John 6 is one of the sections of scripture which lead many early critics of Jesus’ followers to question what went on as the community gathered. Jesus says, “The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The early Church was questioned as to what was in the cup and what was on the plate, passed around at worship services.
The image of “eating Christ’s body and drinking Christ’s blood” is both terrifying and insightful.
Terrifying, in that nothing could be further from the intentions of our Lord than to cannibalize another. Ours is a belief system rooted in caring for others and sacrificing ourselves for their well-being.
The image is insightful, in that it makes us aware of our dependence upon the one whom we call Lord. We do not merely worship this one; we depend upon this one for our very lives. We cannot live unless we eat; we cannot live unless we receive the bread which has come down from heaven.
Following Jesus is not a decision we make in our heads. Being a child of God means living with the awareness that life itself is impossible unless we receive the bread which comes down from heaven. Having eaten some will give thanks and acknowledge the source of the meal. Others will get up from the table, rub their stomachs, and go on with their lives.
The bread which fills us and sustains us and strengthens us is the body of our Lord and savior.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Devotion - Wednesday, Jan 6
I remember as a child, going around the neighborhood singing carols to those who were home-bound. This was an outing of the Choir, so my whole family would go - me, Mom, Dad, and David. As we stood outside the door, the Director would take suggestions as to which carol we ought to sing next. I remember my Dad suggesting that we sing "We Three Kings."
It said it was his favorite carol. And he was very disappointed with the "new" hymnal, the Song Book and Hymnal, circa 1962, no longer included this hymn.
It is that "star of wonder, star of night, star of royal beauty bright" which guides the visitors from the East to the place where the baby Jesus is laid. This star brings to Christ those who know not the promise, the anticipation, nor the hope which this child signifies. They only know that something wonderful has happened. They realize that regardless of their own belief system, this is an event to which they need to pay attention.
January 6 is the Day of the Epiphany. This is the day on which we remember the visit of the wise men. It is a day for us acknowledge that Jesus' arrival is an event for all creation.
Jesus is still shining, for all the world to see. Jesus continues to invite all persons to gather at the manger and experience the peace and good will of God's presence.
Let the light shine in you this day. Allow the wonder and royal beauty to be seen in the ways in which you reflect his presence.
It said it was his favorite carol. And he was very disappointed with the "new" hymnal, the Song Book and Hymnal, circa 1962, no longer included this hymn.
It is that "star of wonder, star of night, star of royal beauty bright" which guides the visitors from the East to the place where the baby Jesus is laid. This star brings to Christ those who know not the promise, the anticipation, nor the hope which this child signifies. They only know that something wonderful has happened. They realize that regardless of their own belief system, this is an event to which they need to pay attention.
January 6 is the Day of the Epiphany. This is the day on which we remember the visit of the wise men. It is a day for us acknowledge that Jesus' arrival is an event for all creation.
Jesus is still shining, for all the world to see. Jesus continues to invite all persons to gather at the manger and experience the peace and good will of God's presence.
Let the light shine in you this day. Allow the wonder and royal beauty to be seen in the ways in which you reflect his presence.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sermon - Christmas 1 - Dec 27, 2009
1st Sunday after Christmas - Year C
December 27, 2009
Luke 2:41-52
It is Time to Decide
It is difficult not to feel somewhat cheated this time of year. Some call it the post-Christmas blues. It is that feel¬ing that we spent so many weeks preparing and then there is so little time to savor the moment. Packages from out-of-town fami¬ly members began arriving months ago. We stacked them in the corner and wondered what was in them. Christmas morning rolls around and within a couple of hours everything is opened and put away. By New Year's Day you can hardly remember what is new and what has been in the closet for years.
I got a little of that same sort of feeling as I picked up the bulletin and read the lessons appointed for today. There were four weeks devoted to Advent, four Sundays on which we hear lessons preparing us for the arrival of Jesus. On Christmas Eve we finally get to read the story and sing the carols. We come to worship two days later and it all seems to be over. Here it is, the First Sunday after Christmas, and in our lessons Jesus is already twelve years old. What happened to that cute little baby, lying in a manger? Can't we have a few more stories associated with Jesus' birth before we have to deal with him as an emerging adult? It is difficult not to feel somewhat cheated.
