christianity

Wait.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“Lord, make your home in the place you lead me. Take that place and fill it with your love. Make me at home wherever you lead me. May each place reflect a glory all your own.”

―Ray Simpson, 40 Prayers from Celtic Christianity

Matthew 11:2-11
Messengers from John the Baptist 

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiahwas doing, he sent word by hisdisciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for
another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepersare cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 

Jesus Praises John the Baptist 

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someonedressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, 

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
 who will prepare your way before you.’ 

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

John had been the voice crying out in the wilderness…he knew his voice was calling out the coming of the Messiah, the promised one. He was also waiting, earnestly. Not idly, he was in the business of calling people towards something…it was an active waiting…not anxious, but active. With all of that activity, he wasn’t able to slow down possibly…until he was put into prison. Then, the questions came. Jesus, are you the one?


John was the hinge piece between promise and fulfillment. But, even as Jesus came, even with all of the waiting with faith, questions, and even doubts…and even with all of the signs pointing towards Jesus…Jesus still didn’t seem to be what folks expected. They were disappointed maybe, still waiting to see who this Jesus was…but, for most, that didn’t become real until years after Jesus’ death even…folks had to stop, look, listen and allow themselves to die a bit. Then, they began to see that God was always with them, and physically before them through Jesus.


John was a prophet, Jesus’ words in this text about him being “less important” and John’s doubts and questions, put him squarely in the prophetic role. John didn’t have the privilege in his physical lifetime of experiencing Jesus in community and as the Messiah.
John was a prophet, pointing to Jesus.


As John waited and looked at Jesus, he might have been disappointed. Jesus seemingly broke the mold of what a messiah should look like. He didn’t play by all of the rules, he was a free spirit in many ways. John’s message had been a fiery one, a calling out and into metanoia, away from a life of unawareness. Jesus’ message was, and is, that God is for us, with us. Jesus is calling us towards something greater, to a deeper awareness, to being the people we created to be, loving and honoring and inclusive.


In the beginning of the passage, John talks about pointing towards the “deeds of a messiah”. In other words, not convinced at that moment that Jesus was the one. There were other messiahs as well. Messiah is simply a savior, or the promised one who will deliver. Islam refers to Jesus as a messiah, the promised one coming to give us words of prophetic value. Judaism is always looking for a messiah, someone to deliver them.

In our world, we have elections, we are also always looking for a messiah. We elect someone who makes promises of deliverance from something.  An earthly ruler.  Israel was wanting the same thing…and earthly ruler to deliver them from Roman oppression.

John wants to know, he’s been waiting, is Jesus the promised one, the Judaic messiah, or should John continue to wait for someone else.


John wanted a clear, explicit messiah.


So, John sends his disciples to ask Jesus these questions. Jesus’ response is from Isaiah, from prophecies. Jesus says to look at his physical activity, he has been healing, releasing folks from bondage, restoring them to community. In other words: Yes. But, not exactly what you’ve been waiting for, or what you thought. Jesus goes on to say that those who can see who Jesus is, those who do not stumble as John may have been, by who Jesus is with, how Jesus acts, but see Jesus and his way of loving as markings of the Messiah, of understanding their deliverance, would find joy in the midst of their lives. 

Then Jesus explains that John was a prophet, a herald, but still not fully seeing the implications of Jesus’ life and coming. He was still waiting.


John’s message pointed to Jesus, and it may not have been what people wanted to hear…they flocked to him, but were disappointed. John didn’t have a preaching style or message that made folks feel good. Folks went to John because they wanted a spectacle, they wanted to see a prophet. And, Jesus confirms that he was…but, he wasn’t someone who fit the mood of the times, his message, point- ing to Jesus, wasn’t exactly what people were looking for. John’s voice crying out in the wilderness wasn’t about giving folks what they wanted to hear, not about making folks feel good, but about God’s salvation that is hard to understand, it doesn’t deliver us from all of our problems, but it delivers us towards wholeness as we begin to understand that we are not alone in our darkness…and that we can overcome in our lives, even as we walk through dark times. 

John was not only a prophet, but a herald greater than even Elijah, who was calling humanity into a deeper understanding of itself through the lens of Jesus, of God with us.
John’s message, John’s voice was from a different era, the last of the great prophets. Prophetic voices of change that are marked by a maturity in waiting for the right moments to be heard. Moments that are pregnant with new things coming forth. Giving definition and shape for things to come. These voices are also still in the wilderness, calling into the cultural constructs of things to come…and to wait and be ready for that change. 

Our question this morning: what are we waiting for? And, are we waiting with a sense of being able to truly receive what we’ve been promised? Advent is about waiting for the Messiah to come. What do we need to be delivered from? Are we afraid to listen to the voice calling outside of us towards a repentance, a changing of our hearts and minds? And, are we willing to wait with patience and receive the voice deep down within us calling us towards being the people God intends us to be? In other words, do we really want to live with deep agency in knowing that God is with us, or do we simply want to keep on waiting for something else? 

It is interesting to note that Jesus goes on to say in the next few verses that this generation doesn’t know what it wants…that it’s like children yelling at each other in the marketplaces, complaining about everything. John comes along with a message of metanoia with a simple lifestyle, not eating or drinking…Jesus comes along eating and drinking with a message of grace, acceptance, and God’s inclusiveness…people say John must have been demon possessed and Jesus likes to drink, and is friends with tax collectors and sinners.


Yet, more than words said by prophets and preachers, wisdom is born out of waiting and receiving with patience the actions of a prophet and of a Messiah.


May we experience “metanoia”, have a change of heart and mind…and may we laugh and dance with a God who loves us, who accepts us, and who includes us in communion with God’s Self and others. 

Voice.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“In each hour of my workday, make me aware, Spirit of Life, of the Eye that beholds me, the Hand that holds me, the Heart that loves me, the Presence that enfolds me.”

―Ray Simpson, Celtic Prayers for the Rhythm of Each Day

Matthew 3:1-12

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.’”

4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Are you even impatient for something?  As a kid, I can remember the tough waiting for Christmas…and, I have to admit, it wasn’t waiting for Jesus to appear, but more so the toys under the tree.  Which, I know, is supposed to symbolize the gift of Jesus to humanity…but, not much in the thought patterns a 6 or 7 year old.  

But, even today, I can get impatient.  But its different than it was just a few years ago.  I used to want to move things, to get them done yesterday.  But, being at Westwood First, I’ve been able to rest more in who I am.  A sense of “re-membering”…becoming whole, being at peace if you will.  Don’t get me wrong though, I do love it when projects move forward and there is buy-in from others and a sense of unity, collaboration, and teamwork.  

I’ve come to realize over the years, that takes time and patience to move forward.  Which, again, has been something that I’ve been able to live more fully into at Westwood First  Which is a good thing.  And, waiting can produce character and other benefits.  

