Tuesday, October 27, 2011 - The Week of the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 103
Neh. 1:1-11; Rev. 5:11-6:11; Matt. 13:18-23
Nehemiah, the PCUSA, and the USA
Nehemiah is one of those books that is so often overlooked. While in Ezra we saw the rebuilding of the temple, in Nehemiah we see the coming together of a city. It is more than a rebuilding of the city walls, but a rebuilding of trust, and a restoring of a people. Oh how those words strike close to home. I see in our churches and in our nation a need to rebuild trust and restore our lives together.
In today's reading, Nehemiah, hearing some of the recent attacks on Jerusalem, prays that he has success in rebuilding the city walls, and coming to terms with the Persian king. Nehemiah is a Jew who has risen to a high office in the Persian administration, and there are hopes that he can pull some strings to allow for the Promised Land to be restored to peace and prosperity.
Where is our Nehemiah? Amidst the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations and the Tea Partiers I see a welling distrust of all our leaders. This country is hungry for the world to be a better place. I would also argue, despite the incredible divisiveness that I see, that this country is also hungry for coming together.
Our churches and denominations are also hotbeds of debate and fracture.
What is missing in the midst the debate? The spirit of Nehemiah. "Upon hearing these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, 'O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him, and keep his commandments; let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant..., confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned."
There is humility. There is an earnest desire to keep in touch with the God who sustains all things. Are our churches being humble in the midst of discord? Are we? Are our country's leaders?
I am not sure. I know I encounter a lot of blowhards. Perhaps at times I am one of those blowhards. When do I take time to listen to my fellow brothers and sisters? When do I have patience with my country's leaders, giving them time to solve the enormous problems before us?
There is a time for patience, and prayer, and intercession. And that time, I sense, is now.
-Matt
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Monday, October 26, 2011 - The Week of the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]
Ezra 6:1-22; Rev. 5:1-10; Matt. 13:10-17
Christ Triumphant
The last few days have been a bit jumbled. I have run out of time in the morning to send a reflection, and I am sorry for any confusion.
Once again, today I have run out of time to put together a reflection. I do encourage you to read the 5th Chapter of Revelation. And if you want to see a beautiful representation of the scroll and the lamb, come to First Presbyterian Church today, grab one of the Window Tour books, go to the chapel, and spend some time looking at the front stained glass window - the Christ Triumphant Window.
Have fun!
-Matt
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Thursday, October 20, 2011 - The Week of the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
Ezra 1:1-11; 1 Cor. 16:1-9; Matt. 12:15-21
God on the Move
The Bible is full of wonderful expressions of God on the Move. We see this in the Exodus, with a God moving through the desert with his people. But this theme continues! Today, in Ezra, 1 Corinthians, and in Matthew, we see the same God at work!
The Persian King Cyrus is inspired by the Spirit of the Lord, and declares the captivity over, sending home the refugees to restore the temple. Paul is on the move, making travel plans, and hoping he can do more than pass through Corinth on his next journey. In Matthew it is a little more obvious with "When Jesus became aware of this, he departed."
"God on the move" is somewhat different than how most religions see things. Unlike many of the pagan gods, who resided in golden calves or other objects, God was above and beyond, and sometime elusive.
In the days of the Temple, God was thought to live there, but for most of Jewish and Christian existence, there has been no temple. And yet, God was with them during their captivity in Egypt. God was present throughout the Wilderness journey. God was directing things in Babylon and preparing a way back.
In the New Testament, we hear in marvelous new ways in which God is on the move. God has come to earth, and is walking amongst us. The Son of God travels even to the Decapolis, a place of ten Gentile cities, where greed and commerce reign supreme. It was considered dirty places for any good Jew to go. And yet Jesus went.
Then Jesus' followers traveled to all parts of the world. Paul went not only to Corinth, but to many places where no Jews or Christians lived.
The message to us is becoming clear: God is coming to you! You do not need to seek God out anymore to have a "God experience". God will find you if you don't find God.
And here is some good news for us today - we are a part of that story! We are now to pick up where Paul left off. And we have some of the same work as Paul, Ezra, the Twelve Disciples, or even Moses had - to lead God's people into the joyous embrace of a Loving God who found us long before we went looking for him.
Where is God in your life today? How do you see God walking beside you and guiding you through life's travails?
-Matt
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - The Week of the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48
Lam. 2:8-15; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Matt. 12:1-14
Being with God in the Midst of Pain
Today in our Lamentations reading, we encounter a poetic and stylized description of the suffering that Jerusalem has endured. Instead of "Jerusalem fell" we hear "God has bent his bow like an enemy, with his right hand set like a foe; he has killed all in whom we took pride in the tent of daughter Zion."
Why beautify such disaster? Perhaps it is to make it memorable. It also engages the soul, as our reading today brings the poetry into the realm of the human heart. "My eyes are spent with weeping; my stomach churns." There are times when we are not asking God "Why?" or spending our energy being angry with God - we are just wrapped up in our own raw emotions.
Lamentations, as a book, is letting us know that is all right. It is all right to be with God in pain, and to endure pain and suffering along with God, who also grieves for the fallen Israel and Judah.
In Matthew, we get a similar picture of God - one who walks with us. Jesus is walking along with the disciples and they are hungry. He gives them something to eat. They get in a heap of trouble for this, and arguably even more trouble when Jesus ends his defense with, "For the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath."
We learn more than just "mercy is more important than sacrifice". What we learn is that God understands and knows, even though God is above and beyond the human experience. God is Lord of all this, and despite this in not like the lord of the manor who remains far removed from the plight of the slaves. No, our God is one who walks with us in the midst of pain and suffering, despair and want.
I am not sure what it is, but I have a number of friends who are in the midst of suffering as well. Some are struggling with illness, others struggling financially, and others dealing with death of a loved one. And we learn much from Lamentations and this passage in Matthew about how to respond. We are called, not to try to talk them out of the struggle or the illness, for words like that are not meant to heal, but to simply walk along with them, like God walks with us.
It is the sense of "togetherness" that brings much power to Jesus' ministry, and to the steadfast love and faithful presence of the Lord God throughout the Old Testament.
May we remain present and faithful and honest and true - to ourselves and to the world to which we minister. And may we always remember God walks with us too.
-Matt
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Monday, October 17, 2011 - The Week of the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
Jer. 44:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:30-41; Matt. 11:16-24
Harsh Words
This morning I have been delayed, with the house full of people, the chaos of trying to get them all packed to get on a plane, and me unable to get to the computer. The funniest part of the morning was the insistent 4 year old nephew, who kept insisting he was going to take a shower with Uncle Matt. His mom (and the rest of us) had other ideas, like getting packed and ready to go. Ha!
People are on the move in our Jeremiah text, but in a totally different context. This is not a fun move at all. Instead Jeremiah provides a lengthy sermon rebuking those Jews who fled to Egypt and left those in Israel high and dry. And now Jerusalem has fallen, and he implicates everyone in the disaster. He certainly was given harsh words to convey.
Harsh words are something that seem to fill the lives of youngsters quite a bit, as they learn the boundaries of their lives (i.e. where they can and cannot go, what they can and cannot touch). And so when I read Jeremiah sometimes I think he was dealing with a bunch of children. And perhaps in many ways we all are.
We are all at the beginning of our faith, and in the eyes of God, we are probably like little children. Luckily we have a God who has patience, and whose way is always mercy.
This we learn most clearly as we see the Old Testament stories unfold - time and time again the people are given other chances. And they are given the voices of the prophets to reprove and correct them.
Glory be to God, for the gift of mercy, and at times, the gift of harsh words, which keep us on the straight and narrow.
-Matt
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011 - The Week of the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 5, 6; PM Psalm 10, 11
Jer. 36:27-37:2; 1 Cor. 14:1-12; Matt. 10:16-23
The Dark Side
The dark side of the gospel is revealed in Matthew's 10th Chapter today. It turns out, speaking through the power of the Holy Spirit has its consequences. One should not expect to be popular. Jesus warns of coming persecutions.
I was a bit taken aback by our gospel reading this morning. The rain has ended and it is bright and sunny again, and yet the darkness of this passage loomed over my morning!
"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.... Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you.... When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit...."
The Christian life is promised not to be easy. The power of the Holy Spirit has its consequences. One should not expect to be popular. Jesus warns of persecutions coming for us all.
You might be thinking, "Geesh, Matt, I thought these Morning Reflections were supposed to be spiritually uplifting! Where is the good news?! I thought the good news was setting us free." Well, that is true, but it is also true that the disciple is not above the teacher, the slave is not above the master. (Actually, woven in that is some good news! We follow a God who is over and above this all.)
But these are not popular words in a culture like ours that values equality and values everyone's opinion. On the contrary, these words bring comfort to a different crowd. And here it is: we do not have to rely on our own authority. We ride the wave of another, greater than we.
The Christian life is wrought with danger, disruption, and discomfort. But in that, we find ourselves in the hands of the one who came to set us free. There is some ease in that - in giving one's life over to another, especially one that can be trusted.
The good news is that Christ Jesus came into the world and died for sinners. And we are still blessed with his presence - even in the midst of chaos, strife, or even torment. Now that is some good news!!!
-Matt
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Monday, October 10, 2011 - The Week of the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7
Jer. 36:11-26; 1 Cor. 13:(1-3)4-13; Matt. 10:5-15
Hey God, Loving One Another is HARD!
Often as Scripture is read or certain hymns are sung, we can't help but bring a whole host of memories along with them. So it is with Paul's 13th chapter to the Corinthians. Often heard at weddings, and also at funerals, the reading of today's epistle passage may bring with it a wide array of emotions. I personally think of all the beautiful brides that have stood before me, and I hear the mighty organ announcing her arrival. This memory becomes a distraction to the powerful demands of Paul's words.
"If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...Love never ends....And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love." This is no sappy love of lovebirds, but a difficult love of those with whom we disagree...it is a love that demands much.
The Corinthians were struggling mightily in their relations with each other. Paul was not speaking esoterically or even theologically as much as he was speaking practically. He was showing them a "still more excellent way" of living together.
It comes at a price. It means humility and patience. It means recognizing others' gifts. It also means, in Paul's language, that God's love can only be understood as it is disclosed in Christ.
These are radical concepts in a world that values compliance and homogeny. Even our churches have been overtaken with this. We say we value "individualism," but in the end so many churches expect cookie cutter cut-outs as Christian followers.
Both of these are dangerous, Paul warns! We are to love each other in our diversity and various gifts. But we are also to conform, not to the world's standards, but to the benchmark of love set forth in Christ Jesus. This is a tall order, especially for a church that is ripped at the seams.
Paul is not alone in harsh speech. Jeremiah, in our Old Testament lesson, is wanting to read the scroll of his prophecies at the temple and palace. It is too dangerous for him to do that, so he appoints Baruch. Jehoiakim is not impressed, and burns the scroll at the first chance he gets.
Sometimes, God's words to us are not a popular topic of conversation. They have the power to demand much, and leave very little room for leeway.
And yet despite this high bar, God's word comes to us as a gift, something to mold us and shape us into the people that God wants us to be. "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known."
Now, let's go and love one another!
-Matt
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Thursday, October 6, 2011 - The Week of the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 134, 135
2 Kings 23:4-25; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; Matt. 9:18-26
Each of You Has Gifts
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
I think back to the many times I have heard this passage read in worship, often during the commissioning of mission workers or Christian educators.
"To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing, to another working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discernment, to another various kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues."
I have told this story before in Morning Reflections, but it is so powerful it now comes to mind every time I hear this passage. I remember back to one of my doctoral classes when Dr. Presnell began class with an exercise that focused on this passage. We also had an activity - an icebreaker - to do. He asked us to take out a sheet of paper and, best we could, rip it into a circle. "Each of you is your circle. You have gifts. You have strengths that I do not have, or the person next to you may not have. Write down one or two of your greatest strengths...those gifts which you possess that may enrich our time together."
"All of these are activated by one of the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses."
It was a wonderful way to start. Almost immediately I felt a sense of community - of working together toward a common goal. I felt invigorated, as if I was surrounded by many gifts that were being called upon to be shared openly and freely, and I trusted from the covenants of the program itself that we would all abide by this request. It was also a wonderful way to value the expertise already in the room. There was an attitude of collegiality immediately, rather than an overwhelming sense of "teacher - student." We then posted all these circles on the window of the classroom, and periodically would draw from people's strengths.
What a metaphor for grace! I wonder if we shouldn't do this at board meetings and bible studies. This passage strikes at the heart of who we are as the body of Christ - a covenanted community with a diversity of gifts - and in that diversity we find our unity, our strength, and our power.
-Matt
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - The Week of the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123; PM Psalm 124, 125, 126, [127]
2 Kings 22:1-13; 1 Cor. 11:2,17-22; Matt. 9:1-8
Francis of Assisi
Psalm 148:7-14
Jeremiah 22:13-16; Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 11:25-30
Right Action
Protestants often do well talking about grace and faith, although sometimes it can come at the expense of not talking about "right action" much. We can fall into the trap of believing in "faith without works" even though we know that is dead!
While the final arbitration on humanity is grace, the Bible has much in the way of right action. The prophets spent generations trying to shape the people's thoughts, minds, and actions in ways of right speech, right worship, and right action toward others and God.
Paul addresses abuses of the Lord's Supper in today's reading, and calls to task those who do not join genuine table fellowship.
In Matthew, Jesus heals a paralytic. In the midst of it he gets questions about the fact he heals this man of his sin, and gives him a clean bill of health in body and in spirit. The Pharisees will have none of it. Jesus retorts, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'?"
Jesus heals him. And by doing so he declares that much of the required liberation for this world includes bodily needs. He is not solely interested in people's souls, but in daily bread and physical ailments.
This is quite a warning to those who think questions of health insurance or medical practices are only matters of state and not matters of religion. They hit right at the core of Jesus' understanding of religion! Jesus calls us to care for the body, mind, and spirit of others, and of ourselves. This is a call not merely to right belief, but to right action.
-Matt
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Monday, October 3, 2011 - The Week of the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48
2 Kings 21:1-18; 1 Cor. 10:14-11:1; Matt. 8:28-34
Living a Holy Life
I had a great week off. And it was at the OU/Ball State game (of all places) where I realized the impact of my Morning Reflection ministry. It was there a number of you spoke to me and told me how much these reflections meant to you. I had not checked the list in some time, and was unaware at how much it had grown. It was humbling to hear how important it was to so many of you. And it has given me renewed vigor for this ministry.
It may not be a blueprint to "living a holy life" as it talks about in our readings today, but my prayer is that it is a good excuse for you to connect with scripture daily, and live a life more closely knit with God's Word. I hope it connects you to our Reformed roots, and enriches the church's life as it meshes with your own. May it purify your soul and empower you to follow Christ.
In Matthew today, Jesus heals the Gadarene demoniacs. The passage deals with purification. You know how the story goes, right? The two possessed souls of Matthew's gospel end up pure, and the demon begs to be sent into the herd of swine. Jesus obliges. The pigs then drown themselves. How bizarre.
But Matthew is not so much concerned with purity, as he seems to be announcing a battle for power. Jesus is named by the demons, an act of power, and one that is often viewed as the demons trying to gain the upper hand on their exorcist, because knowing the name of a person is to have power over them.
So perhaps the demons did not drown themselves, but Jesus maintained the power and forced the pigs to drown.
Either way, it is strange. And the people in the town know this and want nothing to do with this man Jesus. They want him to leave.
How true this often is in our world. As a sinful people, we secretly like things the way they are and we don't want change. We don't want purity. We don't want unity. We don't want to be healed or truly experience the power of God. Instead, we want to be in control! Ultimately, we don't want change. Change is stress.
There are ordination vows in the Presbyterian Church that all elders and ministers take. One deals with Peace, Unity, and Purity. It is seemingly an easy vow to take, but one that is hard to live up to. And there are many in our church today who have become obsessed with breaking it - mainly the peace and unity part, instead liking to fight.
What does peace look like in our day? Beyond the wars, beyond guns and drugs, I am talking about an inner peace. To be called into a holy life with God means more than just praying or reading scripture, but to let go of the world and of control. Submission and humility wrap themselves in this quest for purity, unity, and peace.
What does unity look like? How are we to live together in harmony with a variety of theological perspectives? Paul and Peter struggled with unity. But in the end they saw their unity in Christ and how to live as the body of Christ. Instead of fragmenting and dissenting, we are called to live a life of togetherness.
And what does purity look like? Certainly it is not keeping Kosher. This story blows that argument to pieces. Instead, we are called to live a holy life, with Christ in control, guiding our thoughts and actions in love, and joy, and peace.
-Matt
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Thursday, September 22, 2011 - The Week of the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm [83] or 34; PM Psalm 85, 86
2 Kings 9:1-16; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; Matt. 6:1-6,16-18
God is in Control
The Old Testament reading today centers on the selection and anointing of Jehu as the new king. It is a wonderful exploration of God's hand at work amongst his people.
Elisha exhibits the power that has been invested in the prophetic guild, of which he is the head. It also shows God's hand at work in the midst of humanity and its leaders. Elisha tells a group of fellow prophets: "Gird up your loins; take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. When you arrive, look there for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi....pour it on his head, and say, 'Thus says the Lord: I anoint you king over Israel.'"