The story of Jesus in the temple is a wonderful story. It is one of those stories with something for everyone. Children love imagining Jesus sitting with the wise teachers, receiving their full attention. Adolescents are encouraged by indications of Jesus' rebellion against his parents and identify with the universal struggle to be one's own self. And what parent among us has never felt the anxiousness associated with losing a child?
This is a wonderful story, with something for everyone. But I for one would have appreciated a few minutes to enjoy the baby Jesus before being jolted into acknowledging that Luke isn't writing cute stories. Luke is telling a story with a pur-pose. Luke is reminding us that attraction to a few cute stories won't cut it. Unless we move beyond the stories and consider what these things mean for our lives then his story telling has been in vain.
Luke drives home his point in two ways: First, by telling a story which occurs at a time in Jesus' live when he is faced with making an important decision. And second, through his descrip¬tion of Mary and Joseph, fumbling around in the darkness while the Light of the world was living in their home.
The stage is set by Luke's notation that every year (Jesus') parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. The Hebraic law required the observance of three events: The Festi¬val of Weeks, which marked the end of the grain harvest; Booths, commemorating the wandering in the wilderness; and Passover, the observance of their deliverance from Egypt. It was hotly debated whether women and young children were to observe the festivals, yet Luke makes sure to tell us that Joseph and Mary are involved. You could observe these festivals in your own home; there was nothing requiring a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For the rest of the story to unfold it was necessary that Jesus' family travel. This may be Luke's way of underscoring the strength of Joseph and Mary's piety. They went the extra mile; they made the necessary sacrifices in order to offer their prayers of thanksgiving to God.
This year was no different from all the rest, with one ex¬ception. Jesus is now twelve years old. Any Hebrew reading this story would have realized the importance of one's twelfth year. It is the last year of childhood. At age thirteen, the young boy was to become a man, was to begin observing the Hebraic laws governing manhood. If we were reading this lesson in Greek, the impending shift would have been apparent. In verse 43 the ref¬erence is made to the boy Jesus. In verse 40, Jesus is referred to as a child. The Greek root for this word, "boy" is the same as that used for "servant", especially as Luke refers to one who is "the servant of the Lord."
The child has grown into the boy Jesus. He is no longer the cute little child of Mary and Joseph. He is the servant of God, come to accomplish God's purposes.
At twelve years of age, Jesus is free to play and enjoy life. There are no religious obligations placed upon him and he is not expected to act like an adult. But Jesus, even from time of his childhood, does not act in accordance with societal or reli-gious expectations. He acts in response to the directives of God.
It is quite possible that the original readers of Luke's gospel were anxiously awaiting the return of Christ. Christ had promised they would not taste death before his return. They were looking forward to the age which was about to dawn upon them. However, it is possible that they had become complacent in their wait. Many doubted that the Day of the Lord would come any time soon so they began to allow their minds to wander. Luke reminds them they are to be active in their waiting. The followers of Jesus live, not in response to societal or religious expectations but in accor¬dance with the directives of God.
How would you describe the age in which we live? What gives rise to our actions? Is it the societal and religious expecta¬tions placed upon us or the Word of God? Regardless of the year in which we live, Luke reminds us that we do not to passively wait. Luke instructs us that it is time for us act.
Inaction or indecision may result from any number of causes. Luke moves on in his story to address what he considers to be the most common. At the point of realization, Mary and Joseph have no clue where to turn. They become aware, but they have no idea where to begin to look.
Again the 43rd verse is the clue. In the Greek there is no object for the verb. Luke simply states, his parents did not know. Their ignorance is further reinforced by the amount of time it takes them to return to the temple. They look for three days before they even go to the temple. Those who already know the story will recall another three days in which Jesus was mis¬placed. His three day stay in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Aramatheia ends with the same sort of question. The angel, wait¬ing in that tomb asks the two Mary’s who come to anoint the body of Jesus, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
In both instances, those who should have known have no clue as to where to begin looking. They go to all the wrong places and consider all the wrong options.
Luke's story, sandwiched between the boy lost in the temple and the man misplaced among the dead, contains numerous other references to those who would not understand. The disciples, Peter, Saul; these among others would look in the wrong places in order to find answers to their questions. All who heard (Je¬sus) were AMAZED at his understanding and his answers, but that did not mean they understood or accepted.
Luke is telling his readers not to be confused, not to be mislead, not to look in the wrong places. The answer is obvious, the solution is freely given.