Advent is partially about waiting…and that doesn’t mean not finishing or moving something along.  There are markers, goals, and lists that can be checked off in moving towards the development of an idea or project.  

Our passage in Matthew finds John, the cousin of Jesus, waiting for the appearance of the Messiah, of the Son of Man.  John was looking forward to the day that Jesus would make his presence known as the promised one.  Really, before John was even on the scene, doing his thing of proclaiming Kingdom come and baptizing, the whole of Israel was hoping for the Messiah, their savior to come on to the scene and what the Messiah would do.

Hundreds of years before, in the book of Isaiah, this was said:

11 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the spirit of counsel and might,
    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

This passage goes on to say that this Messiah would have good news for the poor, the oppressed, and would give release to those held in bondage, in captivity.

John comes along and begins his ministry.  John practiced what he preaches.  He wasn’t afraid.  He wore clothes made of camel hair, which was unusual and probably not a fashionable thing to wear, for any period of history.  He also ate locusts.  That sounds kind of gross, but in Levitical law, that was an accepted thing to eat, they were plentiful apparently and high in protein and nutrients…yet, still, not something that was common.

It’s as if John was making a statement, I will live a simple life in order to make my message heard and simple as possible:  Repent, which again, is not translated correctly, the original Greek is “metanoia”, to have a change, or an enlarging, of heart and mind from the way you’ve always thought and lived.  Be baptized to symbolize that the old way of living is dead, be raised into new life in the way that God intended…living simply in love with others, especially those on the margins.  John also did his ministry outside of the temple, outside of institutional norms and processes.

And, the people came in droves to hear him and be baptized.  It’s as if they knew that they needed change.  Yes, they had hopes for a Messiah, they knew that John was pointing them towards someone to come…yet, they were also ready for a change.  A change that would include everyone, that would be both personal and communal.

Even the Pharisees and Sadducees came to hear John and to even be baptized.  John has some harsh words for them, calling them a brood of vipers.  Which, in that context meant that they were like serpents, feeling the flame of fire and trying to get away from it.  As I’ve said before, God’s love extends to all, even those on top of a religious and political system that oppresses folks and isn’t good for them.  

Now, God does call those systems into question…and God does separate the wheat from the chaff as the author goes on to say.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that the wicked folks will burn and the righteous folks live.  It means that actions done out of selfishness, need for control, anxiety…actions born of out of sin, out of missing the mark that God intends, will pass away, be consumed, forgotten.  But, righteous actions, actions done out of loving others, honoring one another, listening and not being condescending, but lifting others up.  Actions of inclusion and genuine friendship, those will produce good fruit and multiply and lead to real life.  

The religious leaders of that time felt like they had a birthright to live as they chose because of their identity as Children of Abraham, as descendants…and that God promised to bless Abraham’s descendants.  But, John is saying that’s not the case because they’ve forgotten the most important thing…it’s not about what you inherit, it’s what you do with the the inheritance, and the giver, how well you love.  

God’s wrath, or God’s desire for things to be in right relationship can bring an axe to cut down an unhealthy tree, in order for something new to grow.  And, yes, there will always be something new, and good, and bearing fruit to grow.

Friends, hear this clearly, John is reminding us that Jesus is coming, that this Jesus will show us how to love and will love us no matter what.  This Love Incarnate will bring wholeness and peace that is real.  This what Jesus is brining is worth the wait, and while we are waiting, it’s a good thing to prepare by confessing our vulnerabilities and the ways that we have missed the mark of God’s loving intentions…and to prepare our hearts and minds to be receptive to God’s voice through Jesus in our lives.  

Something in us may need to die in order for us to hear God’s voice.  That also applies to us as a community.  God’s voice is rising up in us, what do we need to clear out of the way to hear what God is saying to us?  We cannot rest in our identity as part of the PCUSA or even as Christians, we have to ask ourselves what does it mean to receive grace and recognize what it means to live in Christ, and into our collective lives together as a church, as a part of the body of Christ.  

As we do that, may we be reminded that this Jesus gives us courage and voice to ask the hard questions, first with ourselves, then with each other.  This Jesus, in his life and even now, because we are his body, reminds us through the taking of the elements of communion that we about to share, we are bound together in him and that the Christ is speaking deeply in and through us through the power of God’s Spirit, God is present with us!

Awareness.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“God of life, you summon the day to dawn and call me to create with you. You are the Rock from which all earth is fashioned. You are the Food from which all souls are fed. You are the Force from which all power lines travel. You are the Source who is creation’s fountainhead. You are the Heart from which all hearts are beating. You are the Mind from which come thoughts and dreams. You are the Eye from which comes all my seeing. You are the Gift from whom all mercy streams. You are the Ache from which comes all my longing. You are the Pain in which I bear my grief. You are the Wind by which all souls go winging. You are the One from whom flows all my life.”

―Ray Simpson, Celtic Prayers for the Rhythm of Each Day

Matthew 24:36-44

The Necessity for Watchfulness

36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[but only the Father. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

This has been simply an amazing week.  So much has happened.  Some of it challenging, yet I’m grateful for this growth.  I’m not sure what your week has been like, but my hope and prayer that as you come into this time, this morning, that you are able to be thankful…and that you are wide awake to the possibilities that surround you, and this congregation!

Our Gospel lesson this morning is from Matthew.  Jesus is preparing his disciples, his followers, and those that are listening to him, that the time is coming, and even already upon them, that the Son of Man, would be present with them.

During Jesus’ day, there was much anxiety.  Israel was an occupied land by the Roman Empire.  They were on edge from the whims of the most powerful force in the world at the time.  What’s more, the Roman Empire had enriched and empowered narcissistic rulers in Israel.  Things were on edge.  Yet, within that, persons were sensing that things were changing.  Their hope was for the Son of Man, the messiah to return soon and be a political ruler that would make things right.

What Jesus was saying is so much more.  The Greek phrase in this passage for the visitation or coming of the Son of Man, is “Parousia”.  It translates as the coming of the King, but it also translates as the Presence of God.  This is a theme throughout scripture, that the Kingdom of God is coming and we’ve talked quite a bit in the past about the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are phrases that tell us that God’s Presence is with us, coming to us, in our midst and even in us.  

Now, Jesus wasn’t a political ruler…no, Jesus wasn’t interested in simply seeking earthly power or making things great for a few folks or through some sense of cultural collective ego that was looking for an external savior to drop from the heavens or anywhere else.  Jesus was about something much more, much deeper…Jesus was about bringing all of humanity together.  Not making everyone the same, actually celebrating our human diversity, while also bringing unity and a deep sense of communal love and connection.  Jesus, in his humanity, showed us how to love and how to work towards reconciliation and inclusion in his life.  After his death and resurrection, Jesus continues on to represent all of humanity.  Our passage this morning gave our spiritual fathers and mothers a couple of hundred years later a sense of our understanding of God’s Trinitarian nature.  In the first verse it talks about the Father knowing the time that the son of Man will be with us, that phrase denotes relationship between the father, and the son, and bears witness to that relational dynamic of three creating, redeeming, and sustaining through relationship and that Relationship’s flow in and through our lives.  