With today's reading, we are in the midst of Ahab's reign, a disaster of epic proportions. In many ways, this selection is related to revenge against Jezebel for killing God's prophets. But on another level, this is an example of the theocracy at work, and the power of the prophets.
The king is not someone who has all the power of human might. Nor is the king going to be someone who is elected by the people. Instead, the king is someone selected by God. And that person fulfills their tasks as best they can, and when they stray from God's ways, they are expunged.
It all seems very harsh and strange. It is also dangerous to apply this to our method of government. We must remember that this biblical text is stylized, containing literary features which showcase God. The text is provided for us to get to know God better. And what do we see?
We see and learn of a God who is involved in human history, is taking an interest in this little band of people that no one cared about. They were slaves in Egypt, and no one could have cared less if they lived or died.
This is the good news for us today. The whole trajectory of the Old Testament is one of power. God is the one in control. God is the one holding the cards, despite humanity and its failures.
This provides a backdrop of great hope: that God is still in control, even as unemployment and troubles brew in health care, despite what our current political and worldly situations tell us. We stand as a people who know the truth - that ultimately God's will will be done.
-Matt
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - The Week of the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72
2 Kings 5:19-27; 1 Cor. 5:1-8; Matt. 5:27-37
The Serious Business of the Sermon on the Mount
If you have any friends who believe that "every word in the Bible is LITERALLY true" and that Revelation and every other book should be read literally, you may want to sit down with them, read the Matthew 5 passage, and then look up at them and jokingly ask them why they still have any hands or eyes! Jesus resorts to hyperbole in the continuation of the Sermon on the Mount. "If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out.... If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off!"
Bible reading is serious business! Understanding what is really going on is difficult. The high drama begins as he takes on, first, adultery, then divorce, and then swearing falsely (meaning the making or breaking of oaths). And the end of the day we are left with one thing: much is demanded of the one who seeks to follow Christ. By the time he is done with his litany of ways that one "falls short" no one is left unscathed - not even the Pharisees and scribes, who were seen by the people as being blameless and perfect in the eyes of God.
But that is not to diminish his words. He takes on much more than hypocrisy, but of all that clouds the mind and distracts from the will of God. There are elements of individual accountability as well as community failings.
Interestingly enough, this is not the trajectory of the gospel, but it is an important part of the sequence. Jesus is not here to focus on how bad we are, nor did he come to, as some of my Baptist minister friends jest, "scare the hell out of you."
And so this passage isn't about making everyone blind or hand-less. Rather, Matthew's gospel sets up the grand narrative of the rejection of the one we call Messiah. He lays out the disappointment of the people who are looking for a political Messiah. He spells out the brokenness of the earth, through the miracles and parables, but also Jesus' rejection and brokenness. This kind of Messiah was not able to fix the brokenness in their way, but in his way.
In this way it wasn't Hell he was interested in, but Heaven. He came to point a way to the heavenly kingdom, but that Heaven was not where the people wanted to go. They were focused on the future, Jesus was focused on the present. They were focused on Roman destruction. Jesus was focused on a renewal of faith.
Jesus rails against the whole system today in the Sermon on the Mount. So stay tuned. As you know, the story takes a dark turn from here.
-Matt
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011 - The Week of the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96
1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Cor. 2:1-13; Matt. 4:18-25
Humility
You may have heard this story before, perhaps from me because I know I have told it in the pulpit before, but here it goes!
The story goes that the new young minister had finally arrived in town. It was his first Sunday, and his first sermon with his new congregation. With great fanfare the congregation gathered with the first hymn. There was an excitement in the air, and a buzz about the arrival of this new and recent seminary graduate.
They also knew what they were getting into. They were a smaller country church and the "new ministers" always found their way to them. They were sort of a breeding ground for new ministers, a place that nurtured and ushered the next generation into ministry with a healthy successful place to get started.
Well after the first hymn, and the first prayer by one of the elders, the minister made his way to the pulpit. In full academic vestments and with his nose in the air, he ascended to the pulpit, a massive pulpit for that space, with 7 steps that led up, overlooking the congregation by many feet. He then looked out at a packed church, got a little nervous, and began the reading. By the time for the sermon, he realized in the fanfare he had misplaced a couple pages of his notes. He pressed on anyway, riding the coattails of his seminary professors. He kept his nose in the air, cocky as ever, and preached a fine sermon.
Despite this, the sermon began to tank. Stories weren't completed. Thoughts were lost. The nervousness and the missing pages took its toll, and with much humility, he finished, turned, and walked down all seven steps, with his head held in shame.
After the service, as people passed to shake hands with the new minister, one of the elders of the congregation walked by and said, "Perhaps next time you can ascend to the pulpit in the same manner as you descended today."
This is precisely the struggle of the Corinthians, and we see a piece of that in our reading today. Paul, unlike them, comes in humility, weakness, and fear. He demonstrates the Spirit of Christ and of his power, not a power of his own making. He uses this in his very argument, because they were struggling to keep their egos and their faith in check.
Paul has incredible human wisdom, and ironically uses it to argue against human wisdom. His struggle is to preach Christ crucified, and to get the church in Corinth on that same track as well.
He expected, no he demanded, that other churches follow his lead. He almost singlehandedly provided a means by which the unity of Christ crucified could exist in a diverse and cosmopolitan Church that served Christ in many different countries and with many different native tongues. It is amazing what the Spirit of Christ can do through one simple person!
-Matt
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011 - The Week of the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 61, 62; PM Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36
1 Kings 21:17-29; 1 Cor. 1:20-31; Matt. 4:12-17
John Chrysostom
Psalm 49:1-8
Jeremiah 42:1-6; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:7; Luke 21:12-15
Knowing the Land
It was just yesterday I was putting together my new Israel trip, and the corresponding study going with it. I was renewing my excitement about seeing Nazareth, and Capernaum, and the wilderness. And then I turned to our readings for today, and lo and behold, a knowledge of the land was required. It was a reminder that everyone should experience the Holy Land at least once in their lives.
"When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to the Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in the lake region in Capernaum."
If you are unfamiliar with the land in Israel, this may not sound like much, but this marks a significant shift in ministry. John's ministry was one isolated in the wilderness. He may have been associated with the Essences, who were interested in purity and separation from the corruption of the Temple guard. Nazareth on the other hand was in the Galilee. It was mainly farmers and shepherds, with some artisans interspersed. But by going to Capernaum though, Jesus sets a tone that says something even more radical: Those who shall see the great light are those who have sat in great darkness, and now on them light has shined.
And who are these new "light-shined people"? Fishermen, tradesmen, and foreigners. Around this lake are the outcast of Hebrew society. It is pure Greco-Roman life colliding with Jews, and the furthest thing from the temple imaginable.
This passage all but says God's rule is coming to those you least expect. Brace yourself for a bumpy ride, because this story gets crazy. Indeed it does. Not only does the Messiah die on a cross, but the inheritors of the kingdom are a rag-tag bunch of misfits, many of which came from this region. These people were the salt of the earth, literally connected to the land. They were not the learned people of the temple mount. They were not the great teachers of the law or morally upstanding citizens.
This passage, while cloaked in esoteric language and code, stands as a beautiful descriptor of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It would be much like Oklahomans saying, "And now, even those Texans will see the great light!" In the most unimaginable place possible, grace and glory shall rise. (Sorry Bill, you knew this Sooner fan had to get that jab in!)
May the glory of God shine into all the distant and dark regions of your heart this day. May you find the good news in the least likely of places.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Holy Land, consider taking my Thursday Noon Bible study, starting this Thursday, or go with me to Israel. www.fpcokc.org/israel
-Matt
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Monday, September 12, 2011 - The Week of the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 56, 57, [58]; PM Psalm 64, 65
1 Kings 21:1-16; 1 Cor. 1:1-19; Matt. 4:1-11
Allegiances are Hard!
I have an ITouch. One of the "aps" I have downloaded is this silly little game of kingdoms, wars, alliances, and the like. I own a city, in fact a whole kingdom, and from time to time I check in to see who has "attacked" me, and sometimes I "attack" too. It is somewhat hysterical actually to watch me play this and get into it like a little kid.
One aspect of this game is forming alliances. And one of the things I have realized in the midst of this is that allegiances are often hard. Oh, I will always remain faithful to my Christian faith, and to OU, and to all my alma maters, and certainly to this country. But it is quite another thing to remain faithful to a new alliance that has just formed in my little game, when I question everyone's motives. I have seen them cheat and steal and wonder why this time should be any different.
Both New Testament readings today deal with allegiances today. Jesus goes to battle, being tempted in the wilderness. Paul takes on the church in Corinth and their divisions of loyalty.
"What I mean is that each of you says, 'I belong to Paul,' or 'I belong to Apollos,' or 'I belong to Cephas,' or 'I belong to Christ.' Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
The newness of Christianity might have been in the minds of the people. Will this all survive? Who are we? What are we doing?
Paul equates the struggles of the church not simply to "disagreement" or differing opinions. Today we chalk up problems in the church this way - as "disagreements" or "individualism" or "personal preference." Not Paul. He declares this to be a matter of wisdom. "For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'"
Each and every time I encounter Paul's writings I am amazed at how pertinent they are to our times as well. The Church is still struggling with proclaiming Christ crucified and understanding how to deal with divisions in the church. What we learn from Paul most is "how to argue." He is brilliant at it. He seems to win every intellectual argument he makes.
The other part of this is that he keeps talking. He stays in community - in covenant with those with whom he disagrees. What I like about the Presbyterian Church is that we pride ourselves on this. The Presbyterian Church is one that keeps talking. We value the minority opinion in any debate. To outsiders it may seem like just fight after fight after fight. "Haven't you settled that gay marriage thing yet?" No, we haven't. Heck, we haven't settled that women's ordination thing yet. I still hear an occasional rumbling about that.
This is because we are a church that encourages diversity of opinion. We even value it! And why? Because this is how we sense the Spirit of God at work. In our differences we are able to listen to God and allow the Spirit to work - to speak to us in new and fresh ways. If we were to silence the minority, we wouldn't be able to listen to God as successfully and fully.
Remaining faithful to that kind of pledge is quite another thing. Working out the voice of God takes patience and understanding. It takes years of listening. We are a church that is "reformed, and always reforming," structured in a way that change is possible, in case God decides we need to do things a bit differently to respond to a changing world.
So fights are good? Sometimes. If done well! Perhaps we can take a lesson from Paul, and keep talking in appropriate and healthy ways.
-Matt
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Friday, September 9, 2011 - The Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 40, 54; PM Psalm 51
1 Kings 18:20-40; Phil. 3:1-16; Matt. 3:1-12
Making Heads or Tails of Scripture
Drama fills our readings for today. It is also three stories of fighting.
Elijah has his confrontation with the priests of Baal. After the dramatic, water-logged pyre of Elijah is set on fire and humiliates the priests and their pyre, Elijah executes them all.
Paul, in Philippians, takes a dramatic shift in the letter. He begins to telescope in on specifics. And he uses some harsh language in the process, declaring that those "who mutilate the flesh" must not be followed. This very graphic and harsh rejection of the Jewish law-abiders leaves many Christians with a choice: follow Paul and his followers or follow Peter and his followers. The first Christian theological battle lines have been drawn.
Another story of drama and color is that of the Matthew reading. The voice of John the Baptist calls in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight." Eating locusts and honey and hiding out in the desert by the Jordan makes for great political theater.
John is thought by many to be part of the Essences, a radical group of well-learned scribes who took seriously their own ritual purity. They knew in order to be pure they would have to escape the "dirty" corrupt Temple guard, as well as the hypocritical Pharisees. They went to the desert, and functioned very much like a monastery...except they were anything but hermits. They were attracting a large following and creating a political face-off with the Temple guard.
The gospel writing is letting it be known that John the Baptist was aligned with Jesus. Right away we know this is going to be a philosophical and political fight. The Messiah, for the Essences, was not the Messiah that Jerusalem was looking for.
Surprise and intrigue. Theological and ideological battles. It's funny how some never get around to discovering this. They mistakenly think that the Bible is black and white and leaves no theological position unclear. These are the same people who marvel that anyone could come to a conclusion about scripture that is different than what they believe. But the reality is that the Bible is full of stories of theological disputes, differences of opinion, and surprise.
And beware! Most of the time there are differences of opinion, it is between GOD and humanity. The Bible, it turns out, is a story of God working amidst the muck of human existence, and saving us despite it all.
-Matt
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Thursday, September 8, 2011 - The Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 8, 84
1 Kings 18:1-19; Phil. 2:12-30; Matt. 2:13-23
Times of Trouble
Philippians is a great letter. It is not only raw with emotion, and spot-on theologically, but it speaks to the Presbyterian Church for 2011.
After the famous hymn about imitating the humility of Christ, Paul encourages the people to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." They are obviously in the midst of some disagreements, but Paul diffuses that by reminding them they "shine like stars in the world" to this generation. He encourages them to stop murmuring and arguing, something we do quite well today.
Paul, in a stunning move of language, and apparent attempt to stop the conflict, almost seems to sacrifice himself to the argument at hand: "But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you - and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me."
Our PC(USA) denomination is in the midst of conflict, something I deal with on a basis on our Committee on Ministry. What a stunning transformation for our denomination if we all really soaked in these words of Paul and took them to heart. Paul frames their "murmuring" by reminding them that they are the model of behavior to the "crooked and perverse generation". This is quite a responsibility. He encourages them to look beyond themselves, and beyond their petty conflict to the cause of Christ, which stands over and beyond them all. In a sense, he is asking them to find their commonality and focus on that instead, with his analogy of the shining like stars.
Oh how our Church of today needs a dose of commonality. These days it is about a fring group trying to "differentiate" themselves as "Fellowship" PC(USA). I am not sure how I feel about this group. I think they may have missed the fundamental point that Paul is trying to get across in Philippians and in Corinthians. Somehow we have confused things and mistook the theological discrepancies as excluding the possibility of unity in Christ. We have misread Paul's assertion to the Philippian church, that to be of "like-mind" is to somehow huddle exclusively with only those who share the exact same views as we do. I believe scripture calls us to all strive together for the mind of Christ - not be complacent in our own minds.
It is as if we have forgotten how to have theological disagreements and discussions. I see a lot of name-calling, fear, and hatred for folks on the other side of the theological fence.
Paul teaches us otherwise, showing that even in profound differences, we are still one in Christ. And more than that, Paul teaches us that we embrace one another and learn from one another, for in the midst of the vast community we will find the mind of Christ.
-Matt
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011 - The Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]
1 Kings 17:1-24; Phil. 2:1-11; Matt. 2:1-12
A Story about God (oh, and Elijah too)
Today I finally had few thoughts come to mind, and was able to squeak out a Morning Reflection. Lately my thoughts have been sparse. But it was the Old Testament to the rescue. The Old Testament stories are so rich in imagery, and it is easy to understand why they are my favorites.
Today's in 1 Kings is no exception. The story of Elijah being fed by the ravens, and then the corresponding story of the widow of Zeraphath, provides a story of God's abundance and grace. It craftily weaves into a story of resurrection for the widow's son. (It does all this as a backdrop to a statement against the Omride dynasty and worshipping Baal, if you are really interested in context!)
I see the story in three parts. First, there is a drought in the land and Elijah is counseled to seek refuge by the Wadi Cherith, a river gouge with a series of caves in the cliffs. There Elijah hides, and ravens feed him meat and bread in the morning and evening. He drinks water from the wadi. If you are going to Israel with me this is something you will see first hand. And it is extraordinary to look up and see the caves where Elijah was fed by the ravens.
The second part of the story is of the encounter with the widow. Again, the theme of food and sustenance take a role. He asks for bread. She complains of her lack of abundance and concern about having enough meal and oil. Elijah declares that no matter how much she makes, the jug of oil will not empty, nor the jar of meal.
The third, and most remarkable part of the story, is when Elijah follows her home to see her son. He calls forth to God and begs for the life of the child to be restored. And it occurs.
Many have argued this is a story that contrasts the Baal worship of the time. I say nonsense. Others feel it is an example of Elijah's ability to command God's divine power. To that I say "Rubbish!" This is not a story about Elijah, but about God! It has to do with God's control over life and death, and the interplay of food and life.
Where does this life come from? Elijah provides life for the boy. He is the mediator, but let's not split hairs here, he is the one who shows up at the right time in the right place. But who has kept Elijah alive through this drought to do this miraculous deed? God. God is the one that provided the meat and bread in the wilderness. Well, the ravens play a part too by delivering the goods. Oh wait, and the woman who provides the cakes. I almost forgot.
This last part, with the widow's role, provides the most intriguing part of the story. She plays a role in God's bounty and grace. And she doesn't know it. One of the features of this story is: "You never know when you are going to be called on to be a neighbor." It has to do with hospitality and a reminder of welcoming God's grace and being an active participant in that grace.
It is downright marvelous. It is rich. It is memorable. And it is a shame that the church has become so focused on a very select number of New Testament writings, and has often forgotten the rich and abundant history of gracious deeds that led up to the time of Christ.
