I use a devotional guide which re-prints for me the appointed lessons for the day. There is also a reading, linked to the lessons, as well as an opening and closing prayer. Occasionally, it is one of these which guides my thoughts and meditations.
So it is with the closing prayer included for today. It is a simple reminder that the same God who has prepared Heaven for me, is at work, preparing me for heaven. God is the one who gifts us with eternal life; God is the one who prepares us to receive the gift.
During this season of Advent, we speak of preparing. Most of that talk is in the category of "Prepare the way of the Lord." But part of it is surely a hope that God will prepare us for that which we are about to receive.
Here is the prayer which prompted such thoughts:
O God, you who have prepared a place for my soul, prepare my soul for that place; prepare it with holiness; prepare it with desire; and even while it remains on earth, let it dwell in heaven with you; seeing the beauty of your face and the glory of your saints, now and for evermore. Amen.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Devotion - Monday, November 29
On the one hand, you are already heavily involved in waiting, and anticipating, and hoping. After all, it is the final week of classes; one week away from final exams. It is natural that these days would be spent looking up, looking ahead, trying to discern what is needful and how you might obtain it.
But anticipating the end of the semester differs from anticipating the arrival of our Messiah. The latter has far greater consequences than maintain our GPR or holding on to our scholarship.
As we watch and wait and anticipate, it is important that we continually remind one another that we are looking up, looking forward to something which will not merely affect our next semester in school; we are anticipating that which will change our lives.
Perhaps we are so exhausted by the waiting and anticipating and hoping with regard to our semester's worth of work which contributes to a tendency to short-change the work of preparing for Messiah. Moving through the one time of travail is enough; why would we do it again? It is understandable. But that does not make it less regrettable.
Yes, these are busy times. Yes, there is already so much to do. But find times during the days of Advent to look beyond that which lies immediately before you. Make sure to anticipate the greater significance of your life and of your relationship with God. Make ready for the arrival of Christ; prepare a place for Him in our life and in your thoughts.
Advent all too often gets lost among those of us involved in Campus Ministry. I pray that we would prevent it from doing so, completely.
But anticipating the end of the semester differs from anticipating the arrival of our Messiah. The latter has far greater consequences than maintain our GPR or holding on to our scholarship.
As we watch and wait and anticipate, it is important that we continually remind one another that we are looking up, looking forward to something which will not merely affect our next semester in school; we are anticipating that which will change our lives.
Perhaps we are so exhausted by the waiting and anticipating and hoping with regard to our semester's worth of work which contributes to a tendency to short-change the work of preparing for Messiah. Moving through the one time of travail is enough; why would we do it again? It is understandable. But that does not make it less regrettable.
Yes, these are busy times. Yes, there is already so much to do. But find times during the days of Advent to look beyond that which lies immediately before you. Make sure to anticipate the greater significance of your life and of your relationship with God. Make ready for the arrival of Christ; prepare a place for Him in our life and in your thoughts.
Advent all too often gets lost among those of us involved in Campus Ministry. I pray that we would prevent it from doing so, completely.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Devotion - Tuesday, November 23
Thanksgiving Day is not on the liturgical calendar. It is on most Church calendars in the U.S. (and Canada, on a different date.) What we observe as Thanksgiving Day is traced to the Pilgrims in early 17th century. It wasn’t until 1941 that it became an official, national holiday. Thanksgiving Day is not on the liturgical calendar, it is a holiday which has lost many of its religious affiliations, but it a day worthy of observance.
In Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, we are instructed to acknowledge and give thanks for all that God has given us. In his explanation to the fourth petition, “Give us this day our daily bread,” Luther writes: “God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask in this prayer that he will help us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanks.” Luther reminds us, “Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, word and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors.”
Every day, Luther’s writings would encourage us to understand, is a day of thanksgiving.
As you travel home today to be with family and friends, be thankful. Remain thankful. Express your thankfulness to those with whom you share the weekend and to the God who has given you and still provides your “daily bread.”
In Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, we are instructed to acknowledge and give thanks for all that God has given us. In his explanation to the fourth petition, “Give us this day our daily bread,” Luther writes: “God gives daily bread, even without our prayer, to all people, though sinful, but we ask in this prayer that he will help us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanks.” Luther reminds us, “Daily bread includes everything needed for this life, such as food and clothing, home and property, word and income, a devoted family, an orderly community, good government, favorable weather, peace and health, a good name, and true friends and neighbors.”
Every day, Luther’s writings would encourage us to understand, is a day of thanksgiving.
As you travel home today to be with family and friends, be thankful. Remain thankful. Express your thankfulness to those with whom you share the weekend and to the God who has given you and still provides your “daily bread.”
Monday, November 22, 2010
Devotion - Monday, November 22
In addition to being Christ the King Sunday, yesterday was also Youth Sunday, at University Lutheran. One of the youth, Matthew Vetter, preached. In his sermon, he asked who (or even what) it is that we have placed in the role of "King" in our lives. He suggested it might be a sports figure, a political leader, or one of those who have served as our mentors. "Who is your king?" he asked.
In the Gospel readings for Christ the King Sunday, it is Pilot who places the inscription above Jesus' head which reads, "King." Some protest, asking that Pilot change the sign to read, "This man claims to be King." Pilot responds, "I wrote what I wrote."
