Eastertide Begins!

Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!

I have three personal favorite Easter stories: I can never decide the order between them, so they are all tied for first. I love Mark's original ending, before later theologians got a hold of his gospel and felt it was missing something, at 16:8  ""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." Brilliant! In a gospel where every time Jesus heals someone he has said, "shhh...please tell no one" and then they promptly go out and tell everyone, here when the message finally is "go and tell" they do not, because they are too scared. As I read this, Mark puts it back on us, the reader: it's up to us to spread the good news, up to us to overcome our fears, up to us to "go and tell."

The other story I love, of course, is Thomas. Preachers love to disparage poor old "doubting" Thomas but not Jesus, who meets Thomas where he is, who gives him what he needs, who encourages him to trust Easter, and trust the good news in order to become "believing Thomas."

Both are great stories. But if forced to choose I think I'd have to give a slight edge to the Emmaus story in Luke, in part because I think it is a never-ending story. Like those disciples, we too are "on the way." Christ meets us in surprising ways, but in particular when we take the bread and bless it and break it and give it--and our eyes are opened, and our hearts burn and we know that the Lord is risen indeed. Were not our hearts burning? My prayer is that readers of this blog during this Lenten season will keep their eyes open during these next fifty days of Easter to all of those places "on the way" where Christ is with us.

Peace and joy,
Rich

One practical note as our meditations come to an end. As always, I am grateful to all who wrote--numerous people have shared with me that they thought this season's meditations showed a particular depth and I agree; it is a privilege to serve among such faithful witnesses, truly. This is the first time we did this as a blog. I would like to solicit some feedback from readers of this blog and hope that in the next day or two you might send me an email with responses to these questions:

1. How often did you read this blog over the past forty days? 

(a) daily

(b) several times a week

(c) occasionally

2.  How did you read this blog? 

(a) bookmarking the site and checking it

(b) I linked it to my homepage

(c) I signed up for emails

3. Many people, at least initially, were a bit "scared" of changing this over from emails to a blog. I did it for personal reasons, primarily because it is much easier to set up the devotions to be published this way. But I am curious about how it ended up working for you, and if in the end it did work for you (especially if you've done this in the past with emails) Comments?

4. Other comments/suggestions/feedback?

Easter Meditation on Joy from Henri Nouwen

Joy is essential to the spiritual life. Whatever we may think or say about God, when we are not joyful, our thoughts and words cannot bear fruit. Jesus reveals to us God's love so that his joy may become ours and that our joy may become complete. Joy is the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing - sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death - can take that love away. 

Joy is not the same as happiness. We can be unhappy about many things, but joy can still be there because it comes from the knowledge of God's love for us. We are inclined to think that when we are sad we cannot be glad, but in the life of a God-centered person, sorrow and joy can exist together...Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge and safety and that nothing, not even death, can take that away from us.

Holy Week Meditations: Holy Saturday

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Holy Saturday

 “For I know that my Redeemer lives”

Job 19: 25a

For almost 25 years, it has been my practice to walk the Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent.  Each time, at each station, I repeat the prayer, “ We adore you O Christ and we praise you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.”  My attendance hasn’t been perfect, but even at an average of three Fridays per Lent, that adds up to almost a thousand recitations of those words.  However, like a lullaby, the words provided comfort without requiring full understanding.

Frankly, the words redeem, redeemer and redemption made me uncomfortable.  They were, in my mind, associated with the words saved and born again which I equated with an exclusionary and stifling theology.  Then two uses of the words changed my perspective.  First was a middle school vocabulary lesson.  The word redeem was on the list of words to be taught, and the definition provided was:  to bring to full value.  The illustrative sentence:  Be sure to redeem the coupon before its expiration date.  Second was the frequent reference to the trinity as the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.

Jesus, my Redeemer.  Jesus, whose mission it was and is to bring the world and each of us to full value. Today, on Holy Saturday, the trinity is more difficult than ever to comprehend.  Like the apostles and the psalmist we feel forsaken and alone in the absence of our Savior.  But as Christians, as redeemed members of the body of Christ, we hear new meaning in Job’s words:  “ I know that my Redeemer lives.”

(RC)

Holy Week Meditations: Good Friday

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)

My annotated Bible describes this psalm as a “prayer for deliverance from mortal illness (a lament).”  The psalmist’s groanings and cries for relief from this terrible illness go unanswered.   His “misery is aggravated by the mockery of those who regard illness as proof of God’s displeasure,” and even now they are casting lots for his clothing.  He has been totally abandoned and his misery is total.

