tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338908722024-03-14T02:56:16.557-07:00Justice and JoyThe musings of an ELCA pastor in search of justice and joy for all of creationAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-64783534694142519862016-07-06T14:21:00.001-07:002016-07-06T14:21:29.620-07:00A poem for reflection as I leave this call<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="c4vin-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c4vin-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Expedition by Anthony deMello</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="c8nka-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c8nka-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="c8nka-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="5lb08-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5lb08-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5lb08-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My time here has come to an end, </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="3131c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3131c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3131c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And I think of the days that I have spent in these surroundings.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="7gihi-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7gihi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="7gihi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I see an image of myself as I was when I came here</span></div>
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<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="druo2-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="druo2-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="druo2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And I look at my self as I am today</span></div>
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<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="cth16-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="cth16-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="cth16-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">At the close of this time.</span></div>
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<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="3g6g0-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3g6g0-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3g6g0-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="56ns-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="56ns-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="56ns-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I think of the persons and places that have been a part of my time here.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="fn5eg-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fn5eg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="fn5eg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">To each of them I speak in gratitude.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="4gam6-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4gam6-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4gam6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And to each I say goodbye. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="a0gr9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="a0gr9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="a0gr9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Other places, other persons call to me,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="387mq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="387mq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="387mq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">and I must go. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="abc1n-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="abc1n-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="abc1n-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="9tv5a-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9tv5a-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="9tv5a-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I think of the experiences I have had,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="1hoar-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1hoar-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1hoar-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The graces I have been granted</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="bbkon-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bbkon-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="bbkon-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">In this place.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="5da5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="5da5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="5da5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">For each of these too, I am grateful.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="1k738-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1k738-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1k738-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="dtoqk-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dtoqk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="dtoqk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I think of the kind of life I have lived here,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="c2n8d-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c2n8d-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="c2n8d-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The atmosphere, the daily schedule.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="c1ovk-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c1ovk-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="c1ovk-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="ainf3-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="ainf3-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="ainf3-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I say goodbye:</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="93vda-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="93vda-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="93vda-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Another type of life awaits me,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="4labd-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4labd-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4labd-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Other graces, other experiences.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="dbqhl-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="dbqhl-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="dbqhl-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And I say goodbye to persons,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="36lcg-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="36lcg-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="36lcg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">places, </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="fiqfi-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fiqfi-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="fiqfi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">things, </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="48sgj-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="48sgj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="48sgj-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">events,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="1b6bc-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1b6bc-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1b6bc-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">experiences,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="eb1l5-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="eb1l5-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="eb1l5-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">and graces, </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="2iatm-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2iatm-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2iatm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I do so under life's imperious biddings.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="2ce5p-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2ce5p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2ce5p-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="4j3ln-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4j3ln-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4j3ln-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">If I wish to be alive</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="8r3b9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8r3b9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="8r3b9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I must learn to die at every moment.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="amdik-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="amdik-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="amdik-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">That is, to say goodbye, let go, move on. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="7eqtq-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="7eqtq-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="7eqtq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="3aqjf-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3aqjf-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="3aqjf-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">When this is done, I turn to face the future</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="2o0in-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2o0in-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="2o0in-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And I say, "Welcome". </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="b72b9-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="b72b9-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="b72b9-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br data-text="true" /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="95aeb-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="95aeb-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="95aeb-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I think of the work that waits for me,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="4ec0t-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4ec0t-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4ec0t-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The people I shall meet,</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="57ng4-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="57ng4-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="57ng4-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The type of life I shall be living, </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="m0ft-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="m0ft-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="m0ft-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The events that will take place tomorrow.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="9bfkm-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9bfkm-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="9bfkm-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">And I extend my arms in welcome</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="n2jb" data-offset-key="4l44c-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4l44c-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4l44c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">To the summons of the future. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4l44c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4l44c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4l44c-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">A note: My last Sunday preaching at Fir-Conway is July 17, 2016. After that, I will be moving to Maine for a time for my spouse's job, and thus, supply preaching all over Maine. </span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-71730162497596172662016-03-31T12:34:00.000-07:002016-04-07T20:46:16.378-07:00The bookends of suffering<div class="MsoNormal">
Easter 2c, April 3, 2016</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.illusionsgallery.com/Incredulity-St-Thomas-Caravaggio-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.illusionsgallery.com/Incredulity-St-Thomas-Caravaggio-L.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Incredulity of St. Thomas by Caravaggio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.5pt;">John 20:19-31 </span></b><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">19</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">When it was evening on
that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the
disciples had met were locked for fear of the Judeans, Jesus came and stood
among them and said, “Peace be with you.”</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">20</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">After he said this, he
showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw
the </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Lord.</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">21</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”</span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">22</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">When he had said this,
he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">23</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you
retain the sins of any, they are retained.”</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">24</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">But Thomas (who was
called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.</span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">25</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he
said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my
finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”</span></div>
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<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">26</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">A week later his disciples were again in the
house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">27</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then he said to
Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it
in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">28</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Thomas answered him,
“My Lord and my God!”</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">29</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because
you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to
believe.”</span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">30</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence
of his disciples, which are not written in this book.</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">31</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus
is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in
his name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">There is something about getting a week of spring that brings
hope. Having the doors and windows open to let in the sunshine and the breeze,
smelling fresh flowers that are just opening helps me to trust that winter will
not last forever and grey days will come to an end. I think I had almost
forgotten what it was like to see blue skies every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">Life can be like that- where we forget that things will get
better. Of course, we have phrases to tell ourselves, things like, “this too
shall pass,” or “everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not
the end.” Those phrases can be great, but there are times when the situation is
so difficult or complex that the encouragement is impossible to believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the bible, those truly difficult
times are called “thlipsis”, which is defined as “pressure, a narrow place that
hems one in, tribulation, especially the internal pressure of tribulation,
feeling confined or without options or no way of escape. I think of it as being
between a rock and a hard place. If you’re truly between a rock and a hard
place, it’s hard to believe that “this too shall pass.” It’s hard to have hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">Although it’s not quite in the scripture
we heard this morning, the word “thlipsis” comes up in the very next verse in the
text from Revelation. It was because the people were suffering that they needed
this word of grace and peace. This kind of tribulation wasn’t just happening to
the original recipients of the book of Revelation. It was happening already to
the early Christian church, as we heard described in Acts, and the disciples in
the upper room lived it, too. That’s why they needed those greetings of
assurance from Jesus, in which he says to them twice in our gospel reading from
John, “Peace be with you.” Fear, doubt, suffering- these were all familiar
feelings for early Christians, even for those who had heard the good news of
the resurrection, even for those who had seen the resurrected Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yet somehow, there were some in every
age who held out hope, who continued to cling to the promise that God would be
with them in every circumstance and would bring them to a new day. In the acts
passage, it is Peter and the apostles who put their trust in God’s authority
even when it puts them at odds with human authority. In Revelation, it is John
who assures the people that their present suffering will end, because the Lord
is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. In the gospel story, it
is Thomas who insists that he would know his Lord by the marks of his
suffering. These folks are the heroes of
faith, or as we call them in the church, saints. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yet as we see in the scripture, these
folks were not perfect all the time- Thomas is not known as Thomas the faithful,
but Doubting Thomas. Peter may have stood up to authorities in this story, but
he wasn’t so steadfast when Jesus was arrested. And the folks living in the
time of Revelation wavered so much that some of them wanted to be rebaptized
after the whole thing was over. But that’s a story for another day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="discovery" style="background: #FDFEFF; line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt;">The way the church came through that
time and the way we humans get through these terrible times is by trusting in a
God who brings a new day, even when it seems impossible. And when we cannot
believe it on our own, we hold that trust for each other, greeting one another
with Christ’s peace. For we know that just as winter does not last forever and
new life returns, so too does new life spring from death, resurrection joy
comes after Good Friday sorrow, and suffering will not last forever. Christ is
our alpha and our omega, our beginning and our end, and we trust that he is
with us always, no matter what. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-81416242137154575272016-03-28T06:26:00.002-07:002016-03-28T06:26:30.100-07:00Broken Rocks- The Resurrection from Peter's Perspective<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Easter 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gospel: Luke 24:1-12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the
women] came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. <sup>2</sup>They
found the stone rolled away from the tomb, <sup>3</sup>but when they went
in, they did not find the body.<sup>4</sup>While they were perplexed about
this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. <sup>5</sup>The
women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to
them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. <sup>6</sup>Remember
how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, <sup>7</sup>that the Son
of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day
rise again.” <sup>8</sup>Then they remembered his words, <sup>9</sup>and
returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. <sup>10</sup>Now
it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women
with them who told this to the apostles. <sup>11</sup>But these words
seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. <sup>12</sup>But
Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen
cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was quiet, all that Sabbath.
Simon, the one everyone now called Peter, sat quietly by himself, his whole life
unmoored and untethered. Everything he had thought he knew was now called into
question- not only by the death of his teacher, his dearest mentor and friend,
but by the events of the previous days, his own actions and inactions. Simon
picked up a rock and turned it over in his hands, feeling the smoothness, the
definition of each line, the fissures where the rock would break if pushed too
far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turning the stone over and over in
his hands, he thought again about the day that he had acquired his nickname. “From
now on, you will be called Peter, which means rock.” Later on, Jesus would
declare, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” Simon Peter remembered the
glow of pride that had filled him as he had heard those words. “So much for
that foundation,” he thought, as the memory of a different conversation filled
his mind. “Surely, you know this man. Surely you are one of them. Surely you
are a disciple of this man Jesus.” And his own replies, three times, “I do not
know him. I am not one of them. Not I. I swear to you, I do not know the man.” As
Jesus had predicted, he had rejected and denied his teacher and friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I have considered myself the most
faithful disciple, but I am no better than anyone else.” Despair seized Simon
Peter, and the fissures of his soul broke open, and he wept bitterly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The days since had passed like a
blur. He could scarcely believe all that had happened- the farce of a trial,
the torture of his gentle and loving teacher, the way Jesus had suffered and
how nothing had stopped the unthinkable from happening. Jesus died like any
other human being. It seemed impossible. How could the man who had healed so
many, performed so many miracles, power that came from God- how could he have
died? He had kept expecting that at any moment, something would happen, someone
would come to intercede, to interrupt this awful chain of events, to give some
sort of reprieve to Jesus, but instead, unbelievably, it had all proceeded as
if Jesus were a common criminal, not a man who had fed thousands with just a
few loaves and fishes or who knew how to quell a storm with a word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That night, Simon Peter tossed and
turned, drifting in and out of a troubled sleep as he relived the terrible
events since Thursday. If only he had not fallen asleep in the garden. If he
had known those would be his last moments with Jesus, he would have stayed
awake. Oh, to have those moments back and to do it over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jolted from sleep by the sound of a
door closing, Simon Peter awoke in the early morning hours. Knowing there would
be no getting back to sleep, he quietly began his day, noticing that the women
had left, taking with them their baskets filled with spices and jars of oils. They
had gone to the tomb, gone to perform that final service for their beloved
rabbi, to care for him one last time. Simon Peter took a sip of water and lay
back down, his head aching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It couldn’t have been even a half-hour
later when the sound of approaching footsteps alerted the whole household. As
if shaken by an earthquake, every person in the room tensed, coming fully awake,
their eyes trained on the door. With a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach,
Simon Peter waited for the knock that would signal the beginning of the end.
This was it, he was sure, the sounds of Roman soldiers coming to arrest the
disciples. “No less than I deserve,” thought Simon Peter, remembering how he
had abandoned Jesus. In some ways, it was a relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just at that moment, the door swung
open, revealing not the clean-shaven faces of foreign warriors, but instead the
familiar features of friends- first, Mary Magdalene, followed by Joanna, other
women, and then, the oldest of the group, Mary, James’ mom. They were
breathless, their eyes wide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“What is it? Are they coming for us?”
cried out Simon Peter’s brother Andrew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mary Magdalene, her chest heaving with
exertion, answered, “No, but listen! The most incredible thing has happened.
