www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ronald White
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.
Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not become idolaters as some of them did; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.' We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents. And do not complain as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and s/he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing s/he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. NRSV
We who have journeyed through the Catholic, Lutheran, Southern Baptist, Missionary Baptist, A.M.E. or another conserving theological institution on our journey to Metropolitan Community Church will recognize and perhaps even resemble some of these admonitions. "Do not become idolaters!" Do not "indulge in sexual immorality!" Do not "put Christ to the test!" "If you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall!" Else, we may be "struck down in the wilderness" just like some of those Israelites who didn't make it to the Promised Land. Buck up, Christian! After all, "no testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone." Are you feeling a little "less than" you had hoped for when you decided to read your daily meditation for encouragement for your day?
Eeeyow. OK, eeeyow isn't a word; it's an exclamation of dismay that I felt when I read this passage and considered writing about it. If you are anything like me, you have spent one day too many in your lifetime feeling caught up short by what your previous church life and your judgmental Christian associates (note that I carefully did not call them "friends") have taught you about yourself and expected from you. If you don't remember the rhetoric, turn on just about any Christian radio or TV channel and spend a day listening. When I did that years ago, I asked myself "Where's the love?"
If you find yourself feeling a little troubled, perhaps even discouraged by myriad others passages like this one in the Bible, take heart. The problem isn't with you. The first problem is with the language in translation, with those who insist on taking the Bible as the literal word of God even though it has been rewritten first by hand for thousands of years and then with translators who have written and rewritten the Bible into dozens of English versions, each with their own politico-theological "spin." The second problem is the human beings who have over the centuries thrust themselves into church leadership positions, running their religious institutions based upon their own and their followers' strong need for concrete answers to questions which can at best be answered only ambiguously but which they dogmatically insist they have final answers to. If they would only begin with the most fundamental and profound question- who or what is God? - the impossibility of answering that question in any truly satisfying way would become their guidepost for accepting the relative ambiguity of the answers to many other of their profound questions. Instead, they cling to outdated and irrelevant historical thought, putting guilt, shame, and punishment on those who pose the questions and reject their neatly packaged answers. Like I said: the problem isn't you; it's them. Sad but true. But, Christianity is changing, awakening from a centuries long slumber. If you have trouble seeing it, look at our rapid growth at MCC. People like us are overjoyed to find a religious center that doesn't and leaders who don't judge us.
When I read the Bible or study Biblical literature, I cling to the unconditional love of God as Jesus pronounced it and as our pastors teach it: "Love thy neighbor as thyself." It is, Christ said, the highest commandment. My hope is bound up in the final, loving sentence of this passage: "God is faithful, and s/he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing' s/he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
communications@mccgsl.org
Showing posts with label Cultural Tradition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cultural Tradition. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2010
ily Lenten Meditation Friday March 12,2010
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ronald White
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. NRSV
If you are reading this meditation, you - like me - are on a spiritual journey. Else, you and I wouldn't have made the choice to invest ourselves in this spiritual exercise. Spiritual journeys are by their very nature intensely private experiences. The spiritual path we follow is uniquely our own: no one else can know our journey and no one else can travel it. Our spiritual journey is all about our interior life; it is a journey to places only we can go. Our external self is a reflection of the spiritual journey we are making. Our external religious practices are carefully crafted from the substance our internal spiritual path.
How, then, are we to understand these words that describe Paul's externalization of his interior spiritual life? Paul calls us to proclaim the gospel with no other reward than the act of proclaiming, no matter the cost. In order to do it effectively, he says that he had to become the servant of everyone he met. Ultimately, he claims, we will win the prize - "eternal life" - if we "run the race" well as he did.
The historical broader church has taught for now twenty centuries that the writer of these verses is Paul. These words reveal much about Paul's spiritual character and the quality of his interior life. He was a totally self-effacing man who denied himself for the service of proclaiming the gospel, the life example and teachings of Jesus Christ. Can we understand a human being who would deny themselves and become, as the writer says elsewhere, "all things to all people?" Can we imitate Paul who so completely emptied himself, including his acceptance of eventual imprisonment and death, that his interior spiritual self can be difficult to comprehend? Paul's example is powerful; but there have been others. We know that Mother Teresa lived her entire life in abject poverty for others who were also poor. So did Mahatma Ghandi. John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X all died for what they believed during the lifetimes of many of us. How are we to respond to the lives of these and others who have gone before us? Were they more perfect than we are? If we don't follow them down their spiritual path, how do we overcome the guilt and shame which we may feel for not living up to their example? We go about our exterior lives, working for a paycheck, investing in a place to live, food and clothing, entertainment, and a car or other transportation. We appear to focus on our own needs first. I know I have said and have heard others express that only if our needs are met can we adequately serve others - our immediate family, our extended family, the lay ministries of the church, or myriad other causes.
The contrast between our interior spiritual journey and the life Paul calls us to is stark. No one else can know how weak or powerful our faith is, how much time and attention we devote to prayer - however we frame that experience - or to study or planning or service to others. No one else can know how much our spiritual life is "all about us" or is largely about "the others." Nor can we know about anyone else's. Our exterior life can give clues but cannot adequately reveal our truest spiritual self so that another person can know it with certainty. As revered as Mother Teresa is, she freely admitted that she suffered internal demons for most of her life.
The spiritual power implicit in the experience of Paul and the others that allowed them to freely give of themselves is something that we can obtain in our lives. We are called to a higher externalization of our private interior spiritual life. How, then, shall we live?
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ronald White
1 Corinthians 9:16-27
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe betide me if I do not proclaim the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I might by any means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable garland, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified. NRSV
If you are reading this meditation, you - like me - are on a spiritual journey. Else, you and I wouldn't have made the choice to invest ourselves in this spiritual exercise. Spiritual journeys are by their very nature intensely private experiences. The spiritual path we follow is uniquely our own: no one else can know our journey and no one else can travel it. Our spiritual journey is all about our interior life; it is a journey to places only we can go. Our external self is a reflection of the spiritual journey we are making. Our external religious practices are carefully crafted from the substance our internal spiritual path.
How, then, are we to understand these words that describe Paul's externalization of his interior spiritual life? Paul calls us to proclaim the gospel with no other reward than the act of proclaiming, no matter the cost. In order to do it effectively, he says that he had to become the servant of everyone he met. Ultimately, he claims, we will win the prize - "eternal life" - if we "run the race" well as he did.
The historical broader church has taught for now twenty centuries that the writer of these verses is Paul. These words reveal much about Paul's spiritual character and the quality of his interior life. He was a totally self-effacing man who denied himself for the service of proclaiming the gospel, the life example and teachings of Jesus Christ. Can we understand a human being who would deny themselves and become, as the writer says elsewhere, "all things to all people?" Can we imitate Paul who so completely emptied himself, including his acceptance of eventual imprisonment and death, that his interior spiritual self can be difficult to comprehend? Paul's example is powerful; but there have been others. We know that Mother Teresa lived her entire life in abject poverty for others who were also poor. So did Mahatma Ghandi. John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X all died for what they believed during the lifetimes of many of us. How are we to respond to the lives of these and others who have gone before us? Were they more perfect than we are? If we don't follow them down their spiritual path, how do we overcome the guilt and shame which we may feel for not living up to their example? We go about our exterior lives, working for a paycheck, investing in a place to live, food and clothing, entertainment, and a car or other transportation. We appear to focus on our own needs first. I know I have said and have heard others express that only if our needs are met can we adequately serve others - our immediate family, our extended family, the lay ministries of the church, or myriad other causes.
The contrast between our interior spiritual journey and the life Paul calls us to is stark. No one else can know how weak or powerful our faith is, how much time and attention we devote to prayer - however we frame that experience - or to study or planning or service to others. No one else can know how much our spiritual life is "all about us" or is largely about "the others." Nor can we know about anyone else's. Our exterior life can give clues but cannot adequately reveal our truest spiritual self so that another person can know it with certainty. As revered as Mother Teresa is, she freely admitted that she suffered internal demons for most of her life.