In Mark’s Gospel, we hear this excruciating cry from Jesus - it makes one tremble – as he dies his terrible death on the cross. Why, why must he be abandoned by his Father? Is it because Jesus’ sacrifice for us would not be perfect without this abandonment? 

And a related thought – how must have it been for the Father to abandon Jesus at this terrible moment?  Surely, this too must have been a part of this perfect sacrifice.

(SCD)

Holy Week Meditations: Maundy Thursday

Meditations for Maundy Thursday

The following meditations are the culmination of the Education For Ministry group’s theological reflections on today’s scripture passages.

Readings  for the day: AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 142, 143 
 Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26)  

The Table Is Set…

In 1 Cor. 11:27-28, Paul advises that we should not eat the bread & drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner.  He further instructs that we should examine ourselves & discern the body of Christ before eating the bread and drinking the cup.

The death and resurrection of Christ have made us worthy to receive the bread and the cup of the Eucharist, but Paul makes clear that this is not the end of the story.  We have the responsibility to remember what Christ did for us in a manner that honors that sacrifice.  How do we take the bread & the cup in a worthy manner, and how do we examine ourselves before taking the bread and wine?  Bringing it into a modern day context, how do we respond in situations, today, where honor is to be shown in a manner worthy of the sacrifice?  Have you ever watched a military funeral on TV, or in person?  The honor guards and pall bearers arrive earlier than necessary to be sure they are not late for any reason. They also arrive with uniforms perfectly pressed & shoes reflecting the spit & polish shine so familiar in the military.  The other thing you will notice is total focus on the duty before them.  To be late, to be dressed inappropriately or to be distracted from their duty would be disrespectful to the fallen comrade, and to the entire military family past and present. 

How does this apply to sharing the Eucharist?  We certainly don't need to be dressed to the nines, or standing at attention, to receive the bread and wine, but we should be focused without any distractions that could take our minds off Christ and his sacrifice.  In fact, Paul advises to have dinner at home before coming to the Lord's Table (I Cor: 11:33) so hunger will not be a distraction.  At this point, the Eucharist appears to be a special meal to fill our spiritual needs rather than a regular meal to meet our physical needs.  It is not an ordinary meal. 

We come to the Lord's Table in a worthy manner when we set aside uninterrupted time to share in the Eucharist & to focus on Christ's sacrifice without distractions.

The next part of the question is how do we examine ourselves to discern the body of Christ?  In Corinthians & Romans, Paul teaches how the Christian life is to be lived.  What better place to start the examination process.  Some questions to ponder before the Eucharist might be:

1. Do I think more highly of myself than I ought? (Romans 12:3)

2. Do I put more trust in the symbols of power & prestige (money, job, possessions) than I do in Christ? (1 Cor. 10:14)

3. Do I grumble about things that God is not doing in my life more than I praise Him for the blessings He has given? (1 Cor: 10:10)

4. Do I live in harmony with the people who are part of my life? (Romans 12:16)

5. Do I take delight in in honoring others? (Romans 12:9-10)

6. Do I have patience in times of trouble? (Romans 12:12)

Examination will teach us that we are not living the life of a perfect Christian.  No big surprise.  But, with this knowledge, we can discern the body of Christ in the ideals we seek to attain.  We can also commit ourselves, with God's help, to continue on the road that brings us closer to the goal.  At this point, we have reached one important goal already - that of coming to the Lord's Table to receive the Eucharist in a worthy manner."

Ruth Webb

...Let Us Come In Love

“Jesus loves me this I know”. Sometimes we hear this as children. Some children know it. But, when do most of us know it?

Reading the Maundy Thursday passages it struck me that it all comes down to this. When reading about the Lords’ supper (1Corinthians:11) and what is required of us at communion; we see that God’s discipline and judgment reveal his love. Where is love in a prophet’s lament? Jeremiah says (Jer.:20) he “must speak God’s word. It is in his heart like a fire.” God is with him despite persecution and God’s love prevails. In Psalm 102 we see such suffering that not all of us can identify with the depth of brokenness, depression, and loneliness. Even here we learn that we have to be God’s hands and feet in the world, and allow Him to show His mercy, compassion, and love through us. In John: 17 God seems distant, but Jesus love for his disciples is evident. Can we ever really be removed from this love?  When do we know we are loved?