Jesus is alive, he is risen.” Silence hung in the air, then it was broken by gasps
of disbelief. “What do you mean?” “There must be some mistake.” “What kind of a
joke is this?” Men’s deep voices rumbled in question, but the women responded, affirming
Mary Magdalene’s unbelievable tale. Debates broke out. After all, everyone knew
Jesus had died, some had witnessed his final breath, others had seen his
lifeless body sealed in a tomb. How could anyone believe that Jesus was alive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stunned, Simon Peter rocked to his
feet. His heart pounding with fear and hope, he ran to the door, burst out onto
the street, and raced to the tomb. Skidding to a halt and nearly falling to his
knees, Peter took stock of the place where the body of Jesus had been lain to
rest. The brisk morning air cooled his skin, clearing his headache. Craning his
neck, Peter peered into the tomb, a shaft of light illuminating the empty ledge
where Jesus’ body had lain. It was plain that no body was there now, only the linen
wrappings remained. No one would take a body but leave the shroud; what would be
the point?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Memories flooded his mind, flowing
before his mind’s eye as if on a tide. He saw Lazarus, stepping out of the
tomb, still wrapped in his shroud. If Jesus could overcome death then, surely
death could not hold him bound and imprisoned in the tomb? S</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">eeing
the stone that had so recently sealed the tomb now lying useless next to the
opening, Simon Peter remembered another day. S</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">tanding
with Jesus and the other disciples, looking at the temple, Jesus had said, “</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">As
for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be
left upon another; all will be thrown down.” Although Jesus had been speaking
about the destruction of the temple on that day, Simon Peter realized that
Jesus’ words could have just as easily apply to these stones here, only now, he
could see that this was good news. With great power, God had thrown down this
great stone, and Jesus was on the loose, alive. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Wonder overtook Simon Peter,
filling the cracks in his heart, restoring his faith. Lethargy drained away as
he was overcome by amazement. Feeling an energy in his body such as he hadn’t
felt since he was a kid, Peter took off at a run, ready to strengthen the faith
of his brothers. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As
he ran, a song from his childhood welled up within him, its beat set to the
rhythm of his pace: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">I thank you that you have answered me</span> and have
become my salvation.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">The stone
that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">This is
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="sc"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span>’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">This is
the day that the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="sc"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> has
made;</span> let us rejoice and be glad in it.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And
with his whole being, Simon Peter sang an alleluia. For Christ was risen,
indeed. And something new was just beginning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-51762330135630024282016-03-26T19:28:00.003-07:002016-03-26T19:28:32.197-07:00Maundy Thursday- To Love as Jesus Loved<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus
knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father.
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of
Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his
hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel
around himself. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he poured water into a basin and began to
wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around
him. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus answered, “You
do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”</span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus
answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”</span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my
hands and my head!” </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does
not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are
clean, though not all of you.”</span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For he knew who was to
betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”<br />
</span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After he had washed their feet, had put on his
robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have
done to you? </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are
right, for that is what I am. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So if I, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have
done to you. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very truly, I tell you, servants are not
greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent
them. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you know these things, you are blessed if
you do them.”<br />
<br />
</span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31b</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and
God has been glorified in him. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If God has been
glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at
once. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">33</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Little children, I am with you only a little
longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you,
‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">34</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I give you a new
commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should
love one another. </span><sup><span style="color: grey; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">35</span></sup><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By this everyone will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Maundy Thursday, March 24, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tonight we gather for Maundy Thursday, from the Latin
word mandatum- commandment. It is the night we remember the new commandment
Jesus gave to his friends and companions. Jesus said, “love one another, as I
have loved you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To love is at once simple and complex. A young child
is capable of love, but only if he or she receives love. It is not innate, not
something with which we are born; rather, the human capacity to love is shaped
by the love we receive or not. If a child has someone who loves them, their
brains respond and grow. If they don’t, their ability to love is diminished,
their ability to connect is stunted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet love is a uniquely human experience, defining who
we are as people. Without love, we are more likely to be angry, disconnected,
forlorn, unknown, and unknowable. Love is the basis of human relationship, the
building blocks of connectedness and community. It is something we crave and
long for: to be loved and accepted and known. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus commands, “Love one another, as I have loved
you.” How was it that Jesus loved? He loved unconditionally and without end. He
loved with humility. He loved in action and in word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So often, we try to earn love, yet the love that Jesus
gave was given even when it was not merited or deserved, even when the person
he beheld was at their worst. When the rich young man could not give up his
wealth, Jesus looked at him with love. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he had been
at table with Jesus, a sign of love and belonging in that culture. Jesus loved
those who were rejected, those who had done wrong. He loved the tax collector,
the prostitute, the Pharisee, the sinner, the leper, and the foreigner. Jesus
loved when others rejected. His love knew no bounds, and it broke divisions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does this mean for us today as inheritors of this
commandment to love? In this time, when our culture is divided, when fear of
the other threatens to override neighborliness, Jesus’ love is needed more than
ever. We are agents of Jesus’ love. Let us be bold as we follow in his
footsteps. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-73569652933309126852016-03-21T11:29:00.001-07:002016-03-21T11:29:16.136-07:00Lenten Reflection: The Spiritual Practice of Keeping the Sabbath<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Written for March 16, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">From Exodus 20: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it
holy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s not so very long ago that whole communities in
the United States stopped to rest on Sundays. Stores were closed, most people
attended church, and families lived close enough to get together for Sunday
dinner. It was rare to find anyone even doing yardwork on a Sunday. For most people,
those days are long gone. These days, setting aside an entire day, Sunday or
otherwise, for rest and restoration is a rarity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What does it mean to keep Sabbath when the world
doesn’t stop with you? How do we unplug from the never-ending list of things we
must do, should do, and want to do? How do we take a rest, when being busy is a
sign of being important in our culture?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God gave the gift of the Sabbath in the 10
Commandments, along with other really important instructions like “don’t
murder” and “don’t commit adultery”. Most people realize that life has gotten
off-track if they have taken someone else’s life or if they’ve broken their
marriage vows. Yet how many of us have opened our email, done our laundry and
dishes and grocery shopping, mowed our lawn, fixed our car, or been to a sports
practice on what should be a day of rest and thought nothing of it? Instead of remembering the Sabbath day and
keeping it holy, we forget the Sabbath day, and make it like any other day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What has this produced? Are we a happier or healthier people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Taking time for the Sabbath may indeed yield some
tangible benefits. It also produces something that cannot be measured: trust in
God and a renewed sense of God’s promise for us. When we practice Sabbath
keeping, we hear God’s voice saying, “You are mine, and you are my beloved one.
You are so much more than what you have done or failed to do, what you have
earned or lost. I give you a day of rest, a day of enjoyment, a day to spend
with me, with my creation, with my beloved people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Taking Sabbath means admitting that we are
replaceable- that someone else can fill our shoes. It means someone else will
take the title of hardest worker or player who never misses a practice or the friend
who never misses a gathering. It means having the courage to stick out because
you are different.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As God’s people, we are called to be different, to
march to the beat of God’s drum as we journey along together. We are called to confess our limitations and
rely on God’s grace. And we are called
to quiet our lives so that God’s still small voice might claim our attention
once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-41745237886437817742016-03-08T16:48:00.003-08:002016-03-08T16:48:47.529-08:00Lenten Reflection: The Spiritual Practice of Anchoring in God<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">From Hebrews, chapter
6: “We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the early Christian
church, before Christianity was legal, persecuted Christians used secret
symbols to communicate their faith to one another. In the catacombs, where they
would meet, there are still symbols that one can make out. Among them is the
anchor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anyone who has slept on
board a boat will appreciate that anchors are symbols of safety and security.
It is reassuring to know that your anchor is well-set, so that you will not
drag anchor while you sleep an awake having run aground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The symbol of the
anchor was particularly meaningful for Greek speakers, because the word ankura
is close to “en kurio”, which means, “In the Lord.” There’s an old
African-American spiritual that goes, “my soul’s been anchored, anchored in the
Lord, in the Lord, in the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But how exactly does
one anchor in the Lord? Perhaps it is like Martin Luther’s explanation to the
First Commandment: you shall have no other gods before me. Luther says this
means that “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anchoring in God comes
by learning to love God through hearing God’s word, by praying and sharing our
burdens with God, by learning to see God in our midst, and by trusting God with
all the uncertainties we hold in our hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is not to say that
it is easy to set an anchor well. Sometimes, you have to try, realize that the
anchor did not set- because you are dragging anchor, pull up the anchor, and
try again. When we find that we are dragging anchor, that we are drifting far
away from that which gives us hope and life, God invites us to anchor again in
his steadfast love and mercy and then rest again in his grace. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-81509613572607147232016-03-02T14:08:00.002-08:002016-03-02T14:08:31.740-08:00Lenten Reflection: The Spiritual Practice of Keeping the Eighth Commandment<div class="MsoNormal">
A reading from Exodus, Chapter 20, the 8<sup>th</sup>
commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://mannaandmercy.org/"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRaQgYBvSHe0xw0JxbTT7necPj6o_Fw5Ds-ZI5k9Hl0GGYGpFAi" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mannaandmercy.org/">The Gift of the Commandments, copyright Dan Erlander</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism:<br />
“Vas is das? What does this mean? <br />
We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors,
betray, or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come
to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the
best possible light.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I attended seminary in Berkeley, California, my
professor who taught about the teachings of Martin Luther spoke about Luther’s
unique view of the 10 Commandments. Luther said we were not only to follow the
Commandments, but he took an expansive view as to the scope of the influence of
the Commandments. So it is that the eighth commandment, “You shall not bear
false witness” is not just about not lying in the courtroom or elsewhere about
someone else. For Luther, it also meant that we would come to our neighbor’s
defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible
light. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cityportals-indianagazette-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/news/images/21857923_27784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://cityportals-indianagazette-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/news/images/21857923_27784.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very wise Rev. Dr. Jane Strohl. Doesn't she look kind?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am sure I had heard Luther’s explanation before, but it
was after that class with Dr. Jane Strohl that I began to take Luther’s
expanded recommendations on as a spiritual practice. Initially, I found it very
difficult to interpret the actions of those closest to me in the best possible
light- after all, I could see for myself how my personal acquaintances and
close associates had failed me, and I knew their reasons. My problem was that I
judged based on my own high standards.
If a class partner failed to do their part of the group assignment, I
judged that the person had let me down because they had not worked hard enough,
which would have been my own explanation if I had not come through on my
commitment. I found that knowing too much actually kept me from gentleness. So
instead, I began to practice on people whose stories I would never know, people
I could not judge: other drivers in traffic.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4142/4931477392_80952a5d24_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4142/4931477392_80952a5d24_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stretch of freeway in question. Traffic looks pretty light. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The freeway entrance nearest the seminary leads to a fast
and full road, often choked with several lanes of traffic, all the cars going
as quickly as possible. A mile down the road, the road divides- one side going
to San Francisco, the other to Oakland. People are invariably changing several
lanes of traffic, some merging left, some merging right. I was always tense as
we crossed several lanes of traffic, and because I was scared, I would react with
anger when someone cut me off. So I began
my spiritual practice by making up imaginary stories for these hurried and
careless drivers. The woman who nearly clipped my front bumper- perhaps she was
rushing to her daughter, who was in labor with the first grandchild. The man
who cut me off with a yell and a rude hand gesture- perhaps he was impatient with
me because he needed to get to work where he was worried about keeping his job.