May Elijah and the widow and her resurrected son walk with you this day, and remind you of your part in the story, your piece of the puzzle - that you too may be called upon to welcome strangers and play a part in God's miraculous daily happenings.
-Matt
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Friday, September 2, 2011 - The Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35
1 Kings 11:26-43; James 4:13-5:6; Mark 15:22-32
The Story of Love
Both the Old Testament and the Gospel reading today are filled with rebellion. Jeroboam and others rebel against King Solomon. Mark's reading is quite a bit different kind of rebellion though.
Mark recounts the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus' rebellion against the establishment is unlike any other rebellion we have seen in the Bible. No swords are taken up. No poisonous words. No fighting. No subversive behavior against those in power. There are no decisive battles imprinted on our memory. Jesus goes willingly to the cross. Nailed to a piece of wood, Jesus only weapon is that of love.
And yet, because of this, Jesus' rebellion against the temple guard is perhaps one of the most remembered rebellions in all of history. He effectively leads quite the rebellion, doesn't he?! My goodness, it turned into one of the major religions of the world, and is no longer seen as a dangerous, illegitimate sect of Judaism.
How is it that one man could lead such a successful rebellion? One word: love. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.... It is this extraordinary act, and Jesus' identity, that takes this to the next level.
Once again, Mark is up to his old tricks of telling a great story - with the audience knowing just a bit more than those trapped in the story. "Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, 'Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!'" Those of us standing on the other side of the cross know that Jesus did that very thing!
He conquered more than just the temple guard in his little rebellion. He conquered death. (So much for little!) He did tear down the temple and rebuild it in three days. And it was more than just the physical temple of his body. In three days, he managed to change the temple establishment itself, setting us free from its mentality (i.e. that God lived in the temple).
Oh heavens! In Mark, Jesus comes back to life and in on the loose! God on the loose. Now there's a story!
-Matt
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Thursday, September 1, 2011 - The Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
1 Kings 11:1-13; James 3:13-4:12; Mark 15:12-21
The Darkness
1 Kings takes a sudden shift, and we move from praising Solomon and his achievements with today's reading, which recounts some of Solomon's errors. Mark is no rosy picture either. The crowd shouts for Jesus to be crucified, and he is handed over to the soldiers, who mock him, spit on him, hit him with a reed, strip him, and shout, "Hail, King of the Jews!"
Both texts deal with the rejection of a king. It is graphic at times. It is sad. It is moderately depressing.
Life is full of rejection sometimes....unfulfilled dreams.
And yet it is these dark passages from scripture which illuminate why the biblical text has endured the test of time. If this was one big happy story, my guess is that it would not be the best-selling book of all time. It is complex and dark. It has twists and turns. It has death and intrigue, rejection and triumph.
As the ironies play out in both testaments, we see the rise and fall of a king. And yet, as the story plays out, we come to realize that God is in charge, and the king must rise again. For the Hebrew people, Solomon marks the end of the undivided kingdom. The good news is that the story goes on. Despite Israel and Judah's failures, God maintains the blessing and covenant with the people. But some darker days are on the horizon. Exile.
Nevertheless, the story continues. That alone is good news. And so it is with the crucifixion. We read on, because we know there is a story beyond the grave. It is no longer about the Northern and Southern Kingdom, but about the army of God marching off to continue a battle which has already been won.
It is the good news at the end of the story that keeps us reading.
-Matt
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - The Week of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39
1 Kings 8:65-9:9; James 2:14-26; Mark 14:66-72
Works of Charity
Did you know that Martin Luther had a problem with the book of James? There were a few books of the Bible he thought perhaps should be taken out. He was responding to a church that had become so over-reliant on works, that James seemed to lessen the Bible's message about "faith, not works." But I am guessing that what the Reformers objected to was that, taken out of context, James could be used wrongly.
In the end, the Reformers decided to leave it in the Bible. And I think I can see why!
James, unlike Paul, speaks of works in the context of "works of charity" not "obedience to the Jewish law." This is an important distinction. "Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,' yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?" James then, was responding to the opposite context of Luther. He was responding to people who wanted to rely only on faith and not back it up with works of mercy.
Sometimes I wonder if we live in those times again. I see many churches these days as very insular. They are in survival mode, and care nothing for the neighborhoods around them. They are concerned only with themselves, and their needs. I am thankful I do not serve a church like that!
Perhaps we all need a good dose of the letter of James. It can be the church's medicine for these tough times.
-Matt
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Thursday, August 25, 2011 - The Week of the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 18:1-20; PM Psalm 18:21-50
1 Kings 3:16-28; Acts 27:27-44; Mark 14:12-26
God's Wisdom Shining Through
Lately I have struggled with the writing aspect to my Morning Reflections. I seem to be stretched too thin, working too many hours, and getting to the end of my contemplative prayer time in the morning and feeling rushed, like I need to be at work already. It has been a distracting time, and prayer seems elusive.
It has made these 1 Kings' readings all the more difficult, because the struggle of everyday life is in them as well. Today we continue the theme of Solomon's wisdom. A dramatic representation of his wisdom comes in the battle over two infants. One is dead, the other is alive. "No, this one is mine." The two mothers fight over the live boy.
Solomon is crafty. He orders a servant to bring him a sword. Then he orders the live boy be cut in half. The true mother of the alive boy becomes easy to spot, "Please, my lord, give her the living boy; certainly do not kill him!" The other said, "It shall be neither mine nor yours; divide it." King Solomon responded: "Give the first woman the living boy; do not kill him. She is the mother."
In our New Testament reading, Jesus celebrates the Passover with his disciples. The one who betrays him "is the one who is dipping his bread into the bowl with me." Jesus declares that it would have been better for that one not to have been born. What a struggle here!
I can't imagine receiving that kind of curse. Being told it would have been better to not have been born! Yikes. At first Jesus declared that the one who will betray him was in the room eating with him. Naturally they became distressed and began to say to him, "Surely, not I?"
Most of us have grown up with this sense of the Lord's Supper. I am sure most of us have a picture in our minds of how it might have happened. In my version in my head, I see and understand that Judas knows what he is about to do. I always imagined Jesus talking about the betrayer and thinking about Judas' eyes dilating and him thinking, "Oh man, he knows! I gotta sneak out of here!"
But Mark's version seems to imply otherwise. Judas, perhaps, did not know. Mark implies that Judas too asked, "Surely, not I?" And if he would have known he was up to no good, why would he have dipped his bread. Perhaps that was said as he was dipping. But that certainly gives credence to the fact that he was still at the table and with Jesus. He didn't freak out by the earlier betrayal discussion and sneak out the back door.
Both passages today are talking about the difficulty with following the right path. Getting on the right path, it appears, is not something we can do on our own. We struggle with our sin. We need God's wisdom and God's blessing in order to continue.
The good news is, we have it! We just must be continually reminded of it! May the distractions of your life fade away, and the wisdom of God take its place.
-Matt
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Monday, August 24, 2011 - The Week of the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
1 Kings 3:1-15; Acts 27:9-26; Mark 14:1-11
A little wisdom please
For millennia, people have prayed for the "wisdom of Solomon." Often people remember King Solomon as the "one who messed up", and so it may seem a bit strange to pray for the wisdom of Solomon. If you are one of the people saying "Why are we praying for HIS wisdom!?" then I encourage you to read the 1 Kings passage today.
It turns out, Solomon started out with his heart in the right place. The passage today is probably one of the most famous of Solomon passages. He prays for wisdom. And it is beautifully crafted, humble, and God-centered.
"And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?"
Oh, if our leaders in government had this kind of humility. Instead they often prance around as if they are the only ones who matter. Others like to make it seem that folks on their side of the political fence can do no wrong, but the ones on the other side can do no right. Can you believe there were people blaming Obama for not being in the White House when the earthquake hit? We aren't even talking wisdom yet; we need a little more common sense!
Now, I am a Presbyterian minister, and that means I know that humanity is, by nature, is a big ol' MESS! Sin stains us all. So my question is, "Where is the humility? Where are we as a country praying for the wisdom of Solomon?"
Lack of humility is one of the problems in the gospel of Mark today, as well. The scribes and chief priests are looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. They think they have all the answers. They think they know the truth. And they are going to squelch anyone who thinks otherwise. They know killing is wrong, so they are doing this by stealth.
I wonder how our businesses and churches would change if every meeting we began with a prayer that put us in our place: "Lord, we know that we are broken people. We don't have all the answers. We are here to come up with some solutions and move into the future, but we acknowledge our inabilities. We need your help. Grant us the wisdom of Solomon and the forbearance of Christ as we endeavor for your will in this situation. Amen."
-Matt
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Thursday, August 18, 2011 - The Week of the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 131, 132, [133]; PM Psalm 134, 135
2 Samuel 19:1-23; Acts 24:1-23; Mark 12:28-34
Absalom & the Messiah
The Old Testament lesson: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!" David cries out, for his son is dead, and he had a hand in it. There is a musical piece from the Renaissance that I hear in my head every time I hear this passage. It is gorgeous music.
So often the Old Testament rages with raw emotions. Guilt, vengence, deep and abiding love, jealousy: they all strike at David at one time or another. It is part of the reason I think he is so well loved and admired. He is approachable, likable.
For me, our 2 Samuel passage for today speaks not just to the death of a son, but to the complexity and irony of God's plans. "The victory that day was turned into mourning...." Here we see David torn between two worlds. Military might comes at a price. Victory means death. And as his officers "covered their faces with shame" it becomes apparent from Joab that not all is well: "You have made it clear today that commanders and officers are nothing to you; for I perceive that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead today, then you would be pleased."
David becomes very human in this story. And we love him for it.
Our Mark reading offers a different kind of love, not the love of a father lamenting the loss of his son, but a Messiah declaring how to love God and love neighbor. The scribes are up to their usual tricks, trying to trap Jesus. What is the greatest commandment? To love God and neighbor. Then the scribe takes it a bit further, declaring Jesus to be right in placing love above burnt offerings. The scribe, of course, becomes like a turncoat, upsetting the temple guard and probably the friends he came with. Jesus declares, because of that response, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."
As I look at these two pictures of love: the love of a father who loses a son, and the love of a Messiah for the world, I see two radically different pictures. Jesus' understanding of love is completely self-less. This is not to diminish David's pain, but David was trapped in the raw emotion of the moment. Jesus was declaring eternal and timeless truths. It is a love of equality, not favoritism. It is a love which grows and expands. It is a love that means something quite different than military victory. A victory in love means, not death, but death of self.
-Matt
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - The Week of the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalm 128, 129, 130
2 Samuel 18:19-23; Acts 23:23-35; Mark 12:13-27
Give to Caesar What is Caesar's
There are those folks in the pew who would like to think that the Bible isn't political. They are going to have a rude awakening by reading today's reading in Mark. Two questions come to Jesus, in order to trap him: the question about paying taxes to Caesar, and the question about the resurrection from the Sadducees.
These two questions, which fan the flames of those in power: Rome in political power, and the Sadducees, the religious and temple authority. Jesus is rubbing salt in the wound he inflicted with his parable (in the previous passage about the wicked tenants), casting dispersions about those who are the tenants of the vineyard, and throwing them out for new tenants.
So these groups mean to trap him. He sees through their hypocrisy and twists his answer so craftily that it continues to confound and exacerbate. "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."
Now before you say, "Pastor Matt is advocating giving all our money away to the government??? Don't they have enough!? Obama and Congress are just going to spend more! Shouldn't we be tithing instead?" let me say some more! If Jesus had said, "Give it to God," there would have been trouble, for Jesus would be breaking Roman law. He would have been thrown in prison.
Instead, by saying, "Give to God the things that are God's" any good Jew listening would think, "Well, that is everything! Everything is God's!" Roman officials would have heard him being in compliance with the law.
At the end of the day, Jesus is not talking about money or the resurrection really, he is talking about "where your heart lies." And this, my friends, becomes very political for Jesus. It is not the debate with other rabbis that is important here, or even Jesus' answer, but the trajectory of this gospel, a trajectory that is witnessing the rejection, betrayal, and crucifixion of God's own.
The tables are turning, but ironically, it is the crucified and rejected one who ends up turning the tables and coming out on top.
And so it is in our churches today. Sometimes we get so focused on the Fight du Jour, and we miss the fact that the only important fight was one that Jesus already won. Despite his own people rejecting him, he has a grand "YES" for this world, and an invitation to having our slates wiped clean.
-Matt
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Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - The Week of the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm [120], 121, 122, 123; PM Psalm 124, 125, 126, [127]
2 Samuel 18:9-18; Acts 23:12-24; Mark 11:27-12:12
Turning Things On Their Head
The Bible may be a lot of things - but boring isn't one of him. It is graphic and memorable. In our Old Testament reading, Absalom is hanging by his hair from a tree. In a bizarre twist of the story, a great battle ends with the son of the king, Absalom, getting his hair stuck in a great oak as he is riding under it. Joab comes across him, fearing raising a hand to the king's son. Finally he is convinced, and while his armor-bearers surround him, Joab thrusts three spears in the heart of Absalom, and they strike him and kill him. It is tragic, but certainly memorable.
Paul is also being hunted. The one who hunted Christians and killed them is now himself being hunted. 40 Jews take an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed Paul, and they go to the chief priests and elders to tell them of their plan. Paul's sister warns him of the ambush.
The Bible is filled with battles, with death, with power-shifts. Almost always we see God's deliverance at hand, or God choosing differently than we might expect. From Jacob and Esau, to Ruth and Naomi, to Jesus and Paul, we continually see a God at work who chooses the most unlikely of characters to carry his will forward.
It is of great comfort to me. In a world that seems to have problems beyond my control - a political machine that seems intent on destroying government, to unemployment everywhere, to world hunger - God has chosen me as one of his agents of grace. I am certainly not the most qualified. I am not as smart or as charismatic as I would like to be, but God chose me anyway. And he chose you too.
Things certainly have come full circle. Who would have thought that God would entrust his kingdom to people like you and me? We don't have that much power and influence. Or do we?
In God's world, the mighty fall. The proud are humbled. The rich become poor. In God's world, all things are made new by the king who gave his life for us all and died on a cross to save even the most lowly of people.
And with that, comes the good news that God has saved even us, and the freedom to live a life of service to others, continuing the ministry of turning things on their head.
-Matt
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Monday, August 15, 2011 - The Week of the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 106:1-18; PM Psalm 106:19-48
2 Samuel 17:24-18:8; Acts 22:30-23:11; Mark 11:12-26
Cursing the Fig Tree
Just like yesterday's gospel reading was troubling and difficult to understand, so too is today's gospel reading of Jesus cursing the fig tree.
The story of the fig tree had troubled me for many years. What did this tree do to deserve this curse, this withering? It wasn't even the season for producing figs, and yet Jesus blames it for not having figs?! Does he lose his cool and curse it?
The only valid explanation came from one of my professors in Israel - and the explanation came due to a mountain, not a shriveled tree. I remember us standing at the Herodium, a man-made mountain that the Romans used as a fortress in Jesus' time. And it is a huge pile of moved dirt, let me tell you. Everyone in our group gasped and said, "This MOUNTAIN got here artificially?" Yes, basketful by basketful, by slaves.
Well, as the professor explained, Jesus and the disciples were traveling from Bethany to Jerusalem, passing through Bethpage. On that route, the Herodium is visible. And so when Jesus said, "Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and if you do not doubt in your heart...," it was as if Jesus was saying, "If you only had faith like the Romans, you could move mountains like them." It was an insult.
Jesus was not mad at the tree, but the people, making a point about "things coming to pass", prayer, and faith. The tree was left as a visible reminder to all who passed that Jesus had made a point about things coming to pass. Interestingly enough, not too long from that time, he would travel the same road on his way to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. I wonder if on passing the tree on Palm Sunday he turned to the disciples and said, "Hey guys...remember what I said: Have faith in God. I'm withering next, but don't you worry. You WILL be moving more than just mountains in my absence."
Scripture is so weird sometimes, and that's why I like it. It challenges me and causes me to think deeply about my life. The fig tree for instance....there are signs in my life which remind me to have faith in God. And I am not talking about grand signs like stained glass windows, or the Lord's Supper, or the like. I am talking about withered signs.
Between the high temperatures lately, the recent wind storm, the intense drought, I feel like we Oklahoman know a little bit about withered signs. From tree limbs down, to roofs blown off, to water main break, it is a reminder that all these things in life are just transitory. They are just things. It helps me to focus on that which is truly important - that which does not pass away - the Word of God.
-Matt
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Thursday, July 28, 2011 - The Week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm [70], 71; PM Psalm 74
2 Samuel 4:1-12 ; Acts 16:25-40; Mark 7:1-23
[JS Bach, GF Handel, & Henry Purcell]
Psalm 150; 2 Chronicles 7:1-6; Colossians 2:2-6; Luke 2:8-14
Prison Break!
Last night I was flipping channels and on AMC was one of my favorite movies: Shawshank Redemption. It is about a jailbreak. Did anyone see it? Great movie.
This morning, our passage in Acts is about a jailbreak! Paul and Silas are behind bars, praying and singing hymns. There is an earthquake. The foundations shake. The doors fling open wide. The jailer panics, only to find all the prisoners still there. He falls before them asking, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
The answer may surprise you: "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." The answer seems to imply that those among us today who believe in "believers' baptisms" have one up on the rest of us. Belief seems to be an essential key to faith. However, there is a monkey wrench: "You and your household." Oh wait, and no one was baptized here.