We feel cheated this time of year because we look over all that we have been given and only recall that which we want. We miss the obvious. We ignore the grace. We look in the wrong places. The baby, born in Bethlehem, grows into the Servant of the Lord. Ours is not a sentimental story - it is a story with a purpose. It is intended to help us know where to look and to encourage us to do our looking now.
Amen.
December 27, 2009
Luke 2:41-52
It is Time to Decide
It is difficult not to feel somewhat cheated this time of year. Some call it the post-Christmas blues. It is that feel¬ing that we spent so many weeks preparing and then there is so little time to savor the moment. Packages from out-of-town fami¬ly members began arriving months ago. We stacked them in the corner and wondered what was in them. Christmas morning rolls around and within a couple of hours everything is opened and put away. By New Year's Day you can hardly remember what is new and what has been in the closet for years.
I got a little of that same sort of feeling as I picked up the bulletin and read the lessons appointed for today. There were four weeks devoted to Advent, four Sundays on which we hear lessons preparing us for the arrival of Jesus. On Christmas Eve we finally get to read the story and sing the carols. We come to worship two days later and it all seems to be over. Here it is, the First Sunday after Christmas, and in our lessons Jesus is already twelve years old. What happened to that cute little baby, lying in a manger? Can't we have a few more stories associated with Jesus' birth before we have to deal with him as an emerging adult? It is difficult not to feel somewhat cheated.
The story of Jesus in the temple is a wonderful story. It is one of those stories with something for everyone. Children love imagining Jesus sitting with the wise teachers, receiving their full attention. Adolescents are encouraged by indications of Jesus' rebellion against his parents and identify with the universal struggle to be one's own self. And what parent among us has never felt the anxiousness associated with losing a child?
This is a wonderful story, with something for everyone. But I for one would have appreciated a few minutes to enjoy the baby Jesus before being jolted into acknowledging that Luke isn't writing cute stories. Luke is telling a story with a pur-pose. Luke is reminding us that attraction to a few cute stories won't cut it. Unless we move beyond the stories and consider what these things mean for our lives then his story telling has been in vain.
Luke drives home his point in two ways: First, by telling a story which occurs at a time in Jesus' live when he is faced with making an important decision. And second, through his descrip¬tion of Mary and Joseph, fumbling around in the darkness while the Light of the world was living in their home.
The stage is set by Luke's notation that every year (Jesus') parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. The Hebraic law required the observance of three events: The Festi¬val of Weeks, which marked the end of the grain harvest; Booths, commemorating the wandering in the wilderness; and Passover, the observance of their deliverance from Egypt. It was hotly debated whether women and young children were to observe the festivals, yet Luke makes sure to tell us that Joseph and Mary are involved. You could observe these festivals in your own home; there was nothing requiring a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For the rest of the story to unfold it was necessary that Jesus' family travel. This may be Luke's way of underscoring the strength of Joseph and Mary's piety. They went the extra mile; they made the necessary sacrifices in order to offer their prayers of thanksgiving to God.
This year was no different from all the rest, with one ex¬ception. Jesus is now twelve years old. Any Hebrew reading this story would have realized the importance of one's twelfth year. It is the last year of childhood. At age thirteen, the young boy was to become a man, was to begin observing the Hebraic laws governing manhood. If we were reading this lesson in Greek, the impending shift would have been apparent. In verse 43 the ref¬erence is made to the boy Jesus. In verse 40, Jesus is referred to as a child. The Greek root for this word, "boy" is the same as that used for "servant", especially as Luke refers to one who is "the servant of the Lord."
The child has grown into the boy Jesus. He is no longer the cute little child of Mary and Joseph. He is the servant of God, come to accomplish God's purposes.
At twelve years of age, Jesus is free to play and enjoy life. There are no religious obligations placed upon him and he is not expected to act like an adult. But Jesus, even from time of his childhood, does not act in accordance with societal or reli-gious expectations. He acts in response to the directives of God.
It is quite possible that the original readers of Luke's gospel were anxiously awaiting the return of Christ. Christ had promised they would not taste death before his return. They were looking forward to the age which was about to dawn upon them. However, it is possible that they had become complacent in their wait. Many doubted that the Day of the Lord would come any time soon so they began to allow their minds to wander. Luke reminds them they are to be active in their waiting. The followers of Jesus live, not in response to societal or religious expectations but in accor¬dance with the directives of God.