It was all imagined, but somehow, the sometimes humorous practice calmed me. I
was able to be generous toward these people who had wronged me.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the years since, I have kept the practice up. I know
there are some people who think I am too soft- that I don’t hold other people to
a high enough standard. It is a struggle to know when to hold a line, when to
let things go. That’s a prayer I pray too- the wisdom to know the difference,
as the serenity prayer puts it. But I have found that interpreting other’s
actions in the best possible light has enabled me to love my neighbor better,
and to hear with new ears about God’s unending and patient love for my
neighbor, and also for me. For God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast
love. Thanks be to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-14893656960134271722016-02-25T12:01:00.000-08:002016-02-25T12:01:02.705-08:00The Chance to Bear Fruit<div style="line-height: 16.8pt;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Lent 3C, February 28, 2016<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlSHS-n6f3IHfvDNtZX6MtZOwcTULzWkBp0dDw96EydqjjmkPW" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for tower of siloam image" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQlSHS-n6f3IHfvDNtZX6MtZOwcTULzWkBp0dDw96EydqjjmkPW" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.5pt;">Luke 13:1-9</span></b><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">At that
very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans </span></i></span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">whose blood
Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">He
asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way
they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">No, I
tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">Or
those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you
think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">No, I
tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvNm0e__g4rNbwT1qa60-PSXFOBhkXXEeu7X7GVHXcZg5Fm4T_" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for fig tree fertilizer" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRvNm0e__g4rNbwT1qa60-PSXFOBhkXXEeu7X7GVHXcZg5Fm4T_" /></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his
vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">7</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">So he
said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit
on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 16.8pt;"><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;"> should it be wasting
the soil?’ </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">8</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;">He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig
around it and put manure on it. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 13.5pt;">9</span></sup></i></span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If it
bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I remember after
Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans years ago that there was a prominent
Christian speaker who started saying that the devastation resulted from America' sin and need to repent- that we needed to change our ways and God was trying to get
our attention before it was too late. That’s not the only time that humans have
wondered if God punishes us for our sins or tries to get our attention using
natural disasters or epidemics or other tragic events. It seems that after
terrible events, there are lots of people who do return to God out of fear for
what God will do. <br />
<br />
Is that what Jesus is telling the people in the gospel today? Certainly, there
are some who have interpreted verse 5 that way. Jesus says, “Unless you repent,
you will all perish just as they did”- and he’s referring to the terrible
deaths of sinners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But then what do we do
when we set this story alongside the reading from Isaiah 55? This passage is
one of the great stories of God’s saving acts, ranked up there in Christian
tradition with the stories like the Creation; the crossing of the Red Sea; the
Valley of the Dry Bones; Jonah in the belly of the Big Fish; and Meshach,
Shadrach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace. As in those other stories, God does
great things, giving abundant life to God’s people. In Isaiah 55 specifically,
God promises new life and sustenance for the returning exiles from Babylon. God
will make a new covenant with them, providing them mercy and forgiveness- a
feast of new life that they will not pay for, even if they could afford it. The
generosity of God is beyond comprehension, and the assurance of God’s love and
faithfulness is given even before repentance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what could Jesus
possibly mean in verse 5- unless you repent, you shall die as these others did?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Perhaps it is not
about the fact that they died, but rather the state they died in- of having
died before they ready. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am reminded of the
difference I have seen between unexpected death and a death where the family
had time to prepare. When someone dies unexpectedly, there can be unfinished
business- matters that one would not have wished to left incomplete. Perhaps it
is a relationship that needed mending, apologies given or asked for, or words
of love or gratitude expressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As someone reminded me
this week, “Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.” Yet we put off for tomorrow what may be
done today. Perhaps Jesus is inviting us to get into the muck of our lives,
the manure, and work the soil of our spiritual lives and our relationships so
that we can truly thrive. By attending now to the business of living, we can
bear so much more fruit than if we put it off to tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://tastylandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Mission-fig-levels-of-ripeness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://tastylandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Mission-fig-levels-of-ripeness.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But to return to the
question of suffering. Is it punishment? I look to the whole of the story of
Jesus- who suffered and died on the cross and knows our human woes. God
understands our suffering because in Jesus, God took on human experience. God
did </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">this not because humans had somehow earned it, but because God loved us
first, flawed and broken and sinful as we are. Patiently, lovingly, God will
keep waiting for us and urging us to grow and bear fruit worthy of the lives
God has entrusted to us. As the gardener who waits for a tree’s first harvest,
so God waits for us to bear the fruits of love and mercy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwvbbT3zp36g6d2cIUmUPnbIVoQ8dGwkivj9LKt6B1yc1BrYwjoQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for fertilizer" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSwvbbT3zp36g6d2cIUmUPnbIVoQ8dGwkivj9LKt6B1yc1BrYwjoQ" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So in this time of
Lent, what is the fertilizer that your spiritual life needs? What can you do to
tend your spiritual life by growing in love for God or for neighbor?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-66859492650969260752016-02-24T14:43:00.000-08:002016-02-24T14:43:21.623-08:00Lenten Reflection: The Spiritual Practice of Fasting<div class="MsoNormal">
<sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">12</span></sup><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yet even now, says the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="sc"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span>,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<span style="background: white;"> return
to me with all your heart,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">with
fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
</span><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">13</span></sup><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> rend
your hearts and not your clothing.</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Return to
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="sc"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span>, your God,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> for
he is gracious and merciful,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">slow to
anger, and abounding in steadfast love,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> and
relents from punishing.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>– Joel 2:12-13<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lent is a season for repentance, for taking a new direction,
a new path. It’s a time to get out of old ruts, to try putting our feet on the
path of following Jesus, taking the way of the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Breaking old habits and forming new routines that lead us
into wholeness is never easy. I know one person who gave up eating while
reading. She hates it. One of the confirmation students gave up chocolate, and
she can’t wait to get to Easter. When we take on a new practice, we may not
like it very well at all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lent, and other times like it, are difficult because they are
uncomfortable. For me, it’s less about the discomfort of giving up or fasting from a small
thing like chocolate. It’s the discomfort of knowing our dependence on that
small thing and how it makes us feel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This Lent, I gave up Facebook. I love getting the updates
from friends about their lives and their thoughts. Happy or sad, I am glad to
be able to share the life of my friends, even if only electronically. However,
by fasting from it, I’ve realized that Facebook not only connects me with my
family and friends, it also keeps me from loneliness. </span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without the distraction,
I have had to confront the true distance from those I love, and my dependence
on daily connection with people who live far away. My loneliness invites me to
deeper connection with my God, the one who knows my sadness, my isolation. And
it calls me to truly connect with those around me- my husband, my children, my
acquaintances and friends locally. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It may not be fun to be uncomfortable or to realize our
shortcomings, but God calls us to make true changes in our lives, to rend our
hearts, not our garments. God calls us to make changes that go beyond the
surface, and to strengthen our connection with our creator, returning us to the
one who made us and desires us to have a whole and abundant life. </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-217528471906879302016-02-18T13:38:00.000-08:002016-02-18T13:38:38.903-08:00Trusting the God of the Covenant<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">Lent 2C, February 21, 2016</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">
Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18</span></b><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">After
these things the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> came
to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward
shall be very great.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But Abram said, “O Lord <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>, what will you give me, for I
continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave
born in my house is to be my heir.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But the word of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> came to him, “This man shall
not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count
the stars, if yo</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">u are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your
descendants be.” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">And he believed the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>; and the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> reckoned it to him as
righteousness.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pitts.emory.edu/woodcuts/1700MartAV1/00028727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pitts.emory.edu/woodcuts/1700MartAV1/00028727.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's Covenant with Abram, by Jan Goeree (1670-1731)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">7</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Then he said to him, “I am the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> who brought you from Ur of the
Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">8</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">But he said, “O Lord <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>,
how am I to know that I shall possess it?” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">9</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female
goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">10</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half
over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">11</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove
them away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">12</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell
upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> 17</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot
and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">18</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">On that day the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> made
a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the
river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h2 class="passageref" style="color: #880000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 22.4px; width: 600px;">
Luke 13:31-35</h2>
<div class="bibletext" style="color: #010000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">
<div style="width: 600px;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.recorder.com/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=3vxNpFBbBqILMgFKXX0d2M$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYvuk$n5umAboQvXCvCJuvI6WCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cara Hochhalter's woodblock print depicts the story of Jesus looking back on Jerusalem and yearning to gather all of her people under the love of an inclusive God, but they were not willing. "As a hen gathers..." is from Luke 13:31-34. Submitted photo
" border="0" src="http://www.recorder.com/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=3vxNpFBbBqILMgFKXX0d2M$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYvuk$n5umAboQvXCvCJuvI6WCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg" height="257" style="line-height: 22.4px;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Pastor Cara Hochhalter of Charlemont, MA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="width: 600px;">
<sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">31</sup>At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">32</sup>He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. <sup class="ww" style="color: #777777;">33</sup>Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is <span style="line-height: 22.4px;">impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’</span><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; line-height: 22.4px;">34</sup><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!</span><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><sup class="ww" style="color: #777777; line-height: 22.4px;">35</sup><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It is no secret that I sometimes have trouble trusting
God with the future. I like to know what’s going to happen next month, next
year. I like to be able to envision what my life will be like, so I can prepare
myself. Given the kinds of conversations I have with you as your pastor, I’m
pretty sure this means I am human. I think about a conversation I had with one
of our members who said she just wanted to know how much time she has left in
her life- because then she’ll plan accordingly. Another person wanted to just
know already what would happen with her job, whether her employer would renew
her contract. We want to know and plan and prepare. Not knowing can be the
hardest part. <br />
<br />
I remember the weeks leading up to my interview to be approved for ordination I
had the only panic attacks of my life- in which I had a tightness in my chest
when I woke up in the morning. It was like a weight sitting right on top of my
lungs, and I could barely get enough room to breathe. Even though I had no
reason to worry, I did worry that the candidacy committee would turn me away
and refuse to let me be a pastor, which was a future that I had hoped for and
prayed for and prepared for over the course of several years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think that’s the kind of deep anxiety that Abram has
in our text from Genesis today. He wonders aloud, not once, but twice, whether God
will come through on the promise of offspring. Abram has a hard time trusting
God with his future. He complains, “Look, I’m not getting any younger, God, and
my heir is a servant born in my house, Eliezer of Damascus!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We pray prayers like this all the time. We say things
like, “Hey God, my son has MS, and the treatments don’t seem to be working!” or
“This contract is running out, and I don’t have an offer of a new job after
this one.” More generally, these prayers fit into the form of, “The future isn’t
looking too bright. Are you paying attention, God? Do you even care?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our Old Testament story, Abram, the patriarch of
faith, expresses deep doubts, and lovingly, God responds. For modern ears, it’s
a strange story- God has Abram get a bunch of animals, which Abram then cuts in
half. What we miss as modern people is that in this ritual, God is literally
cutting a covenant with Abram, and that’s what you do in Hebrew- not make a
covenant but <u>cut</u> a covenant. God is saying, “I swear that I will do this
thing, and if I don’t, may I, God, be cut in half like these animals.” God’s
very self is on the line as a sign of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
Moreover, this covenantal promise is completely one-sided. Abram isn’t required
to do anything. God simply promises to keep God’s word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This foundational story of the Jewish faith continued
to underpin St. Paul’s understanding of how God acts, and Martin Luther, who
studied St. Paul’s writings extensively, took up the theme- God loves us and
saves us, not because we are faithful or good or meritorious but because God
loves us, and this is grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We see this grace not only in St. Paul or through
Martin Luther’s writings, but we see it lived out by Jesus, who is God in the
flesh, the Word incarnate. Jesus says to the Pharisees and all of Jerusalem, “How
I longed to gather you under my wings, but you were not willing.” Jesus loves
them, even though they turn away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Even now, Jesus turns toward us in love, arms outstretched.
So especially when we are afraid, let us run to Jesus, like chicks run to a
mother hen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-32103893342281205952016-02-18T10:00:00.003-08:002016-02-18T10:00:29.634-08:00Lenten Reflection: The Spiritual Practice of Doing Our Own Work<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h76OJHRTig/VE54j78oHqI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/sUuJY_MLYa0/s1600/speck%2Bplank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0h76OJHRTig/VE54j78oHqI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/sUuJY_MLYa0/s1600/speck%2Bplank.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A clever cartoon (can't find the artist's info)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus said, “‘Do not judge, so that you may not
be judged.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For with
the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the
measure you get.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Why do you
see the speck in your neighbor’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> eye, but do not notice the log in
your own </span></span></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span class="apple-converted-space">eye?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Or how
can you say to your neighbor,<span class="apple-converted-space"> “Let me take the speck out of your
eye”, while the log is in your own eye?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></i><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5</span></sup></i><i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">You
hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> eye.</span></span></i><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> –Matthew 7</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/58/c2/9c/58c29c55c41c6b19b0f998bb10bc66cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/58/c2/9c/58c29c55c41c6b19b0f998bb10bc66cd.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I once went on a silent
retreat at a Buddhist monastery. As part of the retreat, I was assigned to chop
vegetables in the kitchen, along with a few others. We were given a knife, a
chopping board, and a bucket of carrots, along with some simple instructions on
how the chef wanted them chopped. We began our task. I noticed that my neighbor</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> was not chopping the same way that I was. My immediate impulse was to correct
them. But as it was a silent retreat and we were to be meditating as we worked,
I kept quiet. It was not my job to correct my neighbor or control the quality of
their work. My job was to concentrate on chopping the carrots in front of me,
to chop them to the best of my ability.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So often, we may be
tempted to worry about what other people are doing. We see their actions and
worry for them. Focusing on other people conveniently excuses us from looking
at our own work- that is, our own shortcomings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In his explanation of Confession in the Small Catechism, Martin Luther
invites us to consider our shortcomings in this way: </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “Reflect
on your walk of life in light of the Ten Commandments: whether you are father,
mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, servant; whether you have been
disobedient, unfaithful, lazy, whether you have harmed anyone by word or deed;
whether you have stolen, neglected, wasted, or injured anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://theunboundedspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/looking-in-the-mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="looking in the mirror" border="0" height="300" src="http://theunboundedspirit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/looking-in-the-mirror.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luther asks us to think about our lives in particular, to think about what we
have done or not done. Jesus calls us to pay attention to our own sins before
we worry about the </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">sins of others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let
us pray: God of mercy, help me to trust in your love and grace for me, so that
I may have the courage to honestly look at my own faults and shortcomings. Lead
me and guide me, so that I may grow into the person you call me to be. In Jesus’
name, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-55937562084001290842016-02-11T12:26:00.000-08:002016-02-11T12:26:04.285-08:00The Temptations (not the singing kind)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lent 1C, February 14, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<a href="http://www.jesus-story.net/images/temptation_temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jesus-story.net/images/temptation_temple.jpg" /></a><b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke 4:1-13 </span></b><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus,
full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in
the wilderness, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">where for forty days he was tempted by the
devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was
famished. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of
God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">alone.’” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Then the devil led him up and showed him in an
instant all the kingdoms of the world. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">And the devil said to
him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been
given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Then the devil took
him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him,
“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,’ </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so
that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God
to the test.’” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">When the devil had finished every test, he
departed from him until an opportune time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNWY6EGEZ-sF5ix5-Qy0ruuM5fZqc_N3koCjkls2yJeCgIx1bNvQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for ash wednesday" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNWY6EGEZ-sF5ix5-Qy0ruuM5fZqc_N3koCjkls2yJeCgIx1bNvQ" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Last week in confirmation class, I was telling the
class about Ash Wednesday, which some of them had never experienced before. One
student asked me, “Wait, do we have to wear ashes all day? Like at school?