That night, he and his entire family were baptized without delay.
It becomes apparent in the Book of Acts that God's grace is on the loose. There are many Jews that are feeling threatened by the lessening importance of the law. The good news cannot be contained, and is spreading even to those who know very little about God.
This has been continued tension in the church for millennia. As new believers come into the fold, there is a tendency for those of us who have been around for a long time to kick back on our heels and not give an inch. We become defensive and territory-oriented.
Some churches almost break right down the middle with the Old Guard and the New Guard. We fight about the way things used to be done. We pass out petitions and undermine leaders in authority with bizarre conversations in the parking lot, or phone calls.
As it turns out, none of this behavior is healthy for the church. The fact is we are called to a new life, a life in Christ. That earthquake was to do more than shake things up, but to set us all free, that the prison doors of our lives be flung open, and that we are ready and willing to accept God's new creation, which is never-ending.
The church is changing. It is on the move. And we are only called to believe on the Lord Jesus, and follow wherever the Spirit leads.
-Matt
P.S. On another note, the alternate readings are because today is also the feast day for J.S. Bach, Handel, and Purcell. I am not sure I even knew there was a feast day for them! Enjoy those readings as well!
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Wednesday, July 27, 2011 - The Week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96
2 Samuel 3:22-39; Acts 16:16-24; Mark 6:47-56
The Power of Seeing Jesus
Today's Gospel reading is Jesus walking on the water. Immediately I pictured the Sea of Galilee in my mind, and the meek and mild fishermen who still clutter the small docks.
Going to the Holy Land and walking where Jesus walked (minus the water part!) literally changed my life. It made the Bible come alive. It is like the difference between watching black and white TV, and watching color. If you have not been to Israel, I strongly encourage you to go. I will be leading a 12-day trip this January 2012. We are leaving January 9. I have brochures and would love to talk more with you about the transformative faith walk it can be. Everyone should experience the Sea of Galilee, the River Jordan, Massada, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Capernaum, Petra - at least once in their lives.
At the end of the walking on the water story, after the disciples cry out in fear, after he gets in the boat and the wind ceases, then Mark states, "And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened." For me, being there in Israel helped give me a measure of understanding I did not have previously.
Scholars over there speak of the Fifth Gospel. At first I was confused, thinking they had canonized some text in the Eastern Church that I didn't know about. Finally one of the professors at the Hebrew University pulled me aside and said, "Matt, the fifth gospel is the land itself. The land tells a story! You cannot possibly understand the first four gospels until you understand the Fifth Gospel." He was right.
Maybe I still do not know the Messiah fully. Perhaps, like the disciples, I still do not truly understand where his power was from. But because of Israel, God's presence has become all the more real to me.
It has also helped me to trust the text...and to trust in God. Trust is the key to many of these miracles. In a similar story, where Jesus calms the storm, he is asleep in the boat amidst a huge storm raging around them. I don't know how many of you have been in a small boat during a storm, but this is nearly impossible. His being asleep is a theological sign for us, not a nautical one: Jesus trusted God. In the story of Job we see a similar thing. The one who is asleep trusts God. The world's chaos is of no consequence.
Here the disciples thought he was a ghost. They were afraid. They did not trust that their lives were in God's hand - or worse yet, they didn't even know that. No matter. Either way, they are not putting their eggs in the right basket. To trust in the Lord is the most essential quality for the miracles. As it turns out, to trust in the Lord is the most essential quality for our very lives.
Think about giving yourself the gift of visiting the Holy Land. I promise it will radically change your walk of faith. It is the power of seeing Jesus, and the text, come alive.
-Matt
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Monday, July 25, 2011 - The Week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 56, 57, [58]; PM Psalm 64, 65
2 Samuel 2:1-11; Acts 15:36-16:5; Mark 6:14-29
Change
A lot of things are wrapping up in our readings today. Stories are closing; characters are departing; books are concluding.
In 2 Samuel, David and his two wives reside in the town of Hebron, where he is anointed king. He smoothes things over by declaring a blessing of loyalty to those who buried Saul. Despite this, Abner, son of Saul, is anointed king over Israel, the Northern Kingdom.
In Acts, Paul and Barnabas separate after much fruitful ministry together. Timothy also joins up with Paul.
And in Mark, John the Baptizer dies. Herodias, in consultation with her mother, decides to request John's head on a platter.
In each reading there is a dramatic shift of outlook. Perspectives change. Leadership changes. And yet God's purposes are being realized. It all reminds me of the many changes in church leadership that has occurred over time. And I don't just mean from pope to pope, but even from folks like Calvin and Luther to other theological figureheads. Individual churches go through pastoral changes, some of them tumultuous, and yet God's Spirit continues.
Over time, the Church has exhibited amazing fluidity and flexibility. It is organic and freely structured, despite the Roman Catholic's assertion it is not. I see churches pop up everywhere, nearly every day. And as we witness the age of the death of many mega-churches, which were so strong just 10 years ago, I have to say that the church will survive this chapter too. I suppose it is because there is always another mega-church to takes its place - that and many of the major denominations are experiencing the people coming back. That is certainly what we are experiencing at First Church.
I always get a smirk on my face when I hear people say, "If only things were the way they used to be!" I never know quite what that means. As I look back on the last 100 years, I see only change. The world is in flux, especially the 20th Century. Often what those folks mean, it turns out, is that they want things back the way when THEY were children, and children have a way at looking at things with rose-colored glasses.
It turns out, the only thing we can count on is change. And our scriptures for today remind us that despite changes in human leadership, our divine leadership remains constant. In a world of flux, we have one constant in our life, and that is the steadfastness and faithfulness of God.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit!
-Matt
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Thursday, July 21, 2011 - The Week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 50; PM Psalm [59, 60] or 8, 84
1 Samuel 28:3-20; Acts 15:1-11; Mark 5:1-20
Fight!
Today in Acts, we see the first major fight in the church. Have a guess what it is? No, it is not over the ordination of women. It is not even about which books of the Bible to include. Nope, before that. It is not even a debate about the humanity or divinity of Jesus. Wrong! Before that too!
Some Christians were saying, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
We know where Paul stood on this, himself a Pharisee, but one who demanded that Gentiles could be part of the fold. They take this question up to Jerusalem to discuss it with the apostles and elders. Some of the believers who are Pharisees stood up and said, "It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses."
And it is here we see the first political flip-flop. Peter, who at one point was diametrically opposed to Paul's line of thinking, declares that God knows the human heart, and asks "Why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
The assembly was stunned. Peter? Well, we know how all this played out. And the debate was settled, right?
Today's Church is sadly filled with folks who are wanting to renew this battle. There is a constant tension of those who want to focus on works-righteousness. There is the dangerous belief that if we can just focus on purity enough, and root out all those who don't deserve to be here, that the church will be better for it. In the end we discover that if we are working off of who "deserves" to be in the church, sadly none of us qualify.
It is interesting that the only people that Jesus was really hard on were those that felt superior to others. It was humility he valued, not purity. Today's Gentile believers attest to that very thing. Faith eclipses the Law, especially in areas where we are talking about Gentiles, and it isn't even their law! What Peter ends up flip-flopping to is, in fact, good Presbyterian theology - that God is in charge, and the question of who is in and who is out is up to the Almighty.
What we discover in Acts is a long and wandering journey that eventually witnesses to the DNA of the Church being exhibited. It is a DNA that lays out the code for grace and faith, for inclusion and love. Oh the Law is important, but even it is secondary to Christ Jesus, under whom all things reside. And we also learn some valuable things about surprise:
"The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles." Being a Christian, it turns out, means setting aside one's tendency to narrow ones values and expectations, and be ready to be surprised by the risen Christ. It is a surprise that Paul himself encountered on the road to Damascus. And we have to be ready to be surprised anew in our time.
Who knows what God will do next?
-Matt
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - The Week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:49-72; PM Psalm 49, [53]
1 Samuel 25:23-44; Acts 14:19-28; Mark 4:35-41
Calming the Storm
Time is short today, and I entrust the readings to you. I will make one comment though, for you to think about.
In Mark, Jesus stills a storm. As is often, New Testament themes pick up on Old Testament themes, or fulfillment of them. A great windstorm overcomes their small boat on the Sea of Galilee, reminiscent of the storm in Job. And yet, he is asleep, again reminiscent of Job, and a typical posture of trust in God. Then, reminiscent of many of the Psalms, the others plea for deliverance, and the wind is silenced.
The story comes to a head with the final line of the story, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
For those of us who say "Jesus is the Messiah," we have an answer to that question. Jesus is the one who calms the storms of our lives. Whether it be great sins, or cancer, or death, or even just a lack of trust, God is delivering us from it all.
-Matt
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Monday, July 18, 2011 - The Week of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 41, 52; PM Psalm 44
1 Samuel 24:1-22; Acts 13:44-52; Mark 4:1-2
The Life of Choices
It is easy to understand why God liked David so much. Despite his many faults, David has a knack for leadership. Today in 1 Samuel, we see how he is not persuaded by gossip and rumor. He keeps his eye on the prize - the focus on God's plan.
This is something the Church struggles mightily with daily. Keeping focus on that which is important is obviously something Congress is struggling with now. In their effort to get re-elected, they find themselves in the midst of a political circus of epic proportion. So instead of tackling the crises at hand, namely unemployment, they parade around taking pot shots at one another. It is like Junior High all over again.
And so it can be in the Church as well.
Despite having the enormous gifts of God at our hand - the fruits of the Spirit - we sometimes fail to focus on the poor and the afflicted. Instead we have infighting and backbiting. We spend our time moving forward then backward then forward then backward....instead of moving into the future God would have for us.
The community has been showered with grace abundant. We must take hold of that grace, and be the leaders that David was, focused on God's will, and not the selfish motives that can so often creep in and seduce our wills.
-Matt
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Thursday, July 14, 2011 - The Week of the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 37:1-18; PM Psalm 37:19-42
1 Samuel 20:24-42; Acts 13:1-12; Mark 2:23-3:6
The Truth Beyond Understanding
The readings today are somewhat confusing. In 1 Samuel, the differences between David and Saul are being made more clear, and their conflict is coming to a head. Jonathan has pledged his love to David, and as Saul comes to understand the power of David's charisma and leadership, trouble is brewing. It can be seen as no less than insurrection on David's part. And yet it appears to be God's way.
In a similar vein, Jesus disobeys the Fourth Commandment about keeping the Sabbath, providing us with a difficult challenge. What place does the law have in our lives?
Our Acts passage is not much easier of a read, with continued confrontations and disputes among early church officials.
I will be honest. I have friends who have given up on what they call "organized religion". Perhaps they are struggling with the hypocrisy. Perhaps they are struggling with the demands of scripture, and cannot make heads or tails of us. Scripture is complex and wandering, and it is easy to give up on it in the midst of confusion. And while I don't want my Morning Reflections to be a place where I am going to prove the Bible's importance, these readings raise some interesting questions that impact our daily faith.
So many of us were trained in the scientific method, and read everything that way these days. What a tragedy! We have lost our imagination, our ability to see metaphor, and our understanding of myth vs truth. We must understand the difference between facts and truth, between metaphor and life.
The question for me is not one of absolute truths, but of a trajectory of grace. The question for me is what is true and relevant. For instance, what is important about the David/Jonathan story is not that these two are being disloyal to Saul, who is king, but that God is doing a new and surprising thing. What I am focused on is the surprise, and how the rules that are important are often not the rules we as readers assume are important.
The Sabbath breaking is a good example of this. Jesus was stressing the Law of Love, or in this case what I like to call the Rule of Hunger. Hunger superceded the Fourth Commandment, because it tied back into the Law of Love. It wasn't a breaking of a commandment, as much as it was the fulfilling of another one.
Some would like to sugar coat the Bible, ignoring big swaths of the Bible where behavior is questionable, such as ignoring or denying the fact that Jesus broke commandments. I say hogwash to sugar-coating! When the Bible gets complicated is when it starts to get interesting. This is why this book has endured the ages.
We are called not to get swallowed up in the facts of the story like the Pharisees did, but look beyond and ask, "Why is it so dog-gone important for Jesus to be doing this? What was his point?"
When we ignore the most radical and challenging parts of scripture, it only hurts us. It becomes a missed opportunity for us to grow and stretch in love and service. Well, that is how I see it, at least. I hope that makes sense and doesn't leave you with thoughts of "Wow, Matt is a heretic!"
-Matt
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Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - The Week of the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39
1 Samuel 19:1-18; Acts 12:1-17; Mark 2:1-12
Family Values: The Biblical Way
A very odd shift happens in today's 1 Samuel passage with David, Jonathan, and Saul. The shift may go unnoticed by many preachers, but it is there! The shift is in allegiance to God over family.
Time and time again, we see in the Bible the idea that God's rules do not follow human rules. For humans, family is very important, and allegiance to family is assumed. Today we see that allegiance to God over family is rewarded, and that God's purpose for us is to belong to God's family instead.
David and Jonathan have developed a special trust in their friendship, so much so that Jonathan is willing to go against his father's directives - and his father is King Saul. Saul is after David, and Jonathan warns him, protects him, and routinely gets him out of harms way.
In an almost omniscient way, David also sees Saul coming after him with a spear and eludes him. Michal also protects David, choosing love of God over love of King and Country.
It is easy to understand why God turns against Saul - he doesn't even maintain his own word. Even with the feeble murder attempt of David he is breaking his own oath. He had just swore to his son Jonathan he would not put David to death. Saul is erratic and confused, unpredictable and self-serving.
God's definition of family is ever-expanding in the Bible. God's choices also rarely fit the human norms. Esau was the eldest, but God chose Jacob. David was chosen although he was the youngest. From Abel, to Ruth, to Jonah, to Matthias, it appears that something different is at work with God's choices. Allegiances are not cut and dry.
What I learn from today's passage is that blind allegiance to King, Country, or family is not appropriate unless it matches with allegiance to God and God's will. This is a hard pill for many Americans to swallow, especially in this current culture of "family values". The Bible throws a monkey wrench in a simple cut and dry approach to "family." Here, for instance, Jonathan choosing allegiance to David over that of his father the king is seem as God's grace.
Later Jesus said, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" Jesus himself left his family and his inheritance, and remained unmarried in a culture where that was nearly unheard of, and yet he rose to a position of being called Lord and King by nearly a billion folks today. How is that possible? It is possible, because God's ways are not our ways. And God chose even the lowly, the sinners, the outcast - people like you and me - to be his followers, to be his people, to be his family.
That, my friends, is good news. The Good News of the Gospel: "God saying, Fear not! You are part of my family now! I will take care of you."
-Matt
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Monday, July 11, 2011 - The Week of the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
1 Samuel 18:5-16,27b-30; Acts 11:19-30; Mark 1:29-45
God on the Move
I am sure many of you noticed I took an extended break from Morning Reflections. I think I just needed to change my morning routine, to find new energy, and see God at work in other aspects of my normal morning. In a sense, I was encountering God on the move - God in my flower beds...God in my morning walk.
Sorry for the sudden cutoff, without warning! My last Morning Reflection never got scheduled in the queue announcing the break.
Today I sat down in my office this morning for an all too familiar routine. The contemplative prayer time was good - centering and fruitful. I found God speaking to me in different ways, just as I had experienced with the morning walks or gardening.
What I realized during my time away from writing is the power of God on the move. I did not need my office or my Bible or my alone time for God to speak powerfully to me. The years of contemplative prayer has been practice if you will - practice of experiencing God on the move and yet a God who does not change, despite my changing.
Our lessons for today reflect our God on the move. In 1 Samuel, we see a shift to David in power, with Saul, the people, and God all coming to terms with David as the new leader. In Mark, we see Jesus on the move, but the extraordinary magnetism of his power, as people are brought from near and far to be healed. In Acts, we see the church on the move.
If you take a step back from the Bible and look for overarching themes, one you will find is that God is on the move. God moves out into foreign lands. God takes the law from stone tablets and is on the move - into human hearts. God comes to earth, and spends a good bit of time on the move, only to die and witness his church move to all the corners of the earth.
I pray that you will find God on the move in your life today, and that God will follow you to work and to lunch and to your family time and to your alone time too.
-Matt
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011 - The Week of the Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:97-120; PM Psalm 81, 82
1 Samuel 2:12-26; Acts 2:1-21; Luke 20:27-40
The Spirit Blows In
It has been my joy to work with the American Guild of Organists in putting on the Regional Convention here in Oklahoma City. (Well, all except being stuck at a concert in the middle of the hailstorm and having hail damage on my car!)
I had the honor of being a workshop presenter, and sharing a little about the stained glass windows and the Pentecostal elements of our windows. My favorite is the Witness window of FPCOKC, which has flames of fire throughout, just as the waters of baptism flow from above - the blue water droplets and the red flames intermingle throughout.
Acts 2 is more than just a story of tongues of fire thought. Acts 2 provides a major shift in the Christian story. It is a continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ, but a radical shift in how God is going to continue God's work among the people.
