Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT)
St. Paul did not equivocate when it came to being thankful. But how can we be thankful in all circumstances? How can we be joyful? Are not my feelings beyond my control? Think of the last time someone pulled out in front of you in traffic? How can I be thankful if I have just been laid off from work? I have a family to feed, bills to pay, etc. These are big picture items that consume much of our lives. But we get lost in the big picture because we do not know where we are to begin with.
Where we are at this very present moment is where we are. The past has happened and we must let go of any regrets. The future has yet to come and so there is no need to be anxious. Jesus said this to us in His Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 6:34) But the truth of His Word needs to be experienced. This journey begins with the immediate NOW! This is where God is and where we must be to be covered by His Word!
Find a quiet place so that you may "be still and know the Lord". (Psalm 46:10) Take a simple object into your hand or look upon something like a flower. It can be something mundane like a coffee cup. Focus on the coffee cup. Feel the texture. How does it feel? Look at the design. How would you describe the design? Be slow and deliberate. Now think of the journey that coffee cup made from the designers to the engineers to the marketplace all the way into your hands now! Do not gloss over any detail. Now speak to God in Heaven giving thanks for all these things that make up the mundane coffee cup. Identify the joy that you find in this coffee cup. Thank God again for what He has shown you to be thankful in this very moment. You will notice the past was of no consequence in this moment and there was so much presence in the coffee cup that tomorrow had no demand on you. Practice this exercise daily and several times a day wherever you are. By doing so you will catch up to God where He is, in the present moment. For it is this moment, the present, that is the only circumstance at hand! Everything else will become inconsequential!
PONDERING WITH THE PADRE: This is a place where I, when inspired by the Holy Spirit, can sow seeds to help each and everyone of us grow as true Christians. I believe God is Lord of all of His creation. All we can do is seek His will for our lives. We cannot please God by our own good works. The fruits of our faith are fruits of repentance, of a new heart!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
All Soul's Day
"Today is All Soul's Day. This is the day we remember those who have died. Our reading from Wisdom yesterday is repeated today and is worth a reflection:
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect. (Wisdom 3:1-9)
The notion that we are gold in a furnace should describe our life here on earth. Everyone of us is imperfect. But so is gold until it is exposed to the refiner's fire. As we are tested and tried, we come closer to perfection. A woman once asked a silversmith how long he exposed the silver to the flame and he replied, 'Until I see my image.' Likewise, God, the divine refiner, wants to see His image in each one of us. And like gold, each one of us is precious. So our trials, and especially those trials by fire, draw us closer to the image God has for us."
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect. (Wisdom 3:1-9)
The notion that we are gold in a furnace should describe our life here on earth. Everyone of us is imperfect. But so is gold until it is exposed to the refiner's fire. As we are tested and tried, we come closer to perfection. A woman once asked a silversmith how long he exposed the silver to the flame and he replied, 'Until I see my image.' Likewise, God, the divine refiner, wants to see His image in each one of us. And like gold, each one of us is precious. So our trials, and especially those trials by fire, draw us closer to the image God has for us."
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Difference between Vampires and Saints!
This Halloween I thought I would examine two symbols of the overlapping histories of these Feast Days that make up Halloween and All Saints Day. Traditional Christians will know that Halloween is a contraction of All Hallows Eve which is the day before the feast of the Holy Ones or All Saints Day. And what greater contrast can one draw than between vampires and saints.
Saints of course means people who have been consecrated for God or made holy for His purpose. One does not have to be dead to be a saint. One does have to be once living and now dead to be a vampire. Vampires are referred to as the walking dead! So let us look at the differences of these two symbols.
A vampire shuns daylight. They work in the dark. Saints let their light shine so that others may see their good work and glorify their Father in Heaven.
Vampires cannot look upon a cross. Saints look to the Cross!
Vampires cannot see their reflection in a mirror. Saints read Scripture to get a true reflection of themselves in the light of God's Holy Word.
Vampires suck the blood from the living. Saints draw strength from the Blood of Christ. Let us look at this last point more thoroughly.
Have you known anyone who saps your strength when you are around them? They are so needy that you sigh when you hear their name as if they are sucking your life out of you. That's right! I believe vampires walk among us today. If you are spiritually dead, you are a vampire. "Let the dead bury the dead", Jesus says. We are all called to draw our life from Christ. If we don't we will draw life from others. People who do things in secret are using darkness to cover their acts. Have you known anyone who is always name-calling or making accusations against someone else. A Christian is reflective and will examine the log in their eye and remove it but offering judgement. Because vampires cannot see themselves, St. Paul's admonishment that when we judge others we judge ourselves makes no sense!