In all of these different themes and examples, we see people needing God, fighting God, questioning God, and looking for God.  From these different places we approach God. That’s it. We look for Him, begin a relationship, and attempt to trust. Our faith grows. We doubt and question and hurt. We know that Jesus died, took our grief , sorrow and sin on himself. We begin to recognize this as we acknowledge Good Friday in our lives as well as His. Then, we can  see hope in Jesus’ resurrection. We are loved by God and will rise to new life in Him.

-Holly Barton

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 20

A thought about John 12:27-36 and Philippians 4:1-13 in the Lenten season.

Some sayings are like catchy tunes which rattle around in my head and at some unexpected moment come popping out, leaving me to wonder “where did that come from?”  And often the “where from” leads to a “Why now?”

Reading John’s dialogue between Jesus and a recalcitrant crowd which is badgering him about his life’s vocation and impending doom, evoked a churchy mantra I heard years ago from a rather earnest preacher.  It went something like this:  “The question is not ‘How is the Gospel relevant to your life?” no, the question is “How is your life relevant to the Gospel!’”

Turning something on its head appears to be what Jesus is about in John’s climatic summation: “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.”

If it’s not too big a leap, it appears to me that Paul has also caught onto this dynamic capacity of “divine reversal.” I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me… Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

I’m still enthralled with these biblical passages. They lead me to consider that a “holy lent” is not so much a matter of the stoical disposition of “self-denial” although that is certainly a quite useful human achievement; rather a “holy lent” seems more a matter of learning how to insert oneself into the “divine scheme of things” and to do so in a certain order: “Not me first Lord, but after you!”  No wonder Paul finds the “peace of God to pass all human understanding!” But then too he found God’s peace to guard both mind and heart!  And that’s not too shabby a gift for letting God go first!

(PNT)

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 19

Tuesday in Holy Week: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; John 12:20-36

I’ve always loved the image of being “formed” or “named” in the mother’s womb, so this servant song, a song of thanksgiving and commissioning, is one that speaks to my heart.   This passage reminds me that God has a plan for our lives.  God gave each one of us particular gifts and talents to use to further God’s kingdom on earth.  God picked them out just for us because he knew us even before we were born; loved us before the world even knew our names.  It would be easy for us to just meditate on that knowledge and love from God, but Isaiah lives in the real world.  He knows it is not as easy as God gave us gifts, made a plan for our lives, and now we follow God’s plan like the recipes in a cook book.  Instead Isaiah tells us, 

“But I said, "I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my cause is with the LORD,
and my reward with my God.’"

The servant has tried to follow God’s plan, but sometimes hard work, discipline, prayer and determination don’t seem to be getting him anywhere.  Where is God’s plan then?  Sounds like this song of “commissioning” is more like a song of “re-commissioning.”  Because the truth is our call, our purpose, our gifts, get confused in the mixed messages of our society, our families, our inner voices, and a world filled with no’s.  The servant recognizes God’s call; the challenge is to maintain his passion even when it feels he has “labored in vain.”   This servant song recognizes the cycles and circles of life.  We will sometimes feel very close to and connected with God’s call to us, and sometimes we will feel very far away.  This song is not about discernment, it’s about renewal.  It’s a song about the cycles of life, and it’s our song too.  

(The Rev.Jill Williams)

Monday in Holy Week, April 18

“….I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

“…The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see that you can do nothing; look, the world has gone after him…’ “ John 12:19

 

I often watch the various political talk shows in order to hear all sides of the political –social-religious debates of the day. Only recently did I notice a sort of motto on the screen on one of the stations which states, “Lean Forward”. That one phrase really made me do just that. It captures for me the duty that we all have as Christians, Americans, and citizens of this world. To “lean forward” is to become attentive, to listen, to focus, to engage, to think, to participate. It is the opposite of leaning back, passive, disengaged, discouraged, self- satisfied. It calls to mind the image of an athlete—a runner, pitcher, swimmer, skier-- who is leaning into position, looking toward the goal. Paul is writing this letter from prison and yet he is able to write with incredible optimism because of his faith in Christ Jesus. Paul describes the prize as the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. We know that Jesus’s call is to justice in all and to all. It was this very call which caught Jesus up in a political-social-religious firestorm which ended in his crucifixion. Perhaps in our “leaning forward” we can hear not only the Scriptures and the sermons, but listen to the debates and make our decisions and write our blogs and cast our votes and strain forward to what lies ahead toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the citizens of the world today would truly go after him no matter what we call ourselves and what talk shows we watch?