The spiritual power implicit in the experience of Paul and the others that allowed them to freely give of themselves is something that we can obtain in our lives. We are called to a higher externalization of our private interior spiritual life. How, then, shall we live?
communications@mccgsl.org
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Daily Lenten Meditation Thursday, March 11th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 6:30-46
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, 'This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.' But he answered them, 'You give them something to eat.' They said to him, 'Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?' And he said to them, 'How many loaves have you? Go and see.' When they had found out, they said, 'Five, and two fish.' Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. NRSV
The crowd in this story in Mark is so eager to hear Jesus' words that they drop everything and go to a deserted place to greet him when he arrives. Jesus, it seems, was going to the deserted place for a well-deserved rest for his disciples and himself. When he saw the crowd, his initial reaction may have been how you or I might respond - with a big sigh because there would be no rest for him. Immediately, he had compassion on the crowd and began to teach them.
A consistent dual purpose is evident in the ministry of Jesus: both to care for and to preach the gospel to people. Is the Church called to the responsibility of living up to Christ's example by balancing those two tasks? Can the church effectively do social ministry, feeding and caring for those who can't care themselves, and preach the gospel while also providing public worship?
The example of Jesus certainly calls to do both. Christianity cannot exist without proclaiming of the gospel; teaching and learning the Word of God are just as essential to our faith and our life in community as praying and belonging. But, we are also called to have compassion for the suffering of those in our presence, as Jesus demonstrated in this story. Our responsibility is to be the physical body and spiritual presence of God to those in need, meeting their social and material needs, whether or not those who receive our care ever join MCCGSL. Those in need are our brothers and sisters - they are our church - whether or not they understand the spiritual principle.
At MCCGSL, we are blessed to have a wide variety of opportunities to learn and grow in our knowledge of what it means to be in relationship with God and to serve the social justice needs of the community in which we live, the community both within and beyond our church walls. For example, classes are available that help us grow in our spiritual life.
"Creating a Life That Matters" is an eighteen-week long exploration of our relationships with the sacred, ourselves and with our passion. Jackie McNeil, Vicky Stricklin, Bonnie Long, and Michael Desmond co-lead this class. The comments made by people who have taken this class is that it is utterly remarkable in the contribution it can make to one's process of self-discovery.
Reverend Sue offers a class entitled "Recovering from Homophobic Religion" which examines the fundamental misunderstanding of scripture which hundreds of years of church - not Biblical - doctrine has created. She addresses ways of healing the damage done to all of us by this theological malpractice.
Another class, "Living the Questions," led by Reverend Dave, helps us find a comfort zone where we can live with the ambiguity we face while seeking answers which may not be readily available to us. The scholarship in this video-based study is of stellar quality.
Ember Baker offers Prayer 101, a class that explores eclectic approaches to prayer; teaches us how to pray in order to build our relationship with the divine by tuning in to the Holy Spirit's voice in our personal lives; and how to pray through guided meditations. Ember uses music as well as some methods borrowed from non-Christian spiritual traditions, resulting in a creative and prayerful experience.
The Sunday morning study group, "Dream, Think, Be, Do" led by Val Jackson, tackles tough theological issues in a safe and comfortable way. Like all of MCCGSL's classes, this video-based study helps us define and clarify our individual theology, moving from where we have traveled in the past to where we prefer to go.
Another resource is weekly and, during particular seasons, daily meditations written by a team of writers who spend a great deal of time reflecting on a passage of scripture and putting in words that which has been revealed to them in their studies.
Covenant families are small groups that gather once or twice a month in a member's home for Bible Study, fellowship and prayer.
MCCGSL also has teams which you can join in order to live your faith. First is a social justice team, led by Susan Menhard, Steven Pursley, and Jonathan Wyatt, which seeks ways for each of us to become involved in local, national and/or global social justice. A second team is the Community Support Team led by Elaine Lopez and Dusty Geiger which reaches out into our community to feed and care for the those who are in need.
May this Lenten season be a reminder to us to embrace our responsibility as followers of Christ to both learn and serve others. .
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 6:30-46
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, 'Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. When it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, 'This is a deserted place, and the hour is now very late; send them away so that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy something for themselves to eat.' But he answered them, 'You give them something to eat.' They said to him, 'Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?' And he said to them, 'How many loaves have you? Go and see.' When they had found out, they said, 'Five, and two fish.' Then he ordered them to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled; and they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. NRSV
The crowd in this story in Mark is so eager to hear Jesus' words that they drop everything and go to a deserted place to greet him when he arrives. Jesus, it seems, was going to the deserted place for a well-deserved rest for his disciples and himself. When he saw the crowd, his initial reaction may have been how you or I might respond - with a big sigh because there would be no rest for him. Immediately, he had compassion on the crowd and began to teach them.
A consistent dual purpose is evident in the ministry of Jesus: both to care for and to preach the gospel to people. Is the Church called to the responsibility of living up to Christ's example by balancing those two tasks? Can the church effectively do social ministry, feeding and caring for those who can't care themselves, and preach the gospel while also providing public worship?
The example of Jesus certainly calls to do both. Christianity cannot exist without proclaiming of the gospel; teaching and learning the Word of God are just as essential to our faith and our life in community as praying and belonging. But, we are also called to have compassion for the suffering of those in our presence, as Jesus demonstrated in this story. Our responsibility is to be the physical body and spiritual presence of God to those in need, meeting their social and material needs, whether or not those who receive our care ever join MCCGSL. Those in need are our brothers and sisters - they are our church - whether or not they understand the spiritual principle.
At MCCGSL, we are blessed to have a wide variety of opportunities to learn and grow in our knowledge of what it means to be in relationship with God and to serve the social justice needs of the community in which we live, the community both within and beyond our church walls. For example, classes are available that help us grow in our spiritual life.
"Creating a Life That Matters" is an eighteen-week long exploration of our relationships with the sacred, ourselves and with our passion. Jackie McNeil, Vicky Stricklin, Bonnie Long, and Michael Desmond co-lead this class. The comments made by people who have taken this class is that it is utterly remarkable in the contribution it can make to one's process of self-discovery.
Reverend Sue offers a class entitled "Recovering from Homophobic Religion" which examines the fundamental misunderstanding of scripture which hundreds of years of church - not Biblical - doctrine has created. She addresses ways of healing the damage done to all of us by this theological malpractice.
Another class, "Living the Questions," led by Reverend Dave, helps us find a comfort zone where we can live with the ambiguity we face while seeking answers which may not be readily available to us. The scholarship in this video-based study is of stellar quality.
Ember Baker offers Prayer 101, a class that explores eclectic approaches to prayer; teaches us how to pray in order to build our relationship with the divine by tuning in to the Holy Spirit's voice in our personal lives; and how to pray through guided meditations. Ember uses music as well as some methods borrowed from non-Christian spiritual traditions, resulting in a creative and prayerful experience.
The Sunday morning study group, "Dream, Think, Be, Do" led by Val Jackson, tackles tough theological issues in a safe and comfortable way. Like all of MCCGSL's classes, this video-based study helps us define and clarify our individual theology, moving from where we have traveled in the past to where we prefer to go.
Another resource is weekly and, during particular seasons, daily meditations written by a team of writers who spend a great deal of time reflecting on a passage of scripture and putting in words that which has been revealed to them in their studies.
Covenant families are small groups that gather once or twice a month in a member's home for Bible Study, fellowship and prayer.
MCCGSL also has teams which you can join in order to live your faith. First is a social justice team, led by Susan Menhard, Steven Pursley, and Jonathan Wyatt, which seeks ways for each of us to become involved in local, national and/or global social justice. A second team is the Community Support Team led by Elaine Lopez and Dusty Geiger which reaches out into our community to feed and care for the those who are in need.
May this Lenten season be a reminder to us to embrace our responsibility as followers of Christ to both learn and serve others. .
communications@mccgsl.org
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Daily Lenten Meditation- Wed March 10th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it, he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.'
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. NRSV
In my church of origin, I was not taught to read the Bible historically or literally, but rather to read it metaphorically. One example of why I still ascribe to that way of reading scripture is The New Interpreters Bible's (NIB) explanation that the "historical" account in Mark of King Herod being trapped into beheading John the Baptist because of a drunken oath is different than the "historical" account of the incident written by Josephus, the Jewish historian. Which account is more credible? And, if Mark's account of the drunken king incident is not history, why did the writer include it in Mark?