Because I know that people would make fun of </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">me.” That student was relieved
that we had an evening service so they wouldn’t have to wear their ashes in
public. Most of us would agree that it’s easier to talk about </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">beliefs with
people who won’t judge you. We want to be liked and to be accepted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR565rZK-5OqtecjLrK_2fVmPDMEwFp_zoRvSbMl1GsXaz8K11jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for meeting new people" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR565rZK-5OqtecjLrK_2fVmPDMEwFp_zoRvSbMl1GsXaz8K11jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I first became a pastor, I noticed this same instinct
in myself- to be quiet about my faith. I would meet new people, and when they
asked me what I did for a living, telling them I was a pastor would lead to
people either apologizing for their language or beverage, they’d tell me how
they hadn’t been to </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">church in years and why, or they would stop talking to me
altogether. I started dreaming of alternate ways to answer the question- just
so I could start to have some friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But if I hide my identity as a follower of Jesus, how
then will I proclaim the good news of Jesus, as Paul exhorted the Romans to do?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for church people" border="0" 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" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A place where faith is nurtured</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I think about what it is that I value about my life in
faith: God’s unconditional love for me and for all people, which inspires me to
live justly and gratefully. The Body of Christ has surrounded me and upheld me and
my family in the hardest times of my </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">life- cried with us in grief and brought
us casseroles and cards. The church was the place where I found love and
belonging, encouragement as I grew, a community which encouraged the development
of my gifts in music and leadership, people who wrestled with me in questions
of faith, and held hope for me when I was lost in anger and confusion. Because of
my faith in Jesus, I have been named and nourished, strengthened and sustained.
God has made me God’s very own, and sent me to share God’s love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So picture me, my hand outstretched, meeting someone
for the very first time and longing for a friend in my new neighborhood. I may
not have been standing at the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem, but that was
certainly a moment of testing for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The concept of the devil is an old one, and what the
devil was to do was to play <i>shaytan</i>.
The <i>shaytan</i> was an undercover agent
in the Persian Empire, someone who worked for the king. The <i>shaytan</i> would go out to test the loyalty
of the people in the kingdom. They’d see if someone would agree with traitorous
statements or go along with plots to incite rebellion. They were setting up
undercover stings, and people who failed the loyalty test would be punished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the season of Lent, when we are devoting ourselves
to the Lenten disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we might be more
aware than usual of the forces that draw us away from God, the moments when we
feel tempted to turn away from that which gives us life. Our Lenten disciplines
invite us into challenging territory, to be sure. Many of us will cheat or fail
or slip up. We would be in trouble for sure if this were the Persian Empire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for jesus in my heart" border="0" 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" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But here’s the good news: God already knew that we are
fallible and that we make mistakes. Nothing is hidden or secret. That’s why God
sent Jesus to be by our side, to love us always, to defeat the powers of death and
evil and to lead us into life. So </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">whenever you are feeling weak or ashamed,
remember Jesus loves you and claims you forever. Even if you deny him or choose
the wrong thing or make a mistake, he’ll never let you go, and he’ll never stop
loving you. That is some beautiful news right there.</span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-63417385534604506312016-02-10T15:00:00.004-08:002016-02-10T15:00:56.378-08:00Mountaintops and Valleys<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Transfiguration, February 7, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://psnt.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/transfiguration5.jpg" height="317" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Transfiguration from the stained glass windows of Taize (taize.fr)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #880000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Luke 9:28-43 </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">28</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him
Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">29</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,
and his clothes became dazzling white. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">30</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Suddenly they saw two
men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">31</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They appeared in glory
and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at
Jerusalem. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">32</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now Peter and his companions were weighed down
with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men
who stood with him. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">33</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to
Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one
for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” —not knowing what he said. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">34</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them;
and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">35</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my
Chosen; listen to him!” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">36</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When the voice had spoken,
Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any
of the things they had seen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/small/97387854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/small/97387854.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the trail on Independence Peak, MT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have summited precisely one mountain in my life.
I’ve hiked a fair bit, probably not as much as a boy scout, but for one reason
or another, I’ve only made it to the very top once. It was the summer after my
first year of college, and I was a counselor in </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Montana. Never mind that other
people peaked 3 or 4 or 8 mountains that summer. I only got the chance for one.
So it sticks in my mind. We started out early that morning, mindful of
afternoon thunderstorms and the danger of lightning. We climbed trails among
the trees, going up switchbacks in shrubs, finally emerging past the tree line,
and scrambling in the dangerous loose rocks called scree. We would pause to
drink from our water bottles, look up to see how far we had yet to go and down
to see how far we had come, and swat at flies made slow by the lack of oxygen.
After making it to the top of the trail, we realized we were at a false summit-
the part that looks tallest from the foot of the mountain, but really isn’t. We
kept hiking, and what seemed like an hour later, reached the top. We were
tired, our muscles sore, our shirts soaked with sweat. But as we gratefully
took off our packs and passed around sandwiches and trail mix, we were
exhilarated by the view. In every direction for miles, all we could see were
mountains- range after range. The Beartooths, the Absarokas, lines and lines of
them, hundreds of mountains, countless in our sight. Any inconvenience or
discomfort had been worth this view, and we were in no hurry to descend. After
all, we were at the pinnacle of our day, of our achievement. We wanted to stay
there.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czVXR-mVLl0/TawoM13aevI/AAAAAAAAAsg/-nWUZf2G0qc/s1600/transfiguration+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Transfiguration from jesusmafa.com (a treasure trove of religious art)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In our gospel today, we hear of another mountain top
experience. The riveting view in this case is not what they see from the
mountain, but what appears to them on the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">mountain, namely, Moses and Elijah,
the superstars of the Old Testament, show up, and Jesus starts glowing. Those
three discuss departures- the departure of Jesus, which is going to happen in
Jerusalem, and then the departure of Moses and Elijah. Peter reacts by
suggesting that they stay a while longer, offering to build some dwellings so
they can stick around for a while.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Peter
is in no rush to get off that mountain, to head down to Jerusalem, where that
departure is going to happen, and where instead of Elijah and Moses, the people
who show up are cranky Pharisees and poor widows and sick children and always
the crowds. But who could blame him- meeting Elijah and Moses, clearly being in
the presence of God- he was at the pinnacle of his life. He wanted to stay
there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay on the
mountain. The view is incredible. It’s great to be there, especially when the
company is good and the weather is fine. But here’s the catch: life on the
mountain is not sustainable. No matter how awesome or incredible it is, you
have to go down sometime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_m5JjQTQyyJTxHVTakVZStK3vxIo_W8e26fwz167CMF8Dnq_VWA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for wedding african american" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_m5JjQTQyyJTxHVTakVZStK3vxIo_W8e26fwz167CMF8Dnq_VWA" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture-perfect wedding day is a metaphorical mountaintop experience</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I counsel couples who are preparing to marry, I
sit down with them to plan their wedding and to talk about their hopes and
dreams for the life together. Often, they </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">have some beautiful vision of what
the day will be like- of a beautiful bride, the groom proud to be marrying that
bride- of the two of them, supported by friends or family, the important people
in their life. The celebration and joy of the day. It takes a lot to get to
that day, no matter how simple the wedding. It’s a mountain top of sorts. It’s
exhilarating and memorable- the views are lovely. But a marriage is not made up
of a series of days on the mountaintop. It is those- and it’s also the days
when you wake up, uncertain of whether you still have anything in common and
choose to reconnect. It’s the year when you had no money at all and there was a
lot of tension and fear and you chose to figure out a way. It’s the times you
choose to tolerate the terrible in-laws or take the job that pays the bills but
doesn’t feed the soul or the date night your spouse wanted but you couldn’t
care less. A marriage is made with the mountaintop experiences and all the days
in between.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Today we have a mountaintop experience for Ed and
Marit. It’s their 50<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary, which they’re
celebrating with flowers and cake, family and friends, nice clothes, and
by reaffirming their vows to each other. These are the promises for tomorrow,
for the day after tomorrow, for the times that are to come. These words they
say to each other are the plan for when they get down off the mountain top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And maybe that’s the kind of thing that mountaintops
are good for- they’re places where memories are made, where God gives us space
outside of our normal lives to receive special memories that will give us
courage or comfort in the future. Just as Marit and Ed will be able to look
back on this day and remember their promises to support one another in all
circumstances, so Peter and the disciples and Jesus were able to look back on
that day and remember how the voice in the cloud claimed Jesus as God son who
was chosen, and that God told them to listen to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Each of us have mountaintop experiences- times when
we’ve felt close to God or known deep satisfaction and happiness. The memories
of those times stay with us through the normal, everyday, humdrum lives. So if
you’re on a mountaintop today, enjoy it, give thanks, and hold onto this
memory. If you’re in a valley today, this is where real life is lived. There is
beauty here, too, even if it’s not as stunningly glorious as the mountaintop.
Wherever we are, let us remember that God always goes with us on the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-38765626774592640422016-02-10T15:00:00.003-08:002016-02-10T15:00:43.253-08:00The Sweetness of Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ash Wednesday, 2016<br />
Matthew 6:16, 16-21</span></b><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Beware of practicing
your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no
reward from your Father in heaven. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“So whenever you give
alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you,
they have received their reward. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But when you give
alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And whenever you pray, do not be like the
hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street
corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have
received their reward.</span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But whenever you pray, go into your room and
shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who
sees in secret will reward you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">16</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And whenever you
fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces
so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have
received their reward. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But when you fast, put
oil on your head and wash your face, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">so that your fasting
may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father
who sees in secret will reward you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">20</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
really counts in life? What’s important? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
this last week, several people in our community have been ill, some of them to
the point of being in the hospital. Some have been in poor health for a while,
so it wasn’t a huge surprise. But I didn’t expect Will’s four-year-old niece
Violet to be in the ICU this week. All this news of people being in the
hospital has reminded me that human life is fragile and so, so precious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reminders
of human mortality somehow teach us the sweetness of life here and now. It
reorders our priorities. That’s something most of us realize after we’ve been
with a loved one in the hospital or after a car accident. We see the world with
new eyes, we give thanks for small blessings of which we are freshly aware,
like the feeling of being able to take a shower after being sick in bed for
days, or the smell of fresh air after being cooped up, or the gratitude you
feel after surviving a car accident. Those experiences change us and inspire us
to live better, to be more grateful, to treat one another better, to say I love
you more often. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
a little while, I’ll invite you to receive the ashes that give this day its
name: Ash Wednesday. As I put the ashes on your forehead, you will hear these
words: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” It is a sobering
reminder of our mortality- we are all dust, and to dust we shall return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These
words call us to be more mindful of how we are living our lives. Are we living
kindly and generously, in the way that God calls us? Have we attended to our
spiritual life, how is our relationship with God? Are we distracted or numb or
too busy, when God invites us to slow down, have a chat, and take the time to
make a difference in our own lives and the lives of those around us? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
Christians, the six week season of Lent invites us to remember that human life
is short and fragile and precious. Lenten disciplines call us to re-order our
days so that at the top, we spend time in sharing what God has entrusted to us
through almsgiving, listening for God through prayer, and in fasting, which
calls our attention to our hunger for God. Whatever kindness you can give,
whatever gentle words you can speak, whatever wrong you can put right- that is
what God asks of us in Lent. God asks this, not because we need to earn God’s
love, for that is already ours in Jesus, but because God looks at us and sees
how precious we are. May we begin now to live the full and abundant life that
God longs for us to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-15668631013212456542016-02-01T11:50:00.002-08:002016-02-01T14:06:37.941-08:00Love without Envy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Epiphany 4C, January 31, 2016</span><br />
<i style="font-size: 14pt;">Luke 4:21-30 </i></span></b><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">21</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then [Jesus] began to say
to [all in the synagogue in Nazareth,] “Today this scripture has been
fulfilled in your hearing.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">22</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All spoke well of him
and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is
not this Joseph’s son?” </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">23</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He said to them,
“Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you
will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did
at Capernaum.’ ” </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">24</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And he said, “Truly I
tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">25</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">But the truth is, there were many widows in
Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six
months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">26</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to
a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">27</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">There
were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of
them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">28</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When they heard this, all in the synagogue
were filled with rage. </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">29</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They got up, drove him
out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was
built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. </span></i><i><sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">30</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">But he passed through the midst of them and
went on his way.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There’s an old story of a man who received the promise
of three fulfilled prayers- anything he prayed for, it would be granted. But
there was a catch: whatever he received, his neighbor would get double. The man
decided that that was alright, so he went home and prayed for land- good land,
with rich soil and no rocks. In the morning, he received word that he had
unexpectedly inherited a big parcel of land, more than he could imagine. He was
down at the pub, celebrating with his buddies when in walked his neighbor.
Wouldn’t you know it, but the neighbor had also received an unexpected
inheritance of twice the amount. All of a sudden, the news from the morning
seemed to be minor, the amount of land paltry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That spring, the man walked through his land, and
without even thinking, he prayed for an abundant harvest. Not a bad prayer. And
that year, the weather was the best, the rain, the sun shone, the pests were minimal.