K

Holy Week Medtiations: Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday's location at the beginning of Holy Week has always troubled me.  The Hosannas and joyful welcome of Christ as he rides into Jerusalem are in sharp contrast to the sadness and tragic events of the week ahead.  If I could rewrite the script, my verbal omnipotence would put Palm Sunday after Easter.  Christ rises from the dead, gets on the donkey, and does his victorious ride into Jerusalem delighting the masses who wildly greet his arrival and celebrate his resurrection. His fans get rewarded for their allegiance. Such a perfect picture: a Tony Award winning sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1970 rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.  This fictitious rewrite of life includes world peace, a cure for cancer, and relief for all suffering.   

The reality is that Jesus's ride today is fufilling the prophecy of Zechariah, "Rejoice greatly...Lo your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he on a colt, the foal of an ass."  Jesus needs to be in Jerusalem where the rest of Holy Week unfolds.  My perfect picture is not the reality of life; there is suffering everywhere. How do we cope?  We have faith and know there are Hosannas everywhere as well.

 

A few Lents ago, Rich recommended a Lenten discipline: the memorization of Psalm 103 by adding one verse to memory each day. Dutifully I did this and as a result, I am barraged with Hosannas even as I struggle with the sadness and tragedies that occur in life.  He forgives our sins, HOSANNA.  He heals us, HOSANNA.  He is merciful and loving, HOSANNA.  He provides us with good things, HOSANNA.  He teaches us righteousness, HOSANNA.  His anger with us is brief, HOSANNA.  He loves us like a father, HOSANNA. "Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all His benefits."  Christ rides triumphantly in our lives not merely on Palm Sunday or Easter but always if we let Him. HOSANNA  

Jan Moran

Meditation for Saturday, April 16, 2011

Jeremiah 31: 27-34; Romans 11:25-36; John 11:28-44

Often the BEFORE/AFTER story-lines in the Bible that seem incredible, that seem unbelievable, that seem at odds with the reality of the present we live in are the story-lines with a BEFORE set in the past and an AFTER set in the past.  I guess it’s just easy to look at the story, then to look at the world as we see it working now and say “Really?  You’re kidding me!” 

For example: the story in John 11:28-44 of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ ⁴⁴The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’  BEFORE: Lazarus was dead.  AFTER: he lived again.  Really?  You’re kidding me!

But what about the story-lines in the Bible with a BEFORE set in the world as we know it now and an AFTER set in a radically different future world? 

For example, Romans 11:25-36 includes Paul’s prophesy of the Good News accepted by the Chosen People: I want you to understand this mystery: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.²⁶And so all Israel will be saved.  BEFORE: the reality our world knows too well, hardening between peoples of faith.  AFTER: salvation for all.

And Jeremiah 31:27-34 seems to come from a BEFORE very much like our world; full  of strident, divergent bumpersticker theologies, of ICTHYS fish and DARWIN amphibians.  It prophesies an AFTER where: ³⁴No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord’, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; 

Really?  You’re kidding me! Story-lines that lead from the world as we want to know it, this BEFORE, to these incredible AFTER states? 

Probably you’ve heard that Christians should be named “Easter People”.  Sometimes I worry that this puts focus on the credibility/believability issues wrapped up in that BEFORE/AFTER storyline from the past. 

But, how about adding to our focus the incredible AFTER visions for the future in Romans and Jeremiah?   What storyline leads us from this hard and divided BEFORE world towards life together as “Easter People”, as “AFTER People”?  Really.

Will Ames

Meditation for Friday, April 15, 2011

Victory over Death

“After saying this Jesus added: ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I shall go and wake him.’ …Then he raised his voice in a great cry: ‘Lazarus come forth.’” (Jn.11:22; 44)
 
The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which just about takes up a whole chapter in the Gospel of John, has to be among the most popular and well-known stories in the NT. It is a wonderful story, even in the classical sense with its clear beginning, middle and end. Moreover, it has intriguing characters (Martha, Mary, et al.), detailed and dense imagery and a “blow away” conclusion. A perfect short story.