So this Halloween, let us look at ourselves in the light of Scripture and consecrate our life to God!
Saints of course means people who have been consecrated for God or made holy for His purpose. One does not have to be dead to be a saint. One does have to be once living and now dead to be a vampire. Vampires are referred to as the walking dead! So let us look at the differences of these two symbols.
A vampire shuns daylight. They work in the dark. Saints let their light shine so that others may see their good work and glorify their Father in Heaven.
Vampires cannot look upon a cross. Saints look to the Cross!
Vampires cannot see their reflection in a mirror. Saints read Scripture to get a true reflection of themselves in the light of God's Holy Word.
Vampires suck the blood from the living. Saints draw strength from the Blood of Christ. Let us look at this last point more thoroughly.
Have you known anyone who saps your strength when you are around them? They are so needy that you sigh when you hear their name as if they are sucking your life out of you. That's right! I believe vampires walk among us today. If you are spiritually dead, you are a vampire. "Let the dead bury the dead", Jesus says. We are all called to draw our life from Christ. If we don't we will draw life from others. People who do things in secret are using darkness to cover their acts. Have you known anyone who is always name-calling or making accusations against someone else. A Christian is reflective and will examine the log in their eye and remove it but offering judgement. Because vampires cannot see themselves, St. Paul's admonishment that when we judge others we judge ourselves makes no sense!
So this Halloween, let us look at ourselves in the light of Scripture and consecrate our life to God!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Where is Jesus in the Healthcare Debate?
A post on the the Daily Politics Blog had this heading: Religious Right Opposes Health Care (but Where is the Religion?) http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/26/religious-right-opposes-health-care-but-wheres-the-religion/ . After reading the post, I agree with with the heading. More specifically, where is Jesus in the debate. When we make ideology the end of our faith, we lose sight of the One whom we live for. Here are some facts that we need to consider. In out country, we have free medical care. It is called the emergency room. Many triage nurses are called upon to provide care for the running noses of poor mothers who cannot afford a doctor. Much of our national debt pays for this. According to several authorities, 43 millians Americans are uninsured! These are just the facts of our national economics. Now let us look at the fact of Jesus.
Much of Christ's ministry was healing. It could be said that His inauguration text was Isaiah 61:1-2. He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...and recovery of sight to the blind.... Jesus could not have limted this prophecy to the spiritually blind as He healed the physically blind as well. He commissioned the apostles to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. I would think from Jesus' teachings and His practice, health care would be an interest of His. If any religious group in the Name of God believed that the government should not reform a system that is not reaching a vast number of people, then one must ask, Why?
I could see the Church oppose health care reform if the church said with a loud voice matched by action, we will provide health care for all! But it is not. We allow our government to tax us to provide services. Should not one of these services be the provision of equal access to medicine? Health care based on whether you have a job and your employer provides whatever they choose to afford is a system that is exclusive based on the god of mammon. I would think Jesus would see health care as His will for all!
I would say we could debate government involvement as the only option. But the rugged individualism of the religious right excludes our sibling humans who have little resources to provide for themselves. Which leaves us to look to government to provide for all who are entitled to health care as a moral and civil right! This is not new. The religious minority of the First Century saw government as God ordained for their protection. St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans:
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Chapter 13) "The authorites are God's servants, sent for your good! Why not entrust them with our health care!
St. Peter, too, had a similar understanding of the role of government: For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. (I Peter 2)
Based on these texts government is not the enemy of God and these texts were written in times where the government was not the friend of Christians. Until we all become our brothers and sisters keepers, A public or susidized option is not anathema to God's will!
Much of Christ's ministry was healing. It could be said that His inauguration text was Isaiah 61:1-2. He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor...and recovery of sight to the blind.... Jesus could not have limted this prophecy to the spiritually blind as He healed the physically blind as well. He commissioned the apostles to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. I would think from Jesus' teachings and His practice, health care would be an interest of His. If any religious group in the Name of God believed that the government should not reform a system that is not reaching a vast number of people, then one must ask, Why?
I could see the Church oppose health care reform if the church said with a loud voice matched by action, we will provide health care for all! But it is not. We allow our government to tax us to provide services. Should not one of these services be the provision of equal access to medicine? Health care based on whether you have a job and your employer provides whatever they choose to afford is a system that is exclusive based on the god of mammon. I would think Jesus would see health care as His will for all!