If Mark's isn't a factual historical account, then what truth or life lesson can be found in the story of a king who goes against what he believes is right because of a drunken oath and because of what his guests might think? The NIB suggests that this depiction of Herod's actions indicates the following life lesson: "Willingness to sacrifice others to maintain honor, prestige and power remains one of the great temptations of persons in positions of authority." With the caveat that this is a temptation for all people, not only those in positions of power and authority, I agree.
Put yourself in Herod's shoes to begin to understand the lesson. If Herod was sincere in his respect for John and his desire to protect him, can you imagine how he felt when he was alone with his feelings about what he had done to John? Think how the guilt, shame, and sadness would have felt powerful, overwhelming, and all consuming. If he had ever acknowledged his feelings or allowed himself to experience them, he might have hung himself from a tree just as Judas did for betraying the Christ.
When we sacrifice what we know is right in order to look good to others by going along with the crowd, the personal cost in self-condemnation is far greater than if we stand against the crowd to do what our conscience clearly tells us we should. The biggest cost to us, however, is what happens when we do not allow ourselves to feel our painful feelings: not looking at ourselves honestly...believing that we are minimizing the pain we will experience by ignoring our feelings...stowing away those painful feelings in a stewing emotional cesspool with all the other negative feelings we've never addressed. Our low self-esteem is lowered to rock bottom by the self-destructive act of denial of what we feel and believe. And, ultimately, perhaps through injury to our physical or mental health, perhaps through their magnified and misdirected expression exploding outward on someone who doesn't deserve it, we toxically experience and express them one way or another.
What can we do to feel better about who we are? When we don't have the courage to do the right thing - or when we need the courage to act correctly - we can remember the teaching of Jesus that God's love for us is unconditional. How can we choose not to follow in Herod's footsteps? We can have the courage to do what is right because we know it is right. Nothing, neither who we are nor what we have done, can separate us from the love of God. Step out of Herod's shoes. Feel God's all-consuming love. Believe God's love. Know that as God's handiwork, as God's very own creation, you are the apple of God's eye. If you start there, it is a short step to making healthy emotional decisions based on a strong self-concept and to knowing the loving forgiveness that awaits us when we fail to. If only King Herod had known the love of God, the story might have had a different ending. But then, another story would have been needed to teach us the moral.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 6:14-29
King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, 'John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.' But others said, 'It is Elijah.' And others said, 'It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.' But when Herod heard of it, he said, 'John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.'
For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.' And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, 'Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.' And he solemnly swore to her, 'Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.' She went out and said to her mother, 'What should I ask for?' She replied, 'The head of John the baptizer.' Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, 'I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.' The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. NRSV
In my church of origin, I was not taught to read the Bible historically or literally, but rather to read it metaphorically. One example of why I still ascribe to that way of reading scripture is The New Interpreters Bible's (NIB) explanation that the "historical" account in Mark of King Herod being trapped into beheading John the Baptist because of a drunken oath is different than the "historical" account of the incident written by Josephus, the Jewish historian. Which account is more credible? And, if Mark's account of the drunken king incident is not history, why did the writer include it in Mark?
If Mark's isn't a factual historical account, then what truth or life lesson can be found in the story of a king who goes against what he believes is right because of a drunken oath and because of what his guests might think? The NIB suggests that this depiction of Herod's actions indicates the following life lesson: "Willingness to sacrifice others to maintain honor, prestige and power remains one of the great temptations of persons in positions of authority." With the caveat that this is a temptation for all people, not only those in positions of power and authority, I agree.
Put yourself in Herod's shoes to begin to understand the lesson. If Herod was sincere in his respect for John and his desire to protect him, can you imagine how he felt when he was alone with his feelings about what he had done to John? Think how the guilt, shame, and sadness would have felt powerful, overwhelming, and all consuming. If he had ever acknowledged his feelings or allowed himself to experience them, he might have hung himself from a tree just as Judas did for betraying the Christ.
When we sacrifice what we know is right in order to look good to others by going along with the crowd, the personal cost in self-condemnation is far greater than if we stand against the crowd to do what our conscience clearly tells us we should. The biggest cost to us, however, is what happens when we do not allow ourselves to feel our painful feelings: not looking at ourselves honestly...believing that we are minimizing the pain we will experience by ignoring our feelings...stowing away those painful feelings in a stewing emotional cesspool with all the other negative feelings we've never addressed. Our low self-esteem is lowered to rock bottom by the self-destructive act of denial of what we feel and believe. And, ultimately, perhaps through injury to our physical or mental health, perhaps through their magnified and misdirected expression exploding outward on someone who doesn't deserve it, we toxically experience and express them one way or another.
What can we do to feel better about who we are? When we don't have the courage to do the right thing - or when we need the courage to act correctly - we can remember the teaching of Jesus that God's love for us is unconditional. How can we choose not to follow in Herod's footsteps? We can have the courage to do what is right because we know it is right. Nothing, neither who we are nor what we have done, can separate us from the love of God. Step out of Herod's shoes. Feel God's all-consuming love. Believe God's love. Know that as God's handiwork, as God's very own creation, you are the apple of God's eye. If you start there, it is a short step to making healthy emotional decisions based on a strong self-concept and to knowing the loving forgiveness that awaits us when we fail to. If only King Herod had known the love of God, the story might have had a different ending. But then, another story would have been needed to teach us the moral.
communications@mccgsl.org
Friday, March 5, 2010
Daily Lenten Meditation for March 6th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ron White
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
To the married I give this command-not I but the Lord-that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
To the rest I say-I and not the Lord-that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.
However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.
Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God. NRSV
Without much question, this is a difficult scripture when we attempt to apply it to our lives today. Literalists have long held passages such as this one over our heads like an ax ready to fall. As we read it, we must keep in mind the ancient cultural context in which it was written and seek a relevant message for us today.
In the time of Paul and for many centuries thereafter, marital relationships were narrowly defined - between one man and one woman. Although that is still the norm, at least in Western culture, the similarities between marriage in Paul's culture and partnering relationships today are, at best, limited. So routine and prominent in the Old Testament, multiple partner marriages - one man with many wives - had ceased to be operative in the culture. Exceptions to the rule occurred in Christendom: look at Henry the Eighth of England, a Christian king with multiple wives. Gay relationships also happened, but were dismissed and condemned because they were not the accepted norm. At least within the narrowly defined Jewish subculture which was a part of the broader Middle Eastern culture, marriage had become monogamous - one man, one woman. I've always wondered how that transformation evolved in Old Testament times. No explanation is given in the Bible; marriage simply morphed without explanation.
In Paul's time, marriages were not the product of friendship, common interests, or love and affection during courtship. Treating children like owned property, parents decided who their child would marry, arranged the celebration, and initiated the consummation of the relationship which was mandated to occur during a week-long feast. The newly wed couple were expected to experience sexuality for the first time and to produce a child, if at all possible.
What are we to do with this passage?
First, read it historically just as it is written. Don't apply the norms and values of Paul's time to your life today. Paul says, "Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches." In your spirit, you know the role to which you have been called, the life God has blessed you with, difficult though it may be at times. Paul calls us in our day, just as he called Christians back in his day, to careful discernment of the way we live according to the Godly values which continue to grow and change us all of our lives. Look to those values - love of neighbor and ourselves, love of God, taking care of one another - to discern how they can best guide your life.
Second, note that Paul lets us off the hook with respect to living according to his cultural context. He repeatedly says that he is not speaking for God. "This is my rule in all the churches." Wisdom is embedded in Paul's admission.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ron White
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
To the married I give this command-not I but the Lord-that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.
To the rest I say-I and not the Lord-that if any believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.
However that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but obeying the commandments of God is everything. Let each of you remain in the condition in which you were called.
Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. Even if you can gain your freedom, make use of your present condition now more than ever. For whoever was called in the Lord as a slave is a freed person belonging to the Lord, just as whoever was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of human masters. In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God. NRSV
Without much question, this is a difficult scripture when we attempt to apply it to our lives today. Literalists have long held passages such as this one over our heads like an ax ready to fall. As we read it, we must keep in mind the ancient cultural context in which it was written and seek a relevant message for us today.