Sometimes, others are better able to see who is our King that we. Sometimes, the way we live rather than what we think or what we say exposes that to which we have truly given ourselves. Others can see what we do with our time and they can evaluate everything we say throughout the week. They can tell whether the things we confess for an hour on Sunday morning is in harmony with the decisions we make during the remainder of the week.
"Who is your king?" How would you answer the question; what answer is revealed in the way you live your life?
In the Gospel readings for Christ the King Sunday, it is Pilot who places the inscription above Jesus' head which reads, "King." Some protest, asking that Pilot change the sign to read, "This man claims to be King." Pilot responds, "I wrote what I wrote."
Sometimes, others are better able to see who is our King that we. Sometimes, the way we live rather than what we think or what we say exposes that to which we have truly given ourselves. Others can see what we do with our time and they can evaluate everything we say throughout the week. They can tell whether the things we confess for an hour on Sunday morning is in harmony with the decisions we make during the remainder of the week.
"Who is your king?" How would you answer the question; what answer is revealed in the way you live your life?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Devotion - Thursday, November 18
In Luke 13:18ff, we read two parables on the Kingdom of God. One is the reference to the mustard seed; the other to leaven hid in three measures of flower. Few of us garden enough, or cook often enough to catch the images of these parables.
Jesus says that the mustard seed grows into a tree in which the birds make their nests. The mustard seeds of Palestine grew into plants. Useful as a spice, but far from becoming a tree. Jesus speaks of something which is biologically impossible. Thus, his message is clear.
As he searches to find something to which he could compare the Kingdom of God, he finds none. It is so unlike anything else we have ever known. It grows beyond any persecieved limitations. A better understanding of mustard seeds allows us to see the Kingdom of God as something unlike anything else.
It is a place where those that flit from limb to limb find their rest. It becomes a place where we make our nests and reside.
Similarly the second reference: leaven. Even if we have never made a loaf of bread from scratch, we have seen the TV commercials where time lapse photography allows us to see the muffins grow over the edges of the tin. We understand the concept. There is something quite different about making the bread and watching it rise in our own bowls.
The bread recipe we used for years involves two opportunities for the yeast to do its work. The second is after the loaves are placed in the pan. The first is with the whole ball of ingredients. We mix it together and leave it in our largest mixing bowl. In keeping with the handwritten instructions of our teacher, we cover the bowl with a moist towel. It never fails to amaze me when I return to the bowl, to see that the bread has risen and begun to lift the towel off the top of the bowl.
It takes so little yeast. It expands greatly.
The Kingdom is like that. It may seem small. It has a tremendous potential to change everything around it. As I write this morning I envision those who gathered last evening for fellowship as small packets of leaven who are now spread all across the community. The joy, the acceptance, the love carried from God's house is now the leaven which can greatly alter the rest of the world.
The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed; it is like leaven placed in flour. It is unlike anything we have ever known. It is.
Jesus says that the mustard seed grows into a tree in which the birds make their nests. The mustard seeds of Palestine grew into plants. Useful as a spice, but far from becoming a tree. Jesus speaks of something which is biologically impossible. Thus, his message is clear.
As he searches to find something to which he could compare the Kingdom of God, he finds none. It is so unlike anything else we have ever known. It grows beyond any persecieved limitations. A better understanding of mustard seeds allows us to see the Kingdom of God as something unlike anything else.
It is a place where those that flit from limb to limb find their rest. It becomes a place where we make our nests and reside.
Similarly the second reference: leaven. Even if we have never made a loaf of bread from scratch, we have seen the TV commercials where time lapse photography allows us to see the muffins grow over the edges of the tin. We understand the concept. There is something quite different about making the bread and watching it rise in our own bowls.
The bread recipe we used for years involves two opportunities for the yeast to do its work. The second is after the loaves are placed in the pan. The first is with the whole ball of ingredients. We mix it together and leave it in our largest mixing bowl. In keeping with the handwritten instructions of our teacher, we cover the bowl with a moist towel. It never fails to amaze me when I return to the bowl, to see that the bread has risen and begun to lift the towel off the top of the bowl.
It takes so little yeast. It expands greatly.
The Kingdom is like that. It may seem small. It has a tremendous potential to change everything around it. As I write this morning I envision those who gathered last evening for fellowship as small packets of leaven who are now spread all across the community. The joy, the acceptance, the love carried from God's house is now the leaven which can greatly alter the rest of the world.
The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed; it is like leaven placed in flour. It is unlike anything we have ever known. It is.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Devotion - Wednesday, November 17
In response to yesterday's offering, I received a couple of replies addressing the issue of hopelessness. The stories are heart wrenching. There are far too many of God's children teetering on the brink of despair.
Similar thoughts came to me during this morning's prayer time. I had read from Luke 13:10-17. Jesus is once more in a situation where he can either heal, or abide by the Sabbath rules of his day. He chooses to heal the woman who had been afflicted for eighteen years.
The way of Jesus is the way of easing burdens, of setting aside hardship, of setting free those who are bound. How is it that we have turned the whole Christian enterprise into a path of personal deprivation? Why do we add burdens to God's children rather than lift them off?
The way of Christ is demanding - it demands that we place our trust in him and let go of our thoughts of individual security. Letting go of such is tough - perhaps the toughest thing we will ever be asked to do. But the invitation is to let go so that we might embrace that which is truly worthy of our attention.