The harvest that year filled his granary. The man went into town to celebrate
the harvest with his friends, and there he heard that his neighbor not only
filled his granary, he had had to build a new one besides. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That winter, the man stewed and mulled and churned
over the events. And he came up with a prayer. That spring, the man prayed that
he would be struck blind in one eye. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What is it about human nature that we get jealous,
that we want to have more, that we want to do better than our neighbor or our
sister or our brother. Why is it so important to us to be the best, to have the
most, whether it’s in talent or grades or promotions or friends? Why is it so
hard to rejoice in other people’s success, especially when we’re still doing
fine? <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When I was a sophomore in high school, a new girl
transferred in to my high school. Everything I could do, she could do better. She
got the lead in the school musical. She did better on tests, she got the solos
in choir, she had more friends. I hated her- because I was jealous. In some way
it felt like she was taking what was mine. But the solo, the lead role, the 98%
on the test- those were never mine in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Justified or not, perhaps jealousy is the emotion
driving the murderous impulses of the crowd against Jesus. They turn on him
because he’s favoring other people. In verse 22, they speak well of him, proud
of the hometown boy, amazed at his gracious words. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
But when he refuses to do the amazing things for Nazareth that he did in
Capernaum, well, then, they’re ready to throw him off a cliff. I guess Jesus
really wasn’t welcome in his hometown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But what is it that sets them off? He’s just declared
freedom for captives, recovery of sight for the blind, good news to the poor.
Why aren’t these people happy? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s that he declares these things and says, “It’s not
going to start here. It’s starting somewhere else, with the people you hate,
the people you dislike, the people you resent. In fact, you’re going to have to
get in line- behind them. There’s no special treatment for you, just because
you helped raise me.” It must have been a slap in the face. Where was the
reward, where was the loyalty, the payback? Where was the gratitude? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But that’s not how God works, is it? God picks
unlikely people, despised people, the lowly and the marginalized. Those folks
are God’s favored people. God love everyone, but when God sees someone who has
been pushed to the side or pushed out, that’s where God hangs out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That’s why God chose Mary to be the mother of the
Messiah. That’s why God picked some uneducated fishermen to be the first
disciples. It’s why God healed Naaman the Syrian and made Ruth the Moabite one
of the ancestors of Jesus. It’s why Rahab the prostitute got in that lineage,
too. God works on the margins, boosting the folks who need it first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That high school competitor of mine- She was smart and
beautiful and seemingly self-confident, but she was also multi-racial, and her
dad was in prison. She faced racism and discrimination and so many roadblocks I
never had to overcome. If anyone needed to get the boost of being the best, of
being chosen first, it was her. Looking back, I’m thankful for a God who is
wiser and more generous than I am. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May God give us all exactly what we need. May God
teach us to love without envy. And may God’s love and mercy bring healing and
wholeness to all people, starting with the people who need it most. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-17792511532448080732016-01-11T06:35:00.002-08:002016-02-25T12:01:40.547-08:00Precious and Beloved<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>A note: I'm off to a preaching workshop this week (read about the neat history of the conference <a href="http://bybergpreaching.org/blog/founder/">here</a>), so I don't have time to add pictures this week. Given yesterday's Seahawks' game, I know that the prayer life of Washingtonians has strengthened. However, given next week's game time of 10am, here is yesterday's sermon for some nourishment of the soul.</i></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Baptism of our Lord, Year C, January 10, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Luke 3:15-22 </span></b><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">15</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As the people were
filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning
John, whether he might be the Messiah, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">16</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John answered all of
them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I
is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">17</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">His winnowing fork is
in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary;
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></sup></div>
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<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 21</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had
been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">22</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a
dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am
well pleased.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I love you. You are
mine. You are precious in my sight. <br />
These are some of the most tender and intimate words used in the Bible to describe
God’s love for God’s people. This reading is a favorite for baptisms and for
devotional reading, and it sounds so beautiful and comforting that we might
miss some significant and powerful meaning behind the words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This chapter of Isaiah
was written for a people in exile, after they had been carried into captivity,
conquered by the Babylonians. They were a broken and forlorn people who worried
that God had abandoned them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the ancient world,
if you were in debt or taken in to captivity, slavery was the inevitable
result. To be freed from slavery, someone had to pay for your release- and this
was called redemption. To redeem someone meant to pay for their very life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was the promise
that God made through Isaiah- that God had not abandoned God’s people but instead
promised, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” They were not
abandoned and they were not worthless. Instead, God considered them worth
entire nations, including Egypt, the symbol for wealth and power in the ancient
world. God says, “I give nations in exchange for you. You are precious in my
sight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">That word, precious,
in English and in the Hebrew for which it is translated- those words mean “worth
a price.” Precious isn’t just sweet- it means, “I’m willing to pay a ransom.
You are worth something.” The people in exile were worth something because God
loved them, even when they wondered if they were lovable or worthy. God
treasured them, even at their worst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the New Testament
text, in which we hear about Jesus’ baptism, we hear the words from the voice
from heaven, “You are my son, the beloved. With you I am well-pleased.” God
says, “You are mine. I love you.” It’s an echo of God’s words to the people in
Isaiah. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like the people
carried off in to Babylon, there are times when we will doubt whether we are
loved or lovable, when we will wonder if we are worth anything. These times
often come when we are broken- by a hard year or a hard life, or when we
realize the depth of our own sinfulness. We’ve made a mess of things, and can’t
see a way out. As we say in confession, “We
are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">How do we get out? We
are stuck in a pit with slippery sides. If we try to climb out, our footholds
crumble beneath us, the walls cave in. There is no hope of getting out on our
own. <br />
<br />
But in baptism, we are claimed by a god who loves us, who names us, who will
not leave us. We fall into the pit, but God does not leave us. Instead, God
sends Jesus to be with us, to rescue us, to stay by our side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">God looks at us and
calls us beloved. God sees our distress and rescues us. We are enslaved, and
God calls us precious. God redeems us from sin and death, and what is the price
of our redemption? The wealth of Egypt and Seba could not compare to the price
that Jesus paid in giving his very life on the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you have ever
doubted that you are worth God’s love, know that when you entered the waters of
baptism, God promised to be with you. If you have ever wondered about your worth,
know that God says you are worth God’s very self. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rivers will not
overwhelm you, fire will not consume you. You, beloved child of God, are
precious in God’s sight, and God has redeemed you because God loves you, more than
you could ever imagine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-63385344553668385832016-01-06T13:05:00.001-08:002016-01-06T13:05:06.647-08:00Being brave, foolish, and wise<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Epiphany 2016</span></b></div>
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<b style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matthew 2:1-12 </span></b><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of
Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?
For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem
with him; </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">and calling together all the chief priests and
scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be
born. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so
it has been written by the prophet: </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">‘And you, Bethlehem,
in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from
you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from
them the exact time when the star had appeared. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search
diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I
may also go and pay him homage.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">9</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When they had heard the king, they set out;
and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until
it stopped over the place where the child was. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">10</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed
with joy. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On entering the house, they saw the child with
Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their
treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">12</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they
left for their own country by another road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All Christmas, the
spotlight has been focused on the baby lying in the manger, the glow from the
Holy Child reflecting on the face of his mother, his earthly father, the
shepherds, even the animals. We see within the stable the cozy warmth of the
manger holding the miracle of God’s gift of the incarnation, the Word made
flesh. Yet atop that humble shelter, a star shines in the night, and the light
of that star draws our attention to a faraway land, to a people who did not
share the language or beliefs or even the same gods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="202" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Gentile_da_fabriano,_adorazione_dei_magi.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by Gentile da Fabriano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the Old Testament,
prophets proclaimed God’s promise that nations would bow down to the king of
Israel, paying homage, bringing gifts, and recognizing the power and sovereignty
of the ruler of God’s people. God’s mercy and love and presence </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">would not be
only for the insiders- God’s chosen people- but will be good news for
foreigners, and expanding God’s tribe to include people who are very different
from Abraham and Sarah and their descendants. And because of this inclusive
salvation, God’s presence would found, not just in one specific and holy place,
but everywhere. </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">So it is that the cozy
scene at the crèche is not complete until we get some foreign wise men arriving
from their dusty journey to Bethlehem. They’re part of the unfolding story of
God’s salvation, too.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Gentile_da_Fabriano_009.jpg/250px-Gentile_da_Fabriano_009.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="261" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Magi and the Star, Gentile da Fabriano, 1423</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This story takes a
while to be accomplished. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">While the baby is being born and the shepherds are
receiving the news, the Wise Men are just getting the first glimpse of a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> wondrous sight- the brightest star they have ever seen. It’s unlike anything
they’ve ever seen before, but being scholars, they figure that it means
something. The star piques their curiosity- they have got to go see what it’s
all about.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="233" src="http://multimedia.quotidiano.net/data/images/gallery/2008/8308/6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adoration of the Magi, Guido da Siena</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">No one else goes with them- they’re the advance team,
or maybe the only ones brave enough to head out on the journey. Maybe their
friends and neighbors thought they were silly to head out without directions or
certainty of their destination, only a start to guide them. So they are a small
crew of people, heading out into the unknown, willing to go on what could be a
wild goose chase. Somehow the wise men step out into the dark, ready to let a
star guide them, daring to be a little foolish on the chance that this journey
might lead to something greater than their usual lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://carldagostino.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/wise-men.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://carldagostino.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/wise-men.jpg" width="296" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
all have times in our lives when we are called to follow the glimmer of a new
star, to step out on an unknown journey. Perhaps a major life change has
happened, like the beginning of a relationship or an ending. Maybe you are
waiting for the arrival of a </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">child or you are unsure what the New Year will
bring. Perhaps you don’t know what is next, but you know that the way things
stand must change, will change, whether you want them to or not.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Wise Men had to
follow some vague directions, and they took some wrong turns and made a stop in
Jerusalem at Herod’s palace first. We,
too, will take wrong turns and make dangerous stops along the way. Like the Wise
Men, we will need to be brave and curious, willing to enter into foreign
territory, and ready to meet the stranger. But the journey will be worth it for
it will change our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/54/9e/e8/549ee814d0ef033e9bcfbbbda9aaa3d7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/54/9e/e8/549ee814d0ef033e9bcfbbbda9aaa3d7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So let’s be ready to go
out on foolish journeys, to risk our reputations and our comfort and our usual
routines. With the Wise Men, let us go to seek God’s presence, to follow the
light of God’s star, to see what God is up to. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God goes before us
and with us, a light in the darkness, a glimmer of a star in the cold night,
calling us out into unfamiliar territory, into an uncharted future. On that
road, God will meet us. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-8753424446280979782015-12-28T11:03:00.000-08:002015-12-28T11:06:33.227-08:00Christmas Eve Meditation<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.johnaugustswanson.com/ImagesUpload/birthnarimg.jpg" height="173" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Christmas Narrative by John August Swanson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The story is so familiar- Mary, Joseph, the baby in
the manger, the angels and the shepherds. The story is the same each year. But
each Christmas, we hear the story with new ears, for we have never heard it as
we are right now. Perhaps this year you have a new job or are welcoming a new
member of the family. Maybe it’s the first year without a loved one or a
sibling has moved away or the first Christmas that you’re not all together as a
family. The story though remains the same, even as we have different ears to
hear it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://rosemarywashington.wordpress.com/category/seattle-travel/page/2/"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://rosemarywashington.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/img_2953.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://rosemarywashington.wordpress.com/category/seattle-travel/page/2/">A Skagit Sunrise by a Seattle photographer</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whatever the circumstances you find yourself in this
year, Mary still wraps the baby in swaddling clothes and lays him in the manger
and the angels come with a message of peace on earth and goodwill to all, and Jesus,
the light of the world, is born. As Isaiah proclaimed:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<sup><span style="background: white; color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2</span></sup><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The people who walked in darkness</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;"> have seen a great light;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">those who lived in a land of deep darkness—</span><br />
<span style="background: white;"> on them light has shined.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="background: white;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Think of the past year. What is the darkness you have dwelt in this year? Is it
grief? Is it fear or self-doubt, loneliness or isolation? All the darkness we have known cannot overcome the light of Jesus, who comes with hope and light and
healing for all. Some of us may look back on this year and see darkness, others
of us look back on the year and will be filled with gratitude for abundant
blessings. Whether your heart is breaking or whether it is breaking open with a
flood of love and joy, we all stand together at the manger.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/02/c8/37/02c837791d425ba08a93b1704a647968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/02/c8/37/02c837791d425ba08a93b1704a647968.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stained glass window at Boe Chapel, St. Olaf College</td></tr>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whatever we may be feeling tonight, the good news remains the
same- to all of us, in every place and time, Jesus comes to light our way and
to dwell with us. The birth of the baby
does not solve all the problems in our families, nor will it cause all wars to
cease. But somehow, the Prince of Peace comes with a glimmer of light into our
dark world, a sign that God stands with us through all things, bringing hope to
the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The light of Jesus shone first from that stable but the light
of the good news of God’s presence with us has been passed like a torch from
Bethlehem 2,000 years ago to us tonight. Each time the love of God is shared,
whenever mercy and grace and peace prevail, the light spreads and multiplies.