In the time of Paul and for many centuries thereafter, marital relationships were narrowly defined - between one man and one woman. Although that is still the norm, at least in Western culture, the similarities between marriage in Paul's culture and partnering relationships today are, at best, limited. So routine and prominent in the Old Testament, multiple partner marriages - one man with many wives - had ceased to be operative in the culture. Exceptions to the rule occurred in Christendom: look at Henry the Eighth of England, a Christian king with multiple wives. Gay relationships also happened, but were dismissed and condemned because they were not the accepted norm. At least within the narrowly defined Jewish subculture which was a part of the broader Middle Eastern culture, marriage had become monogamous - one man, one woman. I've always wondered how that transformation evolved in Old Testament times. No explanation is given in the Bible; marriage simply morphed without explanation.
In Paul's time, marriages were not the product of friendship, common interests, or love and affection during courtship. Treating children like owned property, parents decided who their child would marry, arranged the celebration, and initiated the consummation of the relationship which was mandated to occur during a week-long feast. The newly wed couple were expected to experience sexuality for the first time and to produce a child, if at all possible.
What are we to do with this passage?
First, read it historically just as it is written. Don't apply the norms and values of Paul's time to your life today. Paul says, "Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. This is my rule in all the churches." In your spirit, you know the role to which you have been called, the life God has blessed you with, difficult though it may be at times. Paul calls us in our day, just as he called Christians back in his day, to careful discernment of the way we live according to the Godly values which continue to grow and change us all of our lives. Look to those values - love of neighbor and ourselves, love of God, taking care of one another - to discern how they can best guide your life.
Second, note that Paul lets us off the hook with respect to living according to his cultural context. He repeatedly says that he is not speaking for God. "This is my rule in all the churches." Wisdom is embedded in Paul's admission.
communications@mccgsl.org
Monday, March 1, 2010
Daily Lenten Meditation - March 2, 2010
http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker
Psalm 62
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Yahweh comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. (Selah) For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from God, who alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in God at all times, O people; pour out your heart before God; God is a refuge for us. (Selah) Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work. NRSV
Many modern Christians may find the Psalms to be disturbingly un-Christian, violent, and raw. The psalmist has no trouble believing that always and everywhere, God is on his side. He doesn't hesitate to be completely honest with God about his own emotions or perceptions. He often asks that God wound or even kill his enemies. The psalms explore all the extremes of the human emotional spectrum from exhalation to doubt, fear, love, hope, and despair.
In Roman Catholic Monasteries around the world, monks and nuns recite or sing the Psalms daily. The Psalms are the core of their daily office, the series of communal prayers they say several times a day. The reason for this is that, as a whole, the Psalms, more than any other single source, express the entirety of the human condition -- the good, the bad, and the ugly as well as everything in between. By praying the psalms daily, they are lifting all of humanity, the entire human condition up before God continuously for blessing, healing and redemption. It is the point at which the lives of monastics, which are largely separate from mainstream culture, intersect and minister to all of humanity through prayer.
Modern Christians, particularly Protestants, tend to ignore the Psalms, except when they are turned into a catchy song. But they are a rich source for spiritual growth and wisdom when we look at them properly, and use them in our prayer lives. They show us, if nothing else, that no matter where we may be at a given moment, or what we may be feeling, we can bring it before God safely. That God can take whatever we can dish out, as it were, and that God wants the reality and the grittiness of relationship with us, not just pious lip-service and devotionals.
There are many ways to pray the Psalms. One can simply recite them with intentionality as the monastics do, using them to lift up the emotions they express, and the realities about the human condition they depict before a loving and forgiving God. We may choose to read them with the four step process known as Lectio Divina which has been taught in numerous classes over the years at MCCGSL. We can use them in a process of self-examination, where we look into our own hearts for where we can relate to or find ourselves resisting what is being said by the psalmist. We then can form a verbal prayer asking for God's guidance, healing, or transformational power to enter into us or the circumstances around us. We can choose a short phrase from the psalm and use it as a mantra in meditation. In this particular Psalm, for example, the phrase "For God alone, my soul waits in silence," Might be shortened to "My soul waits," and used as a mantra. Using a short mantra like this, or even one of the names of God, we can take the emotions and circumstances expressed in a psalm along with our feelings about what it says and any parallels we may see in the world of today, and simply be present to all of it and to God as we repeat silently in our minds, "My soul waits . . . My soul waits . . . My soul waits."
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker
Psalm 62
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Yahweh comes my salvation. God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. How long will you assail a person, will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Their only plan is to bring down a person of prominence. They take pleasure in falsehood; they bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. (Selah) For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from God, who alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in God at all times, O people; pour out your heart before God; God is a refuge for us. (Selah) Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work. NRSV
Many modern Christians may find the Psalms to be disturbingly un-Christian, violent, and raw. The psalmist has no trouble believing that always and everywhere, God is on his side. He doesn't hesitate to be completely honest with God about his own emotions or perceptions. He often asks that God wound or even kill his enemies. The psalms explore all the extremes of the human emotional spectrum from exhalation to doubt, fear, love, hope, and despair.
In Roman Catholic Monasteries around the world, monks and nuns recite or sing the Psalms daily. The Psalms are the core of their daily office, the series of communal prayers they say several times a day. The reason for this is that, as a whole, the Psalms, more than any other single source, express the entirety of the human condition -- the good, the bad, and the ugly as well as everything in between. By praying the psalms daily, they are lifting all of humanity, the entire human condition up before God continuously for blessing, healing and redemption. It is the point at which the lives of monastics, which are largely separate from mainstream culture, intersect and minister to all of humanity through prayer.
Modern Christians, particularly Protestants, tend to ignore the Psalms, except when they are turned into a catchy song. But they are a rich source for spiritual growth and wisdom when we look at them properly, and use them in our prayer lives. They show us, if nothing else, that no matter where we may be at a given moment, or what we may be feeling, we can bring it before God safely. That God can take whatever we can dish out, as it were, and that God wants the reality and the grittiness of relationship with us, not just pious lip-service and devotionals.
There are many ways to pray the Psalms. One can simply recite them with intentionality as the monastics do, using them to lift up the emotions they express, and the realities about the human condition they depict before a loving and forgiving God. We may choose to read them with the four step process known as Lectio Divina which has been taught in numerous classes over the years at MCCGSL. We can use them in a process of self-examination, where we look into our own hearts for where we can relate to or find ourselves resisting what is being said by the psalmist. We then can form a verbal prayer asking for God's guidance, healing, or transformational power to enter into us or the circumstances around us. We can choose a short phrase from the psalm and use it as a mantra in meditation. In this particular Psalm, for example, the phrase "For God alone, my soul waits in silence," Might be shortened to "My soul waits," and used as a mantra. Using a short mantra like this, or even one of the names of God, we can take the emotions and circumstances expressed in a psalm along with our feelings about what it says and any parallels we may see in the world of today, and simply be present to all of it and to God as we repeat silently in our minds, "My soul waits . . . My soul waits . . . My soul waits."
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation MARCH 1
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker
Mark 3:7-19a
Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home. NRSV
In this passage from Mark we see Jesus' ministry as a healer coming into full swing. The crowds following him, looking for healing are so large that He has his Disciples take him out onto the water in a boat so as not to be overwhelmed by the crowd pressing around him. He also chooses 12 apostles to share his ministry and imparts to them the authority to heal and to cast out demons.
In modern times we have largely replaced this healer, Jesus, with a Divine Sacrificial Lamb, image of Jesus. This Savior Jesus, come to reconcile a broken or damaged relationship between God and humanity, is certainly the one we generally focus on during this season of Lent leading to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus' Death on the cross. Lent is a season of introspection when we examine our own brokenness and our need for reconciliation with the Divine. In traditional terms, we acknowledge our own sinfulness, our failures and shortcomings and our personal and corporate need for redemption. Even so, we have this passage of Jesus as Healer and Deliverer from Demons squarely placed in the middle of this Lenten season. It reminds us that the real meat of Jesus' ministry was about transforming lives, one at a time, through healing of all sorts. It hints to us that this work of reconciliation between God and humankind and the work of healing broken people are one and the same.