It also goes on to say that we don’t know when calamities or hardship fall upon us, we do live in anxious times. People are fearful in times of change and we can all become susceptible to extremes.  Regardless of who you vote for or how you identify your beliefs, and we all know this, there has been a deep sense of change happening all around us for years.  Yet, the fear of the unknown is real.  

The way of dealing with change in a productive way is the path of awareness.  We are called to be awake, to be sober to the realities around us and to be interested or curious without judgment as things unfold.  Discernment yes, but not judgment.   To cultivate a sense that God is coming to us and that God has come to us…that the Kingdom of God is here and we celebrate Advent, the coming of God’s physical presence through Jesus and God’s commitment to us throughout history in Jesus’ representation of humanity.  

There can be moments in our lives, whether through life events in our families or neighborhoods, or elections that remind us of the divisiveness and walls between us…but, we have also have moments that remind us that we are called to be together.  That we can trust in a deeper hope that leads to awareness.  

In this mornings passage, Noah is referenced.  He goes into the ark, into the storm, and after 40 days, the waters receded and Noah was reborn.  Life wasn’t perfect for Noah after this “rebirth”, he was messy, read the story.  But faith held him and he took a risk and he lived into a new era with a deeper sense of Presence.  

Last week we celebrated two baptisms.  In our baptism, which is a remembrance of Jesus’ baptism in which we all participate in and filled with symbolism.  We arise out of the waters, symbolizing our old lives being shed and being awakened to the deeper reality of God’s Presence, of God’s Kingdom in our midst and in us, to each other, and to the world through Jesus’ actions on our behalf and the relational flow from our 3 in 1 God.  

May we stay awake and aware to the realities of this world and in our lives, that we do face dark times in this world, as well as our own lives, we do experience anxiety and grief…we are not alone…we can overcome that which divides us and move towards real friendship with God and each other.  Yes, it is hard work, this work of awareness, of living in God’s Kingdom presence following the model of Jesus as we work out the practices of reconciliation and inclusion….of allowing ourselves to emerge and to grow towards an ever deepening maturity.  

As we close this morning, there is a great quote from a Hispanic theologian, Miguel Diaz, “As beloved triune community, God ‘dances’ to birth human communities torn by suffering, hatred, and division.”

As we celebrate many of the things of this past week, and all the weeks that preceded it and will come after this moment, may we know that life is filled with paradox, but life is also amazing and wonderful and filled with possibility and imagination.  That anxiety and fear are no match for love and grace.  And, may we enter into the dance of God, and be awake even in the face of things we may not understand or predict.  

Friends, keep your eyes and ears open, stay awake, be aware, and live in faith, and yes, HOPE, even as the night comes..and dance in God’s Presence that has come, is coming, and is here now.  

Unexpected.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“You are above me O God; You are beneath; You are in air; You are in earth; You are beside me; You are within.  O God of heaven, you have made your home on earth in the broken body of Creation.  Kindle within me a love for you in all things.”

―JP Newell

Colossians 1:11-20

11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from God’s glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father,[a] who has enabled[b] you[c] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 God has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption,[d] the forgiveness of sins.

The Supremacy of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 16 for in[e] him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in[f] him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God[g] was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Footnotes

  • 1.12 Other ancient authorities read God the Father or the God and Father
  • 1.12 Other ancient authorities read called
  • 1.12 Other ancient authorities read us
  • 1.14 Other ancient authorities add through his blood
  • 1.16 Or by
  • 1.17 Or by
  • 1.19 Gk lacks of God

Gospel Lesson

Luke 23:33-43 

33 When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus[a] there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.[[34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]][b] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. 35 And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah[c] of God, the chosen one!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him,[d] “This is the King of the Jews.” 

39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding[e] him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah?[f] Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into[g] your kingdom.” 43 He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” 

What does it mean to be saved? Has there ever been a time in your life where you’ve wanted to be saved? Maybe a social situation that you wanted to get out of? 

You’ve heard me say before, in my tradition growing up, I think I was saved at least 42 times!  Every time there was what we called an “altar call”, I would get caught up in the emotion of the moment and go forward.  I was so afraid of not being saved!  From what, at 58, I’m not exactly sure anymore.  Probably some sense of guilt, of loneliness, of whatever.  And, always looking for something to save that was distant, an external savior to take my problems away.  

Yet, over time, through so much of life, living into even the shadow sides of life…times of despair and even humiliation, something unexpected happened.  I began to see, and still seeing…although sometimes dimly, that God is bigger than some euphoric moment…a bigger God that doesn’t lay a guilt trip on you…a God so intimate that this God is already in and and around you in all things and all people….and a God who does not need to be appeased by a blood sacrifice.  

We’ve talked a lot about the Greek word “metanoia” which literally means having your mind enlarged. I’ve experienced “metanoia”, the Greek word in the Bible that is often mistranslated as “repentance”, my mind and heart, my life, has experienced unexpected growth…a deeper awareness.  

I have come to realize that the concept of “personal salvation” is not really mentioned in Scripture.  It simply isn’t a concept that God intended.  That’s a concept that early Christians would certainly not have understood, especially as folks in some “Christian” circles use it today, but it devolved over the centuries from folks wanting to find some sort of control over folks.  We have salvation, that is explicit throughout Scripture…the question is do we live in awareness of the good news of not only what God does in and through all of creation, but that God is IN all of creation, including us!  

This was unexpected in the way that I grew up.  

Our passage this morning from the gospel of Luke depicts humiliation as well as something unexpected. Only on a scale that I could never imagine. Crucifixion by the Romans was meant to be more about humiliation than pain even. The place of the Skulls in Jerusalem was picked by the Romans for crucifixion because it was visible for all to see. It is also referred to as Gahenna, a garbage dump that is outside of the city…Gahenna is often used as a reference to what we call “hell”.  To be nailed to a tree, lifted up, often for days, while folks walked by either throwing scorn and insults, or shielding their eyes away from the cruelty. 

Luke reminds us that the Romans and the Jewish authorities formed an alliance of convenience in order to maintain the system status quo. They viewed Jesus as a threat to their hold on power and to the way things have been that kept them on the top. They wanted to send a message. Even giving Jesus cheap wine with vinegar in it…not good wine fit for a king, but sour wine. It says that the Romans mocked Jesus. The term for mock in this passage denotes that the Romans thought of Jesus as less than human. 