In the history of western art, the story of Lazarus is also a popular topic. Along with the nativity and crucifixion, the raising of Lazarus ranks among the most popular biblical topics for both medieval and renaissance artists. As a docent-volunteer at the Worcester Art Museum, I not only have such paintings to point to on my tours, but also this marvelous story to retell.

So the obvious question is why is it such a well-know story, so popular among storytellers, artists, theologians and clerics alike? Well, for starters, it rivets the attention of the reader. We, as well as the characters within the story, are gradually lured into the powerful narrative and experience the same awe and wonder as the eye witnesses when Lazarus walks forth from his tomb, loosed from his bonds. Also, and more importantly, it underscores the miraculous powers of Jesus--he heals the sick, the blind, the lame, and even raises the dead. He is indeed the son of God, who came to free us from the bondage of sin and death. He is Lord of heaven and earth.

C.S. Lewis, in another context, underscores this very point about Jesus in his popular spiritual classic, Mere Christianity. “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said (and did) would not be a great moral teacher. He would be either a lunatic or the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God.”

Joe Reynolds

Meditation for Thursday, April 14, 2011

AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 140, 142 
Jer. 26:1-16; Rom. 11:1-12; John 10:19-42

 

Words have meaning. Words have consequences. Words can lift up and they can cast down. Yet even the most powerful prophecy or most eloquent tongue can fall on deaf ears, hard hearts, or stiff necks. Jeremiah is called, once again, to speak truth to power and to raise up a voice of justice and redress. Yet we are reminded, both then and now, “It may be that they will listen” and, of course, it may be that they will not. Despite the urgency of his words, the reaction of those in Jeremiah’s midst is not to heed his call but to call for his head. Yes, sometimes the truth is that costly.

History will remind us, right up to the present moment, precisely to the present hour, that the price of words and the value on truth can be very high indeed. “Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low”, laments The Psalmist [Ps 142]. Ah, if only it were but so simple, so easy. If only resolution and respite were so near at hand. But in the great unfolding of history and dust, of Calvary Roads and frenzied Sanhedrins, this is not the telling of the tale. Not yet. John’s Gospel reminds us that words “divide”, and that even those who are near do not choose or wish to see or to comprehend. Perhaps they - we - are simply incapable, by virtue of the vast mystery which enshrouds their and our presence: “Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe.”

Yes, instead, let us gather up stones to cast at the One who speaks. Let us respond to oracle and insight with ignorance and venom. Let us stir the rabble and incite violence. Let us try to “arrest”, to stop, to halt the mighty river of truth and prophecy and justice which threatens to wash clean a sullied and bitter world.

Words have meaning. Of this, scripture is clear. So let us listen with a new way, and let us hear with a new heart, and let our souls be open without judgment to a lexicon of possibility and redemption, for there is no other way, save the road to ruin.

(Mark H. Hatch) 

Meditation for Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Jeremiah 25:36-27 "Hark! the cry of the shepherd, and the wail of the lords of the flock! For the Lord if despoiling their pasture, and the peaceful folds are devastated, because of the fierce anger of the Lord."

John 10:14-15 "I am the good shepherd. I know my own as my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep."

What a crazy pairing of texts! How could the same metaphor - sheep and shepherds - get pulled into two such drastically different directions? How could the shepherds of Jeremiah, slain and dispersed as the flocks are despoiled and devastated by an angry God, even exist between the same two covers as the shepherd of John, who is Jesus himself, a loving leader directing the flock toward a fatherly God? The two are almost irreconcilable.

To me, juxtaposing the two reveals what a schizophrenic text the Bible really is. When I read them together, one of my first thoughts was of standing between two mirrors and seeing myself drawn into two opposite infinities, but being equally present in both of them. Here, these two authors pull is into opposite theological strains: Jeremiah confronts us with the angry God and the certainly that we are sinners, and that we will be judged, and we will be punished. John presents a loving God and the equally strong assertion that we are intimately known and forgiven, and blessed.