So this season, instead of looking for the areas where we have sinned or fallen short of the target, as the term is used in archery, and turning to Jesus on the cross full of guilt and remorse for our sins, let's take this passage to heart and remember Jesus the Healer. Let us take courage from this passage and look at ourselves, our lives, and our relationships, deeply and honestly for the places where we are still broken, wounded or bound. Let's take a moment today to go to Jesus the healer and allow him, not only to see our wounds, but to touch them with His healing power. Let's come to him as one who can set us free from our personal demons whatever they may be and transform our lives.
And let us remember that we, as apostles of Christ, are called into His work of healing and delivering others into freedom and wholeness. Whether that be through offering kind words, caring for a sick friend, or offering forgiveness to someone who hurt us, let us take on the mind and heart of Christ as we travel with Jesus through these last days before his death.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Lenten Meditation
By Ember Baker
Mark 3:7-19a
Jesus departed with his disciples to the sea, and a great multitude from Galilee followed him; hearing all that he was doing, they came to him in great numbers from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, beyond the Jordan, and the region around Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him; for he had cured many, so that all who had diseases pressed upon him to touch him. Whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and shouted, "You are the Son of God!" But he sternly ordered them not to make him known. He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Then he went home. NRSV
In this passage from Mark we see Jesus' ministry as a healer coming into full swing. The crowds following him, looking for healing are so large that He has his Disciples take him out onto the water in a boat so as not to be overwhelmed by the crowd pressing around him. He also chooses 12 apostles to share his ministry and imparts to them the authority to heal and to cast out demons.
In modern times we have largely replaced this healer, Jesus, with a Divine Sacrificial Lamb, image of Jesus. This Savior Jesus, come to reconcile a broken or damaged relationship between God and humanity, is certainly the one we generally focus on during this season of Lent leading to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus' Death on the cross. Lent is a season of introspection when we examine our own brokenness and our need for reconciliation with the Divine. In traditional terms, we acknowledge our own sinfulness, our failures and shortcomings and our personal and corporate need for redemption. Even so, we have this passage of Jesus as Healer and Deliverer from Demons squarely placed in the middle of this Lenten season. It reminds us that the real meat of Jesus' ministry was about transforming lives, one at a time, through healing of all sorts. It hints to us that this work of reconciliation between God and humankind and the work of healing broken people are one and the same.
So this season, instead of looking for the areas where we have sinned or fallen short of the target, as the term is used in archery, and turning to Jesus on the cross full of guilt and remorse for our sins, let's take this passage to heart and remember Jesus the Healer. Let us take courage from this passage and look at ourselves, our lives, and our relationships, deeply and honestly for the places where we are still broken, wounded or bound. Let's take a moment today to go to Jesus the healer and allow him, not only to see our wounds, but to touch them with His healing power. Let's come to him as one who can set us free from our personal demons whatever they may be and transform our lives.
And let us remember that we, as apostles of Christ, are called into His work of healing and delivering others into freedom and wholeness. Whether that be through offering kind words, caring for a sick friend, or offering forgiveness to someone who hurt us, let us take on the mind and heart of Christ as we travel with Jesus through these last days before his death.
communications@mccgsl.org
Friday, December 18, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 19th by~ Lena Petty
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Lena Petty
Zechariah 8:9-17
"God who rules over all also says, 'Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of God who rules over all, so that the temple might be built. Before that time there was no compensation for human or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody - each one - against everyone else. But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,' says God who rules over all, 'for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit and the ground its yield, and the skies will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. And it will come about that just as you (both Judah and Israel) were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong!' "
"For God who rules over all says, 'As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,' says God who rules over all, 'and I was not sorry, so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah - do not fear! These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath - these are all things that I hate,' says God.' " New Revised Standard Version
We have all been apprehensive when entering into a relationship with someone who has a past that is not the most pleasant. Sometimes our prejudgment of someone can hinder us from "hearing" important messages that they may have for us. While we may always remember the past, we can try to not allow fear to determine our future. People can change. Just as God gave the Israelites another chance in today's story, we can give those we care about another chance and have a new attitude not controlled by the past.
My grandmother has a beautiful cherry bedroom that she's had for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I would play with the woodworking on the headboard, acting like I was changing the channel on the television. My grandmother would make me dust it for leaving my fingerprints all over her headboard. Twenty plus years later, my children put garbage pail kids stickers all over the chest of drawers. I was very upset with them for ruining Grandmother's chest of drawers and tried to get them off. I couldn't believe it when Grandmother's response was "Oh leave them on there. That just means they love me. You don't chance ruining the child who has a heart and feelings for a piece of furniture that cannot love you back."
Grandmother knew that she could change her mind and try something different. She knew what really mattered was doing what you know is right, even if it was different than what you had been doing all of your life.
Advent allows those of us who are skeptical about the future, because of the past, to hope. We can face today with anticipation instead of dread, because we know that it doesn't need to be like yesterday. God gives us a fresh start every day to get it right: to speak the truth, to live in peace, to love one another. What's from the heart reaches the heart..
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Lena Petty
Zechariah 8:9-17
"God who rules over all also says, 'Gather strength, you who are listening to these words today from the mouths of the prophets who were there at the founding of the house of God who rules over all, so that the temple might be built. Before that time there was no compensation for human or animal, nor was there any relief from adversity for those who came and went, because I had pitted everybody - each one - against everyone else. But I will be different now to this remnant of my people from the way I was in those days,' says God who rules over all, 'for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit and the ground its yield, and the skies will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things. And it will come about that just as you (both Judah and Israel) were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong!' "
"For God who rules over all says, 'As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,' says God who rules over all, 'and I was not sorry, so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah - do not fear! These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath - these are all things that I hate,' says God.' " New Revised Standard Version
We have all been apprehensive when entering into a relationship with someone who has a past that is not the most pleasant. Sometimes our prejudgment of someone can hinder us from "hearing" important messages that they may have for us. While we may always remember the past, we can try to not allow fear to determine our future. People can change. Just as God gave the Israelites another chance in today's story, we can give those we care about another chance and have a new attitude not controlled by the past.
My grandmother has a beautiful cherry bedroom that she's had for as long as I can remember. When I was young, I would play with the woodworking on the headboard, acting like I was changing the channel on the television. My grandmother would make me dust it for leaving my fingerprints all over her headboard. Twenty plus years later, my children put garbage pail kids stickers all over the chest of drawers. I was very upset with them for ruining Grandmother's chest of drawers and tried to get them off. I couldn't believe it when Grandmother's response was "Oh leave them on there. That just means they love me. You don't chance ruining the child who has a heart and feelings for a piece of furniture that cannot love you back."
Grandmother knew that she could change her mind and try something different. She knew what really mattered was doing what you know is right, even if it was different than what you had been doing all of your life.
Advent allows those of us who are skeptical about the future, because of the past, to hope. We can face today with anticipation instead of dread, because we know that it doesn't need to be like yesterday. God gives us a fresh start every day to get it right: to speak the truth, to live in peace, to love one another. What's from the heart reaches the heart..
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 18th~ By Kelly Durbin
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:14-30
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" New Revised Standard Version
Today we have yet a third parable about waiting. This story has a different twist to it though. Before the master leaves, he entrusts each of his servants with a portion of his property. To put it simply, he gives them money. No instructions are given in the text, but there is clearly an expectation that the handling or managing of the master's money requires some action on the part of the servants, otherwise the master could "hold" the money for himself. Without any knowledge of when the master would return, each servant set out to manage the money entrusted to him/her. As the story goes, two of the three servants invest the money so well that they double what they were given. The third servant didn't fare so well; fearful of losing what s/he had been given, the servant hides the money with no return on investment. This servant played it safe and missed the call.
When I've heard this story in the past, I've always been taught that it means we are to be good stewards of what we have, that we are to use our resources, talents, skills and abilities wisely and for the glory of God, for if we neglect to use them, they will be taken from us or at the very least be of no use to anyone if left idle. I think this is a reasonable interpretation, but I also believe there is more to the story if we look a little closer. The placement of this parable in the book of Matthew is shortly before Jesus' death, before the time when he would be leaving the disciples. It would seem Jesus was trying to use this story metaphorically to prepare the disciples for his death and departure. He was trying to provide some direction for what they should "do" while they wait for his return, for he would surely return just as the master does in the story.