How would you describe the age in which we live? What gives rise to our actions? Is it the societal and religious expecta¬tions placed upon us or the Word of God? Regardless of the year in which we live, Luke reminds us that we do not to passively wait. Luke instructs us that it is time for us act.
Inaction or indecision may result from any number of causes. Luke moves on in his story to address what he considers to be the most common. At the point of realization, Mary and Joseph have no clue where to turn. They become aware, but they have no idea where to begin to look.
Again the 43rd verse is the clue. In the Greek there is no object for the verb. Luke simply states, his parents did not know. Their ignorance is further reinforced by the amount of time it takes them to return to the temple. They look for three days before they even go to the temple. Those who already know the story will recall another three days in which Jesus was mis¬placed. His three day stay in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Aramatheia ends with the same sort of question. The angel, wait¬ing in that tomb asks the two Mary’s who come to anoint the body of Jesus, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
In both instances, those who should have known have no clue as to where to begin looking. They go to all the wrong places and consider all the wrong options.
Luke's story, sandwiched between the boy lost in the temple and the man misplaced among the dead, contains numerous other references to those who would not understand. The disciples, Peter, Saul; these among others would look in the wrong places in order to find answers to their questions. All who heard (Je¬sus) were AMAZED at his understanding and his answers, but that did not mean they understood or accepted.
Luke is telling his readers not to be confused, not to be mislead, not to look in the wrong places. The answer is obvious, the solution is freely given.
We feel cheated this time of year because we look over all that we have been given and only recall that which we want. We miss the obvious. We ignore the grace. We look in the wrong places. The baby, born in Bethlehem, grows into the Servant of the Lord. Ours is not a sentimental story - it is a story with a purpose. It is intended to help us know where to look and to encourage us to do our looking now.
Amen.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sermon - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
December 24, 2009
Luke 2:1-20
A Gift from Above
Sit back, relax, and ease your mind. Even if there are gifts yet to be wrapped; even if the turkey is yet to be pre¬pared for tomorrow's baking; even if there are a few more cards that you fully intend to get into the mail; for now, there is nothing that you can do about it. Depending upon how many things are left undone and your attitude toward them, at this point you are either trapped, or freed. You can't get to them and they can't get to you.
I think we undersell Christmas Eve services by continually speaking of them as a time to BE WITH family and friends. It may be that this services’ greatest draw is the opportunity to be AWAY; away from the hectic schedules we have been living; away from the endless preparations.
It was my in-laws who reminded me of this seldom acknowledged reason for Christmas Eve worship services. While they are usually in bed long before 11:00 pm, they pointed out how much they look forward to the late-night service. “It is just so peaceful,” Granna shared. A time for them to sit quietly and enjoy.
I had somewhat forgotten. I am grateful to them for helping me to remember.
Oh, I realize that the busyness isn't all bad. The activi¬ties occur because there are loved ones, families, friends who we want to be with, to remember. As hectic as the busyness may be, it is far better than the emptiness of a Christmas spent alone. Such experiences have their own toil; bring their own form of anxious¬ness.
From whichever you have departed this evening; this remains a wonderful time to relax, to enjoy, to receive. You might even want to close your eyes. I will have someone nudge you when it is time to return to the liturgy.
This season is a time to receive. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our giving that we forget the essential element of receiving. We take such pride in giving "just the right gift," that we fail to marvel at what is being handed to us. We need to remember that reason for this season is to receive. To receive God’s gift.
Maybe it is guilt. We have been so carefully taught that "it is more blessed to give than to receive," that we feel guilty for enjoying and so we cease to be good receivers.
Maybe it is embarrassment. We hastily pick-up and wrap the gifts we give only to embarrassed by the thought and thoughtfulness of that which is offered to us.
Perhaps it is in defense of our own self-sufficiency. We take such pride in being able to provide for ourselves that any acknowledgement of need leads to feelings of humiliation.
I don't know what it is, but something has made it difficult for us to be good receivers. We prefer to always be on the giving end; and not on the end that gets. And yet, receiv¬ing is the essential act of this season. Christians do not celebrate Christmas as a "time to give". We mark this day on our calen¬dars because it is a time to receive. We receive the gift of God’s Messiah. We receive the gift of God’s decision to make God’s home among us. We receive the babe in Bethlehem.