When Jesus sees the woman afflicted, he responds to her. He cares for her. He has compassion upon her. Lifts her burden. Following Jesus means we look for ways to do the same. Following Jesus means we embrace an ethic of caring, not one of blind obedience to proscribed rules and regulations.
Similar thoughts came to me during this morning's prayer time. I had read from Luke 13:10-17. Jesus is once more in a situation where he can either heal, or abide by the Sabbath rules of his day. He chooses to heal the woman who had been afflicted for eighteen years.
The way of Jesus is the way of easing burdens, of setting aside hardship, of setting free those who are bound. How is it that we have turned the whole Christian enterprise into a path of personal deprivation? Why do we add burdens to God's children rather than lift them off?
The way of Christ is demanding - it demands that we place our trust in him and let go of our thoughts of individual security. Letting go of such is tough - perhaps the toughest thing we will ever be asked to do. But the invitation is to let go so that we might embrace that which is truly worthy of our attention.
When Jesus sees the woman afflicted, he responds to her. He cares for her. He has compassion upon her. Lifts her burden. Following Jesus means we look for ways to do the same. Following Jesus means we embrace an ethic of caring, not one of blind obedience to proscribed rules and regulations.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Devotion - Tuesday, November 16
The cycle of readings has brought me to the 14th chapter of Revelation. In the latter verses of the chapter, we encounter one of the horrific images. Blood flows as high as a horses' bridle. And yet, amid all this death and destruction, there arises a chorus of praise.
From Revelation we take many insights and thoughts, but none should be as significant as the instruction to praise God in all things. I do not mean to be simplistic in pretending there is never reason for angst or anxiety. Rather, I am pulling from the verses of Revelation that no matter what occurs, there is always reason to remind confident in Christ. One of my seminary professors pointed out that loss of life is one horror; loss of hope is another.
Again, there are very real hurts which come into our lives. There are those things which threaten us and seek our undoing. Amid them all, we have the opportunity to cling to that which is eternal, to that which can never be destroyed. As our LCM-C t-shirts remind us, "On Christ the solid rock I stand."
From Revelation we take many insights and thoughts, but none should be as significant as the instruction to praise God in all things. I do not mean to be simplistic in pretending there is never reason for angst or anxiety. Rather, I am pulling from the verses of Revelation that no matter what occurs, there is always reason to remind confident in Christ. One of my seminary professors pointed out that loss of life is one horror; loss of hope is another.
Again, there are very real hurts which come into our lives. There are those things which threaten us and seek our undoing. Amid them all, we have the opportunity to cling to that which is eternal, to that which can never be destroyed. As our LCM-C t-shirts remind us, "On Christ the solid rock I stand."
Monday, November 15, 2010
Devotion - Monday, November 15
For a long time I had attributed a saying to Martin Luther. Recently, someone more learned than I gave credit to fellow reformer Philip Melanchthon. It goes like this: If you are going to quote a verse of scripture in support of your belief, make sure you have two additional verses in mind - one which supports the first and one which challenges it.
For the entire fall, our Sunday morning Bible Study has been looking at I Corinthians. Paul is very concerned about their lack of unity. He sees their disunity as an indication that they are truly following God's Word. I have become very fond of pointing this out, as I encourage fellow followers to strive for harmony.
This morning I read the appointed Gospel lesson. It is from Luke 12:49-59. Here, Jesus says "Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division."
These verses, considered together, reinforce the discussion at our Sunday morning study. We are to be unified as God's people, as unified as possible. But there are some issues and some teachings which should not and cannot be compromised. When necessary, we stand over against those who hold unacceptable convictions. Division happens.
The challenge is determining when this is appropriate.
I am a strong believer that Christmas Carols should be sung at Christmas - NOT IN ADVENT! But surely this is not sufficient to divide the Church. I believe in baptism of infants, but I am not going to tell those who practice a believer's baptism that they are not followers of Christ. There are some congregations in which women are not allowed to take positions of leadership. Here, I start to stand a bit more firm. Even so, I make it my aim not to say they are "wrong," and "no longer part of Jesus' followers." They have arrived at a different understanding, and I would like to talk with them more so that their thoughts and mine might find a meeting place.
There are two points in today's offering: First, is to acknowledge that scripture does contain verses which nudge us in different directions. Remembering this will prevent us from being so dogmatic in our beliefs. Second, there are issues which divide us which deserve a more dogmatic stance. Sometimes, we need to speak clearly to that which separates us. It may be splitting hairs; it might be acknowledging an important distinction in what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
And, yes, that last phrase is intentional - we are all FOLLOWERS of Jesus. Some follow more closely, some straggle behind a bit, some try to influence the direction of our movement more than others. But, remembering that being a Christian means we have decided to "follow Jesus," helps us see others as followers, too.
For the entire fall, our Sunday morning Bible Study has been looking at I Corinthians. Paul is very concerned about their lack of unity. He sees their disunity as an indication that they are truly following God's Word. I have become very fond of pointing this out, as I encourage fellow followers to strive for harmony.
This morning I read the appointed Gospel lesson. It is from Luke 12:49-59. Here, Jesus says "Do you think I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division."