So tonight, if your soul is weary because you have been walking in darkness, I
say to you, on you light has shined. And tonight, if you are filled with joy,
may the light of Christ shine through you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With the angels and the shepherds, may we all proclaim the
good news of Jesus’ birth, and with it, peace on earth and goodwill to
all. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-72048054199357334132015-12-21T09:59:00.002-08:002015-12-21T09:59:51.530-08:00Waiting with Mary<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://walktheway.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/dsc00489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://walktheway.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/dsc00489.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #888888; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Painting in the church of El Sitio, Suchitoto, El Salvador</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #880000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Advent 4C, December 20, 2015 <br />
Luke 1:39-56 </span></b><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">39</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In those days Mary set out and went with haste
to a Judean town in the hill country, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">40</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">where she entered the
house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">41</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her
womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">42</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and exclaimed with a loud cry, </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">“Blessed are you among women, and
blessed is the fruit of your womb. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">43</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">And why has this
happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">44</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in
my womb leaped for joy. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">45</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">And blessed is she who
believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the
Lord.”</span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">46</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">47</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">48</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">49</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his
name. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">50</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">His mercy is for those who fear him from
generation to generation. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">51</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">He has shown strength
with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">52</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted
up the lowly; </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">53</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">he has filled the hungry with good things, and
sent the rich away empty. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">54</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">He has helped his
servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">55</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham
and to his descendants forever.” </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">56</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">And Mary remained with
her about three months and then returned to her home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTR8pnLT024TxIemblCvLhmOLYnjAc3V5LoZqxfinyYaROraAy7xw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for candlelight christmas eve" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTR8pnLT024TxIemblCvLhmOLYnjAc3V5LoZqxfinyYaROraAy7xw" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas is almost
here- we’re down to less than a week. In preparing for our Christmas Eve
worship, I’ve been talking with lots of you. For some of us, Christmas Eve
traditions include gathering here for worship- some at 5, some at 10. Others of
us</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> will be far away, worshipping at other churches with family or friends. And
others of us will be gathered with relatives for a Christmas gathering.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In all the
conversations, I’ve noticed that there’s a deep joy in seeing loved ones and
deep sadness when loved ones won’t be there. This is true all the time, but on
Christmas Eve, that most special night, we want all our loved ones nearby, and
we feel the joys and sorrows most keenly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUU9z5naXWPyt505vlHht59zZxLsvuw56z7vnbugg2tj8luEBp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for empty dinner table" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUU9z5naXWPyt505vlHht59zZxLsvuw56z7vnbugg2tj8luEBp" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One mom who is happy
that her children are coming home, but she’ll miss the one who won’t be there.
There’s a widower who loves the sacredness of candlelight </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">worship but can’t
bring himself to come on Christmas Eve because it makes him remember his
beloved wife. There are families with a sibling who just can’t or won’t show up.
Some of us are that sibling who won’t be home. Whatever the circumstances, even
if you are with all your loved ones and everyone is healthy, Christmas, like
any day, is a mix of joy and sorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7034/6476474791_147c39d7a9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7034/6476474791_147c39d7a9_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, the Holy Spirit will sprinkle magic peace dust everywhere!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Could we expect
anything different from a story that begins with an unwed pregnant teenager?
Somehow, we seem to think that the Advent promises of joy, peace, hope, and love
will be fulfilled in the arrival of the Baby Jesus- and magically, all will be </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">well. Jesus is born, now there will be peace on earth and goodwill to all.
Mourning and crying will be no more, the lion and the lamb will lay down
together, all is calm and bright. Oh, and the kids will stop squabbling, too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maybe it’s because the
beautiful vision of that baby Jesus gives us amnesia about what comes just before
that birth and then after, or maybe it’s because we are so desperate for that
healing and peace that God promises in Jesus, but in the story, even though
there is a little pause where people get the message and have great joy, peace
is not often found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNsf0p-vkcomal6yvlDGwP-d_litBAquBR5FxaEuwHiiThq1kB" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNsf0p-vkcomal6yvlDGwP-d_litBAquBR5FxaEuwHiiThq1kB" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surrounding that
little baby in the manger is a world of chaos: there’s the rocky engagement of
Mary and Joseph, the journey to Bethlehem when Mary was big and pregnant, and the
birth in less than ideal circumstances. To top it off, there’s a crazy </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">king who
feels threatened so he plots to kill a baby before he’s even born.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So if you are thinking
of Christmas and realizing that it’s not going to be perfect? Welcome to the
club. Yet even in the midst of the chaos, in all the plans gone wrong, in all
the less than ideal, the baby is still born, the savior still comes. The angels
still proclaim “Peace on earth, goodwill to all.” And Mary still ponders it all
in her heart. But all that is yet to come. For now, we listen as Mary and
Elizabeth greet each other, two women in less than ideal circumstances, yet filled
with joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TEk7FzlrIZQ/T_dPqJNMAmI/AAAAAAAAAFA/5oqikSOHP8s/s400/IMG_0495.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Visitation, from the stained glass windows at Taize, France</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for us, we are
called to rejoice in God’s faithfulness with Mary. We wait with the shepherds
for the angels’ call. We wait with the Wise Men, watching the skies for </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">signs
of God’s guidance.</span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">With Mary and
Elizabeth, we wait for salvation and healing, we wait for joy, knowing that our
journey to Christmas will not be easy or perfect, our hearts and feet will
ache, and we will not always be joyful- nevertheless, wherever we may be on
Christmas Eve, Immanuel will come, God with us. For out of Bethlehem of
Ephrathah, the littlest of the clans, the dusty backwater town, a king will be
born, birthed by an unwed teenager who was probably scared and uncertain and
anything but ready. But the Babe is coming anyway. With Mary, let’s wait with
expectant hope for the Prince of Peace. </span></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-80503838361922662162015-12-10T12:30:00.001-08:002015-12-16T09:43:00.701-08:00The Christian with Muslim Neighbors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Update: This week in Lynnwood, our bishop, the Rev. Kirby Unti, participated in an interfaith dialogue called "Love in a Time of Fear". Between 350-400 people attended. You can watch the full video <a href="https://vimeo.com/149093586">here</a>. I had to turn my audio up to understand the speakers.<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9DZmQGghzvce1ak-s_WQwSM28kuq71N99KvnejEgAgSGIGEiX" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for love your neighbor as yourself" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9DZmQGghzvce1ak-s_WQwSM28kuq71N99KvnejEgAgSGIGEiX" /></a><span class="vv" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">Matthew 22:34-40<br />34</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;"> When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">35</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">36</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’</span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">37</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">He said to him, ‘</span><span class="thinspace" style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">soul, and with all your mind.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">38</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">This is the greatest and first commandment. </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">39</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” </span><sup class="ww" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; display: inline; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">40</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2015/01/25/83/fe/sea19.jpg" height="112" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="irc_hl irc_hol i3724" data-noload="" data-ved="0ahUKEwit68uyh9LJAhVGbj4KHf3mDZYQjB0IBg" href="http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/seahawks-fans-line-route-super-bowl-send-/njwsq/" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2); background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #7d7d7d; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;" wrc_done="true"><span class="irc_ho" dir="ltr" style="margin-right: -2px; overflow: hidden; padding-right: 2px; text-overflow: ellipsis; unicode-bidi: -webkit-isolate;">Where one might find Seattleites on a Sunday, image from www.kirotv.com</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">A couple weeks ago, a friend from Seattle dropped by with her husband and son. In the course of the conversation, the topic of diverse neighborhoods came up. Rebecca and her family are not affiliated with any religion. She and her family are not an anomaly. Most of my friends from my </span></span><span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">4 </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">years of being a Seattleite are not church-goers or religious in any way. They would often text me with invites to go out for Sunday brunch, to have dimsum, or forget that I would have to bow out early from Saturday night festivities, even though they knew that I am a pastor. Their spiritual yearnings were fulfilled by yoga classes, dinners with friends, TED talks, and volunteering with community non-profits like the food bank or the homeless shelter. They are good people, just not churchy people or Christians. But in Seattle, my church youth group took field trips to other places of worship, where their classmates were members: to the Sikh gudwara, the Jewish synagogue, the Hindu temple, the Muslim mosque. Even though most people in Seattle are not affiliated with a religious faith, there are many different faith traditions represented in the city. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for fishing the skagit" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRV9XkqDO11BeuEyOXPljVMOjzeDWHPZ5auKtbZTE-QnCzLJYs5" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A religious experience for some of my neighbors (and me!)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">Seeing Rebecca reminded me that when I moved to Skagit county about 3 years ago, I was surprised by the number of people I met who were involved in church. Sure, there are a lot of </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">people who are home watching the Seahawks when they play at 10 on a Sunday morning. And yes, there are lots of people who are out fishing or hiking or camping when the weather is fine. But most of the people I know are connected in some way to a Christian church. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">As for religious diversity, we have very few non-Christian religions represented in our county. There are no mosques. If you're Jewish, the closest synagogue is in Bellingham. That means that the Orthodox Jews don't live here (because you have to be able to walk to your synagogue on Shabbat). I don't know of a Buddhist temple, and while there are many Sikh farmers and truck drivers in the area, I believe they drive to Bellingham also to go to their Gudwara. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">What does this mean for Skagitonians? It means that we are susceptible to whatever half-truths are said about people of other faiths. Right now, that is particularly true about what we hear about Muslims. </span></span><br />
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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for pickled herring in wine sauce" border="0" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickled herring- loved by some but not all</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">If someone said to you, "I heard that all Skagitonians are either Norwegian or Dutch, they love herring so much that their Costco can't keep it stocked, and </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">their families have all been there since the 1880's", you would shake your head, sit them down, and help them get their stories straight. Some of that information is true- for some of us. But it's not universally true. You would have stories to back you up. You would know someone whose family is Hispanic, but they were born and raised in Burlington. You would know someone else whose family came from Russia or the Ukraine or Vietnam. You might know someone whose family predates all the immigrants and who belongs to the Swinomish or Skagit Native American tribes. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">You would be able to refute half-truths and untruths because you know and love your neighbor.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.yassirchadly.com/yassirchadly/Yassirs_Photo_Album_files/Media/yassir%20and%20khadijah/yassir%20and%20khadijah.jpg?disposition=download" height="200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My professor, Shayk Yassir Chadly, and his wife Khadijah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">But how many of us know Muslims? Or, if we do know Muslims, do our Muslim neighbors feel safe in identifying themselves?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">I have Muslim friends, especially from my years of living and working in Berkeley, California and from my neighborhood in Seattle.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;"> I took a class in seminary on Islam, and it was taught by </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.4px;">an imam, a leader of a mosque. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" src="https://dailyacts.nonprofiteasy.net//uploads/editoruploads/provider_53/Sohrob%20photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="147" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My buddy Sohrob.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">I had Muslim co-workers when we were interfaith chaplains at a hospital. We would respectfully serve anyone of any faith, helping the patient and their family to connect to their religious tradition or beliefs in a difficult time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">I have traveled in Turkey, where Muslim women taught me how to wear a hijab (comfortable and warm in the windy weather of January). </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Seattle_-_Idriss_Mosque_-_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Seattle_-_Idriss_Mosque_-_02.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idris Mosque in N Seattle</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">I know Muslims who have worked for peace for decades, including the mosque in Northgate in Seattle that hosts a barbecue every August for the whole neighborhood. They're really nice folks, and they are a blessing to their neighborhood. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">Yes, there are some people who say they are Muslim who have committed acts of terror. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">There are also people who say they are Christian who have also committed acts of terror. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">Islam does not mean terrorist, just as Christian does not mean terrorist. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">We are a diverse nation. As a Christian, I hear Jesus giving me the commandment to love God and to love my neighbors- all of them, including those of no faith and those of faiths other than mine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.4px;">So I say this: Peace be with you. Or as they say at the mosque: Salaam aleikum- may peace be upon you. </span></span><br />
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-76461147064006931452015-12-06T09:06:00.002-08:002015-12-06T09:06:53.128-08:00How Long, O Lord?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Advent 2C, December 5,
2015<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTd4TMGTYtJB42rznFcaD0Q2ALKamFH_sHbhBiUf2_rgnxYshjj" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for a voice cries out in the wilderness" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTd4TMGTYtJB42rznFcaD0Q2ALKamFH_sHbhBiUf2_rgnxYshjj" /></a><b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke 3:1-6 </span></b><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was
governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler
of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">during
the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of
Zechariah in the wilderness. </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins, </span><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">as
it is written in the book of the w</span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">ords of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one
crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths
straight. </span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">Every valley shall be
filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be
made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;</span><sup style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></sup><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">and
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”</span></div>
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" 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" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Today is the second Sunday of