So what were they to do? At first glance, it would seem they should invest and make money for an earthly kingdom to be established. But again, the money is a metaphor for something far greater...some scholars believe the investment is in people, in the mission of making disciples of all nations. This would make sense as a mere 3 chapters later, Jesus has died, been resurrected and now commissions the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 when he says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of God the Creator, of the Son our Redeemer, and of the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." New Revised Standard Version
So what is the lesson from this parable? RISK is involved in making disciples. We must do more than accept the gift of love we have received in Christ. We are not to take that precious gift and bury it in the ground! We must take risks as the two servants did to "come out" into the world with the good news of Christ and invest in the lives of others. We are to invest our time, our talents and our abilities in loving people as Christ loved us. But there is indeed RISK. Anytime we put ourselves out there, we take the chance that we may not be received; we may even be ridiculed or persecuted. Sometimes I think we can handle those harsh realities more readily than the fact that we may be "uncomfortable" as we are called to love those who are not like us. Notice the call is to make disciples of ALL nations, not just of those we identify as "our people." RISK, RISK, RISK...While we wait...May we answer the call to go and make disciples of all nations. May we take the risk to love; and lest we forget, we are not alone for Christ is with us always, to the end of the age (even while we wait).
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:14-30
"For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'" New Revised Standard Version
Today we have yet a third parable about waiting. This story has a different twist to it though. Before the master leaves, he entrusts each of his servants with a portion of his property. To put it simply, he gives them money. No instructions are given in the text, but there is clearly an expectation that the handling or managing of the master's money requires some action on the part of the servants, otherwise the master could "hold" the money for himself. Without any knowledge of when the master would return, each servant set out to manage the money entrusted to him/her. As the story goes, two of the three servants invest the money so well that they double what they were given. The third servant didn't fare so well; fearful of losing what s/he had been given, the servant hides the money with no return on investment. This servant played it safe and missed the call.
When I've heard this story in the past, I've always been taught that it means we are to be good stewards of what we have, that we are to use our resources, talents, skills and abilities wisely and for the glory of God, for if we neglect to use them, they will be taken from us or at the very least be of no use to anyone if left idle. I think this is a reasonable interpretation, but I also believe there is more to the story if we look a little closer. The placement of this parable in the book of Matthew is shortly before Jesus' death, before the time when he would be leaving the disciples. It would seem Jesus was trying to use this story metaphorically to prepare the disciples for his death and departure. He was trying to provide some direction for what they should "do" while they wait for his return, for he would surely return just as the master does in the story.
So what were they to do? At first glance, it would seem they should invest and make money for an earthly kingdom to be established. But again, the money is a metaphor for something far greater...some scholars believe the investment is in people, in the mission of making disciples of all nations. This would make sense as a mere 3 chapters later, Jesus has died, been resurrected and now commissions the disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 when he says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of God the Creator, of the Son our Redeemer, and of the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." New Revised Standard Version
So what is the lesson from this parable? RISK is involved in making disciples. We must do more than accept the gift of love we have received in Christ. We are not to take that precious gift and bury it in the ground! We must take risks as the two servants did to "come out" into the world with the good news of Christ and invest in the lives of others. We are to invest our time, our talents and our abilities in loving people as Christ loved us. But there is indeed RISK. Anytime we put ourselves out there, we take the chance that we may not be received; we may even be ridiculed or persecuted. Sometimes I think we can handle those harsh realities more readily than the fact that we may be "uncomfortable" as we are called to love those who are not like us. Notice the call is to make disciples of ALL nations, not just of those we identify as "our people." RISK, RISK, RISK...While we wait...May we answer the call to go and make disciples of all nations. May we take the risk to love; and lest we forget, we are not alone for Christ is with us always, to the end of the age (even while we wait).
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 17th by Kelly Durbin
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." New Revised Standard Version
Much like yesterday's meditation, we have another story about waiting. Only in this story, no one person is put in charge while the master, or in this case the bridegroom, is away. Each bridesmaid is left to prepare and provide for her own needs while she waits: a look at one's own soul if you will. Now, I've heard many sermons on this parable. Most have been focused on the difference between the 5 wise bridesmaids and the 5 foolish. There is a call, often motivated by fear of being locked out like the foolish, to be like the wise, prepared, ever watchful maids waiting for the bridegroom to return. While I understand how those sermons developed, I'd like to look at this story in another way. I believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work within each of us, providing new insights and fresh perspectives to face the challenges we have in our lives and in our world today.
What if the oil were really the focus of this story, rather than the bridesmaids themselves? The oil is the fuel after all, the energy that keeps their lamps lit, ready and prepared. We know that the scientific community, in theories of Quantum Physics and the like, describes God as pure energy and it is energy that is needed for fuel. I tend to think of God's energy as love, pure love. What if they had fueled their inner lamps with love? What happens when we share love? We are transformed when we love. And instead of running out, love actually burns brighter and grows. Ask anyone who has loved if this is not indeed the case! Footnotes in the New Interpreter's Study Bible indicate that the "oil represents faithful, active, obedient discipleship. It cannot be borrowed from others." This explains why when the foolish bridesmaids asked to borrow oil from the wise, the response was a negative one. But perhaps that call to faithful obedience and discipleship was misunderstood? What if the call was actually a call to love? Isn't that what discipleship is, sharing the love of God, the good news of the gospel with others, thereby making disciples through love?
If we stand ready and willing to fuel our lamps with the love of God, a direct product of being in relationship with God, then we can share that love with others and many will be transformed, including ourselves. There will be no fuel shortage, since with love there is always "enough" to go around so no one needs to be "shut out." In the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:14, Jesus gives us the church's mission, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."
During this season of advent, may we at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis be reminded, as we wait for the bridegroom. to keep our lamps burning bright with good works of love; may we indeed be radically inclusive to invite all to share our oil and to answer the call to love as God first loved us.
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! There will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." New Revised Standard Version
Much like yesterday's meditation, we have another story about waiting. Only in this story, no one person is put in charge while the master, or in this case the bridegroom, is away. Each bridesmaid is left to prepare and provide for her own needs while she waits: a look at one's own soul if you will. Now, I've heard many sermons on this parable. Most have been focused on the difference between the 5 wise bridesmaids and the 5 foolish. There is a call, often motivated by fear of being locked out like the foolish, to be like the wise, prepared, ever watchful maids waiting for the bridegroom to return. While I understand how those sermons developed, I'd like to look at this story in another way. I believe that the Holy Spirit is still at work within each of us, providing new insights and fresh perspectives to face the challenges we have in our lives and in our world today.
What if the oil were really the focus of this story, rather than the bridesmaids themselves? The oil is the fuel after all, the energy that keeps their lamps lit, ready and prepared. We know that the scientific community, in theories of Quantum Physics and the like, describes God as pure energy and it is energy that is needed for fuel. I tend to think of God's energy as love, pure love. What if they had fueled their inner lamps with love? What happens when we share love? We are transformed when we love. And instead of running out, love actually burns brighter and grows. Ask anyone who has loved if this is not indeed the case! Footnotes in the New Interpreter's Study Bible indicate that the "oil represents faithful, active, obedient discipleship. It cannot be borrowed from others." This explains why when the foolish bridesmaids asked to borrow oil from the wise, the response was a negative one. But perhaps that call to faithful obedience and discipleship was misunderstood? What if the call was actually a call to love? Isn't that what discipleship is, sharing the love of God, the good news of the gospel with others, thereby making disciples through love?
If we stand ready and willing to fuel our lamps with the love of God, a direct product of being in relationship with God, then we can share that love with others and many will be transformed, including ourselves. There will be no fuel shortage, since with love there is always "enough" to go around so no one needs to be "shut out." In the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:14, Jesus gives us the church's mission, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God in heaven."