Maybe God knew that we had rather give than get, and that is why God choose to come as a little child. Then, at least for a little while, we could pretend that God needed us. We could believe, for a while, that without our giving care to that cute little bundle of joy all of this would have been impossible. But God didn't really need us to do anything. God just needed us, wanted us, and therefore offered to love us. God wanted us to have, and if the only way we could receive was for God to allow us to think that we were giving in return then so be it. God would stop at nothing.
In a manger, in Bethlehem, God gave us a gift. A gift beyond any other that could ever be given; a gift that is but the first installment of all that God has for us. Christmas is a time to celebrate and to remember ourselves as those who receive. We are the recipients of God's love.
(Pause)
Listen to that ... it is so quiet. Look around you ... there is contentment in every face. Glory to God in the highest, (for) on earth there is peace among those whom (God) favors. It is a peace given to us by God; it is the peace of being on the receiving end of God's grace.
Each time we gather a little more of this gift comes our way. It is such a wonderful gift that it softens our resolve to always be a giver. God's desire to give is so great that eventu¬ally we are all worn down - reeducated on the importance of receiving; strengthened so as to say "So what," if we aren't the best gift giver around; opened so that we can admit how needy we really are. This is what comes to us, in the silence, in the peace of this gathering.
Okay, time for those of you who took a nap to wake back up; we are about to resume the liturgy and you need to find you place in the bulletin; the gifts are still in the attic; the turkey needs to be washed; and that stack of cards is staring you down.
But as you return, glorify and praise God for all that you have heard and seen. For to you, this day, a Savior has been born. God has come into our world; God has come into your life and given you a wonderful gift. How swell it is to be on the receiving end of God's outpouring of love.
Amen.
December 24, 2009
Luke 2:1-20
A Gift from Above
Sit back, relax, and ease your mind. Even if there are gifts yet to be wrapped; even if the turkey is yet to be pre¬pared for tomorrow's baking; even if there are a few more cards that you fully intend to get into the mail; for now, there is nothing that you can do about it. Depending upon how many things are left undone and your attitude toward them, at this point you are either trapped, or freed. You can't get to them and they can't get to you.
I think we undersell Christmas Eve services by continually speaking of them as a time to BE WITH family and friends. It may be that this services’ greatest draw is the opportunity to be AWAY; away from the hectic schedules we have been living; away from the endless preparations.
It was my in-laws who reminded me of this seldom acknowledged reason for Christmas Eve worship services. While they are usually in bed long before 11:00 pm, they pointed out how much they look forward to the late-night service. “It is just so peaceful,” Granna shared. A time for them to sit quietly and enjoy.
I had somewhat forgotten. I am grateful to them for helping me to remember.
Oh, I realize that the busyness isn't all bad. The activi¬ties occur because there are loved ones, families, friends who we want to be with, to remember. As hectic as the busyness may be, it is far better than the emptiness of a Christmas spent alone. Such experiences have their own toil; bring their own form of anxious¬ness.
From whichever you have departed this evening; this remains a wonderful time to relax, to enjoy, to receive. You might even want to close your eyes. I will have someone nudge you when it is time to return to the liturgy.
This season is a time to receive. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our giving that we forget the essential element of receiving. We take such pride in giving "just the right gift," that we fail to marvel at what is being handed to us. We need to remember that reason for this season is to receive. To receive God’s gift.
Maybe it is guilt. We have been so carefully taught that "it is more blessed to give than to receive," that we feel guilty for enjoying and so we cease to be good receivers.
Maybe it is embarrassment. We hastily pick-up and wrap the gifts we give only to embarrassed by the thought and thoughtfulness of that which is offered to us.
Perhaps it is in defense of our own self-sufficiency. We take such pride in being able to provide for ourselves that any acknowledgement of need leads to feelings of humiliation.
I don't know what it is, but something has made it difficult for us to be good receivers. We prefer to always be on the giving end; and not on the end that gets. And yet, receiv¬ing is the essential act of this season. Christians do not celebrate Christmas as a "time to give". We mark this day on our calen¬dars because it is a time to receive. We receive the gift of God’s Messiah. We receive the gift of God’s decision to make God’s home among us. We receive the babe in Bethlehem.
Maybe God knew that we had rather give than get, and that is why God choose to come as a little child. Then, at least for a little while, we could pretend that God needed us. We could believe, for a while, that without our giving care to that cute little bundle of joy all of this would have been impossible. But God didn't really need us to do anything. God just needed us, wanted us, and therefore offered to love us. God wanted us to have, and if the only way we could receive was for God to allow us to think that we were giving in return then so be it. God would stop at nothing.