I would say we could debate government involvement as the only option. But the rugged individualism of the religious right excludes our sibling humans who have little resources to provide for themselves. Which leaves us to look to government to provide for all who are entitled to health care as a moral and civil right! This is not new. The religious minority of the First Century saw government as God ordained for their protection. St. Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans:
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Chapter 13) "The authorites are God's servants, sent for your good! Why not entrust them with our health care!
St. Peter, too, had a similar understanding of the role of government: For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king. (I Peter 2)
Based on these texts government is not the enemy of God and these texts were written in times where the government was not the friend of Christians. Until we all become our brothers and sisters keepers, A public or susidized option is not anathema to God's will!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
What Gifts has God Given You?
When I ask people what gifts people have to offer to God, I get various replies from ‘hearing complaints’ to ‘gardening’ to ‘making jams‘. These are all nice things to do. But what concerns me is that Holy Scripture tells us what gifts we can have to offer to God for His service. The first list is found in Romans chapter 12:6-8: “God has also given each of us different gifts to use. If we can prophesy, we should do it according to the amount of faith we have. If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach. If we can encourage others, we should encourage them. If we can give, we should be generous. If we are leaders, we should do our best. If we are good to others, we should do it cheerfully.” The second list appears in I Corinthians 12:7-11: “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others. Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but these gifts come from the same Spirit. To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognize when God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still others can tell what these languages mean. But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.” In summary, the gifts that come from God are serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, kindness, prophesying, words of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles and the discernment between spirits.
This is a lot. But St. Paul reminds us that not everyone has all of these gifts. They are divvied up among the members of the body. It is important to note that these gifts come from God. It is what He wants us to have for us to serve Him. So why can’t we just garden or make jams? That question is best answered by what is the greatest gift God has given us? Hopefully, you will say salvation. Can we save ourselves from death? No! Likewise, can we serve God with our own gifts? No! God gives us what we need to serve Him! Our life on earth is about serving God! He knows what the world needs and has given us the tools to serve Him in the world.
Every Christian needs to pray that each and everyone of us asks that God shows us what gifts He has given us. And then we must pray that we use holy boldness to serve God by being selfless in the sharing of our gifts. Easter we received the salvation of God by Christ’s death and resurrection. Lest us receive the Holy Spirit and all the gifts he has to offer!
Fr. Allen
This is a lot. But St. Paul reminds us that not everyone has all of these gifts. They are divvied up among the members of the body. It is important to note that these gifts come from God. It is what He wants us to have for us to serve Him. So why can’t we just garden or make jams? That question is best answered by what is the greatest gift God has given us? Hopefully, you will say salvation. Can we save ourselves from death? No! Likewise, can we serve God with our own gifts? No! God gives us what we need to serve Him! Our life on earth is about serving God! He knows what the world needs and has given us the tools to serve Him in the world.
Every Christian needs to pray that each and everyone of us asks that God shows us what gifts He has given us. And then we must pray that we use holy boldness to serve God by being selfless in the sharing of our gifts. Easter we received the salvation of God by Christ’s death and resurrection. Lest us receive the Holy Spirit and all the gifts he has to offer!
Fr. Allen
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
God is writing your story!
Just finished a meditation on Genesis 1 & 2. These verses plumb the depths of creation that only in eternity can we know God's love for us.
I am struck by the number of times the phrase "And God said" is expressed followed by "And it was so" followed by "And God saw that it was good" followed by "And God blessed them saying..."
We are created by God's Word. He is the authority of our creation as He alone authored us. We are the pages of God's story. Look in a mirror today. Look closely. Do you see God's reflection? (Genesis 1:26)
We cannot change the past. Those pages have turned. But now at this very moment in time God, the author, is still writing your story. His desire is a happy ending. (Romans 8:18-25)
Is there any part of your life you are ashamed of, past or present? The prophet Jeremiah reminds us God will not count our sins against us (Jer. 31:34) Neither should we. This same prophet reminds us God knows the ending of our story,'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) God will not abandon what he wonderfully made. He is just not finished with you yet. Part of our story is Jesus and His cross (I John 2:2) As the author of Hebrews states, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Look in the mirror today. Literally, I mean this. Take a few minutes and stand before a mirror. See what God, our Father in Heaven, sees". Do you see Him?
IHS,
Allen+
I am struck by the number of times the phrase "And God said" is expressed followed by "And it was so" followed by "And God saw that it was good" followed by "And God blessed them saying..."