These verses, considered together, reinforce the discussion at our Sunday morning study. We are to be unified as God's people, as unified as possible. But there are some issues and some teachings which should not and cannot be compromised. When necessary, we stand over against those who hold unacceptable convictions. Division happens.
The challenge is determining when this is appropriate.
I am a strong believer that Christmas Carols should be sung at Christmas - NOT IN ADVENT! But surely this is not sufficient to divide the Church. I believe in baptism of infants, but I am not going to tell those who practice a believer's baptism that they are not followers of Christ. There are some congregations in which women are not allowed to take positions of leadership. Here, I start to stand a bit more firm. Even so, I make it my aim not to say they are "wrong," and "no longer part of Jesus' followers." They have arrived at a different understanding, and I would like to talk with them more so that their thoughts and mine might find a meeting place.
There are two points in today's offering: First, is to acknowledge that scripture does contain verses which nudge us in different directions. Remembering this will prevent us from being so dogmatic in our beliefs. Second, there are issues which divide us which deserve a more dogmatic stance. Sometimes, we need to speak clearly to that which separates us. It may be splitting hairs; it might be acknowledging an important distinction in what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
And, yes, that last phrase is intentional - we are all FOLLOWERS of Jesus. Some follow more closely, some straggle behind a bit, some try to influence the direction of our movement more than others. But, remembering that being a Christian means we have decided to "follow Jesus," helps us see others as followers, too.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Devotion - Wednesday, November 10
In Luke 11:37-52, Jesus is warning the legalistic folks against adding so many demands on the people of God. He warns against burdening those whom God has set free.
And yet we know, that Jesus himself tells his disciples that they much give up home and family and devote their full lives to him. That following him means sacrifice - perhaps even of our very lives.
In Pre-Seminary group last week we were acquainted with a thought from C.S. Lewis in which he says that evil always comes in pairs. A Christian must navigate the narrow path between these pairs of temptation. It is a favorite trick of the devil to make us so fearful of the ditch on one side that we become trapped in the ditch on the other.
I confessed to the group my tendency to so avoid burdening folks that I sometimes get too close to the ditch of "anything goes." I am grateful to Lewis for this image, as a way of holding in check the temptation which threatens to undo what I desire.
Our Sunday morning study of I Corinthians has brought us the section where Paul acknowledges that in Christ he has been truly set free. In this freedom, he has subjected himself to that which is helpful, to that which is instructive, to that which will build up the rest of the Church.
Jesus does not want us to struggle to live up to contrived standards or obligations. He wants no one to add burdens to our lives. He does hope that we will live a life which reflects our faith, a life in which every action, word, and thought are altered by our desire to give praise to our Lord and invite others to follow his Word.
And yet we know, that Jesus himself tells his disciples that they much give up home and family and devote their full lives to him. That following him means sacrifice - perhaps even of our very lives.
In Pre-Seminary group last week we were acquainted with a thought from C.S. Lewis in which he says that evil always comes in pairs. A Christian must navigate the narrow path between these pairs of temptation. It is a favorite trick of the devil to make us so fearful of the ditch on one side that we become trapped in the ditch on the other.
I confessed to the group my tendency to so avoid burdening folks that I sometimes get too close to the ditch of "anything goes." I am grateful to Lewis for this image, as a way of holding in check the temptation which threatens to undo what I desire.
Our Sunday morning study of I Corinthians has brought us the section where Paul acknowledges that in Christ he has been truly set free. In this freedom, he has subjected himself to that which is helpful, to that which is instructive, to that which will build up the rest of the Church.
Jesus does not want us to struggle to live up to contrived standards or obligations. He wants no one to add burdens to our lives. He does hope that we will live a life which reflects our faith, a life in which every action, word, and thought are altered by our desire to give praise to our Lord and invite others to follow his Word.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Devotion - Tuesday, November 9
When we speak of the Book of Jonah, we most often think of the great fish. But the fish, and Jonah's three days and three nights inside the belly of the fish, is only a backdrop to the full story.
Jonah is in the sea, where the fish can swallow him, because he had attempted to flee God's command. God had spoken to Jonah, instructing him to go to Nineveh, in order to call the city to repentance.
There were reasons why Jonah did not want to do this. First, the city was not a Jewish city. It was Gentile. These were not followers of Yahweh, why would they listen to words of God's warning? Second, as we learn near the stories end, Jonah is reluctant to go because of what he knows about God. We will come back to this point.
In case your knowledge of Jonah is limited to the fishy story, allow me to remind you that Jonah eventually goes to Nineveh, preaches the Word of God, and the whole city (including the King) repents. They heed the Word of God.
Jonah is ticked off. He had gone outside the city, sat on a hillside and waited to see God's destruction of Nineveh. When it doesn't come, he cries out, "See how they look upon me as a fool!" Jonah's words of warning were not followed by God's punishment.
"I knew this would happen," Jonah adds. "I knew. That is why I fled and did not want to do this task." Then Jonah speaks the words which are many times more important than the story of the great fish. Jonah says he knew that God would not destroy Nineveh because he knows that God is "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love." He knows this; he just chooses to make something else the centerpiece of his preaching.
How like Jonah we are. We speak God's words of warning; knowing, but seldom beginning with the affirmation of what lies in the center of God's heart. God's righteousness is framed, supported, built upon God's being gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Re-read the story of Jonah. Fantasize about the great fish. But hear and remember that it is God's forgiveness which serves as the point of the story.