Determining which is more right, or reconciling John and Jeremiah with each other, is the work of theologians far more educated than I. For now, I see fit to praise God for the multiple personalities of the Bible - for its ambivalence, its cacophony of voices, its devastated shepherds and its gentle ones. Because of these qualities, it is a suitable guide for my own cacophonous life, as well as the multivocal community of Christians around the world who all turn to these same pages. A young American girl in New York City, a middle-aged evangelical preacher in Indonesia, an orthodox nun in Eastern Europe - their experiences are as distant from each other as the two flocks in today's readings, but they all take refuge between the same two covers. That to me is wondrous, and I take comfort in the fact that even though this book often makes no sense to me, I know I'm looking in the right place.

(Kiersten Rooke)

Meditation for Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tuesday April 12 

John 9:18-41  

Opening Our Eyes

“Oy vey” the amazed man shouted at the Pharisees. “What don’t you understand about ‘I was blind and now I see’, he stammered. “This man must be of G-d; he is a real mensch.”  So goes a loosely translated story of The Man Born Blind. But, it’s not the story of The Man Born Blind – it is really the story of the religious establishment’s fear and distrust of Jesus—this wandering prophet from Galilee (of all places) who dares to heal on the Sabbath, who speaks so eloquently about God’s Kingdom, but who has not be afraid to speak his truth to their power.  

We can never appreciate how much the religious bureaucrats of Jesus day hated him for his time spent with prostitutes and tax collectors or how much they resented his growing popularity with the people. The time would soon be ripe to end this threat; they saw to that. The religious leadership coopted the political leadership and his death was easily arranged. They miscalculated.  His followers overcame their own fears as they came to believe that Jesus had overcome death. Theyspoke of this new life in Jerusalem and then around Judea; they attracted new followers like Paul who brought the salvation message to Greece and then toRome.

The story of new life and unconditional love resonated with the slaves and servants and poor people of the Roman Empire. A flood of converts created a community of followers like no other before or since.  The rest, as they say, is Church History.

As this is written in mid March we are barraged with the news of suffering from natural disasters in Japan and a man-made one in Libya. Most of the world lives on less than $1 a day. Even in this great and prosperous country millions lack jobs and healthcare and adequate shelter. WWJD? Jesus would stand with the afflicted and the poor. He’d do what he always did. What would be the response?

Jim Bourque

Meditation for Monday, April 11, 2011

But Moses said, “O Lord, I have never been a man of ready speech…. Not even now that
thou hast spoken to you; I am slow and hesitant of speech.” EXODUS 4: 10

“ THE KING’S Speech”

This year’s Oscar for best male actor went to Colin Firth. He played the role of the Duke of York who was thrown somewhat unexpectedly onto the throne of England when his older brother the Prince of Wales abdicated. It was just before WWII. The movie’s plot focused neither on the new Duke of Windsor nor on Hitler’s Luftwaffe but rather on young Bertie’s own crisis – his embarrassing disability which was stammering when he spoke – a liability for any public figure charged with daunting leadership responsibility.

This aspect of King George’s life is not often highlighted in the history books. Nor, for that matter, is FDR’s carefully veiled dependence on a wheelchair. But both like Moses (*) – emerged  heroic –what Henri Nouwen might have called “wounded healers”.

Sometimes surprisingly, disabilities reveal themselves to be gifts - gifts that inspire and heal. We ‘d best heed the health hidden in our disabilities, our wounds.


(The Rev. Ted Harris)



(*) and Geoffrey Rush who played his “Aaron”

Meditation for Sunday, April 10

Readings for Sunday, April 10, 2011:

AM Psalm 118; PM Psalm 145;  Jer. 23:16-32; 1 Cor. 9:19-27; Mark 8:31-9:1

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Mark 8:34

  

I came to the Episcopal Church a few years ago after many years of searching in a wide variety of religious traditions, and I must admit that the symbol of the cross made me uneasy at first.  “So much emphasis on death,” I’d think to myself, or “Why couldn’t the peaceful white dove or a Pentecost red flame be the major symbol of Christianity?”  So, four years ago when I was about to be confirmed, I searched for a cross that I could be comfortable wearing everyday. I ended up choosing a Celtic cross, as a way of honoring my Irish grandmother and namesake. The circle around the cross somehow softened the severity of it, and I’ve been told that the circle stands for the unending love of God. (I like the circle metaphor, although I’ve read that the historical reason for the addition of circles was to make the cross less apt to break apart in harsh Celtic weather.)

So, today’s lectionary reading called me up short. What exactly does take up your cross and follow me mean? Certainly, for a first century Christian living under Roman rule, that phrase would have meant being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. I’m lucky enough to live in a time and place where that is not likely to be asked of me, although I often wonder if I would have the needed courage under fire.