During this season of advent, may we at Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis be reminded, as we wait for the bridegroom. to keep our lamps burning bright with good works of love; may we indeed be radically inclusive to invite all to share our oil and to answer the call to love as God first loved us.
communications@mccgsl.org
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 16th - by: Kelly Durbin
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 24:45-51
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whose master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." New Revised Standard Version
A coworker was telling me a story the other day about how her son's school teacher was leaving the classroom at various moments during the day. Whenever this would occur, she would leave a certain student in charge of the classroom. It was her responsibility to make sure that her classmates weren't talking or getting out of hand. She was charged with putting names on the board of anyone who was "misbehaving". Now I'm sure the student that was chosen to be in charge was probably a "good student", one who follows directions, completes her assignments, and helps out in class. The teacher likely used her observations of this student in the classroom to make her choice. As it turns out, however, when the teacher wasn't watching, this little girl didn't behave the same way. She picked on students that she didn't like, putting their names on the board to lose recess first, and those who were her friends could talk without consequence.
Reading today's scripture lesson made me think of that story. Many people go through life operating just as this little girl did. We are faithful servants when others are watching, especially when we think someone in authority or who has power or influence over us is watching, but when the "master" is out, we do what we want. I've experienced this same phenomenon in the work place: that often people work harder, or more quietly, and definitely more diligently when the boss is in vs. when the boss is out. Why is it we sometimes have a tendency not to do the right thing when left on our own? Do we only want to make a good impression on our teacher, the boss or others in a position of power? What about the needs of those left in our care, whether they are coworkers, customers, children or those less fortunate than ourselves who we are given a direct charge by Jesus to serve?
The apostle Paul understood the struggle. In Romans 7:14-25, he talks about knowing what he wanted to do, and yet at times found himself doing the very things he didn't want to do instead. Why? The answer is that we are human and fallible, thus prone to following our own desires and fulfilling our own needs, rather than following the example of Christ. His example was one of to loving (and serving) others as we love (and serve) ourselves. The message is not that we should deny ourselves completely, but that we must go beyond caring for ourselves to use our talents, gifts, skills and abilities in the service and care of others. If we have not taken care of ourselves, if we do not love ourselves, then we will not have the strength or even the understanding of what is needed to care for others. I think what often happens though is we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget the other part of the call: to reach out beyond ourselves. What we often don't realize is that something transformative happens when we answer the call completely by loving God, ourselves and others. We suddenly find ourselves whole.
I will tell a little story on my spouse that often brings a smile to my face...there are times when Gina will get frustrated with someone, maybe a clerk at the store, another driver on the road or a coworker who has been rude or inconsiderate. She will often say to me, "Its times like this when I know "it's" working! If it wasn't, I'd be going off on them!" What she is so vehemently declaring is that if it were left up to her, and her human spirit, she would not be kind, understanding or polite to those individuals. But because of the Spirit of God working within her, she is able to regain composure and behave in a more responsible and loving way. The apostle Paul said exactly the same thing in Romans 7:24 when he wrote, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
During this season of advent, we are encouraged to wait with great expectation for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord, just as the world waited for his birth. Yet while we wait, we are not to sit idle! We are challenged to continue working while we wait, to take care of our world (the household of God) in much the same way as the master left a wise and faithful servant in charge of the household in our scripture lesson. The question is which servant will we be: wise and faithful or foolish and selfish? Alone and under our own power, I fear we will find ourselves foolish and selfish. But the good news of the gospel is this: while we wait, the Spirit of God is ever present to come to our aid! We can indeed do all things through Christ who gives us strength and is at work within us right here, right now. May we yield to the Spirit today and every day! May it be so!
www.MCCGSL.org
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Matthew 24:45-51
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whose master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions. But if that wicked slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know. He will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." New Revised Standard Version
A coworker was telling me a story the other day about how her son's school teacher was leaving the classroom at various moments during the day. Whenever this would occur, she would leave a certain student in charge of the classroom. It was her responsibility to make sure that her classmates weren't talking or getting out of hand. She was charged with putting names on the board of anyone who was "misbehaving". Now I'm sure the student that was chosen to be in charge was probably a "good student", one who follows directions, completes her assignments, and helps out in class. The teacher likely used her observations of this student in the classroom to make her choice. As it turns out, however, when the teacher wasn't watching, this little girl didn't behave the same way. She picked on students that she didn't like, putting their names on the board to lose recess first, and those who were her friends could talk without consequence.
Reading today's scripture lesson made me think of that story. Many people go through life operating just as this little girl did. We are faithful servants when others are watching, especially when we think someone in authority or who has power or influence over us is watching, but when the "master" is out, we do what we want. I've experienced this same phenomenon in the work place: that often people work harder, or more quietly, and definitely more diligently when the boss is in vs. when the boss is out. Why is it we sometimes have a tendency not to do the right thing when left on our own? Do we only want to make a good impression on our teacher, the boss or others in a position of power? What about the needs of those left in our care, whether they are coworkers, customers, children or those less fortunate than ourselves who we are given a direct charge by Jesus to serve?
The apostle Paul understood the struggle. In Romans 7:14-25, he talks about knowing what he wanted to do, and yet at times found himself doing the very things he didn't want to do instead. Why? The answer is that we are human and fallible, thus prone to following our own desires and fulfilling our own needs, rather than following the example of Christ. His example was one of to loving (and serving) others as we love (and serve) ourselves. The message is not that we should deny ourselves completely, but that we must go beyond caring for ourselves to use our talents, gifts, skills and abilities in the service and care of others. If we have not taken care of ourselves, if we do not love ourselves, then we will not have the strength or even the understanding of what is needed to care for others. I think what often happens though is we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget the other part of the call: to reach out beyond ourselves. What we often don't realize is that something transformative happens when we answer the call completely by loving God, ourselves and others. We suddenly find ourselves whole.
I will tell a little story on my spouse that often brings a smile to my face...there are times when Gina will get frustrated with someone, maybe a clerk at the store, another driver on the road or a coworker who has been rude or inconsiderate. She will often say to me, "Its times like this when I know "it's" working! If it wasn't, I'd be going off on them!" What she is so vehemently declaring is that if it were left up to her, and her human spirit, she would not be kind, understanding or polite to those individuals. But because of the Spirit of God working within her, she is able to regain composure and behave in a more responsible and loving way. The apostle Paul said exactly the same thing in Romans 7:24 when he wrote, "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
During this season of advent, we are encouraged to wait with great expectation for the return of Jesus Christ our Lord, just as the world waited for his birth. Yet while we wait, we are not to sit idle! We are challenged to continue working while we wait, to take care of our world (the household of God) in much the same way as the master left a wise and faithful servant in charge of the household in our scripture lesson. The question is which servant will we be: wise and faithful or foolish and selfish? Alone and under our own power, I fear we will find ourselves foolish and selfish. But the good news of the gospel is this: while we wait, the Spirit of God is ever present to come to our aid! We can indeed do all things through Christ who gives us strength and is at work within us right here, right now. May we yield to the Spirit today and every day! May it be so!
www.MCCGSL.org
communications@mccgsl.org
Monday, December 14, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation for DEC 15th - by Val Jackson
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 32-44
'From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Messiah* is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. '
'But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Messiah but only God. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. 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, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day the Messiah is coming. 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. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Humanity is coming at an unexpected hour.' New Revised Standard Version
The Second Coming (A continuation of yesterday's the End is Near)
As we pray about this scripture, let's remember the time in which it was written. During that time, Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and Christians were being persecuted. The rapture and second coming may have been a response of, or hope for, the members of that community. In the text, Jesus indicated that his second coming would be within that generation, but there was no rapture and there was no second coming. So how was Jesus mistaken? Was he wrong about a physical second coming, period, or just about the timing? Might there be pieces, missing in the translation, that would tie it all together neatly? We don't know and we may never know.
Hebrew and early Christian writers saw God as the "master planner," so many of their writings are based on the supernatural and divine intervention. Most of us today have not seen divine intervention to the extent of the claims in the Bible. We, today, may or may not be able to believe in a supernatural rapture or heroic return of Christ. What is real to us is that the world could end as abruptly as it does in this scripture through neglect or nuclear war - not necessarily through divine intervention.
The warning to be more urgent and less complacent is, perhaps, more meaningful for us today, than for 1st century Christians. We can't afford to be so caught up in our individual lives that we cannot see where humanity is going as a whole as was the case for people of Noah's time.
Neither can we afford to disenfranchise ourselves from the world (living in, but not of) waiting for the rapture and the fulfillment of this so called prophecy.