Jonah is in the sea, where the fish can swallow him, because he had attempted to flee God's command. God had spoken to Jonah, instructing him to go to Nineveh, in order to call the city to repentance.
There were reasons why Jonah did not want to do this. First, the city was not a Jewish city. It was Gentile. These were not followers of Yahweh, why would they listen to words of God's warning? Second, as we learn near the stories end, Jonah is reluctant to go because of what he knows about God. We will come back to this point.
In case your knowledge of Jonah is limited to the fishy story, allow me to remind you that Jonah eventually goes to Nineveh, preaches the Word of God, and the whole city (including the King) repents. They heed the Word of God.
Jonah is ticked off. He had gone outside the city, sat on a hillside and waited to see God's destruction of Nineveh. When it doesn't come, he cries out, "See how they look upon me as a fool!" Jonah's words of warning were not followed by God's punishment.
"I knew this would happen," Jonah adds. "I knew. That is why I fled and did not want to do this task." Then Jonah speaks the words which are many times more important than the story of the great fish. Jonah says he knew that God would not destroy Nineveh because he knows that God is "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love." He knows this; he just chooses to make something else the centerpiece of his preaching.
How like Jonah we are. We speak God's words of warning; knowing, but seldom beginning with the affirmation of what lies in the center of God's heart. God's righteousness is framed, supported, built upon God's being gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Re-read the story of Jonah. Fantasize about the great fish. But hear and remember that it is God's forgiveness which serves as the point of the story.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Devotion - Monday, November 8
We don't talk much about demons. The scriptures recount many instances in which Jesus casts out demons. One such occurrence is in Luke 11:14-26. Most of the section is taken up with dialogue between Jesus and those who accuse him of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebul, "the prince of demons."
I am not sure I want us to return to a mindset in which we speak of mental illness as demon possession. I think it more effective to treat Turret's Syndrome medically. However, a conversation from last evening left me thinking of the many ailments experienced by God's children, and wondering if talk of "demons" might assist us in setting aside that which reduces us of life.
Our fears create opportunity for that which is contrary to the hope and promise of Christ to enter our lives. Our worry, about being alone, makes us susceptible to interactions which are destructive. Our concern about being accepted nudges in the direction of doing that which "everyone else" is doing. Our insecurity leaves us vulnerable to exploitation by someone who shows us affection.
If only we could rid our lives of these "demons," the opportunity for disaster would disappear.
Jesus casts out demons, in scripture. In our lives, Jesus' desire is to cast them out. His Word, his promise, his assurances allow us to avoid and never fall prey to the harmful effects of the demons which seek entry to our lives.
We are not alone; we need never be lonely; and we are invited into a community where we can acknowledge our need for one another.
I am not sure I want us to return to a mindset in which we speak of mental illness as demon possession. I think it more effective to treat Turret's Syndrome medically. However, a conversation from last evening left me thinking of the many ailments experienced by God's children, and wondering if talk of "demons" might assist us in setting aside that which reduces us of life.
Our fears create opportunity for that which is contrary to the hope and promise of Christ to enter our lives. Our worry, about being alone, makes us susceptible to interactions which are destructive. Our concern about being accepted nudges in the direction of doing that which "everyone else" is doing. Our insecurity leaves us vulnerable to exploitation by someone who shows us affection.
If only we could rid our lives of these "demons," the opportunity for disaster would disappear.
Jesus casts out demons, in scripture. In our lives, Jesus' desire is to cast them out. His Word, his promise, his assurances allow us to avoid and never fall prey to the harmful effects of the demons which seek entry to our lives.
We are not alone; we need never be lonely; and we are invited into a community where we can acknowledge our need for one another.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sermon - November 7, 2010
All Saints Sunday - 2010
JUST WHO ARE THOSE SAINTS ANYWAY?
The children sermon has already given you a hint as to lesson I want to leave with you this morning. But just in case I was talking too softly or you didn't quite understand - the question for us on this All Saints' Sunday is: "Just who are the saints of the church?" Because what we want to do today is honor all of the saints, not just some of them. We want, on this Sunday, to remember the saints of old, to recognize the saints who have recently died, and we want to encourage the saints who are struggling to become comfortable with the title.
On this day we honor all of the saints, not just some of them. That is why the name is written in the plural possessive.
All Saints' Sunday is a day dedicated to St. Peter, St. John, St. Tecla, St. Anne, and St. Matthew. It is also a day dedicated to Sts. Maud Berg, Bob Bock, Perry DeLoach, and Vern Robinson. But as we celebrate the gifts of these saints, we also want to say a few words about Sts. Farrell and Elaine, Sts. Laura and Leslie.
If nothing else is remembered from today's worship, I hope you will remember that on All Saints' Sunday it’s not nearly so important that we remember those to whom statues and memorials are erected. The essential thing is recognizing and honoring those who still struggle to become comfortable with the title: saints like you and me.
Regardless of the role one makes of saints in their own spiritual life, most folks have grown to be quite comfortable with the first group of saints. This group consists of the heralded saints of old, the men and women you think of as Saints of the Church: Matthew, Mark, Mary, Lydia, Peter, Paul. We paint portraits of them and hang them in honorable places. We use them for lessons in Sunday Church School. We stamp their images onto medals and wear them around our necks. While each saint in the church has his or her own day of observance during the liturgical year, on All Saints' Day we honor them as a group, acknowledging, as a whole, their contribution to the life of the Church.