Advent. We all have lists of things that need to be done, things we have
forgotten to do. It can be rather overwhelming. If you’re the person who has
everything done, don’t tell me. I’m right in the thick of it, too. It’s going
to b</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">e an uphill slog to get everything done before December 24</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. With
the long to-do list, I’m looking forward to Christmas, and especially to the
reminder that the Prince of Peace is coming into the world. It’s been a long
week, and really it’s been a long month. The attacks in Paris, the shooting in
San Bernardino, the fear that danger could be lurking anywhere- it makes me cry
out, “How long, O Lord?” How long until we see the day of your salvation, the
promised day of peace? I am hardly the first to say this, nor am I the only one
to say it now. Instead, I’m joining a big choir of people who have called out
to God to come and save us.</span></div>
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imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for refiner's fire" border="0" 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/></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Back in the days of the
prophets, people wondered why God was taking so long to send the messiah. What
was the hold up? Was it that God didn’t care anymore? Was it that the people
were too sinful? Could they pray harder, do more, offer better sacrifices, or
maybe they were offering good sacrifices but not doing it the right way? </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">But
the word of the Lord that came through Malachi was this: yes, people were
sinful and needed to be cleaned and purified. But God would be the one who
would scrub them clean and bring them together like fuller’s soap. God would be
the refiner, taking out the dross and leaving the gold. Like the fuller’s soap,
the refiner’s fire would not be exactly comfortable. It wouldn’t be easy, but
the good news was that God would be the one who would be in charge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Hundreds of years later
around the time of Jesus, people were again crying out for a messiah- one to
bring peace and to rule in justice. There were lots of different opinions on
what needed to be done so that God would send a messiah. The Pharisees were
convinced that everyone needed to follow the rules before God would send the
messiah. Talk about an impossible task that would never get accomplished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yet the gospel of Luke tells
us that the time did come, and in the story we heard today, the preparation for
the messiah wasn’t getting everyone to behave. Instead, John preached a baptism
of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. It was a washing away of the past
and the beginning of a new direction, to let go of old mistakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
John’s baptisms reminded Luke of one of those old prophets-Isaiah. Isaiah had
proclaimed, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” and described a major public works
project of making the royal highway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.worldtravelattractions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Mount-Baker-Cascades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://www.worldtravelattractions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Mount-Baker-Cascades.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s the funny thing about
that royal highway. Who would want every mountain to be low and every valley to
be filled in? Don’t we love living where there are mountains and valleys? But
think if your transportation were your own feet or a donkey or horse </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">if you
were very lucky or rich. You might want a highway that made the rougher places
level.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Ancient kingdoms had royal
highways that led out in spokes from the capital city so it was easy to stay in
connection with the king. It would make it easier to get to the king if the
highway were smooth and level. It would also be easier for the king to come to
the people, to come to their side to lead them when war threatened, to mediate
when there were conflicts internally, to bring aid after a disaster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
We call Jesus our prince of peace, our king of righteousness, and we are
connected to Jesus through prayer, through baptism, through communion. Jesus
made the royal highway of the way of the cross, smoothing out all barriers that
keep us from him, so that all flesh shall see the salvation of our God. When
everything seems impossible, when we cry out “How long, O Lord,” let us
remember that we don’t have to wait. Jesus has already promised to be with us,
“Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus stands with us,
bringing light and love and hope and peace. A light shines in the darkness, and
however dark or long our road may be, the darkness does not overcome that
beacon of hope. Thanks be to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-26989506273450993052015-11-16T11:24:00.001-08:002015-11-16T11:24:33.298-08:00So that No One Might Have Too Much<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sermon for November 14, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark 10:17-31</span></b><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">17</span></sup><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran
up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to
inherit eternal life?”</span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">18</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery;
You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud;
Honor your father and mother.’” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">20</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He
said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said,
“You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">22</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When he heard this, he was shocked and went
away grieving, for he had many possessions.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mr_bx7X1HNU/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mr_bx7X1HNU/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">23</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then Jesus looked around and said to his
disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom
of God!” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the disciples were perplexed at these
words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">kingdom of God! </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is easier for a camel to go through the eye
of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">26</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They were greatly astounded and said to one
another, “Then who can be saved?” </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus
looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for
God all things are possible.”</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left
everything and followed you.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus
said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or
sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake
of the good news, </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">who will not receive a hundredfold now in this
age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with
persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But many who are first will be last, and the
last will be first.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRk6OjJ4Vrrem5ktm1gzfSWKBOlPt8kKO3Jo-5rBgFbVXWEkDGfbA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRk6OjJ4Vrrem5ktm1gzfSWKBOlPt8kKO3Jo-5rBgFbVXWEkDGfbA" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't me but my bags looked a lot like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt;">When I was 18, I volunteered to serve for the summer in Brazil. As I packed my bags, I had no idea what to expect, so I tried to anticipate what I might need. I put everything on the bed, removed half, and then stuffed the remaining half into a backpack and duffel bag. At the end of the summer, as I repacked my bags for the trip home, I </span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">remember taking my duffel bag out, realizing I had used less than half of what I had brought and how I really didn’t need most of the things I had brought. I tried to remember my </span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">things at home but I had a hard time visualizing my possessions. I left a lot of things with my host family and traveled home with a much lighter bag and a radically different relationship with stuff.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://br.vazlon.com/static/pics/2014/10/14/REDE-DE-DEITAR-e-Dormir-Varanga-Morango-Chocolate-20141014230408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://br.vazlon.com/static/pics/2014/10/14/REDE-DE-DEITAR-e-Dormir-Varanga-Morango-Chocolate-20141014230408.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple hammock like this and about 3 outfits were all that I really needed. Oh, and a toothbrush. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before that summer in Brazil, I had never seen myself as rich.
My mom was a single parent of 4 girls and a teacher in a small town. In my
private high school, which I attended with scholarships, I had some classmates
who lived in houses with marble floors and received brand new Range Rovers for
their birthday. If you had asked me before Brazil if I were rich, I would have
said no. But ever since that summer, I know that the story of the Young Rich
Man has something for me to learn, too. Because even if I don’t drive an
expensive car or live in a mansion, I have more wealth than many, and how I use
or do not use that wealth is part of my faith life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the places Jesus speaks most clearly to those with wealth
is the story we heard today- the story of the young rich man. He’s a good and
righteous guy, but he lacks one thing: treasure in heaven, which he can get,
not by selling and trading, but by selling his possessions, giving to the poor,
and then following Jesus. And the guy
goes away “shocked and grieving”, for he had many possessions. He realizes that
he can’t do it. He can’t give up his stuff, he can’t go follow Jesus. He misses
the opportunity of a lifetime because he can’t give up his wealth. The young
rich man had too much stuff, and it kept him from following Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wish I could say that this story doesn’t apply to me because
there are other people who are richer. But through this story, I hear asking me
hard questions, too. Am I living generously and trusting God? If not, why not? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For me, it’s fear that holds me back, fear that I won’t have
enough, fear of scarcity. What if my spouse lost employment, what if there were
an accident and a ton of medical bills, what if, what if, what if? Most of the “what
ifs” aren’t probable. I suppose they’re possible, but they probably won’t
happen. Fear isn’t logical but it is powerful, and my fear keeps me from fully
trusting God. It changes my money from a tool into a security blanket- and
security blankets are hard to let go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://studyprayserve.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/come-follow-me-650x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://studyprayserve.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/come-follow-me-650x250.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Regardless of the amount, anytime money becomes something other
than a tool- whether it’s a security blanket or a symbol of power or status or
a way to gain acceptance, it changes from something that can be used into
something that we want to hold onto. It
can become more important to hold onto it than to use it to serve God or our
neighbor. But t</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">his is how I understand
the scriptures and God’s call on our lives: God calls us to follow, to love God
and neighbor more than we love our money or our possessions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what to do when we realize that, like the rich young man, we
are unable to let go? What do we do when we know we have fallen short? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We trust in the grace and mercy of the God who loves us no
matter what. We rely on God’s love, which is unceasing and does not depend on
how much or how little we give. This story doesn’t just show us the rich man
who fails, it tells us that Jesus looked at the young man and loved him- even
as he saw his imperfections. Jesus loves us, too, so we can put ourselves right
into God’s hands, asking that God free us from fear and teach us to live with
trust. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTG44eRfSy-IzWYcpWNgEwjbvKfBqlLb08mHMg7F6WF6kaj0-8Dtw" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for break chains" border="0" height="163" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTG44eRfSy-IzWYcpWNgEwjbvKfBqlLb08mHMg7F6WF6kaj0-8Dtw" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I want for us all to find deep
joy in following Jesus, living generously, and growing in faith and trust. So
even if we’re not there yet, we can practice and we can learn to trust God
more. I believe that when we give, we are chipping away at bonds that chain us to</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> our fears of not having enough, to our expectations about what we or others are
worth, and to our need to have control of tomorrow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus is our freedom, and
when we give, we take one step of leaving behind our stuff and one step toward
Jesus, who calls us to come with him on adventures of a lifetime. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wasigs/images/CamLuth2h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wasigs/images/CamLuth2h.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Following Jesus will take us
on priceless adventures, and for me, there is no amount of money or any possession
that would make up for missing traveling with Jesus. In the long run,
possessions and wealth are of less importance to me- stuff is just stuff. That </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">rich young man’s wealth is gone. All our
possessions will be gone. We’ll be buried on the hill, our bones turned to dust
and ashes. We can live life as if we have nothing to lose, because in the long
run, we’re going to lose everything except our life in God. So we can let go of
all those things which surely perish and participate in making God’s kingdom
here on earth- where all have enough and no one has too much. Amen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-23617642822624524422015-09-16T14:14:00.002-07:002015-09-16T14:14:42.535-07:00Jesus' pop quiz<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pentecost 16B,
September 13, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<a href="http://remnantculture.com/wp-content/uploads/jesuspeter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jesus, Peter, painting, "Get Behind Me Satan"" border="0" height="320" src="http://remnantculture.com/wp-content/uploads/jesuspeter.jpg" width="270" /></a><b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark 8:27-38 </span></b><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus went on with his disciples to the
villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do
people say that I am?” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and
others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he began to teach them that the Son of
Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief
priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said all this quite openly. And Peter took
him aside and began to rebuke him. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">33</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind
me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human
things.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">34</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He called the crowd with his disciples, and
said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and
take up their cross and follow me. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">35</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life
for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">36</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For what will it profit them to gain the whole
world and forfeit their life? </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">37</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Indeed,
what can they give in return for their life? </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">38</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in
this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be
ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="http://www.ctunet.com/blog/text/071116_standardizedtests_wi-horizontal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ctunet.com/blog/text/071116_standardizedtests_wi-horizontal.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember hearing these words: “Pencils down. Turn your tests
face down and pass them in.” Anyone who has ever sweated through a tes</span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">t and
needed just one more minute to get the answer right will probably feel some
jolt of anxiety just from remembering days when you had to take tests. I was
one of those kids who mostly didn’t mind the taking of the test itself. What I
hated was getting the answer wrong, especially if I was sure my answer was
right and then it turned out I was mistaken. Thank goodness those days of testing
are over for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://jeromiewilliamsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/gold-star-sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://jeromiewilliamsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/gold-star-sticker.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today in our gospel, it sounds like Jesus is testing his
followers. “Who do people say that I am?” he asks. “John the Baptist! Elijah!”
they shout out. “Close, but not quite.” Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do you
say that I am?” and Peter, at the head of the </span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">class, says, “You are the
Messiah.” Gold star for Peter. That’s right. Messiah.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.greatcommission.com/israel/CaesareaPhilippiPossiblyGatesOfHades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.greatcommission.com/israel/CaesareaPhilippiPossiblyGatesOfHades.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The site of the Grotto dedicated to the god Pan (Caesarea Philippi)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course, Jesus had been giving them hints. He had cured the
blind, the deaf, the lame. He had healed the sick and he was a light for all
nations. There was just one thing left to do to fit all the descriptions of a
messiah- free the captives by kicking out the enemy. But they were sta</span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">nding in
Caesarea Philippi- a city built as a physical reminder of the close ties
between the Caesar in Rome and Philip of the Herod family. What better place to
start the military campaign than by doing a little reconnaissance of the future
battleground. And make no mistake, reconnaissance would have been necessary
given the layout of the city, which was nearly impossible to attack but was
historically strategic to conquering the region.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peter is waiting for his gold star for his right answer, but
he’s also waiting for Jesus to lay out how they’re going to wage war against
Caesarea Philippi and all that it stands for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsXUhFSZP2w/Tlw9Qf6ASPI/AAAAAAAAAPI/-STbIU4cb3Y/s1600/argyle+sweater.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsXUhFSZP2w/Tlw9Qf6ASPI/AAAAAAAAAPI/-STbIU4cb3Y/s320/argyle+sweater.gif" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instead, Jesus starts talking about how the Son of Man must
suffer, die, and then rise again. What? What curriculum is Jesus teaching from?