The coming of the Holy Spirit, appearing as tongues of fire, resting on each person, fulfills the promise made earlier in the Luke/Acts trajectory. And who is the promise inherent in the work of Jesus Christ?
Jesus came preaching good news to the outcast. He didn't come just to save those who followed all the rules (i.e. devout Jews like Pharisees) but to save the lost. He reached out to sinners of all kinds, including Samaritans and Gentiles. Acts continues this process.
No longer is there an ethnic litmus test to be in the right with God. Instead, we find God's grace pouring out on all of us. This sounds pretty good to this Gentile boy writing. God's story has spilled over to my people, to our people. God's story of grace has spilled out over all the earth in fact, providing freedom and purpose to all who seek it.
This is at the heart of Peter's speech too: "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."
Even slaves. Even women. This was unheard of.
We still struggle to believe this. We still struggle to believe that God's grace can be this powerful and inclusive. We still struggle to see God's grace that big. There are still pockets of people in our culture, or even whole countries of people elsewhere, many cannot fathom as included in this promise of God's grace. But it is true. God's grace has extended beyond all of our imagination.
And hearing the Good News of Christ is not what saves - the Good News IS that God saves the lost. We would be best to have some humility in this area, and know that God's Spirit blows where it wills.
-Matt
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Tuesday, June 14, 2011 - The Week of the Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72
1 Samuel 1:21-2:11; Acts 1:15-26; Luke 20:19-26
Choices, Choices, Choices
Every day we are faced with so many choices, especially USAmericans. McDonalds or Subway, Zorbas or Cous Cous Café, Falcones or La Baguette. Just driving down the street in my neighborhood trying to pick a place to eat dinner can be overwhelming. Then you go to the store and there is a whole aisle of shampoo choices, another for toothpaste (or a whole aisle of green tea choices at the Asian market - can you believe it?)!
Choices, choices, choices - so is the theme of our scriptures today. Hannah makes a choice to stay behind and wean the young boy Samuel, and then decides to offer him to temple worship. In Acts, a choice must be made to fill the 12th Apostle position - a choice between Barsabbas or Matthias. In Luke, Jesus has a careful choice to make, as the Pharisees try to entrap him with questions of money - Caesar's or God's?
Life is all about choices. Each day we are faced with a multitude of them. How are we choosing to use our time, our money, our talents? How are we offering ourselves to the Lord? What is left to be done as we build up the kingdom? Who will do the heavy lifting? Who will represent us best, and be our leaders?
As Jesus reminds us with the debate over money - "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's." That in itself is a trick back on the Pharisees, for what is God's? Everything.
That's one heck of a stewardship campaign! Give everything back to God!
So often I find questions of tithing and self-sacrifice answered with greed. Giving time or money to God is often answered with the same rationale as alumni requests from our favorite college - "I have already given them enough!" Well, have we given God enough? Have we done all that is required?
It is my prayer that each of us reflect on the choices we have before us - rejoicing in the one who made us, and offering as much praise as is necessary.
-Matt
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Monday, June 13, 2011 - The Week of the Pentecost, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]
1 Samuel 1:1-20; Acts 1:1-14; Luke 20:9-19
Jesus Fights Back
When movies try to portray Jesus as "meek and mild" to the point where he hardly seems like he makes footprints in the sand, I have to wonder what scripture these people are reading! That is not the Jesus I see! Often he is a rabble-rouser, shaking up the establishment, and demanding a new life of his followers.
After Jesus cleanses the temple and throws out the moneychangers, things change. Jesus goes on the offense in a number of the stories that follow. Jesus' adversaries ramp it up too, asking insincere questions in the hope of trapping him or simple ridiculing him.
Jesus fires back with the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. A man plants a vineyard and then leases it to tenants and leaves the country. After a long time, he sends a slave to get a share of the produce (in our language, he goes to collect rent). They beat him and throw him out empty-handed. This happens again and again, until finally the owner sends his son. They threw him out and killed him.
Then Jesus turns to the crowd and quotes a psalm, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." As soon as he does this, things change. This is no longer a cute little story about "being a better person". Jesus is fighting back - with words.
I often warn people not to analyze parables through analogy, simply assigning parts to this, that, or the other character in the story. This may be one of those exceptions. While he may not be making allusions to his crucifixion and death, he is clearly speaking of the division between the people and those who have been in charge for some time.
It is difficult not to see that the slaves that were beaten and thrown out are very much like the prophet and apostles. They were rejected by those in charge. No one followed their advice, and they paid the price. Then along comes the owner's son, and they kill him.
Jesus is ready for the rejection. He knows the people are plotting against him. He also doesn't seem all that worried. I mean, at the end of the day, what is really going on? He is still teaching by parable, just as he had been. His tone may have changed, but no one is going to derail that which he came to do.
Of course, he came not only to teach, but to offer his life for the salvation of many. He came to fulfill that psalm he quoted. He came to be the cornerstone.
For all the stumbling and judgment that he speaks of, the grace of God shines through. We who stand on the other side of the resurrection know how this story ends. We do not end in fear or rejection, but in a place of comfort and plenty.
What I gather from this parable is Jesus saying to me, "Keep on keepin' on." My job is to move forward into God's grace. Amidst the struggle and pain of this life, I am not called to be consumed by it, but to be transformed by the love of God in Christ, and to allow that to be my guide.
-Matt
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Thursday, June 9, 2011 - The Seventh Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 107:1-32
Ezek. 34:17-31; Heb. 8:1-13; Luke 10:38-42
Our Shepherd
The metaphor of shepherd is explored in our Ezekiel passage today. It provides a richness and depth to our understanding of God as judge, and the Messiah as shepherd.
Often you will find me on pastoral care visits to the ICU reciting scripture. Often I read the 23rd Psalm. Often I will see patients who are supposedly "unresponsive" mouthing the words along with me. Often my prayer will pick up on shepherd imagery too, that the Lord would shepherd us all, family, patient, church, through the difficulties of this ICU stay. We pray for comfort, and for the abundance of healing and anointing that the oil in the psalm represents.
Ezekiel has quite a different take shepherding.
First we hear of God as judge, judging between the sheep and sheep, between the rams and goats. It turns out the stronger sheep and the rams have been tromping all over the lesser sheep. God will not only judge between the lean sheep and the fat sheep, but will save "the flock" and therefore the lesser sheep. That physical condition (lean or fat) is clearly a result of their behavior, tromping all over others, and hoarding the good food, starving the others.
Second, God will set up one shepherd, "my servant David, and he shall feed them." It appears that this servant is representative of the Messiah, a member of the Davidic line.
Through this shepherd, we get a divine promise of peace. This covenant of peace will provide for a banishment of the wild animals and devilish hoarders among the flock. We see the creative activity of God continue, as the trees yield their fruits and the "splendid vegetation consumes the hunger in the land".
This metaphor of shepherd makes an interesting connection for me - the activities of saving and judging of the flock are interdependent. It is only through God's separation that the hope and promise of new life is able to break forth.
Isn't this true? Sometimes in life there are bad influences - people, places, things - from which we need to find refuge. Sometimes decisions need to be made to separate and break from that which is creating confusion or chaos in order for new life to emerge.
It is then we can fully understand the phrase, "You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture and I am your God, says the Lord GOD."
-Matt
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Wednesday, June 8, 2011 - The Seventh Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45
Ezek. 18:1-4,19-32; Heb. 7:18-28; Luke 10:25-37
Columba
Psalm 97:1-2,7-12
Isaiah 61:1-3; 1 Corinthians 3:11-23; Luke 10:17-20
On Your Own
I ran out of time in what has become a chaotic and bizarre morning routine. But I call your attention to the readings, as well as the alternate readings for today.
Today is the Feast Day of St. Columba. Columba is in our large stained glass window at the back of the sanctuary, the Witness Window, or as I call it, the Pentecost Window, for it is filled with flames. It includes this wonderful missionary to Scotland and later Abbott of Iona. He lived well before the Reformation, but it sounds pretty Presbyterian doesn't it! How can you get more Presbyterian than that in the Middle Ages? LOL
-Matt
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Tuesday, June 7, 2011 - The Seventh Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94, [95]
Ezek. 7:10-15,23b-27; Heb. 6:13-20; Luke 10:1-17
Our Jewish High Priest
One of the essential claims of Christianity, and part of its uniqueness, is touched upon in Hebrews today. Christianity is not only about a Savior who comes and wipes the slate clean, and restores our relationship with God, but one who completes the promise that was made in Abraham.
Some of my readers may say, "Geez Matt, that statement is offensive to Jews!" I would say it is not so much offensive, as distinctive. Remember, Jesus was a Jew. But we are also set apart from Jews. Christianity is going to be, by nature, offensive to some. After all, part of the story is that he was rejected by his own people. It is a difficult part of the story, but part of the story nonetheless.
Today's passage in Hebrews explores the certainty of God's promise to the people - a promise that was not lost with the fall of Jerusalem, but that was restored through a Great High Priest, named Jesus.
And what is that promise? "I will surely bless you and multiply you." Of course Abraham waited for this promise to be realized, all the way to old age, with Sarah laughing all the way. Eventually a blessing of multiplication came.
With Jesus we see much multiplication. And this "multiplication" is greater than that of the promise Abraham heard. It wasn't just the loaves and fishes that found great number, but the souls of followers, that grows exponentially in Acts. God's promise is being fulfilled, just not in the way that people were expecting.
Another interesting feature of this passage is the use of the image of the anchor. Not seen elsewhere in scripture, here we encounter this symbol of hope as it ties us to the past and to the past blessings of God. It is no wonder it became an early Christian symbol, and has been seen carved into some of the most ancient Christian gathering places. "We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."
Christ roots us in our own past, and keeps us steady on the turbulent sea of present life. He also becomes an anchor into the future, holding us fast to our true identity. In him, we find ourselves rooted to the Abrahamic faith and people, grafted into the very heart of this Jew from Nazareth.
-Matt
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Monday, June 6, 2011 - The Seventh Week of Easter, Year 1 - Ascension Day
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 89:1-18; PM Psalm 89:19-52
Ezek. 4:1-17; Heb. 6:1-12; Luke 9:51-62
Say What? Wake UP!
I have had trouble connecting with the scripture passages this morning. Often times I am struck by one or the other, almost immediately beginning my contemplative prayer time with one image or verse. This morning I found myself flipping back and forth from passage to passage saying, "What?"
In Luke, Jesus enters a Samaritan village, only to be turned away. James and John ask Jesus if he wants them to set the village on fire. Jesus declines, rebuking them and then going to another village. What?
The passage in Luke continues. Along the road someone says, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus responds: "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." What?
Additionally, Jesus says to another who wants to follow, and has just lost his father to death, "Let the dead bury the dead," and to another potential follower, but someone who wants to say goodbye to his family, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Say what? That is a strange litmus test for ministry.
Perhaps all this is meant to say that ministry is not easy. Following Jesus is not all peaches and cream. This is hard stuff, and we better be ready and willing to put ourselves second for the cause of Christ.
My first couple years of ministry were a stark wakeup call. One of the tough lessons for me to learn was discovering that not everyone in life is going to like me. That may sound like an obvious thing to realize, but not so for someone with utopian ideas about the church. Early in my ministry I had the unfortunate opportunity to work with some folks who were unfit for ministry, and they almost ruined it for the rest of us.
Going back to the Samarian rejection.... This was probably not a personal rejection of Jesus. Samaritans were folks who traced their lineage to the old Northern Kingdom, but in Jewish eyes, were neither Jews nor Gentiles. They were regarded with hostility by the Jews. And so, here is a good Jew - Jesus - seen by most to be in the same category as Pharisee. It is a complex web of rejection, that mixes in prejudice and theological ideology, or perhaps racism. Ironically, it is not the Samaritans bitterness as much as it is their perceived ideas that Jesus, as a Jew, is bitter toward them.
In all four of the vignettes for today in Luke, the "rub" of the passage seems to be in the disconnect between what is easy and what is hard. Jesus values reality over preconceived notions or arbitrary conclusions. He wants honesty and forthright behavior.
It is time to wake up.
-Matt
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Thursday, June 2, 2011 - The Sixth Week of Easter, Year 1 - Ascension Day
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 8, 47; PM Psalm 24, 96
Ezek. 1:1-14,24-28b; Heb. 2:5-18; Matt. 28:16-20
Ascension
The readings are a bit out of sequence today because the Church celebrates Ascension Day, one of the lesser celebrated holidays in the Presbyterian Church. You will find the story of the ascension in the Matthew reading.
Daniel describes his vision of the future heavenly realm, first describing the four beasts, and then the judgment before the Ancient One. As Daniel watched the beast was put to death, and then he say one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he was presented before the Ancient One. It is, most whole-heartedly a fantastically new kingdom, contrasting the animals and beasts of the previous kingdom. God will restore the earth to something quite new.
Hebrews exalts the new focus on Christ's solidarity with all humanity. He throws around words like "sanctifies" and "suffering" and "subjecting all things to them". As I read it, I could not help but think about my readings in seminary of Liberation Theology.
As I think about this theology, with its focus on seeing the Christian faith through the eyes of the poor and oppressed and also focusing on Christ as Liberator, I see Hebrews come alive. This book is not old and obsolete, but fresh and alive for modern ears.
To know Christ as the pioneer, one who was made perfect by suffering, I cannot help but feel a closer kinship with God. As our country struggles, and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer I begin to wonder where God is. God is standing with the poor. God is shouting about salvation, but it is no longer an exposition about "taking Jesus into your heart."
I have always struggled with those who want to leave it at that: "take Jesus into your heart." As if the battle is won. The battle has just begun!
We serve a God who ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of the Father. This Savior is on the Judgment Seat and demands our allegiance - one through servitude and suffering, humility, and obedience.
As you encounter this holy day for the Church Universal, I ask you to commit yourself, once again to a post-ascension existence which demands action, as well as your heart.
-Matt
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Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - The Sixth Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:97-120
Baruch 3:24-37; James 5:13-18; Luke 12:22-31
The Power of Presence
I remember fondly my days as Chaplain with Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. It was good work. One of my greatest joys was working with the Dominican Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy. They brought an extraordinary presence to the halls and rooms. I felt surrounded by God's presence, just with the visual reminder of their presence.
This Presbyterian minister dressed in a shirt and tie, with khakis. I didn't look like some of the other chaplains, who were Catholic and had priest collars or nun habits. And yet, the majority of our patients were Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian and it made perfect sense (and to the administration) to have me and the other non-Catholic chaplains.
If I didn't announce myself clearly, often I would be mistaken as a doctor. I would enter each room and be sure to identify myself. "Hello, I'm Matt, one of the chaplains here."
Often a timid and disappointed response would come back, "Oh, I'm not Catholic. I guess you can't help me."
"I'm not Catholic either!" I would respond.
People were often surprised by the high value these Catholics had put on spiritual needs, and the diversity with which they were committed to in their chaplain corp. At St. Mary's Hospital, for instance, every patient in our facility got a visit from a chaplain every day. It was an extraordinarily high bar for patient care that had been set, but one in which we all firmly believed.
Part of this is because we had taken our Bible so seriously. The 5th chapter of James is a reminder to me of this. "Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.... Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed"
Yes, I prayed a lot. But I also sang. Hospitals can be full of joy too. And yes, I anointed some with oil. I was overwhelmed by its power. At first I didn't believe it, considering it some "Catholic thing". I offered it to some of the Protestants who had been there over 10 days, providing scripture reading, prayer, blessings, listening, and yes, anointing. And yes, I heard an amazing amount of confessions from Baptists and Presbyterians. I came to believe in the power of that too.
And in my time, I saw the amazing power of God's presence, power, and healing. I saw some of the clinical staff marvel at some of the medical responses to prayer. Prayer, it turns out, works.
What I see happening near the end of James is a vision of real community - one that is united in faith and mutually supporting one another. It is a vision of the Church at work. And it works to build up the body of Christ, and knit us together in bonds of love.
-Matt
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011 - The Sixth Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72
Deut. 8:11-20; James 1:16-27; Luke 11:1-13
Focusing on Today
My Morning Reflections have been so spotty lately. Part of it was the week in Minneapolis at the Festival of Homiletics, part of it is my spotty internet connectivity at home, but part of it is just my state of overwhelmness. (Is that a word?). It is that last part that the readings of today addressed so well. So if you are struggling with overwhelmedness, read on! (That isn't a word either!)
Today's readings are rich, and it would be a shame to miss them! The writer of Deuteronomy warns that after God has richly blessed you in this life, and therefore, not to forget the Lord. James makes distinctions between hearers of the word and doers of the word. James deals with the same things that 1 Peter does, if you heard my sermon on Sunday - "the nuts and bolts of Christianity." In Luke, Jesus teaches the disciples to pray.
Separation seems to be the theme of our passages today. As I have mentioned many times before, we live in this "already but not yet" world. We are separated from the fullness of God's grace and we long to be fully in the light, fully wrapped in grace.
How are we to cope with this separation? Jesus sets the tone. He focuses on praying for "daily bread" in the Lord's prayer. And quelling that separation with God begins with mending relationships here on earth: "And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us."
Isn't that strange!? He doesn't say, "Pray more and you will be closer to God." He is, in essence, saying, "Focus on today. Mend fences of separation today. Gather food just for today. Then you will come to know the closeness of God."