In a manger, in Bethlehem, God gave us a gift. A gift beyond any other that could ever be given; a gift that is but the first installment of all that God has for us. Christmas is a time to celebrate and to remember ourselves as those who receive. We are the recipients of God's love.
(Pause)
Listen to that ... it is so quiet. Look around you ... there is contentment in every face. Glory to God in the highest, (for) on earth there is peace among those whom (God) favors. It is a peace given to us by God; it is the peace of being on the receiving end of God's grace.
Each time we gather a little more of this gift comes our way. It is such a wonderful gift that it softens our resolve to always be a giver. God's desire to give is so great that eventu¬ally we are all worn down - reeducated on the importance of receiving; strengthened so as to say "So what," if we aren't the best gift giver around; opened so that we can admit how needy we really are. This is what comes to us, in the silence, in the peace of this gathering.
Okay, time for those of you who took a nap to wake back up; we are about to resume the liturgy and you need to find you place in the bulletin; the gifts are still in the attic; the turkey needs to be washed; and that stack of cards is staring you down.
But as you return, glorify and praise God for all that you have heard and seen. For to you, this day, a Savior has been born. God has come into our world; God has come into your life and given you a wonderful gift. How swell it is to be on the receiving end of God's outpouring of love.
Amen.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Devotion - Thursday, December 10
This morning's appointed Gospel reading continues Jesus critique of the Pharisees. He repeats words in Matthew 23:13-26 which are familiar to us. At least the first half of the verse is familiar. I realized, in my prayers, how easy it was for me to recall the well rehearsed, often repeated half. Jesus says, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin.”
I can still remember my Sunday Church School teacher speaking of how ridiculous it was for those silly persons to carry a tenth of their spices to God, “As if God cared about their spices.” I loved Ms. Wooley and she taught me a deep love for my Bible, but she was mistaken in teaching us a literal understanding of this verse.
I don’t remember her instructing us on the remaining clause in this verse. Had she, we might have all avoided a simplistic understanding and a prideful slap at those silly Pharisees.
Jesus goes on to say, “(you) have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith.”
Justice and mercy and faith.
These are the three characteristics Jesus desires of his followers. These are the weightier matters, sought by the law.
The faith part we do discuss. Even if we tend to speak of faith as a mental exercise (i.e. to have faith is to believe unbelievable things; as opposed to understanding faith as a trusting relationship, malleable to the circumstances in which this day places me.) But what of justice and mercy? Where do we see these being practiced; when are they discussed in our Sunday Church School classes or preached from our pulpits?
I have been paying attention to the current debate in congress on health care reform. I hear in the discussions lots of references to affordability and oversight and intervention. There are not enough comments about how our policies seek justice and mercy.
If we are going to memorize passages of our Bibles, let us remember the whole verse. Let us recall the totality of God’s message to us. Remembering the parts which make us look good or the parts which make others look silly isn’t the way Jesus wanted us to remember his words.
Ms. Wooley was correct; God is not concerned with a portion of the spices I use to flavor my food. God is concerned with justice and mercy and faith. God is concerned with all three of these, and we should be too.
I can still remember my Sunday Church School teacher speaking of how ridiculous it was for those silly persons to carry a tenth of their spices to God, “As if God cared about their spices.” I loved Ms. Wooley and she taught me a deep love for my Bible, but she was mistaken in teaching us a literal understanding of this verse.
I don’t remember her instructing us on the remaining clause in this verse. Had she, we might have all avoided a simplistic understanding and a prideful slap at those silly Pharisees.
Jesus goes on to say, “(you) have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith.”
Justice and mercy and faith.
These are the three characteristics Jesus desires of his followers. These are the weightier matters, sought by the law.
The faith part we do discuss. Even if we tend to speak of faith as a mental exercise (i.e. to have faith is to believe unbelievable things; as opposed to understanding faith as a trusting relationship, malleable to the circumstances in which this day places me.) But what of justice and mercy? Where do we see these being practiced; when are they discussed in our Sunday Church School classes or preached from our pulpits?
I have been paying attention to the current debate in congress on health care reform. I hear in the discussions lots of references to affordability and oversight and intervention. There are not enough comments about how our policies seek justice and mercy.
If we are going to memorize passages of our Bibles, let us remember the whole verse. Let us recall the totality of God’s message to us. Remembering the parts which make us look good or the parts which make others look silly isn’t the way Jesus wanted us to remember his words.