We are created by God's Word. He is the authority of our creation as He alone authored us. We are the pages of God's story. Look in a mirror today. Look closely. Do you see God's reflection? (Genesis 1:26)
We cannot change the past. Those pages have turned. But now at this very moment in time God, the author, is still writing your story. His desire is a happy ending. (Romans 8:18-25)
Is there any part of your life you are ashamed of, past or present? The prophet Jeremiah reminds us God will not count our sins against us (Jer. 31:34) Neither should we. This same prophet reminds us God knows the ending of our story,'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11) God will not abandon what he wonderfully made. He is just not finished with you yet. Part of our story is Jesus and His cross (I John 2:2) As the author of Hebrews states, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Look in the mirror today. Literally, I mean this. Take a few minutes and stand before a mirror. See what God, our Father in Heaven, sees". Do you see Him?
IHS,
Allen+
Monday, July 27, 2009
Do you have the Holy Spirit
One of my favorite passages in Scripture is Acts 19:1-7 It reads:
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled across the hill country to Ephesus, where he met some of the Lord's followers. He asked them, "When you put your faith in Jesus, were you given the Holy Spirit?"
"No!" they answered. "We have never even heard of the Holy Spirit."
"Then why were you baptized?" Paul asked.
They answered, "Because of what John taught."
Paul replied, "John baptized people so that they would turn to God. But he also told them that someone else was coming, and that they should put their faith in him. Jesus is the one that John was talking about." After the people heard Paul say this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Paul placed his hands on them. The Holy Spirit was given to them, and they spoke unknown languages and prophesied. There were about twelve men in this group.
I like this account because I think it is indicative of the Church today. Many of us attending worship on Sunday know we were baptized. Many who don’t attend worship were also baptized at some point in their life at the behest of their family. Like John’s followers, it was expected the but the full meaning of the church’s teaching has been lost.
When we are baptized in a worship service, the Holy Spirit is imparted in us. But as we grow older, we may have forgotten our responsibility in allowing the Spirit of
God to make His presence known. How many of us have been in a room when someone walks in who knows us but ignores our presence? Well, for many of us, the Holy Spirit is in us, be we just ignore Him. One of God’s attributes is that He does not want us to be puppets where he pulls all of our strings. We, having been created in His image, have free will. We must on our own accord, acknowledge God’s presence in us and ask that presence become central in our life. We do that when we invite Jesus into our hearts. But we also have to let the Third Person of the Trinity fill us so that we are saturated with His being. This is what is meant by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like water that has been tapped by a fresh dug well springs forth saturating the ground around it, so we too must open ourselves to let the Spirit rise up and saturated us.
So how do we know if the Holy Spirit is reigning supreme in our hearts? Do you talk about church or do you talk about Christ? Do you wonder what the priest is doing or are you asking what you can do for the Lord? Do you see problems or do you see solutions? After all, God is the prayer answering business! Get the hint?
So let us be like the men in Ephesus! Acknowledge that we have been baptized, but also let us be filled with Holy Spirit. After all, this is the will of God!
IHS,
Fr. Allen
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled across the hill country to Ephesus, where he met some of the Lord's followers. He asked them, "When you put your faith in Jesus, were you given the Holy Spirit?"
"No!" they answered. "We have never even heard of the Holy Spirit."
"Then why were you baptized?" Paul asked.
They answered, "Because of what John taught."
Paul replied, "John baptized people so that they would turn to God. But he also told them that someone else was coming, and that they should put their faith in him. Jesus is the one that John was talking about." After the people heard Paul say this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Paul placed his hands on them. The Holy Spirit was given to them, and they spoke unknown languages and prophesied. There were about twelve men in this group.
I like this account because I think it is indicative of the Church today. Many of us attending worship on Sunday know we were baptized. Many who don’t attend worship were also baptized at some point in their life at the behest of their family. Like John’s followers, it was expected the but the full meaning of the church’s teaching has been lost.
When we are baptized in a worship service, the Holy Spirit is imparted in us. But as we grow older, we may have forgotten our responsibility in allowing the Spirit of
God to make His presence known. How many of us have been in a room when someone walks in who knows us but ignores our presence? Well, for many of us, the Holy Spirit is in us, be we just ignore Him. One of God’s attributes is that He does not want us to be puppets where he pulls all of our strings. We, having been created in His image, have free will. We must on our own accord, acknowledge God’s presence in us and ask that presence become central in our life. We do that when we invite Jesus into our hearts. But we also have to let the Third Person of the Trinity fill us so that we are saturated with His being. This is what is meant by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Like water that has been tapped by a fresh dug well springs forth saturating the ground around it, so we too must open ourselves to let the Spirit rise up and saturated us.