What book has he been reading? Even a 5-year-old would have known that’s not
how it goes. In the book of Daniel, the Son of Man leads the armies, kicks some
behinds, and then reigns in peace. So Peter takes him aside to correct him, to
get Jesus back on the right track. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.indianadea.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/undercover1-300x220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://www.indianadea.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/undercover1-300x220.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Satan would have been more like an undercover agent than devil with horns</td></tr>
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But what Jesus says next tells us that this isn’t just Jesus
quizzing the disciples to see if they’ll get the right answer, to see if Peter
can catch his mistake. It turns out that Jesus is the one being tested here,
and he’s being tested by the Tempter. A Satan was an <span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">undercover agent working
for the king who would test someone’s loyalty to the king’s ways. Peter offers
Jesus a pa</span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">th that would take him on the path to glory and power, but instead of
being born of respect and honor for all of God’s creation, the way of the
military messiah would have come with bloodshed and war. Peter and Jesus agreed
that the situation had to change. They agreed that God saw the need for a
messiah, but they disagreed about how a messiah should act.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.studiobrien.com/gallery/modern/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://tonebenedict.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/station-07.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.studiobrien.com/gallery/modern/" target="_blank">Jesus Carries the Cross by artist Michael D. O'Brien</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus came to be a different kind of messiah. He came not to
bring suffering and destruction but to suffer and be destroyed, and then, by
his suffering and death, to kill off the powers of death and evil and
oppression. Death and evil and destruction would not have the last word. Instead,
resurrection and life and love triumph. And they triumph because they are born,
not of domination and oppression, but of self-sacrifice and humbleness. This is
called the way of the cross- to choose to suffer instead of conquer, to conquer
through love, to win through what everyone else considers losing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Christians, the way of the cross is one of the hardest things
to understand and one of the most difficult practices to follow. With Peter, we
might be tempted to ask God to take us down a different path. It is human to
want to fight back when we are hit, to want to get back at those who hurt us
and our loved ones. We want to win. But </span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">following Jesus means that we try to
imitate him, to take on his ways as our ways.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.opinionarlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-05-10-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://www.opinionarlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-05-10-6.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So it may be that tests lurk around every corner, in every
decision we make, as we pick between following the human instincts of retaliation,
violence, and power and the ways of Jesus and the cross. Trusting in God’s
enduring love and grace for all people, let us be ready to learn to take new
and surprising paths with Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-79143009714220050062015-09-11T10:36:00.000-07:002015-09-11T10:36:00.209-07:00The Doctor will see you now<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pentecost 15, September 6,
2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Folio_164r_-_The_Canaanite_Woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Folio_164r_-_The_Canaanite_Woman.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark 7:24-37</span></b><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">24</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From there he set out and went away to the
region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was
there. Yet he could not escape notice, </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">25</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">but
a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard abo</span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ut
him, and she came and bowed down at his feet.</span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">26</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now
the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the
demon out of her daughter. </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">27</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said to her, “Let the children be fed
first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the
dogs.” </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">28</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs
under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may
go—the demon has left your daughter.” </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So
she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.</span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and
went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the
Decapolis. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">32</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They brought to him a deaf man who had an
impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">33</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He took him aside in private, away from the
crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his
tongue. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">34</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said
to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">35</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And
immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke
plainly. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">36</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but
the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">37</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They were astounded beyond measure, saying,
“He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to
speak.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have you ever sat in the emergency room for hours? It’s an
interesting experience. You see people on their worst days- they’re in pain,
they’re sick, they’re there because they need help. If you’re there, observing,
you’re usually there because you’re in need, too, or someone you care about is
in pain or ill. It’s not easy to sit there, waiting for your name to be called,
watching as the nurse calls in people who are in worse shape, because obviously,
from your perspective, the thing you are suffering from is bad. But </span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">we usually
understand on an intellectual level, even if we’re in great pain, is that the
hospital will see the people who are sickest first. But</span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;"> </span><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">imagine- what if you went to the hospital,
and instead of taking patients by the seriousness of their affliction, they
took people according to their race or cultural heritage. I like to think that
in this day and age, we’d all insist that the woman with the heart attack, the
kid with the gunshot wound, that they would be seen first, regardless of skin
color.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 22.4px;">But that scenario is kind of what Jesus says to this Syrophoenician woman. She comes to Jesus, </span><i style="color: #010000; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 22.4px;">begging </i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 22.4px;">for help. She’s desperate. And Jesus tells her that she’s going to have to get in line- behind the Jewish people.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.orthodox-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/The-healing-of-the-daughter-of-a-Canaanite-woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; line-height: 16.8pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.orthodox-canada.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/The-healing-of-the-daughter-of-a-Canaanite-woman.jpg" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What’s going on? Why does Jesus treat her this way? And why, out
of all the stories that Mark could tell, why does Mark include this less than
flattering story about Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/sites/gospeldoctrine.com/files/Tyre_and_Sidon%20map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.gospeldoctrine.com/sites/gospeldoctrine.com/files/Tyre_and_Sidon%20map.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, first, there’s a big clue about the situation in the first
sentence of this story. It’s in the geography. “From there, he set out and went
to the region of Tyre.” The region of Tyre, which included Sidon in the north, was
the northern-most territory included in the Promised Land, back when Joshua led
the people into the land of Canaan. It was a place of promise, of rest after
long journeys, of new life. But Tyre and Sidon weren’t small, dusty backwaters.
They were ancient and well-known cities. Not only had they been around and
well-populated for over 1,000 years, they were beach towns, resort towns. So
when Mark tells us, “he set out and went to the region of Tyre,” and that he
entered a house and didn’t want anyone to know that he was there, we could
translate: Jesus headed to the beach, and he wanted to be anonymous. In short, he was exhausted and needed a
vacation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="http://33.media.tumblr.com/8c3372b0e4b215620be0e866ac854cfe/tumblr_inline_mzrchb3Cjh1qeq0mn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://33.media.tumblr.com/8c3372b0e4b215620be0e866ac854cfe/tumblr_inline_mzrchb3Cjh1qeq0mn.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Of course, he had barely
sat down since he started his public ministry at the synagogue back home in Nazareth
and then healed Peter’s mother-in-law. From that time onward, people started
mobbing Jesus, seeking healing. And everywhere he went, it was like Friday
night in the ER waiting room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So Jesus has just tried to get a few days off, and instead, like
all the preceeding healing stories, word has gotten out, and a woman Jesus
doesn’t even know comes looking for him. So here she comes, desperate, and
here’s Jesus, desperately tired. They are two people at their worst. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/pics/christ_canaanite_woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/pics/christ_canaanite_woman.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s at that point that Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman have
a conversation that changes everything. She begs him to heal his daughter, and
he refuses, telling her to get in line, and basically calling her a dog. It’s
not Jesus’ finest moment. Where is the Jesus who says things like, “</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Let the children come to me” and “Ask and you shall </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">receive” and “your faith has made you well.”
Instead, he tells her that the children come before the dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFPjpN3GpOTPH_-vV0Pc62rAmiJaxf9qAMj9BLDTumuellVTNp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFPjpN3GpOTPH_-vV0Pc62rAmiJaxf9qAMj9BLDTumuellVTNp" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So she has a choice- she can
accept what he says and slink away, or she can try again. This brave and
desperate woman turns and creatively reframes what Jesus says. “Alright, Jesus, but even the puppies under
the table get enough by eating the crumbs.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Perhaps her courage was born
of desperation, but God uses her and her faith to heal and restore both of
them. She expands Jesus’ vision to include the Gentiles, the outsiders, those
that others consider beneath their notice. Then Jesus sees her, truly sees her,
and finds the energy to heal her daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But she is not the only one
changed by their encounter, and we know this, too, because of geography. In the
very next story, which we heard read in our gospel today, Jesus returned from
Tyre to the region of the Decapolis near the Sea of Galilee by way of Sidon. To
give you a little context, it would be like saying, Jesus returned from Cannon
Beach to Bend by way of the Olympic Peninsula.
It was not exactly on the way. He heads east by going north. It makes no sense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But when they bring to him a
deaf man in Sidon, who is almost certainly a Gentile, Jesus does not hesitate
but heals him. And it is as if every scripture of the Old Testament has been
fulfilled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<a href="http://www.sothebys.com/content/dam/stb/lots/N08/N08911/059N08911_6G7L4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.sothebys.com/content/dam/stb/lots/N08/N08911/059N08911_6G7L4.jpg" width="229" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mark may have included the
story because it was part of his telling of what Jesus did, but this story
would have become significant for Gentiles entering the church and even more
important for Jewish people who followed Jesus first but thought of gentiles as
dogs. This story remains a powerful story for us, the followers of Jesus.
It is a powerful story for those of us who might feel like the children of God, but on our worst days we </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 16.8pt;">may
feel unworthy of sitting at the table. It is especially powerful today as we hear stories of the descendants of the Syrophoenician people who are even now seeking a place for new life. This story reminds us that there is no
hierarchy in Jesus’ waiting room, that Jesus the Doctor will see us all. Jesus
heals us all, feeding us with abundant life and welcoming us all to the table
of life.</span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33890872.post-13187245743072838922015-09-10T11:43:00.000-07:002015-09-10T11:43:00.079-07:00Dirty Hands<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pentecost 14 B, August 30,
2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a 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" 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" /></a><b><span style="color: #880000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark 7:1-23</span></b><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes
who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">they noticed that some of his disciples were
eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.</span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not
eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of
the elders; </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and they do not eat anything from the market
unless they wash it;</span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and there are also many other traditions that they
observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him,
“Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but
eat with defiled hands?” </span></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6</span></sup></i><i style="line-height: 16.8pt;"><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly
about you hypocrites, as it is written,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.8pt;">
<i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">‘This people honors me with their lips,<br />
but their hearts are far from me;<br />
</span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">in vain do they worship me,<br />
teaching human precepts as doctrines.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">8</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You
abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">14</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then he called the crowd again and said to
them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">15</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">there is nothing outside a person that by
going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">21</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For it is from within, from the human heart,
that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">22</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. </span></i><i><sup><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">23</span></sup></i><i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All these evil things come from within, and
they defile a person.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://i1.wp.com/homosapoens.com/midrash/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2015/03/netilat-yadayim_.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blessing still used by Jewish people today when they wash their hands and remember the commandment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most of us wash our hands before eating, right? Or we at least
agree that it’s a good idea. It seems like a pretty simple thing- don’t eat
yucky germs. Even if we didn’t know about microbes and diseases, it still seems
pretty basic. So why doesn’t Jesus teach his disciples to wash their hands
before dinner?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br /><span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="data:image/png;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for stop sign" border="0" src="data:image/png;base64,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" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't matter what it says, we know what to do. Rules in action.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #010000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before we answer that question, let’s talk about rules. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What are the rules you live by? How did you come to
follow them? Most likely, you learned some from your parents, some from your
school, some from work, some from church, and some from just observing the
world. We all live by many different rules that guide us throughout our days-
from when we wash our hands or brush our teeth or what you do when you see a
red, octagon next to the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As human beings, we create
rules to prevent problems in the future. At their best, rules are meant to pass
on the learned wisdom from previous experiences, to keep us from repeating past
mistakes. But rules always carry the shadow side of legalism. If we follow
rules simply to follow rules, that’s problematic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In the Old Testament, we hear
the words, “Give heed to the statues and ordinances that I am teaching you to
observe, so that you may </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">live to enter and occupy the land that the LORD, the
God of your ancestors, is giving you.” The statutes and ordinances- the rules
and laws- were made so that God’s people would have a rich life together, that
the community would be strengthened.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">They were meant as a gift to the people.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img 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" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moses Receiving the Tablets of the Law by Marc Chagall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Before we go much further, we
should remember out loud that the gift of these statutes and ordinances was
bigger than most of us realize. It wasn’t just the 10 Commandments, but the 613
laws outlined in the Old Testament, and they governed not just how you spent
the Sabbath or treated your parents or neighbors but included guides on how
God’s people loaned money, treated women who were menstruating, how to spin
yarn, what to do about baldness, and a whole host of other things as well.
God’s people were supposed to follow these rules together. By doing so, they
would be instantly recognizable as a part of the group. You didn’t have to ask-
hey is that person Jewish? You would just know- by how they were acting and
what they looked like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Although some of the rules
seem odd to us today, there were reasons they existed, and the law was meant to
unite the community with God, to teach them ways that cared for all the people
and didn’t create systems of injustice. They were meant as a gift that gave
life to God’s people and keep the community strong so they could live under </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">God’s rule and not under the oppressive rule of foreign powers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bibletalknow.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/david-erlander-manna-and-mercy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://bibletalknow.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/david-erlander-manna-and-mercy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright Dan Erlander, mannaandmercy.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But somewhere along the way,
things changed and things fell apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.penfield.edu/webpages/jgiotto/photos/1482905/Spartacus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://www.penfield.edu/webpages/jgiotto/photos/1482905/Spartacus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the people hoped the Messiah would do.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">By the time Jesus was born,
there was a theory held by some that if they just got back to following all the
rules, then they could restore the community and God would reward their
religious purity by sending the Messiah to kick out the Romans. They got pretty
serious about following the rules- all the rules- and making everyone else do
so as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That brings us to Jesus and
the gospel today, and also James and his comments about following rules. James pretty much said that pure religion is
caring for orphans and widows in their distress and staying unstained in the
world. The first seems pretty straightforward, the second sounds rather
impossible, by the way. Living in the world means that we are part of it-
stains and all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The good news is that Jesus comes into this confusing mess- where good and
life-giving rules can be co-opted and twisted and misused to oppress people-
and he comes along with freedom for us all.
Jesus doesn’t turn everyone into a rebel, but he does put the rules back
into their proper place. He tells the Pharisees that God’s commandments are
more important than human traditions. And then he tells them that evil
intentions are what pollute- not breaking cleanliness rules. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="212" src="http://www.cardingtonnazarene.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dirty-hands.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobody's perfect</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So back to that question
about why Jesus doesn’t make the disciples wash their hands before dinner. I’m
not sure exactly why Jesus took this stance, but I can imagine that </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">by eating
with unwashed hands, Jesus’ disciples showed that they weren’t perfect and they
weren’t above anyone else and they certainly weren’t Pharisees. They showed
that they were in need of God’s grace just as much as any other rule-breaker
out there. Moreover Jesus still chose to hang out with them and love them and
teach them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So I say to you, that this
Jesus I know from the gospel is the one who will love you no matter what. No
matter what rules we have broken or will break, there is nothing that can keep
God from loving you. Thanks be to God. Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11411194349396739707noreply@blogger.com0