This is a solemn warning and a bold challenge to our world of today.
-Matt
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011 - The Fifth Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 72; PM Psalm 119:73-96
Wisdom 13:1-9; Rom 13:1-14; Luke 8:16-25
Out of the Chaos
Luke retells the story of Jesus calming the storm and the Sea of Galilee today. It seems ironically appropriate after the wave of deadly storms from yesterday.
For people of that era, the sea had special significance. While it provided food and life, it was also seen as something that separated us from God. In the world view of the time, not only was the earth flat, but it was surrounded above, below, and beyond by the chaotic waters. The sea was not just an ocean, but a vast expanse of chaos, including the firmament of the sea which dwelled above. The heavens were beyond this, and while God dwelled in the temple, God was also present in the heavens above.
For Jesus to command the wind and the sea meant to control the power of separation from God. Jesus was bringing the chaos under control, which meant almost a foreshadowing of the coming kingdom, a kingdom in which God was closer and more accessible. Revelation puts this concept in these terms, "And the sea shall be no more."
Yesterday's chaos was a bit different. With the tornado sirens blaring, the wall clouds approaching, and the hail, wind, and thunder abounding, I began to wonder if the rapture was in fact coming. God did not come and calm the storm of yesterday. But in the aftermath, God did provide us with the gift of each other, as Oklahomans begin to rally together for the clean up effort.
And God is present in that as well! When we look beyond the text, Jesus does not merely heal a couple paralytics or diseases - he breaks the barriers of the chaotic realm on the physical universe itself, which separates and deceives.
God now is among us. God is not bound by our physical reality, and yet has become a part of it. And that is some good news amidst the drear.
-Matt
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011 - The Fifth Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 61, 62; PM Psalm 68:1-20(21-23)24-36
Wisdom 10:1-4(5-12)13-21; Rom. 12:1-21; Luke 8:1-15
Radical Discipleship
Christians exist in a world of irony, and the scripture to which we cling often represents this irony in metaphor. We are living sacrifices. In the cross we find life. By his wounds we are healed. When we die in our baptism, then we have new life.
Romans provides us a new chapter of our understanding of God, where grace and love triumph over sin's power. We are asked to present ourselves as "living sacrifices". Paul paints a new picture for us - one in which our whole bodies are offered up for service - and our minds too.
When I think about Paul and his life I am struck by the radical nature of his use of "living sacrifice". This is not a part-time job to him. It is a complete relinquishing of his agenda to Christ's. He spent his life building up churches and traveling around, encouraging them in the faith. It was an extraordinarily hard life, according to all accounts.
What does it mean to be Christian in today's society? How are we to relinquish our lives to serve the one who gave it all? I think about the extraordinary outpouring of God's grace that he has shown to First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City, and the high volume of dedicated disciples that I have at my disposal.
But then I think about other pockets of the Church, and I wonder what happened. It seems that much of the Church in North America is somewhat sleepy. Are we overworking ourselves? Or are they falling short? Are we even doing enough? I mean, many of us are hanging on to our comfortable lives, and patting ourselves on the back with what a good job we are doing. Perhaps the radical nature of discipleship that Paul lives out is what we are called to.
What does it mean to be a living sacrifice in 21st Century America? How are we to live to die, and die so that we might live?
Sometimes I like to transform metaphors - transport them to our culture and our language. How about, instead of "living sacrifice" we think of it as a complete organ transplant. This is no mere biopsy, where God cuts out a little part of our lives he doesn't like. This is not a touch of plastic surgery, where God mends an unsightly scar from ages past. No, this is a radical change for us. It is a complete transformation of self. Our heart is no longer ours, but Christ's. When we eat, we feed Christ's body. When we walk and talk, we have become an extension of Christ's will for the world.
When we truly die to live, we may find our whole lives uprooted - and a new era of love, generosity, and selflessness taking root in our lives and in our world.
-Matt
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Monday, May 23, 2011 - The Fifth Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 56, 57, [58]; PM Psalm 64, 65,
Wisdom 9:1, 7-18; Col. (3:18-4:1)2-18; Luke 7:36-50
Perfect Harmony
The scandalous Colossians passage for today is the same passage that has been used to justify slavery over the centuries. "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything." This is also the passage many husbands have used to keep their wives in submission. Of course, I am always quick to remind renegade men to read the next verse, which speaks of their submission in love to their wives.
Some ministers might try to ignore this difficult passage. But I think this is where preaching and interpretation are needed. Some people say they want simple "black and white faith," but when the complexity of scripture comes, they crack. I would much rather tackle the difficulties of scripture.
I believe the true radical and scandalous nature of this passage is even more than slaves or wives in submission. The power of these words is their speaking to that culture in its context. To the people of the day, where rich men ruled the roost, this was upsetting the apple cart. "What do you mean I have to treat my slaves fairly?" Many often miss that just a few verses after the "Slaves, obey your masters" is the passage "Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly."
"What do you mean I have to treat my wife or wives with love and compassion?!" This is a ludicrous notion for men who were used to deciding everything, fair or unfair. This was a culture where a man could divorce for no reason, but a woman had few rights and little recourse.
In the Presbyterian Church we just overhauled a part of our Book of Order, and in its place we put a phrase that is challenging. As leaders, we now are called to "submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life." That is a tall order!
When one reads this whole chapter in scripture it provides a stunning view to Christian life. Yes, we live in equality, but we also live in this world with its rules and social structures. We, as Christians, seek to live in those social structures in the most loving way possible. This includes "clothing ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Having been caught in a dysfunctional church system where anything but love and kindness was the order of the day, I am well aware that sometimes the ideal or perfect view of the Christian life is not always attained. The Church is stained with sin and people whose egos are so large I am surprised they fit in the pulpit.
At all times, we are to strive to push societies inadequacies to the next level, to eradicate injustice and evil intentions in our church and in our world, which seek to sabotage and destroy.
It is no wonder many of my friends have left the church. It is a difficult place, where the warts of humanity rear their ugly head from time to time. But we move on, hopeful that Christ is as he says he is, in charge ultimately, and washing us all in the peace which passes understanding.
For the hope of our oneness, we can be thankful!
-Matt
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Out for the Festival of Homelitics for the week os May 15th.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 - The Third Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48
Dan. 5:1-12; 1 John 5:1-12; Luke 4:38-44
Coming and Going
In the midst of Luke we see Jesus healing so many. Not surprisingly, Luke, most likely a physician, zoned in on Jesus' command of the physical world. His earthly ministry is seen in such color and vibrancy in Luke's gospel.
But it is here we also see Jesus isolating himself. We get a sense that there is a time to be in community and a time to remove oneself from the mix. "At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him...."
Jesus reminds us that there is a rhythm to life. There is a time to be with people, and a time to be by oneself. This is the spiritual life cycle of any believer, introvert or extrovert. God speaks to us in different ways when we are alone, or when we are engaged in community.
Finding spiritual maturity means finding a balance between these two.
Yesterday something historic began. The 87th presbytery (now a majority) has voted for Amendment 10-A. There are some in the church who feel like Jesus has finally shown up, touched the church, and healed it. Others of us feel like Jesus has deserted us and left us to die on the vine. Neither of these realities are true.
The rhythm of our life together means that God is going to speak to us in different ways at different times in history. The Holy Spirit is at work and has been at work, and if we don't believe that then we might as well cash in our chips and go home, for God is real and has been really present all along.
Our new lives together mean that we will need to reach out to God in new ways, and seek continued guidance from the Holy Spirit.
May God bless us in our coming and our going, in our struggles and in our celebrations.
-Matt
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Monday, May 9, 2011 - The Third Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15
Dan.4:19-27; 1 John 3:19-4:6; Luke 4:14-30
Difficulties
Following God is a difficult thing.
Daniel interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's second dream. What he saw terrified him, because sharing it might put his life in jeopardy! He had bad news. Not only did he see a great tree, allegedly representing the king, but he saw that tree being cut down. He delivers news that potentially may lose him his job, or worse yet, his head. Nevertheless, he moves forward with truth, declaring that self-glorification is not the goal, but God's message of truth - even if it is a prediction of affliction and call for restoration.
The letter of 1 John continues his central theme of love. "And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us." Those who obey see that God abides in them. He helps the people discern between a spirit of error and a spirit of truth. "Every Spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God."
Time and again in scripture, God delivers difficult news. Witnessing to that which is right or true inevitably means that lines are being drawn. If there is a "truth" then there is a "non-truth." It doesn't mean the world is black and white, but it certainly means there are sheep and goats.
What I learn from Daniel is that sometimes we are entrusted with harsh or difficult news. We are compelled to break the news as well. This could be breaking it to ourselves - confronting selfish or destructive behaviors. It could be calling others to accountability.
In all of this, we are told to do this in love. John is very clear. Even in breaking bad news, or calling someone's hand, we are to do it in love. So is the challenge with Christian accountability.
I have to be honest - the more I walk down this path, the more I realize what a challenge the Christian life is. Anyone who thinks this is easy is out of their mind.
-Matt
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Wednesday, May 4, 2011 - The Second Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:1-24; PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
Dan. 2:17-30; 1 John 2:12-17; John 17:20-26
In Prayer
Prayer is fascinating. It connects us to God, to others, to ourselves. It is a mysterious bond, which provides peace, comfort, and hope to the believer. It is given to the community by God as a gift. We are taught how to pray from Christ himself.
Recently I was involved in an exam for a minister coming into the presbytery. She spoke very powerfully about prayer, both in her life and in her ministry. And so I asked as a follow up question, "Do you think Prayer should be a Sacrament, like Baptism and the Lord's Supper? Why or why not?" Prayer may not rise to the level of a sacrament, but it has sacramental aspects to it. It is, in many ways, an outward sign of an inward grace - and one that we as community engage in daily.
In Daniel, God reveals Nebuchadnezzar's dream to Daniel, Daniel gives thanks to God for revealing the deep and hidden things, and sets the stage for interpreting the dream. In all of it, we see a sharp contrast between the magicians of the king's court and Daniel. At every turn, Daniel honors God.
As I think more about prayer and giving God thanks, I am reminded it is even more than how we usually see prayer in America - as a pleading for our wants. And while it is natural to cry out to God in pain and despair, it can also be an exclamation of thanks and praise. I am not sure I hear many prayers of thanks like Daniel prayed here.
How many of us truly give thanks for all the blessings that God has given us? Here for Daniel it was the revealing of a mystery. I wonder how our days would change if everyone treated their lives and all that is in it as a gift from God. It is hard to do! I know I struggle with that.
I draw your attention to Daniel today, and ask you to think about how and when you go to God in prayer.
-Matt
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Monday, May 2, 2011 - The Second Week of Easter, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 1, 2, 3; PM Psalm 4, 7
Dan. 1:1-21; 1 John 1:1-10; John 17:1-11
A Fresh New Start
With the news Osama bin Laden's death, we turn the page on a significant chapter of the global chaos that has consumed the last ten years. We also "turn the page" on many of our scripture passages, with a host of new beginnings. The Psalter resets and begins with Psalm 1. We begin the book of Daniel, as well as 1 John. And so there are a lot of shifts of theme, structure, and style.
I felt particularly drawn to 1 John this morning, although I am not sure why. This letter of John is one of the few books in the Bible to declare its own purpose. "We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." And again: "We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us."
One of the central themes is that God is light and "in him there is no darkness at all." Between a Thunder loss, a couple days of storms, and the news in the late night hour that bin Laden was dead, things have seemed to have a dark shroud this weekend. The reminder comes in 1 John that in God there is no darkness at all. He then proceeds to discuss the confession of sins, obeying God's word in love, and assurances that sins are forgiven.
1 John knows about human relationships. It is understood that relationships are hard and one central feature of right relationships centers around humility and confessing one's wrongs. Being right with God and with others means moving away from pig-headedness and stubbornness, and being able to admit one's failures. And how true this is!
Compromise and understanding seem to be at a premium these days. I see a lot of relationships whose central features are power, authority, and bullish behavior. I know I see it in my life too. And I hope and pray that all of us come to understand compromise, forgiveness, humility, and love in new and powerful ways.
I am not saying 1 John is going to be the magical cure for that understanding, but it might be a good prescription to get one started. Perhaps you might take the 5 chapters of 1 John and choose to use them as a devotional guide with your spouse, praying together sections at a time and discussing and confessing along the way. Or perhaps you might take those chapters to a small group study, and offer them to be studied next.
Perhaps you will, like me, meditate on them in the morning light, and pray silently to God for new ways to see God more truly and mend the brokenness of your own life.
Whatever you do, know that God will walk with you and abide with you, sharing his light along the journey, for in him there is no darkness at all.
-Matt
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Friday, April 29, 2011 - Easter Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 136; PM Psalm 118
Dan. 12:1-4,13; Acts 4:1-12 or 1 Cor. 15:51-58; John 16:1-15
Work of the Spirit
It is not uncommon for me to trip over one of my dog's bones in the morning. I am not sure what goes through her mind, but sometimes she gets up in the middle of the night and rearranges her bones, often strategically placing one right at the side of the bed. It sits there like a landmine, until I get up, and set off the trap.
It has happened a couple times now, but I always laugh when I arise to then read the John 16 passage: "I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling."
Before we get to that though, let me lift up the Daniel reading for you as well. Daniel paints a picture of the resurrection, that at the right time, some who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and contempt. It is a good read. If you haven't experienced Daniel before, I encourage you to follow the link and read it.
But back to John. "I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'...When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
This work of the Spirit, and how things will be after Jesus' departure, is convoluted. Sorrow will be turned into joy. Everything seems veiled. Righteousness and judgment are wrapped up in the Father and the Son, somehow brought on in accordance with the Spirit. Things change with God on the loose, as we see in Daniel, and much of that will be shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
And perhaps that is enough this morning. We live in the mystery of these workings. We are not meant to understand. We are only meant to understand that God is above it all, and yet through it all. He is our Judge, but also our Advocate.
-Matt
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Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - Easter Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 97, 99; PM Psalm 115
Micah 7:7-15; Acts 3:1-10 or 1 Cor. 15:(29)30-41; John 15:1-11
The Outcomes of a Powerful God
The readings today are rich and colorful. Micah is concluding his work with a psalm of hope, where, with hope and confidence, the people confess their sin and turn to upcoming restoration of God's flock.
In Acts, Peter seems to have the power Jesus did, healing a beggar and calling for him to stand and walk. The people are amazed.
In the gospel reading, Jesus is described as the true vine. "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit."
Each of the readings has to do with outcomes - colorful outcomes of a powerful God who restores and brings new life. And yet all of the readings mark a time of transition, confusion, chaos, or even conflict.
I think of the times in my life that have been transition - those are often the times when God speaks to me the loudest. When my schedule is radically different, or when I move and the landscape of my entire life is different, or when I am facing new challenges, it is as if my senses are heightened. I am on the lookout for God at work. How does God speak to you when the chaos of life is all around you? How have you seen God's grace in the midst of difficulty?
God speaks (and acts) powerfully to the folks in our scriptures at the most challenging of times. In Acts, Peter and the crowd find themselves in the presence of Jesus' power. It is as if he is still there. It catches them by surprise. Jesus was no longer with them physically. And yet some of the same miracles were happening.
At the end of John's gospel, Jesus states, "I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." How ironic it is to hear that this one who ends up dying on the cross has complete joy. But that is the irony of the Christian journey - that in being the servant of all we find joy- and that not seeking our own self-interests, but being grafted into the vine of Christ's vision for the world, we find joy - and perhaps most strange and challenging, that in death on a cross we find our ultimate joy.
The Christian life may seem strange to outsiders, but this is the strange joy at hand.
-Matt
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Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - Easter Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 103; PM Psalm 111, 114
Isa. 30:18-21; Acts 2:26-41(42-47) or 1 Cor. 15:12-28; John 14:15-31
Memorizing the Joy of Easter
Happy Easter! What a joy it is to spend 50 days remembering the miracle of Christ's triumph over death. Our readings take a turn too. They spring of joy, love, and new birth.
There are a number of passages in scripture that when I read them I also hear music. During the reading of some passages, I hear Handel's Messiah. For today's reading from John, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," I hear Thomas Tallis.
I remember conducting this in undergrad. I had completed by required junior recital in organ, and also done a sophomore recital (which was not required) and so I was allowed a little leeway when it came to my senior recital. Instead, I petitioned to do a conducting recital, which was approved. I had the delight of putting together a choir of my own, conducting Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten, as well as some other pieces like Tallis' If Ye Love Me. As you might expect with undergraduate recitals, there are requirements of memorization. I didn't want to raise questions with the faculty, so I had my choir memorize the whole second half - including the Tallis piece.
Now that I look back on it, it seems all too appropriate. "You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you." "In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live." John speaks of an internalization that, in many ways, is akin to memorization. Those who love me, will not only keep my word, but will have me dwell in their soul. They won't be able to shake me, Jesus is declaring.
And how true that became as I rehearsed my choir. I found the words sinking so deeply in my soul that I can still sing this from memory and rattle off the entire passage. But memorization is only the beginning. Jesus speaks of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - a resting upon one's heart. It is not just "keeping words" or an adopting of policy, but God living in us and consuming our hearts desire.