In American religious experience, saints have sometimes gotten a lot of bad press. Contrary to what some Protestants are told, it is not true that Roman Catholics and Orthodox churches "worship the saints." Saints are an aid to worship - no less than repeating The Apostles' Creed or praying the Our Father. While there are differences between the official teaching of the church and the practice of one's individual piety, it is not true that veneration of the saints is "worship of the saints". It is veneration, adoration, the establishing of a beneficial relation¬ship. There are some who have over-emphasized the roll of the saints, but we should never allow this to form our full opinion or prevent us from learning from those who call upon the saints in their prayer life.
The relationships between living Christians and departed saints began quite innocently. A member of the congregation would go to their pastor and ask the pastor to pray for them. If there were particular concerns of great importance the pastor would ask other pastors to share in this process of offering prayers. They prayed hard and diligently. Somewhere in the process, someone asked, “What are the saints, already in heaven, doing with their time?" The answer had to be that they are praying too, but what do they pray for? They must be praying that God's will be done on earth. So..... why not ask them to join us in our prayers for that particular concern which is weighing heavy on our hearts? Good idea!
As time passed, a particular saint came to be preferred. If there was a saint who shared some earthly characteristic with me, it seemed natural to ask that saint to pray for me. Saints who were miners become the one whom miners ask to pray for them. Saints who were doctors are asked by other doctors to pray on their behalf. It was from this preference among the saints that patron saints begin to emerge.
Calling upon the saint in prayer had nothing to do with any notion that these saints had the power to save, they were simply in a good position to offer prayers on behalf of those still working out their salvation on earth.
How many times have you asked someone to pray for you? In so doing, you were doing nothing different than those millions upon millions of believers who stand before the statue of a beloved saint, asking her to pray on their behalf. They are asking her to pray with them; enlisting their aid as they lift their concerns before God.
The second group of saints we want to honor on All Saint’s Sunday is also rather obvious. These are the persons within the Church who have died in the current liturgical year. On All Saints' Sunday we make it a point to remember the members of our parish and community who have served as examples and models for us. We remember those who have died in the faith.
The list of names printed in our bulletin represent those who have had a profound impact upon our pilgrimage of faith. We list their names as a way of remembering the Saints who have nurtured us in the faith, those who have served the church, those whom it has been our privilege to know and to love. We remember them as saints, as those who have now experienced in full the resurrection of Christ.
This group of saints is very important to us. They are the saints who have had the most direct impact upon our lives. In many cases, they are the ones without whom we would never have come to have faith. There is no greater witness to the saving power of God's Word than those who live by it. We look to their witness and from that witness we see how we should live.
Which brings us to our third group of saints: The saints of today. This is the group of saints who are most often over¬looked, too seldom consulted, rarely even noticed. These saints are you and me. We are the saints of the church present.
"Sainthood" is not limited to those who are venerated with their own day on the liturgical calendar. "Sainthood" is not a title conferred only upon those who make a tremendous sacrifice or do some unimaginable deed. Sainthood is the name given to all those who live in the reality of God's forgiveness. The pastor who guided my home congregation during my formative years was a man named Aaron Lippard. Pastor Lippard defined a saint as a “forgiven sinner.” He -insisted that Saint be the title of recognition given to all those who struggle to live their lives in faithfulness to God.
Great leaders are wonderful for the life of the church; we couldn't get along without them. But they do nothing unless they inspire the masses. Of what good would Martin Luther's reform have been if it did not reach out to those who were in the pews? In reality, one of the reasons Luther began his reform was his frustration with those in leadership. He saw that the leaders of the church were living cloistered lives, cut off from the peas¬ants and having very little interaction, let alone impact, on the vast membership of the Church. The bishops were inaccessible. The priests were locked securely in their monasteries. And the teachers spent their time in private study.
Luther's reform had the effect of getting the saints out of the church and into the world. His intention was to illustrate that Christian faith, if it was to be true to its roots, must be a lived faith and not a field of study. Unless the leaders of the church took seriously the responsibility of educating the members and assisting them in living the faith - they were not doing the will of God.
The task of all the saints is to proclaim through word and deed the saving message of Christ.
All Saints' Sunday is our day. It is our day to celebrate the wonderful gifts we have received from saints of old and the saints of recent years. It is also a day for us to recognize our status as saints, to see ourselves as forgiven sinners upon whom Christ's church now depends.
You and I are the saints of today. When future generations call upon the name of Christ they will do so because our witness has inspired them. When future temples are built and statues erected, it will be a result of our faithfulness, our praying on behalf of those who are struggling to understand themselves as chosen by God.
On this festival of "All Saints'", I pray that you will remember those who have inspired you, those who have loved you. But I hope you will give more attention to those with whom it is your good fortune to share the love and acceptance of Christ. As Saints of Christ, this is our role, this is our duty, and this is our honor.
Amen.
JUST WHO ARE THOSE SAINTS ANYWAY?