We see that in the gospel lesson. Jesus is humiliated with the scandal of the cross. Yet, Jesus asks for God to forgive them, which is unexpected.  Usually, you’d think that a response would be one of anger or a desire for revenge, but Jesus greats violence with non-violence. They are telling Jesus, jeering at Jesus, to save him-self. Yet, Jesus has incredible agency and resolve to absorb and to suffer…to take on death in a scandalous way in order to show us a better and deeper way of living. The people that killed Jesus were telling him to look for salvation like any other king would, by force or violence. Jesus is responding to violence with an inner strength of love and non-violence. Which, ultimately brings salvation to them, and to all of us, as we live into becoming people of love, resolve, and our truest selves. 

Jesus responds to persons as they begin to move towards humility in unexpected ways. It seems like we often look for a savior to simply come in and swoop us out of a situation, but, more often than not, we experience growth, humility, and even salvation in the midst of a tragedy by simply recognizing God’s Presence and embracing the moments we are in…and seeking a deeper understanding… 

Jesus is crucified in between two thieves. One, wanting to be saved, but cannot recognize himself or his humiliation, nor his humanity as made in the image of God,….the other, recognizes where he is, knows his humiliation, names it, and sees in Jesus a Presence, the presence of God. And, Jesus follows up on God’s promise of being with us by reassuring him that they would be together in paradise that day. 

Friends, Jesus remembers us, all of us. Jesus is with us in all of life’s ups and downs. May we own where we are, we may be looking around for someone or something else to save us…but, may we follow the example of this gospel lesson and look deep inside, as well as deep inside of others as we build genuine friendships, and recognize that God is with us and God knows what we are going through…God does not give up on us, God brings us forgiveness, has given us salvation, God brings us God’s self. 

Today is the Reign of Christ Sunday.  This is not simply a king, the Christ encompasses all people, things, creation…it is the universal presence filled with promise and relationship.  This Christ, in all things, shows up in the most unexpected ways.  May we live in these times looking for the unexpected.  

Signs.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“May you recognize in your life the presence, power, and light of your soul. May you realize that you are never alone, that your soul in its brightness and belonging connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. May you have respect for your own individuality and difference.”

―John O’Donohue, Anam Cara.

Luke 21:5-19

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold

5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”

Signs and Persecutions

7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’[a] and, ‘The time is near!’[b] Do not go after them.

9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and plagues, and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance, 15 for I will give you words[c] and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and siblings, by relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Sign, sign

Everywhere a sign

Blockin’ out the scenery

Breakin’ my mind

Do this, don’t do that

Can’t you read the sign?

  • Five Man Electric Band

Signs, there are signs all around us aren’t there…foretelling a future…what’s going to happen…we live in a world that is constantly searching for answers in the future, aren’t we?   We want to know what the future is.

We find Jesus in this morning’s text telling us signs that are foretelling the future.  Now, he’s obviously giving a metaphor…the temple’s stones aren’t being taken down literally.  Although, a few years after Jesus’ death they were taken down by the Romans.

Jesus is saying that they system of the Temple, the way things have been, is going to change.  Something else is going to take its place.  Instead of a place to worship like the temple, Jesus is calling his followers back to what God intended, for all to live in relationship.  In oneness.

Yet, the listeners are fixated on the temple imagery and wonder when it will happen.  “What are the signs of when this will happen?” 

The setting is right before Jesus and the disciples have their last supper.  Jesus is teaching in the temple and telling folks that they should recognize the signs all around them.  That there is distress in the nations, a foreboding of what is to come and to be on the look-out for the Son of Man, the Messiah.

It’s interesting that not much has changed since Jesus gave those words.  In Jesus’ time there were protests, Roman oppression and rule, unjust systems and folks rising up to challenge them, and wars, always wars.  

Today, if you only watch the news for 5 minutes, you hear about the same things.  Different actors, but still the same.

Not only are their signs of the times that tell us that something isn’t right in the world, but we see signs in our own lives:  conflicts with others, a deep sense of distrust, a desire to win rather than work together towards good goals, a deep sense of anxiety and fear within culture and within ourselves.  We not only see signs of distress in culture, but in our lives.  I often talk with folks that are dealing with panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and situational as well as chronic depression.  

These are all signs that can lead one towards despair and even confusion.  What’s going on here?  We may wonder.  But, Jesus has other words for us, that when we sense some of the things I just mentioned, there is a deeper promise that God has made to us.  We are not alone and that God has come, is here, and will come for us.  

When we read this passage of Luke, we can respond in several ways:  one is fear, the other is faith, or that deeper trust.  Do we trust that God will keep God’s promises and that we can life expectantly and with joy, hope, peace, and love in the midst of uncertainty?  

Rather than looking at the events around us with fear and anxiety, we can live with confidence, curiosity, and courage.  A Greek word that is used often to describe God’s Presence is Parousia.  It means literally presence, arrival, or visit.  God’s Kingdom is upon us, God’s Presence.  As we often say, that “kingdom” presence is within us, and in our midst.  The question for us is do we see the signs of God’s Presence in our lives?

Do we sense that something new is emerging within our lives and do we live in expectation of this newness being made known?  Do we get wrapped up in the anxiety and emotion of external issues that arise around us or are we able to take a deep breath and sense that something good may arise out of whatever situation that we are facing eventually?  Or, better yet, we may not see anything good come out of some situations, but do we have a sense that we can sit with whatever is happening and know that we are not alone and that we can share whatever is happening with others and with God?

I believe that cultivating this sense of Presence is key for our lives.  We can see signs that strengthen our faith in God and in others if we can live our lives acknowledging the Presence of God around us.  As we listen to ourselves, others, and attempt to look at even familiar things with a sense of God’s presence in everything, we can catch those glimpses of God that can move us towards growth.

Imagination and energy are emerging as we live in these uncertain times, which is bringing so much unexpected growth!  And, our faith, our deeper trust, is becoming alive. 

Luke is calling us out to have faith that we may never understand, but we can live into or apprehend, we can’t prove it.  But, it is a faith that keeps us alert, keeps us living expectantly.  We are called to be open to God’s breaking into our lives in the most unexpected ways.  God is giving us signs all of the time.  We can be stubborn or attempt to control what signs God may be giving us, we can be resistant to God’s Presence out of fear and a desire to cling to what we know.  Or, we can see, that, just like the seasons give us clues that change is upon us, that God’s Presence in our lives has arrived, is arriving, and will arrive.  We can see that as we stay alert and practice listening or noticing the signs of God’s activity, that we can have lives filled with meaning, purpose, and even gratitude in the midst of all of the craziness that we experience within us and around us.