So how do we know if the Holy Spirit is reigning supreme in our hearts? Do you talk about church or do you talk about Christ? Do you wonder what the priest is doing or are you asking what you can do for the Lord? Do you see problems or do you see solutions? After all, God is the prayer answering business! Get the hint?
So let us be like the men in Ephesus! Acknowledge that we have been baptized, but also let us be filled with Holy Spirit. After all, this is the will of God!
IHS,
Fr. Allen
Thursday, July 23, 2009
This link was a tweet I received this afternoon upon my return from my walk. Loving Others Through Difficult Times...Taking Christianity Into the World HIS CPA
Mr. Dillard's word spoke to me as I wrestle with the same feelings that his letter writer is struggling with. I know the Phillipians passage and it is a difficult one especially when others are unforgiving and arrogant. But what I want to speak to is the timeliness of this piece.
This has been a strange week for me. Some events in the time-space continuum have been very edifying. After a weekend of getting Josh of on a plane for a trip halfway around the world without any complications, prayer gatherings have been holy and conversations have been good. But in the in-between times when I am alone, I have been bombarded by feelings and imaginations that are not of God. They hearken back to old wounds. I pray and read Scripture that I hope will change my thinking to be more of the mind of Christ. (Phillipians 2:5)And then I beat myself up when a godly mind does not come to the for! Satan loves that part the best, I'm sure! So what does Mr. Dillard's message say to me?
It says God, the Father, has not been far off. In this time-space continuum, he will bring a witness from another godly human to remind me I am on the right track. Others have gone through these dark thoughts as well and can help me from their learnings. Taking up our cross means forgiving others for they know not what they do - even if it means I have to do it 490 times! I pray that these words have been heard by you and especially by anyone who has been going through a dark night of the soul as well!
Mr. Dillard's word spoke to me as I wrestle with the same feelings that his letter writer is struggling with. I know the Phillipians passage and it is a difficult one especially when others are unforgiving and arrogant. But what I want to speak to is the timeliness of this piece.
This has been a strange week for me. Some events in the time-space continuum have been very edifying. After a weekend of getting Josh of on a plane for a trip halfway around the world without any complications, prayer gatherings have been holy and conversations have been good. But in the in-between times when I am alone, I have been bombarded by feelings and imaginations that are not of God. They hearken back to old wounds. I pray and read Scripture that I hope will change my thinking to be more of the mind of Christ. (Phillipians 2:5)And then I beat myself up when a godly mind does not come to the for! Satan loves that part the best, I'm sure! So what does Mr. Dillard's message say to me?
It says God, the Father, has not been far off. In this time-space continuum, he will bring a witness from another godly human to remind me I am on the right track. Others have gone through these dark thoughts as well and can help me from their learnings. Taking up our cross means forgiving others for they know not what they do - even if it means I have to do it 490 times! I pray that these words have been heard by you and especially by anyone who has been going through a dark night of the soul as well!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The King of Pop and the King of Lords
Some reflections on last week: Our culture likes to celebrate individuals for a variety of reasons. Last week four celebrities died. Of course the truth is many more humans died but they are nameless to us except for their families and friends. But four made the news. Yet one person seemed to have made the most news and that was Michael Jackson, "the King of Pop"! Michael Jackson is close to my age. Farrah Fawcett is close to my sister's. But there was a lot of news on Michael. People gathered in streets dressed like him and playing his music. According to the talking heads, he believed he could be the king of pop just like Elvis was "The King" his former father-in-law. Interestingly, their fate was similar, a premature death with only their music to live on.
Unfortunately, too many people believe this is immortality. But this is not real immortality. I was struck by the truth of our First Reading yesterday from Wisdom:
God did not make death,
And he does not delight in the death of the living.
For he created all things so that they might exist;
the generative forces of the world are wholesome,
and there is no destructive poison in them,
and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.
For righteousness is immortal.
God created us for incorruption,
and made us in the image of his own eternity,
but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,
and those who belong to his company experience it.