The children sermon has already given you a hint as to lesson I want to leave with you this morning. But just in case I was talking too softly or you didn't quite understand - the question for us on this All Saints' Sunday is: "Just who are the saints of the church?" Because what we want to do today is honor all of the saints, not just some of them. We want, on this Sunday, to remember the saints of old, to recognize the saints who have recently died, and we want to encourage the saints who are struggling to become comfortable with the title.
On this day we honor all of the saints, not just some of them. That is why the name is written in the plural possessive.
All Saints' Sunday is a day dedicated to St. Peter, St. John, St. Tecla, St. Anne, and St. Matthew. It is also a day dedicated to Sts. Maud Berg, Bob Bock, Perry DeLoach, and Vern Robinson. But as we celebrate the gifts of these saints, we also want to say a few words about Sts. Farrell and Elaine, Sts. Laura and Leslie.
If nothing else is remembered from today's worship, I hope you will remember that on All Saints' Sunday it’s not nearly so important that we remember those to whom statues and memorials are erected. The essential thing is recognizing and honoring those who still struggle to become comfortable with the title: saints like you and me.
Regardless of the role one makes of saints in their own spiritual life, most folks have grown to be quite comfortable with the first group of saints. This group consists of the heralded saints of old, the men and women you think of as Saints of the Church: Matthew, Mark, Mary, Lydia, Peter, Paul. We paint portraits of them and hang them in honorable places. We use them for lessons in Sunday Church School. We stamp their images onto medals and wear them around our necks. While each saint in the church has his or her own day of observance during the liturgical year, on All Saints' Day we honor them as a group, acknowledging, as a whole, their contribution to the life of the Church.
In American religious experience, saints have sometimes gotten a lot of bad press. Contrary to what some Protestants are told, it is not true that Roman Catholics and Orthodox churches "worship the saints." Saints are an aid to worship - no less than repeating The Apostles' Creed or praying the Our Father. While there are differences between the official teaching of the church and the practice of one's individual piety, it is not true that veneration of the saints is "worship of the saints". It is veneration, adoration, the establishing of a beneficial relation¬ship. There are some who have over-emphasized the roll of the saints, but we should never allow this to form our full opinion or prevent us from learning from those who call upon the saints in their prayer life.
The relationships between living Christians and departed saints began quite innocently. A member of the congregation would go to their pastor and ask the pastor to pray for them. If there were particular concerns of great importance the pastor would ask other pastors to share in this process of offering prayers. They prayed hard and diligently. Somewhere in the process, someone asked, “What are the saints, already in heaven, doing with their time?" The answer had to be that they are praying too, but what do they pray for? They must be praying that God's will be done on earth. So..... why not ask them to join us in our prayers for that particular concern which is weighing heavy on our hearts? Good idea!
As time passed, a particular saint came to be preferred. If there was a saint who shared some earthly characteristic with me, it seemed natural to ask that saint to pray for me. Saints who were miners become the one whom miners ask to pray for them. Saints who were doctors are asked by other doctors to pray on their behalf. It was from this preference among the saints that patron saints begin to emerge.
Calling upon the saint in prayer had nothing to do with any notion that these saints had the power to save, they were simply in a good position to offer prayers on behalf of those still working out their salvation on earth.
How many times have you asked someone to pray for you? In so doing, you were doing nothing different than those millions upon millions of believers who stand before the statue of a beloved saint, asking her to pray on their behalf. They are asking her to pray with them; enlisting their aid as they lift their concerns before God.
The second group of saints we want to honor on All Saint’s Sunday is also rather obvious. These are the persons within the Church who have died in the current liturgical year. On All Saints' Sunday we make it a point to remember the members of our parish and community who have served as examples and models for us. We remember those who have died in the faith.
The list of names printed in our bulletin represent those who have had a profound impact upon our pilgrimage of faith. We list their names as a way of remembering the Saints who have nurtured us in the faith, those who have served the church, those whom it has been our privilege to know and to love. We remember them as saints, as those who have now experienced in full the resurrection of Christ.
This group of saints is very important to us. They are the saints who have had the most direct impact upon our lives. In many cases, they are the ones without whom we would never have come to have faith. There is no greater witness to the saving power of God's Word than those who live by it. We look to their witness and from that witness we see how we should live.
Which brings us to our third group of saints: The saints of today. This is the group of saints who are most often over¬looked, too seldom consulted, rarely even noticed. These saints are you and me. We are the saints of the church present.
"Sainthood" is not limited to those who are venerated with their own day on the liturgical calendar. "Sainthood" is not a title conferred only upon those who make a tremendous sacrifice or do some unimaginable deed. Sainthood is the name given to all those who live in the reality of God's forgiveness. The pastor who guided my home congregation during my formative years was a man named Aaron Lippard. Pastor Lippard defined a saint as a “forgiven sinner.” He -insisted that Saint be the title of recognition given to all those who struggle to live their lives in faithfulness to God.
Great leaders are wonderful for the life of the church; we couldn't get along without them. But they do nothing unless they inspire the masses. Of what good would Martin Luther's reform have been if it did not reach out to those who were in the pews? In reality, one of the reasons Luther began his reform was his frustration with those in leadership. He saw that the leaders of the church were living cloistered lives, cut off from the peas¬ants and having very little interaction, let alone impact, on the vast membership of the Church. The bishops were inaccessible. The priests were locked securely in their monasteries. And the teachers spent their time in private study.