Living.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“God of life, you summon the day to dawn and call me to create with you. You are the Rock from which all earth is fashioned. You are the Food from which all souls are fed. You are the Force from which all power lines travel. You are the Source who is creation’s fountainhead. You are the Heart from which all hearts are beating. You are the Mind from which come thoughts and dreams. You are the Eye from which comes all my seeing. You are the Gift from whom all mercy streams. You are the Ache from which comes all my longing. You are the Pain in which I bear my grief. You are the Wind by which all souls go winging. You are the One from whom flows all my life.”

―Ray Simpson, Celtic Prayers for the Rhythm of Each Day

Luke 20:27-38

The Question about the Resurrection

27 Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him28 and asked him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no children, the man[a] shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers; the first married, and died childless; 30 then the second31 and the third married her, and so in the same way all seven died childless. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.”

34 Jesus said to them, “Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage; 35 but those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.37 And the fact that the dead are raised Moses himself showed, in the story about the bush, where he speaks of the Lord as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.”

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 20:28 Gk his brother

When I was a freshman in high school, I used to love getting into debates with my older sister who was a senior at the time. My sister is brilliant, she was in the highest academic school in Louisville, where we grew up, made straight “A’s” and went to the University of Louisville on a full academic scholarship that I think ended up paying her to go to school. So, when we got into a debate, I would look for those moments, you know, the “gotcha” moment. Now, we had some good debates on politics, religion, family life, etc. But, the one debate that would get heated was which was a better school? The university of Louisville, or Kentucky? 

One day, I had the gotcha with her as we were having a rather heated “dialogue” on the two schools…my sister, Beckie, got so frustrated with me, she picked up a chair and threw it at me…luckily, she wasn’t a good shot and missed me, but she did hit the door next to me pretty hard…there was a big hole in it…can’t hide that. 

When mom and dad got home…you can guess who got into trouble.  My sister are I fine together these days…not much debate on UK or UL. Much deeper things…

But, it was a moment back in our teenage years of wanting to win.  

This is an odd story in our gospel lesson…it’s about marriage, and in the first century, they had traditions that we don’t understand.  And, there’s some deeper going on, the Sadducees are trying to win an argument, much like my sister and I were trying to do those many years ago.

And, I have to admit, my first thought in reading this passage reminds me of the scene of the marriage ceremony from the moving “Princess Bride”.  

So, our message this morning is about marriage…or “twu wuv”.  Let’s dig deeper.

Our gospel story this morning is about this group of folks called the Sadducees.  They understood the law of the day well, they were also a part of the power structure of that day.  They came to Jesus with a question about marriage…but, they really were not interested in a conversation about marriage.  They wanted to debate, to work towards a “gotcha” moment with Jesus.  The Sadducees, along with the religious leaders, the Pharisees, sat on top of the proverbial social order.  They had it made.  Along comes Jesus making all sorts of statements, interpreting things differently, having a different take on the temple and its future, talking about relationships over institutional preservation…saying things like the Kingdom of God is here, in our midst.  

So, the Sadducees did just that, they presented Jesus with an issue to try and trip him up.  They were devout Jews, but they were also rational thinkers and didn’t believe in the resurrection.  They believed that when you died, you died.

The Sadducees brought up this issue of a woman marrying someone, then her husband dying without a son, marrying his brother, then the same thing happening several times, but still without a son.  She would die eventually without an heir, therefore, with Jewish custom of that day, she would not have a strong identity.  Because she had no children, no one could make claim…so, in the resurrection, whose wife would she be?  This was a patriarchal society, and even this question has undertones of 1st century sexism and unhealthy patriarchy.  But, they were trying to trick Jesus into either denying the resurrection, or making a social statement about marriage.

Jesus, gives a wonderful answer.  It’s interesting to note the tone as well.  Jesus is being treated in a very condescending way, he’s also being pushed into an argument that he doesn’t really care to win or lose…that’s not Jesus’ way…winning or losing.  Jesus is more interested in people and authentic friendships, Kingdom living….real living than some philosophical question about marriage in the resurrection.  

Jesus knows that this question isn’t about marriage…it’s about power, control, and the Sadducees wanting to prove their worth by trying to get Jesus in a gotcha moment.  

Who was going to be married to who in heaven wasn’t an issue…marriage is a gift in this life to be shared equally between folks, but even the question of would there be marriage in heaven is moot.  In the resurrection, there is only pure relationship, real life, and it’s not hierarchal or sexist.  It’s interesting to note that he mentions casually that no one is “given” away in the resurrection…thus a simple statement that takes away the patriarchal system of giving women away at the time.

He goes on to paint a picture that in the resurrection, one is with God and with others in perfect, loving unity.  That’s the way of the Kingdom, that’s where we want to live and find our being, now and in the future.

They were using a trap, but Jesus steps over it.  He also quotes from Moses at the burning bush.  When Moses asks God what his name is, Moses responds by saying that he is the God of Jacob, of Isaiah, etc.  The God of the living, not the dead.  

Friends, how is this applicable to us today?  Well, my hope is that you see many things in this passage in Jesus’ actions to not get caught up in trying to prove yourself through winning arguments…which is a good reminder in this endless election season.  But, to also see that God calls us to be alive, truly alive.  We do experience death…not only physical death, but relational death with others, and even within ourselves.  We see this often in how we treat others or are treated by others in ways where we try to somehow “win” rather than simply love and work towards unity or true friendship.  Yet, there is a better way.  As Jesus followers, we are called to love as Jesus loved, to practice true love if you will.  How did Jesus love so well?  Because he allowed himself to die to himself and others…daily, and at the end of his life…knowing that love always wins and leads to resurrection.  A new and fresh start.  We spend so much time living the way we’ve always lived or thinking and acting at how we always have, but God calls us to follow the way of Jesus and to die to ourselves in order to have resurrection and to truly find ourselves.  

Our church is experiencing resurrection…I see it, glimpses of it all of the time…we are having lots of good discussions around here, and in the midst of those, we are moving towards new life as we let go of winning and let God move and dance in our friendships with each other and with others in our neighborhoods and families.  

We are invited to live into this resurrection life daily…we are all one body. 

Listen.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

God to enfold me,
God to surround me,
God in my speaking,
God in my thinking.

God in my sleeping,
God in my waking,
God in my watching,
God in my hoping.

God in my life,
God in my lips,
God in my soul,
God in my heart.

God in my sufficing,
God in my slumber,
God in mine ever-living soul,
God in mine eternity.

(Ancient Celtic oral traditions – Carmina Gadelica)

Luke 16:19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.[b]24 He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27 He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ 30 He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Footnotes:

  1. Luke 16:22 Gk to Abraham’s bosom
  2. Luke 16:23 Gk in his bosom

Sermon Manuscript:

How many times do you drive by or walk by a homeless person and wonder about their life?  What’s their background?  What are they thinking?  How did they get to this place in life?  We all have those kinds of thoughts and we all develop certain ideas or stereotypes in order to categorize and somehow reconcile with ourselves that we may or may not have to react to them.