There is also an intimate and chosen aspect to this. "Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, 'Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?'" Jesus' response was that he and the Father will come to them and "make our home with them." If this isn't an indwelling I don't know what is!
As the Easter story unfolds in these coming days (as they always do with our post-Easter lectionary stories) we discover that Easter is much more than simply a resurrection of one person - it is a whole new chapter of existence, of being with God, of intimacy and closeness, of grafting into a new body. Easter is about new life - not only with ourselves, but a new life with God.
-Matt
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Good Friday, April 22, 2011 - Holy Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 95* & 22; PM Psalm 40:1-14(15-19), 54
Wisdom 1:16-2:1,12-22 or Gen. 22:1-14; 1 Peter 1:10-20; John 13:36-38** or John 19:38-42***
Is it Really a "Good" Friday?
First Presbyterian Holy Week Worship Schedule:
Good Friday Tenebrae: 7pm tonight
OCU Pascal Vigil (Celebrant: Rev. Matt Meinke): 8pm Sat. at OCU chapel (7:30 gather in basement)
Easter Sunday: 8:30am & 10:55am
Good Friday is always a strange day. What on earth is so "good" about it, you may ask? For Christians, the good news ironically starts here - that Christ died for us, rose for us, prays for us, reigns in power for us. So however dark this day may seem, remember the good news was born today, in the midst of the darkness.
Our darkness begins with our own human failure. Directly after the giving of the New Commandment, "to love one another as I have loved you," Jesus foretells of the denial of Peter. In some ways we have all denied and abandoned our God. The story of Peter is the story of ourselves.
Jesus, after explaining that, "Where I am going, you cannot come," Simon Peter asks him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus reiterates: "Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you?" Jesus predicts that "before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times."
How similar our lives are to Peter. We want to follow. We want to be on the right path, but sometimes that is just so hard. And we deny Jesus on more levels than just saying, "Jesus? No. I don't know him." Our allegiances wane in other ways too.
A few years ago, around this time of the year, a homeless drug addict was speaking to me after the service in the narthex. He explained to me how desperately he was seeking the "right path to be on," but could not get there. Besides his physical addictions and struggles, he also was realizing that he was spiritually bankrupt, and he was crying out in his bankruptcy: "Why is it that when I am in this place I feel so close to where I need to be, but when I leave here it disappears?" I always pray that my response measures up to some ration of grace: "That must feel very lonely." And we talked about that for some time. But I ended with: "You may not sense God with you on the road, but God does not live here in this sanctuary. He is on the road with you. He is in the hearts and minds of everyone you meet. And he goes with you too. Know that. Cherish that. Believe that."
This fact is something that both of us knew. But it is easy to forget. Amidst life's trouble, denying Jesus takes many forms. We are good at surrendering to greed, alcohol, the power of money, broken relationships, and the list goes on. We witnessed the power of that last night as Mickie Smith came forward, representing Judas, and throwing her 30 silver pieces. The brokenness and questions of life are part of the reality.
How hard it is to stand up in the face of oppression or difficultly. It is easy to think that God denied us, and has abandoned us.
Struggling with drugs or alcohol is remarkably similar to struggling with loneliness or grief in that sometimes we feel or are powerless to ourselves. Where is God in this? Why isn't he giving me the strength to get out of this!? We take the easy way out by blaming God rather than realizing we had spent too much time reaching in and less time reaching out.
At the end of the day, we come to know that the way to the Father is hard, and it will require Jesus to help us get there. And in coming to know Jesus, we discover someone who walked through the muck of this life too, and who knows suffering and struggle. Our God can relate.
And at the desolation of the cross of Good Friday, we know that the burning love of Christ is never snuffed out. Oh, we may reenact it with Tenebrae services, and hiding the Christ Candle, but in the darkness, we sit together as a community of love, drawn together by the fire of the Spirit and the love of Christ at the cross.
At the end of the day, despite our remembrance of the tomb, we know that Christ lives on, and we have each other to help us through.
-Matt
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Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 - Holy Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 142, 143
Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26)
Maundy Thursday & the Lord's Supper
First Presbyterian Holy Week Worship Schedule:
Maundy Thursday & the Eucharist: 7pm tonight
Good Friday Tenebrae: 7pm tomorrow night
OCU Pascal Vigil (Celebrant: Rev. Matt Meinke): 8pm Sat. at OCU chapel (7:30 gather in basement)
Easter Sunday: 8:30am & 10:55am
"Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread," says Paul. What a great symbol for the church to contemplate! One bread.
Many churches during communion do not use the "one bread". Those churches often focus on other symbols of unity - they all come forward to the same spot to get the bread, or they are all served and we all eat as one. Because of numbers, many churches have wafers. In those instances you will often find a common cup to capture the symbolism of oneness. There are countless possibilities. At First Pres. for instance, we have a common loaf, and a common cup, but we take it one at a time, through a process of intinction (coming forward to dip the bread in the cup).
Just as with the feeding of the five thousand, thanks is given and bread is broken. In breaking the loaf in two we find service for two, break those pieces and we can serve four, etc. The miracle in the feeding of the five thousand is that in breaking it, it seems to multiply. So too with the Lord's Supper. We have service for more people, but only through the mystical oneness of Christ, and the bounty of the grace of his own body being broken. Suffering and joy meet at the table.
Today is Maundy Thursday. It is a day when most of our churches celebrate the Last Supper. Take. Eat. This is my body. Take and drink. Remember me. The betrayal. The Garden of Gethsemane. The arrest. We are on a crash course with the cross.
And while some churches do foot washing or other rites, many of us find ourselves called to the table. There, in the midst of friends and family, we find ourselves drawn back 2,000 years through this ancient ritual of the Lord's Supper, and we find ourselves sitting with Jesus. We examine our own lives, and seek the oneness to which we were called.
This meal was most probably tied in with the Jewish Passover meal. I remember my first Seder experience, an invitation to dine with orthodox Jewish friends in Israel. They were serious about this meal, which was more than just a reenactment. We were all thrust into the heart of the story! As we recounted the story of Moses and the deliverance across the Red Sea, I remember the kitchen sink being plugged up and the bathtub as well. The faucets were drawn. Water filled the basins. Shortly after, water was spilling out on the floor. "Ummm, folks? Did you want to fix the sink now?" I gasped. "No, not until someone parts the Red Sea so we can flee from Pharaoh and the army," was the response to my question.
How powerful would it be for our reenactments to be as literal. We are not looking back 2,000 years. We ARE back 2,000 years. We are one of the 12 disciples. "Am I Judas? I hope not. Am I Peter? I hope not. I don't want to deny the Lord three times after this."
"What's next after this meal? We know the crowd is after our leader. He has spoken of his death. Certainly not." And in the midst of our minds racing, the words come, "This is my body, broken for thee.... This is my blood, shed for thee for the forgiveness of sin."
And the Lord handed me the cup.
-Matt
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| Maundy Thursday, April 21, 2011 - Holy Week, Year 1 |
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Today's Readings for the Daily Office AM Psalm 102; PM Psalm 142, 143
Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26) Maundy Thursday & the Lord's Supper First Presbyterian Holy Week Worship Schedule:Maundy Thursday & the Eucharist: 7pm tonight Good Friday Tenebrae: 7pm tomorrow nightOCU Pascal Vigil (Celebrant: Rev. Matt Meinke): 8pm Sat. at OCU chapel (7:30 gather in basement) Easter Sunday: 8:30am & 10:55am "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread," says Paul. What a great symbol for the church to contemplate! One bread. Many churches during communion do not use the "one bread". Those churches often focus on other symbols of unity - they all come forward to the same spot to get the bread, or they are all served and we all eat as one. Because of numbers, many churches have wafers. In those instances you will often find a common cup to capture the symbolism of oneness. There are countless possibilities. At First Pres. for instance, we have a common loaf, and a common cup, but we take it one at a time, through a process of intinction (coming forward to dip the bread in the cup). Just as with the feeding of the five thousand, thanks is given and bread is broken. In breaking the loaf in two we find service for two, break those pieces and we can serve four, etc. The miracle in the feeding of the five thousand is that in breaking it, it seems to multiply. So too with the Lord's Supper. We have service for more people, but only through the mystical oneness of Christ, and the bounty of the grace of his own body being broken. Suffering and joy meet at the table. Today is Maundy Thursday. It is a day when most of our churches celebrate the Last Supper. Take. Eat. This is my body. Take and drink. Remember me. The betrayal. The Garden of Gethsemane. The arrest. We are on a crash course with the cross. And while some churches do foot washing or other rites, many of us find ourselves called to the table. There, in the midst of friends and family, we find ourselves drawn back 2,000 years through this ancient ritual of the Lord's Supper, and we find ourselves sitting with Jesus. We examine our own lives, and seek the oneness to which we were called. This meal was most probably tied in with the Jewish Passover meal. I remember my first Seder experience, an invitation to dine with orthodox Jewish friends in Israel. They were serious about this meal, which was more than just a reenactment. We were all thrust into the heart of the story! As we recounted the story of Moses and the deliverance across the Red Sea, I remember the kitchen sink being plugged up and the bathtub as well. The faucets were drawn. Water filled the basins. Shortly after, water was spilling out on the floor. "Ummm, folks? Did you want to fix the sink now?" I gasped. "No, not until someone parts the Red Sea so we can flee from Pharaoh and the army," was the response to my question. How powerful would it be for our reenactments to be as literal. We are not looking back 2,000 years. We ARE back 2,000 years. We are one of the 12 disciples. "Am I Judas? I hope not. Am I Peter? I hope not. I don't want to deny the Lord three times after this." "What's next after this meal? We know the crowd is after our leader. He has spoken of his death. Certainly not." And in the midst of our minds racing, the words come, "This is my body, broken for thee.... This is my blood, shed for thee for the forgiveness of sin." And the Lord handed me the cup. -Matt |
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Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - Holy Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 55; PM Psalm 74
Jer. 17:5-10, 14-17; Phil. 4:1-13; John 12:27-36
God's "Yes"
Glimmers of REALLY good news come to us today in John's gospel. Jesus says, "And what should I say - 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour." Then later: "Now is the judgment of this world...And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Judgment is promised. But despite our shortcomings, it appears that by being washed in the blood of the lamb, we will be drawn into favor with God. And not just us....but all people. (Other translations say "other people".)
While I do not see this passage coming to the threshold of universal salvation, it is made clear that through Christ, the grace that will be showered on the earth is way more than people are expecting. Indeed, as we get glimpses of this through Paul's writing, we see grace open to gentiles as well as Jews. "Other people" seems to indicate that the flood gates of good news are open to "all the rest of the people".
In Philippians we hear one of Paul's famous exhortations: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.... Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
He says these things to a church that apparently has, not one, but two leaders: Euodia and Syntyche. These two women, in obvious leadership positions, attest to the truth that Jesus spoke of with grace coming to others. In a Jewish world where men ran the show, the church has opened its doors to the other half of the population.
This means listening to the Spirit, and trying to not listen to what society is telling us. That is why Paul insists, "guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This is a battle! Coming to know and understand God's "Yes's" in a world of "No's" is not easy.
-Matt
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011 - Holy Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 6, 12; PM Psalm 94
Jer. 15:10-21; Phil. 3:15-21; John 12:20-26
Following
"Follow me" seems to be the theme for this year's Holy Week readings. Once again in John, we hear those words, this time in the context of Philip.
There are some Greeks who wish to see Jesus. They come to Philip, who tells Andrew, who tells Jesus. Jesus responds with a somewhat odd response (that is, odd if you do not understand where the writer of the gospel is going): "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.... Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also."
It is a wonderful metaphor for the Christian life. In order to have life, you must lose it. In order to follow Christ and come to eternal life, one must be a servant. This flies in the face of all those who were looking for a triumphant king to save them from Rome. It appears that eternal life is now the focus.
It also means that in death we find life. That sounds pretty odd too, doesn't it!?!?! This self-emptying trajectory of the Christian life is certainly something Paul dwells upon deeply.
And this is the heart of Holy Week. Wrapped up neatly in a seven day package, one can discover the entirety of the Christian message of new life.
How are we called to be like that seed? How are we to bear much fruit in the face of our death? What will our fruit look like? What does it mean to be fruit that bears out eternal life?
These are the questions, not of Holy Week, but of our daily lives.
-Matt
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Monday, April 18, 2011 - Holy Week, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 51:1-18(19-20); PM Psalm 69:1-23
Jer. 12:1-16; Phil. 3:1-14; John 12:9-19
New and Surprising Ways
Holy Week begins. The extraordinary events of this week are life-changing. Proceed with prayer!
Jeremiah provides us with another of his laments, and certainly sadness and disappointment are emotions we might expect to find in Holy Week. He is disappointed with God. He even goes so far as to accuse God of injustice - that it is God who is supporting the wicked. And he is questioning the wisdom of all this. How can there be any fairness? How can you, Lord, as judge, not help the righteous and punish the wicked?
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, uses some strong language as he breaks with the past and "presses on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." Some of this strong language comes in graphic images: "mutilating the flesh" - a harsh rejection of circumcision, "boasting in Christ" - almost sounding like bragging rights, and "dogs" - a name he calls those who support circumcision. He talks about a God who is at work in surprisingly new and different ways.
In John, we find our king riding into Jerusalem. This was the theme of Palm Sunday too. "Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord....Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey's colt! His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him."
In all three of our readings we discover that God's ways are not our ways - that things don't always make sense, especially when we are trapped in them.
How difficult it is for us to see and understand. Our selfish and often self-centered desires get in the way. We are often bound by our expectations of what we think God ought to be, or by our own needs, brushing aside the needs of others.
Today is near the beginning of Holy Week. It is a week of difficulty and complexity. The more I study and believe, the less I understand the mystery and complexity of all the events of this week. I sometimes feel like Jeremiah, dumbfounded by the way in which God is choosing to work, not understanding - but all the time following - or trying to follow. And that is all God asks, I hope: that we try to follow in the best way possible.
So as the events of this week progress, and the stories get summarily more complex and convoluted, I suggest we all just ride the wave. Let God's story of salvation wash over you. May we stew in the mystery. Maybe this Holy Week can be one of peace and acceptance - acceptance of a story which is beyond our comprehension, but which ultimately leads to grace and overwhelming joy.
-Matt
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Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - The Fifth Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 119:145-176; PM Psalm 128, 129, 130
Jer. 25:30-38; Rom. 10:14-21; John 10:1-18
Struggles
These Morning Reflections have been spotty at best. Part of my struggle these last few weeks is my plumbing fiasco. We are now on Week 3 of no sewer service. And I do mean "we". Parts of the neighborhood are in this boat with me. It had drug out, then escalated, and the lazy City supervisor overseeing the project has now realized the urgency, thanks in no small part to outgoing City Councilman Sam Bowman, as well as News9. It is amazing how a little fear can motivate. Anyway, it has meant an expanded morning routine, because flushing a toilet around here requires an act of Congress.
I only pray this is all fixed before Holy Week. I am not sure how much more of this I can take.
Anyway, moving on to more enlightening subjects:
Recently the Presbyterian Church has been voting on Amendments to our Constitution, a new confession, and a potential new section of the Book of Order. In the midst of debates like these, many are quick to dismiss God at work, and declare that anyone who doesn't agree with them is "going to hell." Then they threaten to leave the denomination.
What some fail to see is that each side, led by the Holy Spirit, is voting as we believe Scripture has led us to believe and do. We need to reclaim the holy work that is at hand, and witness to God working in our midst. Sometimes I am tempted to stand up and yell at the top of my lungs, "Do we believe in the Holy Spirit or don't we folks!? Come on! Do we trust in God anymore, or is this lip service on Sunday morning!" We, as a Church, are struggling.
We could learn quite a bit from Paul. He knew how to argue his point but remain in relationship with folks. Paul is lambasting those who disagree with him. At the heart of this is Paul's understanding of confession. For him confession and believing were inseparable. His argument is that the different factions did confess, and they do believe, but that they did not fully grasp with their minds what had occurred. His argument is that the Jews in Moses have heard of Jesus. They have chosen to be a "disobedient and a contrary people." It's a bit unorthodox of an argument, but it works.
In John, Jesus is portrayed as the good shepherd. "I am the gate for the sheep." This is the essence of a good shepherd. There were no swinging doors and latches. The good shepherd was one who curled up at the entrance after all the sheep had gone in the fold, and who slept, not by the door, but slept AS the door. What a wonderful image!
In the context of talking about thieves and bandits, Jesus says, "In order to get to my sheep, you have to go through me!" How wonderful.
So often we want to see Jesus as gentle and mild. But time and time again we see powerful images - military images of battles against evil, forceful stories about pigs drowning themselves or tables being overturned in the temple. Here we have the might of a shepherd, beating away the foe. Jesus is more than one who performs miracles, but one who fights for us, who overcomes the darkness, who confronts the evil one and wins.
And now we hear something striking: "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." That would be good for a soldier to do, but not necessarily good for a shepherd to do. What about the other sheep then! Hard to turn a profit if you are dead. Here we realize John has gone beyond talking about sheep and shepherds, but about the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus himself, the final conquering of the evil one - death itself.