In the image of his own eternity! Do we realize that? God is eternal and we are created in the image of God! But too many members of humankind do not trust that truth and therefore strive for fame. For MJ, three children are now fatherless! Drugs and sensuality is used to avoid the pain of this world rather than trusting in the cross! I was in a meeting this morning where a fellow baby boomer understood that MJ's frequent plastic surgeries was a way to avoid seeing his abusive father in the mirror. No one showed him the image of God that each of us carry!
Today as I ponder the life of the great apostles, Peter and Paul, I realize that many of us miss the point of being on earth. The point is not to try to escape it as the Gnostics would have us believe. The point is to learn to live in the presence of God glorifying Him alone! In this way we attain the holiness that will prepare us for the resurrection of our body. As Rick Warren has said, life on earth is the dress rehearsal for the Resurrection. So we need to put into practice an authentic worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a concept called the Law of Worship which sates, we become what we worship. This is stated in 2 Kings 17:5,
They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.
When we go after idols, objects of our own making, we worship something not real, hence becoming unreal ourselves. For those of us who grew up with Michael Jackson, we saw this in his features as he used his riches to become something unreal. And how many fans took to the streets to mourn his death? As Christian we need to take to the streets, the marketplace and proclaim Jesus as Lord. Not by proclaiming ourselves as celebrities as we are want to do but as Peter and Paul did. They were martyrs, witnesses to Jesus Christ. Their goal was to share the good news of Jesus to others who would chase after false gods. When they did not succumb to their culture around them, they were put to death. They did not kill themselves. They were put to death for refusing to become false by the idolatries of the world. We should emulate them by putting Jesus first in our lives by our true worship of Him and by expecting others to give up their false selves, their idols, and become real by worshipping Jesus in spirit and truth!
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Unfortunately, too many people believe this is immortality. But this is not real immortality. I was struck by the truth of our First Reading yesterday from Wisdom:
God did not make death,
And he does not delight in the death of the living.
For he created all things so that they might exist;
the generative forces of the world are wholesome,
and there is no destructive poison in them,
and the dominion of Hades is not on earth.
For righteousness is immortal.
God created us for incorruption,
and made us in the image of his own eternity,
but through the devil’s envy death entered the world,
and those who belong to his company experience it.
In the image of his own eternity! Do we realize that? God is eternal and we are created in the image of God! But too many members of humankind do not trust that truth and therefore strive for fame. For MJ, three children are now fatherless! Drugs and sensuality is used to avoid the pain of this world rather than trusting in the cross! I was in a meeting this morning where a fellow baby boomer understood that MJ's frequent plastic surgeries was a way to avoid seeing his abusive father in the mirror. No one showed him the image of God that each of us carry!
Today as I ponder the life of the great apostles, Peter and Paul, I realize that many of us miss the point of being on earth. The point is not to try to escape it as the Gnostics would have us believe. The point is to learn to live in the presence of God glorifying Him alone! In this way we attain the holiness that will prepare us for the resurrection of our body. As Rick Warren has said, life on earth is the dress rehearsal for the Resurrection. So we need to put into practice an authentic worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a concept called the Law of Worship which sates, we become what we worship. This is stated in 2 Kings 17:5,
They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.
When we go after idols, objects of our own making, we worship something not real, hence becoming unreal ourselves. For those of us who grew up with Michael Jackson, we saw this in his features as he used his riches to become something unreal. And how many fans took to the streets to mourn his death? As Christian we need to take to the streets, the marketplace and proclaim Jesus as Lord. Not by proclaiming ourselves as celebrities as we are want to do but as Peter and Paul did. They were martyrs, witnesses to Jesus Christ. Their goal was to share the good news of Jesus to others who would chase after false gods. When they did not succumb to their culture around them, they were put to death. They did not kill themselves. They were put to death for refusing to become false by the idolatries of the world. We should emulate them by putting Jesus first in our lives by our true worship of Him and by expecting others to give up their false selves, their idols, and become real by worshipping Jesus in spirit and truth!
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Meditation on Christian Unity
A Reflection on the Week of Christian Unity
18 January 2009 - 25 January 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NRSV)
Matthew 10:16-22
Jesus said to the twelve, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (NRSV)
These two readings are the appointed readings for the Feasts of the Confession of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul, January 18th and 25th respectively in the Anglican and Roman calendars. It is these dates that mark the week that is to be observed as the Week of Christian Unity. The first reading has the tone of joy and excitement. Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. He is praised by the Lord himself and promised the keys to the kingdom. The second reading is a dire warning that strife and enmity will exist between family members. Jesus is the messiah, the anointed one, a recognition that gains entrance into the kingdom and because of the Name of Jesus; we will turn against one another. Let’s face it. This does describe Christ’s Church today!