Yet, they are humans, they are our brothers and sisters.  I’m reminded of that every time we have someone walking into the church asking for a handout.  

Now, there are ways we can help them beyond simple handouts.  There are some resources in our city that can help.  But, they best thing we can do, and I try to remind myself of this, is to look folks in the eyes, to connect with them, not dismiss them so quickly.    And, listen as best as I can.  

Now, I know there are a lot of stories, and having worked with homeless folks as a Social Work major and in several projects over the years, I’ve heard many of the same stories.  Yet, these are still people that God values and are image bearers of the Divine, as we all are.

In our gospel story, there is a homeless man, a beggar, Lazarus.  He was crippled and left at the gate of a wealthy man’s house to beg every day.  It’s interesting to note that Lazarus is named, but the wealthy man is not.  The author of this story is saying that Jesus thinks that this poor man is important and known by God.  The wealthy man is extremely rich…richer than most, had banquets daily, wore purple, which is a mark of wealth and very expense clothes.

Lazarus was so down the social ladder and in dire straights, that even dogs came to lick his sores…not to bring him comfort, but in this story, to add insult to injury.  He was helpless.

The beggar dies, as does the wealthy man.  In Hades, the afterlife as depicted in this story.  The wealthy man is in torment….he sees that Lazarus is there, and he’s with Abraham, the founder of Israel.  He asks for Abraham to comfort him…and, even in his death, still looking past Lazarus…talking to Abraham, because he was important in his mind.  

He asks for pity, for simply a drop of water.  Yet Abraham says no, and asks him to remember that Lazarus was with his lifetime and he never reached out to help Lazarus.  And that now Lazarus is comforted, and Abraham is not.

So, the wealthy man is still clueless, and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to his family to warn him…still thinking highly of himself, and not Lazarus.

Abraham again replies no, they’ve had Moses and the prophets, that’s enough.

They need to listen to what they’ve been taught…and, even if someone comes back from the dead, even then they won’t listen.  

This man, the wealthy man, was probably a decent person in his life, he just didn’t listen, didn’t have time or need to live “awake” to the realities right outside of his door.   

He was comfortable.  But, even though he had heard the prophets, knew the stories, he didn’t move to action in his life of being friends with the poor or trying to comfort them on include them.  

In Hades, the afterlife, it’s important to know that God’s presence is still there, it’s everywhere.  As it says in Psalm 139, there’s nowhere we can go to escape God’s presence.  

CS Lewis talks about this in the Great Divorce, a wonderful fictional book I’d encourage everyone to read.  Folks when they die, ride a bus to heaven…yet, many of them settle for hell, a small crack in heaven that they make bigger…they can ride the bus back into heaven…yes, they could have a second chance in hell even, by why would they change if they lived their lives a certain way, it’s harder in hell…so, they stay there…and maybe that is hell, being stuck in a certain way of living or understanding that keeps us from experiencing the wide expanse of God’s grace and joy in life with God and others in deep relational community.  

The wealthy man is tormented by the heat, but Lazarus, who is there also, is not tormented, on the contrary, he’s feeling the warmth of God’s love.  He spent his life in poverty and crippled, yet not complaining and experienced God’s grace in humility.  

Friends, we have the gift of the life we’ve been given.  We can love those around us, everyone, as best we can.  We must though ask God to wake us towards others around us.  If we want to experience spiritual growth, which is ultimately an understanding of God’s radically inclusive and graceful love for us and others that moves us towards being the humans that God created us to be, then we must be willing to be present with those we share space with, whenever we share space with them…loving them where they are.  

This parable, like many in Luke that we’ve read, reminds us that we have barriers in our world that can cause relational disconnect or fragmented lives.  Barriers like wealth inequality that prevents us from seeing the other.  It’s not wrong to be wealthy, but the way of Jesus and the scriptural trajectory leads us towards a better understanding that we can’t let having money or not having money prevent us from sharing life with each other, and that we are called to work towards hospitality and caring for folks.

This morning, let’s ask ourselves how we can see beyond the safety of the walls we’ve built around us to those right outside those walls…and go to them, be with them, and remove whatever separates us from ourselves, others, and God.  

Fierce.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

A Practice of Meditation & Compassion

O Hidden Light

Sun behind all suns

Soul within all souls

True Life of every life

This new day we greet Thee

‘Be still and know that I am God’

(Ps 46:10)

Silent Meditation

Use the rhythm of your breath to pray these words:

Breathe up the Divine from deep within

Prayers of Compassion

Breathe in a situation of suffering in the world.

Breathe out energies of healing

– JP Newell

Luke 16:1-13

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager 

16 Then Jesussaid to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. 2 So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’ 3 Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’ 5 So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 He answered, ‘A hundred jugs of olive oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.’7 Then he asked another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He replied, ‘A hundred containers of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and make it eighty.’ 8 And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealthso that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes.

10 “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealthwho will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? 13 No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”


What does it mean to trick someone? My good friend of mine, Dr. Dean Nicholas, is the headmaster at CHCA and holds a Ph.D. from Hebrew Union, wrote a book on the “tricksters” in the Bible. 

This concept as a long history in many ancient cultures, and certainly in Jewish writings. The basic concept is that God will sometimes honor folks in the Bible who trick others into doing or acting a certain way to get themselves or others to move in a different direction, to change the story that we find ourselves in. The story of Jacob and Esau, of Joseph and his brothers, etc. All have a sense of “tricking” if you will, or doing some- thing that isn’t obvious at first, and then moving folks towards a different outcome…and seemingly God works it not only for their good, but for the good of others. 

Our gospel lesson this morning has a sort of “trickster” feel to it. Jesus is sharing a parable, a story about a rich man. Many of Jesus’ stories talk about wealthy folks. Essentially, because Jesus is drawing out that wealth oftentimes gets in the way of how others are treated or looked upon. It’s sets up real boundaries or walls between us.  There’s nothing wrong with having wealth, but our relationship to wealth, or attachment to it, can get in the way of being our truest Selves and relationships with others.  

This story is in between the stories that Jesus shares about the prodigal son and the divide between the rich man and Lazarus, but with a twist. 

This rich man has a manager for his business dealings. Apparently this manager wasn’t doing so good, so the rich man calls him towards accountability for how he’s handled his possessions. 

The manager realizes his job is about to be taken away, he realizes he doesn’t want to be out on the street or doing hard labor…he’s not depicted in the most flattering way, is he? But, he is shrewd, so knowing he has nothing to lose because his boss is going to take his job away, he goes to the people that are indebted to his master. He takes their accounts and greatly reduces the amount that each person owes. He does this knowing that his master’s debtors will be grateful and take him in, show him hospitality as he gives them a huge break. He tricks the master before the master actually fires him. Pretty dishonest, and the master realizes it. 