Amidst the struggle of life, it is important to keep our eyes laser-focused on the true joy and hope of this world.
-Matt
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Monday, April 11, 2011 - The Fifth Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 31; PM Psalm 35
Jer. 24:1-10; Rom. 9:19-33; John 9:1-17
Unstoppable Power
You heard it right here on Morning Reflections: I declare that Paul was a Presbyterian! Today he expands on God's freedom in election, speaking of the doctrine of election expanding to Gentiles as well as Jews. The real kicker is when he starts using words of predestination, like "prepared beforehand".
In a sense, this was the first major fight of the Church. Were Gentiles going to be allowed to become Christians, or would they have to become Jews first, just as Jesus was a Jew? Paul talks about God as a potter: "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?"
He is not arguing that the Jews are ordinary lumps, though! He is questioning whether Gentiles have been made as special lumps too! And in grand fashion, he backs up his arguments with Old Testament prophecies and fulfillments.
One of the major shifts in New Testament thought is the doctrine of election. It is being completely redrawn. Does God have Chosen People? Well yes, but the rules are completely different - not only in how they are selected, but who is in charge of that.
And this is why many of the Jewish Christians were objecting to this at the time, because it meant a loss of power. Isn't this always the way? Self-interest trumps God's grace. "Oh, God can be gracious, but I wanna still be in charge" - Right?
Now God's Spirit is on the loose. And the good news is spreading in a chaotic fashion, and no one seems to be in charge. As it turns out, that ends up being a good thing.
There is a wonderful book that I read many years ago. It had such an impact on me, it is quoted a number of times near the beginning of my dissertation, as I lay out my argument about ministry. The book is entitled The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations. Its main premise is that organizations that are decentralized often have unstoppable strength and power. The internet is a good example of a decentralized organization. There is no CEO of the internet. And yet it has enormous power. Self-organizing systems, which may seem like chaos, often have a complex web of organizational patterning that works.
The early church was a good example of an organization that was decentralized. We follow Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He is the leader of the Church. But good luck issuing a subpoena to him to testify to the Senate. Furthermore, everyone has a different idea what the Lord is telling us to do. The Church is about as decentralized as one can be. And yet that is its strength, isn't it? Try snuffing out the Church. Good luck. Oh, you might have luck getting a couple churches to close, or even banning it in a country or two, but it will just crop up somewhere else with new leaders.
The decentralization was being built into the system. And Paul was arguing that however chaotic it looked, that it is God's prerogative to do just that. If the potter wants to form this creature of the Church like this, then it is God's right.
And how powerful we can be, armed with the good news of the grace at hand.
-Matt
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Friday, April 8, 2011 - The Fourth Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 95* & 102; PM Psalm 107:1-32
Jer. 23:1-8; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:52-59
Eat My Flesh
Those who want to take every word in the Bible literally, thinking that nothing should be interpreted metaphorically, are in real trouble today. "Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink."
Jesus speaks these words at the synagogue at Capernaum, which means he will have a Jewish audience. This is sure to bewilder the crowd. Eating shellfish is certainly not kosher - BUT HUMAN FLESH??? We don't even talk about that! "Have you lost your mind!?" Cannabalism is simply not uttered. Those who had been mystified by his teaching are certain to be listening now, and thinking, "What is he really talking about?"
Jesus' words in the gospel of John are like a puzzle to be solved. Those who have the code are told they "will have eternal life." John also tells us what eternal life is in chapter 17. "And this is eternal life - that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." So it really is the mystery and puzzle. To have eternal life means to have the knowledge of who the Word Made Flesh is. It appears it is not about heaven, or hell, or "getting saved". Having eternal life is about living into the knowledge of the bread of life.
One of the keys to this passage today is that he spoke all this at the Jewish synagogue. For in doing so, he is guaranteed to lose part of the crowd. Those who only listen half-heartedly, or who only follow Jesus for a short while may not understand the code that he speaks of. For those of us who have journeyed with Christ much longer, we hear different words, don't we?
I don't think "cannibalism" when I hear these words. I hear "Lord's Supper". I hear bread and wine. I see a broken loaf of bread. I hear the words, "Whenever you do this, remember me." It turns out that God reveals himself in his own time. And stick-to-it-edness is part of the deal.
-Matt
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Thursday, April 7, 2011 - The Fourth Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; PM Psalm 73
Jer. 22:13-23; Rom. 8:12-27; John 6:41-51
When the World Comes Crashing In
Psalm 69 is one of those psalms that is often overlooked. Perhaps it is because it is long. We read it this Sunday in worship, and even then, we only did selected verses. Perhaps it is a neglected psalm because it dwells on desolation for so long, and some see it as a downer. Whatever the reason, I encourage you to encounter it in its entirety today.
What I like about this psalm is how central trust in God becomes. The psalmist feels like he is drowning: "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck...I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
As if things couldn't be worse, this drowning person also has a parched throat. It is obviously salt water, and his voice has dried up and he is unable to cry for help. As Psalm 69 plays out, it is easy to see the desolation and despair. The longing for help is more than evident - it is profound.
The wonder and amazement of this psalm is that never once does the psalmist let go of the hope that God saves. The abundant love of God is appealed to.
The world has come crashing in. The world is consuming. Insults and shame and dishonor from "my foes" also make themselves known. The psalmist, through a confession of sin, and through the honest purging of his own venting, arrives at his vengeance and anger: "Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them."
Despite the cries for help, and despite the need for help in the face of overwhelming oppression, the psalmist never forgets that God is there and has the power to make a change.
And this is the beauty of the psalms. They teach us how to grieve and lament in a way that is not destructive to our relationship with God. Trust. Providential care. Abundant love. They all play a part, even in the midst of desolation.
I remember just a couple years ago running into a sad soul at Wal-Mart. Some of you have heard this story. This woman was standing in the aisle with her half-full shopping cart and two children, but she was temporarily paralyzed by an overwhelming bout of crying. I quietly approached and caught her eye, "Ma'am. What's going on?" As the drama of her life began to spill out, I realized I would need a quick get-away. I listened for a brief while, and said a brief prayer on her request, and we went our separate ways.
We ran into each other again at the checkout counter. Now a cart overflowing, we had a bit of time to wait for her items to be checked. But she was different. Her sadness had turned to rage. Everything that was going wrong in her life was everyone else's fault. It was the ex-husband. It was the kids. It was the checker. It was the car mechanic. Nothing was right. Everything was despair.
She ended her tirade enough to pay, and appearing a bit more calm, and looking at me longingly, I offered a final thought in the form of a question. "So where does that leave you?" I asked. Her response concerned me. "It leaves me nowhere. Nothing can fix all this now. Not even God can save me now." She disappeared before I could respond.
I became sad as I realized her rage had overtaken her again, and she and her two children whisked off to the parking lot. I remained at the checkout, bewildered and befuddled. I did not see her again.
All of us have experienced sadness and despair. The world is full of it. The question is always what are we going to do with that disappointment, difficulty, and sometimes desolation. Is God in there somewhere? At rock bottom, do we find a savior, or an empty pit?
If I know anything about God, it is that God never leaves us. Often I find God has been the one that has carried me through.
-Matt
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Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - The Fourth Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 97, 99, [100]; PM Psalm 94, [95]
Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27
Hope in the Gospel
What does it mean to be washed of our sin? What does it mean to be "made new"? Have you ever thought about that? We 21st Century USAmerican Christians don't talk about sin much. It makes us uncomfortable. And in this point-and-click culture, we just flip the channel because "sin" doesn't sound exciting.
Paul tackles an even deeper concern of early Christians. If in our baptism we were made new, why are we still hanging out with other Christians on earth and not in heaven? How does sin fit in if we were washed of our sin? Isn't that life over?
Paul's answer in Romans is very much "Yes and No." He speaks of the conflict with the spirit and the flesh - that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate."
He uses powerful words to describe this life. Many of these words have been demonized by our culture and so we try to avoid them, to our detriment, because this is how he drills home the importance. Words and phrases like: slave, war, making me captive, evil lies close at hand.
For Paul the war against the flesh was a cosmic battle. His intention is not to teach us to hate our bodies, for in other places we learn that our bodies are temples of the Lord, to be cared for and protected. But at least here, speaking of sin, he is helping to explain the struggle of the mind and the flesh - summing up the human condition.
To be at war with his own true intentions, or to be captive or enslaved by evil, is a good way to describe the "already and not yet" aspects of the kingdom of God. But furthermore, and more importantly, this inner struggle involves the law. Paul discovers that one cannot master the evil impulses with the law, or with human will. So he turns to a greater Master. That master is also the King, the Messiah. He is the one who has conquered the Evil One on the battlefield at the cross.
This is where Paul's argument gains much momentum. It is not that our physical and spiritual selves are at war with one another, making us schizophrenic-like. Instead the battle is for grace and hope and life. It is beyond our individual sins, and attests to the power and domain of one who went before us to conquer the sting of sin.
I encounter a lot of people as a minister who are struggling with various inner conflicts. Some are trapped in abusive relationships, or unfulfilling careers. Others are struggling with guilt they have imposed on themselves that haunts them from childhood. Others are struggling with addiction or sexual identity.
To all these people Paul is saying that there is hope. And his hope is not that the flesh can be overcome with the spirit, but that the flesh can be overcome by the Spirit. Notice the capitalization. Paul turns and appeals to God as the one who overcomes the law with grace, and helps in the struggle of the human condition. The promise is the Spirit of life, in whom judgment does not reign supreme, but love, grace, and acceptance.
-Matt
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Monday, April 4, 2011 - The Fourth Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 89:1-18; PM Psalm 89:19-52
Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15
Jesus Withdrew
Jesus feeds the 5,000 today. John's gospel has a different spin on this miraculous sign than the other gospels: "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, 'This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.' When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself."
An interesting series of events: "Make him king." "He withdrew."
What does this mean that Jesus was, in a sense, running from who he was - the king? We are about to experience Palm Sunday, in all its pomp and circumstance at FPCOKC. Perhaps we will see Jesus on a donkey and coming into Jerusalem. We will all become part of the crowd, throwing palm leaves and shouting, "Hosanna in the highest!" We are certainly wanting a king too! The world cries out for one.
But Jesus withdrew. Was he afraid? Was he not wanting the glory? No.
John's gospel goes to great length to explain the Word Made Flesh. He dwelt among us. He was full of grace and truth. And also..."the world knew him not." It turns out, the Word understands that the kind of king the crowd was wanting was not the king he would be. The crowd only saw part of the picture.
God's plan was much grander. Paul reflects part of this in the Romans passage. He is making an analogy with marriage, but he still drives home a resounding theme: "But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we are slaves not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit."
It would have been hard for Jesus to sell this life on the back of a colt! "Forget the law! Be my slave now!" No way. The time was not right for it. It took Paul, speaking perhaps 15 to 20 years later before we were ready to hear the earth-shattering words of the freedom of the gospel.
Indeed God's plan is bigger. And as Lent progresses we will get many glimpses of that - glimpses of the cross. Glimpses of the bigger picture. Glimpses of a time when the world sees the fullness of God's glory.
But for now we wait for the upcoming celebration. Lent is still upon us. And there won't be a resurrection without darker days first.
-Matt
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Friday, April 1, 2011 - The Third Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 95[*] & 88; PM Psalm 91, 92
Jer. 11:1-8,14-20; Rom. 6:1-11; John 8:33-47
Paul & Church Fights
Why is it that so many people don't like Paul? Why does Paul get such a bad rap these days? I think people are all too quick to focus on some post-Pauline theology and the passages that on the surface make it look like his is a misogynist, and they declare him invalid for their spiritual walk.
Well today is a good example of precisely why we need Paul in our theological discussions. Today in Romans 6 he uncovers the inevitable question - inevitable, that is, if you begin a discussion of justification, which he has just done. No one would argue the "grace by faith" argument and the rationale that we are justified through Christ Jesus. The inevitable question arises: "So we can just go ahead and sin, right? God will save us anyway? Here is a loop in the system, and we can weasel out of loving others, right?"
Paul says no in a very convincing way. "How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"
Rather than defending the concept of justification, he takes on a different philosophical argument. If we go on sinning, then we obviously never died with Christ. Oooo. Ouch. He is taking on those critics head on.
He is saying, if you truly understand what it means to be justified, then you have already been buried with Christ in his death and resurrection, and that you are already united with him in striving to be blameless and sinless.
It is a crafty way to talk about allegiance, as well as win his argument. Paul manages to set the bar quite high, despite Christ justifying even the most wicked of sinners.
I think the church needs more people like Paul. He was so skilled at bringing people together, even in the midst of controversy. There were factions and disagreements, but Paul stayed in dialogue with them, and worked out their differences. Today's church is not as fortunate.
We have many who are ready to bail on Christ's call to unity. They sow seeds of division, and attempt to sabotage dialogue. They think if anyone disagrees with them, or doesn't vote like they do at presbytery, then somehow the church is utterly lost in their eyes. How strange. Other see discord as something to be feared, and in attempting to squash any disagreements, end up fueling the fire. How are we to talk out our differences if we never sit at the table with one another to discover our common ground?
Paul shows us, among other things, how to disagree with one another in healthy ways. I pray we reclaim Paul's vision for togetherness, especially as we vote on a new Form of Government and on Amendment 10-A in the Presbyterian Church. These are the "hot button" votes, and seem to have many of my colleagues so nervous they seem jittery.
We need your prayers.
I have different thoughts than many of my peers in ministry. I see these changes as a good thing that the Holy Spirit is calling us to. And the majority of the presbyters so far agrees with me, for both the new Form of Government and Amendment 10-A are trending toward passage. And I say, let it be. It is time for our church to reclaim our historic principles of church order, and stop being paralyzed by fear. It is time for our church to grow up.
But we need your prayers.
-Matt
P.S. If you are interested in reading the proposed changes to the Constitution that each presbytery is voting on: http://oga.pcusa.org/generalassembly/amend.htm
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - The Third Week of Lent, Year 1
Today's Readings for the Daily Office
AM Psalm 78:1-39; PM Psalm 78:40-72
Jer. 7:21-34; Rom. 4:13-25; John 7:37-52
Living Water
We get glimpses of the early church's understanding of the Trinity is today's gospel reading. Jesus declares: "Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water." "Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
In this sense, the Holy Spirit is the expression of God's presence that takes over after Jesus is "glorified". What this glorification is is unclear, but we do find out after the resurrection that Jesus is not yet "glorified" as well, so it seems tied with the ascension or the Pentecost.
The exchange that occurs then witnesses to the deep divisions that come about from Jesus' powerful words. Some think he is the Messiah. Others think he is a prophet. Great debate breaks out about whether the Messiah can come from Galilee.
I don't want an important detail to go unnoticed: the entrance of Nicodemus to our story. While John does not portray him as "one who truly believed in him" it is worth noting that Nicodemus was a powerful Pharisee - and one who appeals to the very law under which they are trying to condemn Jesus. He represents the diversity and complexity of Jewish law, as well as someone who has shown at least tentative interest in Jesus.
Nicodemus, in many ways, reflects the heart that shall flow with living waters. He is not only a catalyst for the early Christian movement, but a signal that change is possible.
What is living water? It is water that replenishes itself - it flows, and therefore remains clean. A spring is living water. A river is living water. A lake is not, unless water flows into and out of the lake. So the Sea of Galilee is living water, but the Dead Sea is not. The Romans had built numerous aqueducts - they are living water as well. From the Sea of Galilee, life is teeming. Fish abound. From the aqueduct flowed drinking water. Springs were often clean and fresh.
From Nicodemus' heart we see the seeds of change taking root. Living water is seeping out, and if you know other stories of Nicodemus we know that his heart flows with living water as well.
-Matt
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| Monday, March 28, 2011 - The Third Week of Lent, Year 1 |
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Today's Readings for the Daily Office AM Psalm 80; PM Psalm 77, [79]
Jer. 7:1-15; Rom. 4:1-12; John 7:14-36 Molding and Shaping Today's readings seem all over the theological map. Jeremiah provides his temple sermon, Paul speaks of Abraham, and Jesus teaches during the Festival of Booths. In all three, words are being used to mold and shape the people of God. And perhaps this is what God is intending to share with me today. Throughout the prophets and much of the New Testament, we see God using people as instruments of discipline, praise, encouragement, or instruction. The prophet speaks, and the people hear God. Herein lies the danger, of course. As post-resurrection people, we are entrusted with some good news. We were reminded of this at our Evangelism Conference this weekend at FPCOKC. Our duty is to tell others about the message of Christ crucified, and that is decidedly GOOD NEWS. And yet, often we see fit to reprimand or rebuke others. We take it upon ourselves to act as judge and jury. We are entrusted to share the "good" news, not run around telling others they are "going to hell" (as I hear all too often even on television). I fail to see how saying that is good news! In today's gospel reading, Jesus is boldly taking on authority and teaching on the Temple steps. Some of the Temple guard take offense to this. Today, many seem all to eager to take after Jesus, speaking the same words of condemnation and rebuke. But a little humility would be nice. He was the Son of God! He was chosen to be our Messiah. Our place is a bit more humble. May we remain focused on the task at hand - to spread the good news of the gospel and to ignite people to the fire of God's word. -Matt |
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