thus disposed to be near them. Are we?

Prayer: Thank you for your every present grace. Help us to become people of grace working together within the framework of your divine grace. Amen.

*Strong’s Concordance see at http://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm

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.

Equality and Equity

Eastertide
April 2, 2018

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Following a disaster, humans have an uncanny ability to become one in response. Each person does whatever is needed to address the crisis being faced. Why is it so difficult to sustain that oneness?

Following the events around what is now called Pentecost, Christ followers became one as he had desired they do. It did not last long. Even people in homogenous groups are diverse having differing gifts. Oneness requires a deep commitment to equality and equity while the forces of society lead people to kick against those goads. A goad is a spiked stick used for driving cattle. Cattle must be moved from one place to another most often to find a new supply of food or water. Before grass and water supplies are used up herders move the animals to a better spot. The cattle do not necessarily want to leave and thus the herders guide the cattle along the right path using goads. In Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Jesus speaks to him about his working hard to define his own path rather than following God’s.

When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.” (Acts 26:14)

Stressed throughout the history of the people of God, equality and equity are qualities that shape the direction of our lives. They are essential components of the oneness Jesus called us to attain. Following the path of God is our choice, and the results are designed for human good. We must be mindful of our attempts to kick against God’s plan even when we think what we are doing is of God.

Prayer: Lord, heal our souls so that we can work in oneness together toward the establishment of a world where all have enough, and each is enabled to contribute their portion in love. 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.

A New Beginning

Easter
April 1, 2018

Scripture Reading:  Mark 16:1-8

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Mark is well known for its brevity and that is no better illustrated than in this original closing segment of the book. While I can draw much from the other gospels and their stories of the resurrection, I rather think Mark’s rendition sets the best stage. The resurrection is a beginning not the ending of the story and us like Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome play our part in the remaining story. The ending is still being written.

Now I have no idea how long these women held out telling no one what they had discovered. They probably did not tell acquaintances or strangers they met along the way. My guess is they were so rattled when they returned from their visit to the tomb that bits and pieces spilled out quickly.  In the company of Jesus’ disciples, their demeanor surely led to questions that had to be answered.

With the trumpets sounding, our organist played Lift High the Cross* as the opening music on Palm Sunday. I love the soaring symbolism in the music which forcefully proclaims we are lifting high an empty cross as we celebrate the empty tomb. I was rather surprised she played in at the beginning of Holy Week, but it nicely wove into the praise of Palm Sunday while painting a picture of what was to follow.

While we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today, let us remember we are still telling the story of that empty cross and the empty tomb. We are the Body of Christ in the world today called to build a world ruled by God’s love with the abiding grace of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit guiding the way. Let it be so.

Prayer:
God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your power;
crown your ancient church’s story,
bring its bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour**. Amen.

*Set to the tune of “Crucifer” by Sydney Nicholson
**First verse of God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry Emerson Fosdick. See at https://hymnary.org/text/god_of_grace_and_god_of_glory

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.