So, what does the master do, he commends the manager, congratulates him even. 

Now, we may read this today and think at how wrong this is…at best, we wonder why this is even the bible. Is Jesus telling us to act shrewdly? Jesus doesn’t say to be dishonest, but Jesus does say that we can learn from folks who act in gracious ways, even if it’s out of self-centered way. Oftentimes, unchurched folks act more gracious than the disciples, or the children of the light as Jesus says in this passage. It may be out of a sense of self-preservation, but their actions still produce a blessing. 

In essence, Jesus is saying that God works through the actions of the trickster manager, he redeems his actions somehow and blesses others. That no matter what happens, God will work towards the good of others. 

One commentary that I read brought it home well. The manager is making friends through dishonest wealth, yet those friendships are there for him. God is calling us towards a relational way of living, we are called to make friends as well, albeit in a more just and honest way. We are called to not collect debts, just as we pray to be forgiven of our debts and to forgive our debtors. By so doing and acting, by working towards unity and friendship and not trying to win or dredge up past wrongs or indebtedness, but through forgiveness and grace towards others and ourselves, we can love well and see friendships, true friendships form. 

We need that kind of wealth of community. By so doing, by blessing others and our neighbors, when we need them, they more likely to be there for us. 

Jesus is telling his disciples, learn to make friends, and in so doing, cultivate a healthy sense of reciprocal love. 

So much of Jesus’ followers existence was based on the hospitality of others, so it must be with us. It is hard for us to lean in on the generosity of others, yet we learn a lot when we do…and when we extend it with true authenticity and not for any other reason than to bless others. 

Jesus is saying also that we have to understand that we can’t serve two masters, it’s either the way of money, our a life based on transactions, or the way of God, which is based on authentic love and community. You can’t have both being dominate. Our attempts to preserve ourselves or our institutions through maintaining a status quo mindset ultimately still leads towards death. We have to have movement within our institutions that is initiated by authentic friendship and working towards the common good…institutions then can bless that work, which actually, ultimately, leads to their reformation and growth. If we share what we have, as Jesus says clearly in this passage, being trusted with much means to share it with others…this trust that God has given us with materials to bless others, then we will be given true riches as it says in verse 11…those true riches are found in the Kingdom of God, the presence of God with one another. 

The manager in our gospel lesson may have learned something as well even beyond his part in the parable…a lesson open to all of us. God’s love for us is fierce. It doesn’t always make sense, this love sometimes seems to trick us into doing and being in ways that we don’t understand. Yet, the love also produces within us a fierceness that moves us towards the other, towards accepting ourselves, and to a God who rewards us with relationships and community that may surprise us. 

Friends, may we live in a fierce love of God, not of money or possessions, or even institutional preservation…may we live loving new folks that we meet in and out of the church, and may we live loving each other even as we experience God’s love for us. Responding to the Word

Lost.

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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“To look for the flow of the divine in all things is not to disregard the external authorities of religion, nation or culture. But it is always to consult also the compass of the soul and our place of inner knowing. So often we have been given the impression that faith primarily means accepting doctrinal beliefs or precepts that have been dispensed from above. Religious leaders appeal to scripture or the prerogative of tradition, often forgetting that these outward authorities need to be read and appraised through the lens of our inner knowing and the deepest experiences of our lives in relation to the earth and one another.”

―John Philip Newell, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World

Luke 15:1-10 

The Parable of the Lost Sheep 

15 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and
rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 

The Parable of the Lost Coin 

8 “Or what woman having ten silver coins,if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

Sermon Manuscript: 

Have you ever lost anything? I know I have. Especially car keys! I try to put my keys in the same place all of the time, but sometimes I don’t. Then, when I’m running late, trying to get out the door, the sense of panic as I rush around trying to find them. Then, when I do find them, the sense of relief!

As I was preparing this sermon this week, I thought a lot about our national and international climate that we find ourselves in. It seems like we’ve lost a lot in our dialogue, or lack of dialogue with one another. We are content to toss out civility and even share outright lies, make up things on the spot or make huge statements that contribute to relational breakdowns and anxiety. We have lost something, and in this time in our culture, are we willing to look for something of greater value or simply just accept it? 

This morning our gospel lesson is about losing something and then finding it. The context is interesting. Tax collectors, folks who were not well thought of in Jewish society at the time. They’d often collect more than what was required for taxes to the occupying forces of Rome in order to enrich themselves. Then there were the sinners…folks who had somehow found themselves outside of community because of something they’d done or not done. But, they all felt accepted for who they were and they gathered around Jesus. 

Jesus didn’t condemn folks or try to control them. He didn’t want to put stress on them, he simply loved them and accepted them. He believed in them. Jesus knew their imperfection, they weren’t hiding anything, and somehow they knew that Jesus embraced them in their humanity. 

On the other hand, we also have the Pharisee’s hanging out. These were the people on the inside of the religious structure. They followed the rules, many of which they made and most were not what God had intended. These religious leaders, these insiders, were complaining and grumbling as they often did. They feared “the other” and made them out to be less than human.  They wondered aloud why Jesus would welcome these sinners (side note:  sinner is a word that is not necessarily biblical, it’s an archery term that simply means “missing the mark”, which, when applied to humans, is an impossibly standard…and who is setting the target).  Jesus even eats with these people they’ve labeled as “sinners”, which in that culture meant bringing them into friendship. 

Quite a contrast. The sinners were experiencing hospitality and radical grace from Jesus…so were the Pharisees. Yet, the sinners were drawn in closer to Jesus and the Pharisees, for the most part, kept their distance and complained. 

So, Jesus goes into these two parables. The first about losing one sheep out of a hundred. Some might say why go after one, take care of the rest…you still have 99. Yet, Jesus is saying that this sheep matters, that we all matter. And, if one of us is lost or feels marginalized, then leaving the majority and going after the minority is God’s imperative. Work hard to find that lost sheep. 

Then, when finding it, call the neighbors and friends over, have a celebration. 

The story goes on to say that’s exactly what happens in the universe all around us, that’s what God does…God rejoices when one sinner, someone who’s maybe feeling lost, repents. 

Again, we’ve said this before about repent, in Greek it’s metanoia, which means to change one’s mind, which then also begins to change one’s heart. When that happens, conversion or transformation can take root and someone begins the deeper journey of remember their humanity, or their “made in the image of God” Selves.  

In a similar way, Jesus talks about a woman who loses a coin. She lights a lamp, sweeps, does some work in her house to find that coin. She has 10, so losing one still leaves her with 9. But, she still knows something is missing. When she finds it, she calls in her friends and neighbors and celebrates as well. 

Again, the writer says God does the same. 