And then, how often have you heard someone say, “I guess that’s just my cross to bear,” when referring to a difficult relative, an ailment, lack of money or even the inability to keep their weight down? I find the expression used in that way curious, because the “crosses” can seem so mundane.

As I reflect back on my years at St. Francis, I find that taking up my cross has been about far more than wearing a certain symbolic ornament daily. And while it includes coping with common misfortunes or everyday problems, that limits its scope enormously.  For me, the cross is a symbol of the duality of living and dying, much like the yin and yang principle of Eastern philosophy.  I will most likely never be asked to give up my life and die because of following Christ. For me, the question of these past years has been “How do I give my life to live as a Christian?” The answer, “Take up your cross and follow me” strikes me as sound, practical advice. The cross includes within it both death and resurrection. In taking up the cross you consider both the dark and light sides of being human-- the uplifting symbols of dove and red Pentecost as well as the earthly symbol of death.

In taking up your cross, you offer up personal trials and tribulations in the realization that there is something beyond them. What a relief! But perhaps most importantly, in taking up your cross, you refuse to be overcome with helplessness when confronting the massive and complex problems of our world, because you have a part to play.

You take up your cross, the horrifying symbol of death, and get on with your life.

-Julie Mankowsky

Saturday, April 9, 2011

AM 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13); PM Psalm 33; Jer. 23:9-15; Rom. 9:1-18; John 6:60-71

So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses. – Romans 9:18 

Today's readings are difficult for me.  In each, they seem to split people into two groups, one whom God favors and the other, well …  he simply does not. In Psalm 107, God turns rivers into deserts for some and a desert into pools of water for others.  In his Letter to the Romans, Paul quotes Malachi, "Yet I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau." And in the Gospel, Jesus describes those who believe and those who do not. 

Dichotomies of people. These vs. those. This vs. that. It's that little word "versus" that gets in the middle and splits groups. We have a lawsuit on our hands.  And this just doesn’t work for me.  I want to shout to the Great Judge, "This is not fair."

But that Paul!  He knows my feelings and he's prepared, "What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!" Of course, I'm ready for a fight. And this is worth fighting for, isn't it?  Isn't it worth dying for? Jesus died for ALL. And during this season, we wait for his resurrection for ALL.

Have mercy on me, Lord, and soften my heart. Help me to work for reconciliation in the world – to pray the prayer of St. Francis: "Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."

(Cynthia M)

Meditation for Friday, April 8

Romans 8:28-39

 

This passage speaks to me strongly because it reminds me of what is important.  God knew what he was doing in the beginning and continues to know what he is doing even today.  No matter what is going on in my life, no matter how stressed out I am, or sad I may be, I am reminded that God sent his only son so that I may be saved. 

 

It is comforting to know that even when I may feel forgotten, I'm not.  If I turn to God, my voice will always be heard, and I will always be remembered.  His love is with me through any tribulation I may face; in the end I can't think of anything more comforting than His love.

 

(Catie Simmons)

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Matthew 5:3-16

3 ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.


WWJD ~ "What Would Jesus Do?" This phrase has become well known, especially since it became a bumper sticker! When I hear it I tend to pause and notice a wrinkle in my brow caused by the strain of my thought. I feel like sometimes I take it too literally and become overwhelmed by the demand of meeting that task. So I need to try and be like Jesus? Are you kidding? I am not sure that is even legal given my past deeds!

On the other hand if everyone in the world stopped and said this to themselves before every life changing (even non-life changing) decision, truly only good would come from that thought. The world I think would be closer to heaven for sure.

But in everyday life it seems daunting to try and be like Jesus most of the time. What I found sometimes helpful is that I imagine to myself during pray this phrase instead, "What would Jesus tell me to do?" You know, if he were standing beside me what would he, The Shepherd, tell this sheep to do? This somehow helps me to listen better in a comforting way knowing that I am a lowly sheep to His greatness, I am better equipped in my humanness to listen, obey and follow His word.

So in short, the WWJTMTD is a bit longer and not as catchy but for me a meaningful addition to the already popular phrases of today.

This reading of Matthew is probably a favorite of many. It can be related to in an earthly way. It is special to our family, as it was one of the readings we chose to be read at our wedding many years ago.

Prayers of peace.

(GS)