Ms. Wooley was correct; God is not concerned with a portion of the spices I use to flavor my food. God is concerned with justice and mercy and faith. God is concerned with all three of these, and we should be too.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Devotion - Wednesday, December 9
Of all Jesus’ critiques, none should be avoided as forcefully as the words spoken in Matthew 23. Having had the disputes with the Sadducees and Pharisees (of which I wrote the two previous mornings) he says to the crowds and his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for they preach, but do not practice.”
How much easier it is to proclaim something than to live it.
Proclaiming is good. When we make assertions as to what we believe, we are inclined to move in the direction of those public affirmations. But the proclamation isn’t enough. It is only the start.
I share Jesus’ words from Matthew 23 with you, not to critique you but to encourage you. Consider carefully this day how fully you are living out what it is that you profess. Is your love of neighbor shown in the acts you perform; is your devotion to Christ revealed in the way you spend your day?
How much easier it is to proclaim something than to live it.
Proclaiming is good. When we make assertions as to what we believe, we are inclined to move in the direction of those public affirmations. But the proclamation isn’t enough. It is only the start.
I share Jesus’ words from Matthew 23 with you, not to critique you but to encourage you. Consider carefully this day how fully you are living out what it is that you profess. Is your love of neighbor shown in the acts you perform; is your devotion to Christ revealed in the way you spend your day?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Devotion - Tuesday, December 8
The irony of reading Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees during this week (finals week at Clemson and TCTC) could not be ignored. After Jesus silences the Sadducees with his words regarding resurrection, the Pharisees make an attempt at embarrassing him.
They come, and one of them asks him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” You know his reply, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus goes on to ask them as question, about David and David’s statements about the Christ. Matthew 22:46 concludes the selection, “Nor from that day did any one dare to ask him any more questions.”
Having the answer which brings an end to all other questions allows Jesus to go on with the work that he came to do.
We sometimes forget that this is the reason for exams. They aren’t intended to torture; they are not an attempt to trip you up. They are testing you, to see if you have the knowledge necessary to go out from here and do the work that you need to do. Granted, there may not be a direct link between this physics problem and managing manatees in the Florida rivers. But there is a link. It is making sure that you know what you need to know in order to go about the work you seek to do.
Those of you in graduate school can support this thought: It is easier to put in the hours when we see the direct connection between what we are studying and what we hope to do for the rest of our lives. That is why grad school professors can demand so much more of their students. If we could see the connections, we would more gladly engage in the studying.
You have probably heard me utter the prayer, printed in LSM-USA’s Oremus which thanks God for studies and for useful knowledge. Knowledge is useful; and all that stuff you are learning now will be helpful to you as you seek to do what it is that God has called you to do.
I hope you will have the answers which will silence those who ask the questions. Impress your professors with your insight. Above all, I pray that you will be thankful for the opportunity to learn and that you will understand that this is an opportunity to prepare yourself for the work that God is calling you to do.
They come, and one of them asks him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” You know his reply, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind…. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus goes on to ask them as question, about David and David’s statements about the Christ. Matthew 22:46 concludes the selection, “Nor from that day did any one dare to ask him any more questions.”
Having the answer which brings an end to all other questions allows Jesus to go on with the work that he came to do.
We sometimes forget that this is the reason for exams. They aren’t intended to torture; they are not an attempt to trip you up. They are testing you, to see if you have the knowledge necessary to go out from here and do the work that you need to do. Granted, there may not be a direct link between this physics problem and managing manatees in the Florida rivers. But there is a link. It is making sure that you know what you need to know in order to go about the work you seek to do.
Those of you in graduate school can support this thought: It is easier to put in the hours when we see the direct connection between what we are studying and what we hope to do for the rest of our lives. That is why grad school professors can demand so much more of their students. If we could see the connections, we would more gladly engage in the studying.
You have probably heard me utter the prayer, printed in LSM-USA’s Oremus which thanks God for studies and for useful knowledge. Knowledge is useful; and all that stuff you are learning now will be helpful to you as you seek to do what it is that God has called you to do.
I hope you will have the answers which will silence those who ask the questions. Impress your professors with your insight. Above all, I pray that you will be thankful for the opportunity to learn and that you will understand that this is an opportunity to prepare yourself for the work that God is calling you to do.
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