Luther's reform had the effect of getting the saints out of the church and into the world. His intention was to illustrate that Christian faith, if it was to be true to its roots, must be a lived faith and not a field of study. Unless the leaders of the church took seriously the responsibility of educating the members and assisting them in living the faith - they were not doing the will of God.
The task of all the saints is to proclaim through word and deed the saving message of Christ.
All Saints' Sunday is our day. It is our day to celebrate the wonderful gifts we have received from saints of old and the saints of recent years. It is also a day for us to recognize our status as saints, to see ourselves as forgiven sinners upon whom Christ's church now depends.
You and I are the saints of today. When future generations call upon the name of Christ they will do so because our witness has inspired them. When future temples are built and statues erected, it will be a result of our faithfulness, our praying on behalf of those who are struggling to understand themselves as chosen by God.
On this festival of "All Saints'", I pray that you will remember those who have inspired you, those who have loved you. But I hope you will give more attention to those with whom it is your good fortune to share the love and acceptance of Christ. As Saints of Christ, this is our role, this is our duty, and this is our honor.
Amen.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Devotion - Thursday, November 4
Please forgive me for lack of original thought this morning. But this quote from Joseph Sitter spoke to me, and I thought it worth sharing. It is linked to today’s appointed Gospel text, Luke 10:25-37, the encounter between Jesus and the legalist who wanted to justify himself. In reply, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan.
From Gravity and Grace, by Joseph Sittler:
“I am not told that I am to like my neighbor; I am ordered to love him or her. Luther’s explication of our relation to the neighbor brings us close to a right understanding. Our neighbors, in the biblical sense, are those persons who live in God’s creation with us in the solidarity of our life together on this earth. Though I cannot will myself to feel and oceanic affection for all people, I can acknowledge my bond with the whole of creation. In that bond I am to recognize the authenticity, the therenesss, the concrete life and existence of the other.
“In the broad context of human solidarity the exercise of love is realized in transaffectional justice. Real love grasps the hand that need holds out. Needs cry out from millions I will never meet. Justice is love operating at a distance. When, for instance, my church tells me that millions of people are starving and that it is my duty to show my love for them though helpful actions, I become aware of the transindividual meaning of love. I cannot feel any immediate affection for two million people. Love becomes a recognition of the neighbor in his or her need, and takes the transpersonal form of distributed food.”
From Gravity and Grace, by Joseph Sittler:
“I am not told that I am to like my neighbor; I am ordered to love him or her. Luther’s explication of our relation to the neighbor brings us close to a right understanding. Our neighbors, in the biblical sense, are those persons who live in God’s creation with us in the solidarity of our life together on this earth. Though I cannot will myself to feel and oceanic affection for all people, I can acknowledge my bond with the whole of creation. In that bond I am to recognize the authenticity, the therenesss, the concrete life and existence of the other.
“In the broad context of human solidarity the exercise of love is realized in transaffectional justice. Real love grasps the hand that need holds out. Needs cry out from millions I will never meet. Justice is love operating at a distance. When, for instance, my church tells me that millions of people are starving and that it is my duty to show my love for them though helpful actions, I become aware of the transindividual meaning of love. I cannot feel any immediate affection for two million people. Love becomes a recognition of the neighbor in his or her need, and takes the transpersonal form of distributed food.”
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Devotion - Wednesday, November 3
Two years ago today (the morning after Election Day) a regular reader of these humble offerings asked why I had failed to comment on the election results. As many of you are aware, I am not among those who believe that religion and politics don't' mix. There is no way that a person of faith can fail to integrate their religious beliefs into their voting decisions. The only question is "how."
As it happens, this Election Day fell amid the cycle of readings from the book of Micah. Micah is known for several verses. We might have opportunity to comment on others later. The one contained in today's writing is the hope that God would judge between the people, making it unnecessary for them to enforce their own aspirations.
Perhaps you are familiar with:
And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Whenever God's people contemplate political questions, the underlying question must always be, "What would God have us do?" We are to ask what is best, for ourselves, but more importantly what is best for all those whom God loves. In a democracy we have the opportunity to strive for the common good, not merely the good which benefits me.
Our swords and our spears are sometimes turned against other nations; in this election cycle they were turned against any who voiced a differing opinion. We labeled as enemies those who sought differing paths to achieve our goals. As God's people, we know what it means to interpret our neighbor's actions in the kindest way. This type of civility is needed in our current political life.
Let's set about beating those swords into something productive.
As it happens, this Election Day fell amid the cycle of readings from the book of Micah. Micah is known for several verses. We might have opportunity to comment on others later. The one contained in today's writing is the hope that God would judge between the people, making it unnecessary for them to enforce their own aspirations.
Perhaps you are familiar with:
And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.
Whenever God's people contemplate political questions, the underlying question must always be, "What would God have us do?" We are to ask what is best, for ourselves, but more importantly what is best for all those whom God loves. In a democracy we have the opportunity to strive for the common good, not merely the good which benefits me.
Our swords and our spears are sometimes turned against other nations; in this election cycle they were turned against any who voiced a differing opinion. We labeled as enemies those who sought differing paths to achieve our goals. As God's people, we know what it means to interpret our neighbor's actions in the kindest way. This type of civility is needed in our current political life.
Let's set about beating those swords into something productive.
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