Most orthodox Christians are willing to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. And many Christians are too willing to find fault with another denomination. That is why we don’t belong to another denomination. Which begs the question, “What do we mean when we say Jesus is Lord?” Is he only the lord of some? Or do some get it that He is lord and are following his will while others are not? Just how do we account for our differences? But let us go back to the ‘lord’ question. Are our differences acceptable to our Lord?
As a pastor, I am confronted with the gnawing issue of God’s will in people’s lives. Unfortunately, I do not think these same people are as concerned with God’s will as I am. After all, should we not strive to do God’s will rather than our own? But our culture is a product of the sixties, seventies and eighties where self-actualization was the goal. If one were to look in the dictionary for all the words that begin with ‘self’, one would find that most of the self words are not flattering at all: self-obsessed, self-loathing, self-centered, self-pity. I mention this because it is people who make up the body of Christ. Without people we would have no church. If anyone of us is centered on the self rather than on God, then the whole community of the faithful suffers. And so it is that as a whole we do not hold one another accountable to seek God’s will. To do this would truly mean having to take up the cross. And that has been our problem all along. We are more than willing to sit comfortably in our own traditions and sentimentality because that is how we have always done it. Our self-centeredness becomes a we-centeredness that often excludes the experiences of those different from us. So rather than take up the cross of Christ, we impose our self-made cross upon someone else. Just after receiving the keys to the kingdom, Peter knew better what Jesus should do.
As soon as Jesus gives authority to bind and loose on earth to Peter, He foretells his own death. Peter, armed with his new authority, takes Jesus aside and tells him to stop talking like that pronouncing, “God would never let this happen to you Lord! Upon which Jesus turns to Peter saying, “Satan get away from me! You’re in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God.” Jesus didn’t take the keys back. He just rebukes his friend. And then He goes on to say, “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.” Jesus is clear how our self-centeredness is indeed a mill stone around our necks. We must forget about ourselves. We must not think like everybody else. Our solution then is to think like God. This is the job of the Church. From every individual in the pew to every structure codified as our institution, we must forget about ourselves and what feels good to what matters most to God.
So why is there still disunity and disagreement? Let’s face it, our worship on Sundays often keep us separate. From the theology of the Eucharist to apostolic succession and from whom we ordain to how we read the scriptures, we are not in agreement. But what does Jesus want us to do? Why is it that we cannot agree on what His will is? My guess is, we just do not trust God’s judgment. After all, he did not take back the keys from St. Peter!
He did not take back the keys from St. Peter when Peter imposed his will upon Jesus. If Jesus had succumbed to Peter’s will, we would not have the cross, nor the atonement. We would not have salvation. Jesus did not take back the keys when Peter denied him three times while he suffered. But rather, upon His resurrection asked Peter three times , “Do you love me?” And upon the third confession he was mandated to feed His sheep. Most of us would not think like God our Father. We would have taken the keys back.
We just do not trust following God’s will. After all, it is not just Peter who was entrusted with the keys. Who did Christ call to spread the good news to the Gentiles? A man whose resume boasted the number of followers killed for confessing Jesus as Lord. I do not know about you, but Paul would not make my short list of nominees for teaching others about Christ. But that’s the point. How I think and how God thinks are two different issues. We are called to think like God. We are called to think like God that trusts a man named Peter with the Keys to Heaven and a man named Paul with the mission of the Church. In the end, they both took up their cross not thinking like everyone else. Perhaps the first step in Christian unity is for every individual to give up their self-centered nature and to seek the mind of the Christ. For as St. Paul says, and it was Paul who at one time breathed fiery threats against every follower of the Lord,
“Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ was truly God.
But he did not try to remain equal with God.
Instead he gave up everything and became a slave,
when he became
like one of us.
Christ was humble.
He obeyed God
and even died
on a cross.
Then God gave Christ
the highest place
and honored his name
above all others.
So at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth.
And to the glory
of God the Father
everyone will openly agree,
"Jesus Christ is Lord!"“ (Philippians 2:1-11, CEV)
18 January 2009 - 25 January 2009
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NRSV)
Matthew 10:16-22
Jesus said to the twelve, "See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (NRSV)
These two readings are the appointed readings for the Feasts of the Confession of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul, January 18th and 25th respectively in the Anglican and Roman calendars. It is these dates that mark the week that is to be observed as the Week of Christian Unity. The first reading has the tone of joy and excitement. Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. He is praised by the Lord himself and promised the keys to the kingdom. The second reading is a dire warning that strife and enmity will exist between family members. Jesus is the messiah, the anointed one, a recognition that gains entrance into the kingdom and because of the Name of Jesus; we will turn against one another. Let’s face it. This does describe Christ’s Church today!