Jesus is trying to tell us that we all experience being lost. And that God wants us to be found and is searching us all out. Sinners and Pharisees…all of humanity… When we experience things in our lives where we know something is missing inside of us, or maybe even outside of us. When we know we feel empty or alone, or when we have done something to others or others have done something to us, that those can be opportunities to search for something of great value within us and with others.  To let go of all else to find the one thing that we’ve always wanted, being fully alive as found in God that resides within and all around us.  

The sinners, well, in this story, they repent, or have metanoia, and move forward. Jesus isn’t trying to control them, on the contrary, he’s freeing them and leading them towards a great treasure. Relational connection within themselves, others, and God. Life begins to be a joy and a cause for celebration. 

On the other hand, the religious leaders can’t let go of their stuff. When they lose it, they simply circle the wagons, silo themselves off, they don’t do the hard work of searching  for what is lost, but settle for what they have left. When they see Jesus, when they experience the crowds coming around Jesus, they grumble and complain that Jesus is doing right or the way they’ve always done things. So, they end up becoming more bitter, more anxious. 

Yet, Jesus doesn’t give up on them either. They may not know they are lost, they may not even want to be found. But, they are still human and still connected…so there is hope for them also to experience God’s love and to celebrate and experience real life. 

There’s a lot in this morning’s passage for us. Where do we find ourselves in these stories? Are we lost and are we willing to look for what we’ve lost? Are we willing to do the work to find ourselves in a place of growth and love in our lives? Or, are we OK to settle for what we think we have? Are we willing to know who we are and look at ourselves with honesty first before we complain and grumble about what others do or don’t do? Will we choose bitterness and lostness or celebration with each other and joy in friendships?

I have experienced WFPC, our community, as one that has let go and is letting God’s image rise up within and all around us…so, let’s celebrate as we continue our journey together!  What was lost is being found!

Cost.

/ jonesyuk / Leave a comment

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

“God our creator and sustainer, You feed your children with the true manna, the living bread from heaven. Let this holy food sustain us through our earthly pilgrimage until we come to that place where hunger and thirst are no more, through Jesus the Christ, our Brother. Amen”

―Celtic Communion Prayer

Luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Discipleship

25 Now large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26 “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33 So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions.

One of my passions over the years has been backpacking. I’ve had some amazing trips throughout the US and Canada. I’ve also taken groups of high school students on some amazing adventures, as well as with friends and family.  For example, when I took our son and a friends of his to the Tetons in May.  

I even like the process of preparing for a backpacking trip.  One other example, and one of the most enjoyable trips was a trek to climb Mt. Whitney with some of my closest friends while I was at seminary in California working on my M.Div.

We started several months before as we had to apply for a permit to climb Mt. Whitney with the National Forest service. It was a lottery system and we were sure if we’d get it. They said to stay away from busy weekends and have no more than 2-3 folks to increase our chances of getting a permit. We picked the 4th of July weekend and had 5. Yet, we somehow were still selected for a permit!

We planned meticulously, all of us contributing something and distributing who would carry what. We planned for contingencies, and we made sure that we had everything lined up in case of emergencies, our route we’d take, etc.

We wanted to make sure that we had “counted the cost” of what it would take to do this trip and to do it well. In many ways, it was a pilgrimage, kind of like the one we are doing as a church to Iona this fall, and again sometime next year.  You plan well, but you also know that some things are beyond planning, and that as well, is part of the adventure, part of a pilgrimage.  

We did have some unforeseen issues on Mt. Whitney, but because we had counted the cost, we were able to overcome some things and had an amazing adventurous journey together…and great stories to share!  

Our passage this morning finds the writer of Luke picking up the journey, or pilgrimage, motif again with Jesus.

Jesus in on his way to Jerusalem with his disciples with a large crowd that was following him. Many of the folks in that crowd were probably neutral in terms of what they thought of Jesus, maybe just curious, but they were still drawn to him. I believe that Jesus, when he turned around and addressed the crowds, was wanting to draw as many of them who were willing to have eyes to see and ears to hear, the cost of what it means to truly follow him in the way of becoming fully human as God intended.

Jesus goes on to say that one must hate his father, mother, wife, children, siblings…even their very lives to follow him. Whoa! When we read that today, we have a very black and white understanding. But, in the first century, where family ties are central and there is an honor and shame culture like we discussed last week, Jesus is trying to break through to the crowds that there is a deeper community, deeper relationships, than simply familial relationships, that we are all bound together in our shared humanity, and we are being called into a new way of living and being with one another. Jesus is not telling the crowd that family isn’t important, but that there is a deeper bond, a oneness with all of humanity and that is a deeper priority.  

The word hate as understood by a first century audience is equivalent to disgrace. Are you willing to be shamed, to risk your honor, by walking towards a love for all of humanity, to follow Jesus, the reformer of a system that you’ve been brought up in? Are you willing to risk everything to be a part of the ethos and reality of the Kingdom of God that Jesus is sharing?

If you are, count the cost. Jesus goes into the metaphors of building a tower and a war campaign…build a strong foundation first, but also build something on top of that foundation. If you are going to wage a war, do you have enough fighters? I wouldn’t read into the metaphors too much other than Jesus is using some imagery that folks could understand, contemporary examples, that’s telling the crowds that following him is more than simply showing up at an event or at the temple occasionally, it’s all about a lifestyle.

It’s also about letting go and letting something deeper within you and all around you emerge, be born or remembered anew if you will.

We hold on to so much. We hold on to our shame, our image of honor, or possessions such as material wealth, even those possessions we hold in common like a neighborhood, a country, or even a church. Yet, Jesus is saying that we should let go of the vision or image that we’ve created to live into a better vision of what God intends….to move to the deeper places of who we are and to love those things out of our depth of being, of our divine image, and not out of our own image.  

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a great German reformed theologian. He lived through Nazi Germany until he was arrested for his role in an attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler. Which, we won’t have much commentary on today, there’s so much more to Bonhoeffer’s life.

He also wrote some great books like the Cost of Discipleship where he says that the grace we have isn’t cheap…it has a cost, it is painful as witnessed in our lives and in the crucifixion of Jesus. We are invited into a better story, a better way of living, yes, but that comes at the cost of having to look deep inside of us to where our loyalties lie, to be aware of what it means to ask ourselves hard questions and be willing to trust in the mystery of God around and in us, and ofGod’s vision for our lives.

We are reminded of God’s calling to us to be that community that God calls in scripture the body of Christ. Jesus is not only calling us through the scriptures to live in the reality that we are all in the presence of Christ, but to bid farewell to whatever is holding on to us or that we are holding on to that prevents us from truly coming alive through Christ being present with us now, in this space, and in all of time…this sacred moment is to remind of God’s work in our midst on our behalf.