Most orthodox Christians are willing to confess Jesus Christ as Lord. And many Christians are too willing to find fault with another denomination. That is why we don’t belong to another denomination. Which begs the question, “What do we mean when we say Jesus is Lord?” Is he only the lord of some? Or do some get it that He is lord and are following his will while others are not? Just how do we account for our differences? But let us go back to the ‘lord’ question. Are our differences acceptable to our Lord?
As a pastor, I am confronted with the gnawing issue of God’s will in people’s lives. Unfortunately, I do not think these same people are as concerned with God’s will as I am. After all, should we not strive to do God’s will rather than our own? But our culture is a product of the sixties, seventies and eighties where self-actualization was the goal. If one were to look in the dictionary for all the words that begin with ‘self’, one would find that most of the self words are not flattering at all: self-obsessed, self-loathing, self-centered, self-pity. I mention this because it is people who make up the body of Christ. Without people we would have no church. If anyone of us is centered on the self rather than on God, then the whole community of the faithful suffers. And so it is that as a whole we do not hold one another accountable to seek God’s will. To do this would truly mean having to take up the cross. And that has been our problem all along. We are more than willing to sit comfortably in our own traditions and sentimentality because that is how we have always done it. Our self-centeredness becomes a we-centeredness that often excludes the experiences of those different from us. So rather than take up the cross of Christ, we impose our self-made cross upon someone else. Just after receiving the keys to the kingdom, Peter knew better what Jesus should do.
As soon as Jesus gives authority to bind and loose on earth to Peter, He foretells his own death. Peter, armed with his new authority, takes Jesus aside and tells him to stop talking like that pronouncing, “God would never let this happen to you Lord! Upon which Jesus turns to Peter saying, “Satan get away from me! You’re in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God.” Jesus didn’t take the keys back. He just rebukes his friend. And then He goes on to say, “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.” Jesus is clear how our self-centeredness is indeed a mill stone around our necks. We must forget about ourselves. We must not think like everybody else. Our solution then is to think like God. This is the job of the Church. From every individual in the pew to every structure codified as our institution, we must forget about ourselves and what feels good to what matters most to God.
So why is there still disunity and disagreement? Let’s face it, our worship on Sundays often keep us separate. From the theology of the Eucharist to apostolic succession and from whom we ordain to how we read the scriptures, we are not in agreement. But what does Jesus want us to do? Why is it that we cannot agree on what His will is? My guess is, we just do not trust God’s judgment. After all, he did not take back the keys from St. Peter!
He did not take back the keys from St. Peter when Peter imposed his will upon Jesus. If Jesus had succumbed to Peter’s will, we would not have the cross, nor the atonement. We would not have salvation. Jesus did not take back the keys when Peter denied him three times while he suffered. But rather, upon His resurrection asked Peter three times , “Do you love me?” And upon the third confession he was mandated to feed His sheep. Most of us would not think like God our Father. We would have taken the keys back.
We just do not trust following God’s will. After all, it is not just Peter who was entrusted with the keys. Who did Christ call to spread the good news to the Gentiles? A man whose resume boasted the number of followers killed for confessing Jesus as Lord. I do not know about you, but Paul would not make my short list of nominees for teaching others about Christ. But that’s the point. How I think and how God thinks are two different issues. We are called to think like God. We are called to think like God that trusts a man named Peter with the Keys to Heaven and a man named Paul with the mission of the Church. In the end, they both took up their cross not thinking like everyone else. Perhaps the first step in Christian unity is for every individual to give up their self-centered nature and to seek the mind of the Christ. For as St. Paul says, and it was Paul who at one time breathed fiery threats against every follower of the Lord,
“Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God's Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought: Christ was truly God.
But he did not try to remain equal with God.
Instead he gave up everything and became a slave,
when he became
like one of us.
Christ was humble.
He obeyed God
and even died
on a cross.
Then God gave Christ
the highest place
and honored his name
above all others.
So at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth.
And to the glory
of God the Father
everyone will openly agree,
"Jesus Christ is Lord!"“ (Philippians 2:1-11, CEV)
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