If we remain bound by the 1st century worldview and accept this scripture as prophecy - destiny ordained by God - then the end of the world becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, brought on by ill-chosen human action and ill-chosen human inaction.
What we ordain, God ordains.
During this advent season, let us open our hearts anew, not seeking to have Christ return to us, but to have us return to the way of Christ. Give us eyes, hands and the will, Oh Lord, to turn the tide of a world headed for self-destruction. You gave us the way in the first coming. Help us to seek justice for all, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with our whole heart.
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 32-44
'From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that the Messiah* is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. '
'But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Messiah but only God. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. 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, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day the Messiah is coming. 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. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Humanity is coming at an unexpected hour.' New Revised Standard Version
The Second Coming (A continuation of yesterday's the End is Near)
As we pray about this scripture, let's remember the time in which it was written. During that time, Jewish people lived under the oppressive rule of the Roman Empire and Christians were being persecuted. The rapture and second coming may have been a response of, or hope for, the members of that community. In the text, Jesus indicated that his second coming would be within that generation, but there was no rapture and there was no second coming. So how was Jesus mistaken? Was he wrong about a physical second coming, period, or just about the timing? Might there be pieces, missing in the translation, that would tie it all together neatly? We don't know and we may never know.
Hebrew and early Christian writers saw God as the "master planner," so many of their writings are based on the supernatural and divine intervention. Most of us today have not seen divine intervention to the extent of the claims in the Bible. We, today, may or may not be able to believe in a supernatural rapture or heroic return of Christ. What is real to us is that the world could end as abruptly as it does in this scripture through neglect or nuclear war - not necessarily through divine intervention.
The warning to be more urgent and less complacent is, perhaps, more meaningful for us today, than for 1st century Christians. We can't afford to be so caught up in our individual lives that we cannot see where humanity is going as a whole as was the case for people of Noah's time.
Neither can we afford to disenfranchise ourselves from the world (living in, but not of) waiting for the rapture and the fulfillment of this so called prophecy.
If we remain bound by the 1st century worldview and accept this scripture as prophecy - destiny ordained by God - then the end of the world becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, brought on by ill-chosen human action and ill-chosen human inaction.
What we ordain, God ordains.
During this advent season, let us open our hearts anew, not seeking to have Christ return to us, but to have us return to the way of Christ. Give us eyes, hands and the will, Oh Lord, to turn the tide of a world headed for self-destruction. You gave us the way in the first coming. Help us to seek justice for all, to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love God with our whole heart.
communications@mccgsl.org
www.MCCGSL.org
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Daily Advent Meditation DEC 14th - By Val Jackson
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 15-31
So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look! Here is the Messiah!" or "There is Christ!"-do not believe it. For false messiah and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look! The Messiah is in the wilderness", do not go out. If they say, "Look! Christ is in the inner rooms", do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
'Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Humanity will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory. And Christ will send out the angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the Messiah's elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ' New Revised Standard Version
THE END IS NEAR
This passage, along with Revelation and parts of the book of Daniel are commonly assumed to be biblical prophecy about the end of the world. Many of us have heard the "End is Near" sermon preached in one format or another. That message still rings in my ears, and I can hear the preacher as he delivers it from the pulpit with an urgent fervor:
"We know the time is short," He says, "We know it won't be long because we see the signs of the times. No man knows the exact day. No angel in heaven knows the exact hour - Not even Jesus himself. Only God knows the appointed time when Christ shall appear. On that day, the sun will refuse to shine, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky and the Earth will tremble on its axis. It will be a time of great suffering and tribulation, but there will be no place to run and no place to hide. Behold...the heavens will split and all will look to the sky and see him, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, The Prince of Peace, riding on a cloud of glory, wielding the sword of power and justice. And Christ will send forth the angels to sound the final trumpet. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Afterward, those of us in Christ, who remain, who are the living Elect, will be gathered from the four corners of the earth and we will be caught up to meet him in the air. Glory, Hallelujah, brothers and sisters have you been washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you ready for that great 'getting up' morning?"
I can hear the joyful "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" coming from the congregation as the Elect rejoice in that great day of deliverance.
Even today, as I attempt to sort myth from fact, the possible from the impossible and the literal from the metaphorical, my heart feels the power of the message. Yet - my head finds it difficult to digest it. On the surface some scriptures appear to be too far-fetched to be useful, but I don't want to dismiss them immediately. Let's honor this scripture (as it reads or how we've heard it.) Let us invite in the Holy Spirit as we contemplate its significance for us. What is the meaning of the second coming of Christ for us now? Is there a message in this story which is plausible and useful?
Speak to us, I pray. (To be continued in tomorrow's devotional)
communications@mccgsl.org
Daily Advent Meditation
By Val Jackson
Matthew 24: 15-31
So when you see the desolating sacrilege standing in the holy place, as was spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; someone on the housetop must not go down to take what is in the house; someone in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, "Look! Here is the Messiah!" or "There is Christ!"-do not believe it. For false messiah and false prophets will appear and produce great signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, "Look! The Messiah is in the wilderness", do not go out. If they say, "Look! Christ is in the inner rooms", do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Humanity. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.
'Immediately after the suffering of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Humanity will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see "the Son of Humanity coming on the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory. And Christ will send out the angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather the Messiah's elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ' New Revised Standard Version
THE END IS NEAR
This passage, along with Revelation and parts of the book of Daniel are commonly assumed to be biblical prophecy about the end of the world. Many of us have heard the "End is Near" sermon preached in one format or another. That message still rings in my ears, and I can hear the preacher as he delivers it from the pulpit with an urgent fervor:
"We know the time is short," He says, "We know it won't be long because we see the signs of the times. No man knows the exact day. No angel in heaven knows the exact hour - Not even Jesus himself. Only God knows the appointed time when Christ shall appear. On that day, the sun will refuse to shine, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky and the Earth will tremble on its axis. It will be a time of great suffering and tribulation, but there will be no place to run and no place to hide. Behold...the heavens will split and all will look to the sky and see him, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, The Prince of Peace, riding on a cloud of glory, wielding the sword of power and justice. And Christ will send forth the angels to sound the final trumpet. Then the dead in Christ shall rise first. Afterward, those of us in Christ, who remain, who are the living Elect, will be gathered from the four corners of the earth and we will be caught up to meet him in the air. Glory, Hallelujah, brothers and sisters have you been washed in the blood of the lamb? Are you ready for that great 'getting up' morning?"
I can hear the joyful "Amens" and "Hallelujahs" coming from the congregation as the Elect rejoice in that great day of deliverance.
Even today, as I attempt to sort myth from fact, the possible from the impossible and the literal from the metaphorical, my heart feels the power of the message. Yet - my head finds it difficult to digest it. On the surface some scriptures appear to be too far-fetched to be useful, but I don't want to dismiss them immediately. Let's honor this scripture (as it reads or how we've heard it.) Let us invite in the Holy Spirit as we contemplate its significance for us. What is the meaning of the second coming of Christ for us now? Is there a message in this story which is plausible and useful?
Speak to us, I pray. (To be continued in tomorrow's devotional)
communications@mccgsl.org
Friday, November 20, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Nov 22nd
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Ron & Christine White
Revelation 1: 4-8
Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before God's throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings and queens of the earth. To Christ who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving God and Parent, to God be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! Christ is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see Christ;
even those that pieced Christ;
and on Christ's account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and Omega," says God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
What does it mean to have a God who does not have a noun for a name - a God who isn't a person, place or thing, a God who tells us that God is beyond our comprehension? In many ancient cultures, a name captures the essence of a person or thing. The God of the Hebrews whom we claim today as our God is a God of "being" or "presence." The Old and New Testament writers testify to a God who was personally active in their midst, in Israel and the early Christian community. Today, some of us recognize God's presence, albeit in different ways, some of us more deeply on a personal level, some of us less intimately. Whatever our personal circumstances, most of us understand our God to be the ultimate presence throughout the entire universe. Many of us believe that God is personally present with us. And we believe that our Creator desires to be in a very personal relationship with us just as we do with our Creator.
So how do we recognize God's presence in our lives? Ron would say that God's presence is the consonance (harmony) in the world, while human will is the cause of dissonance (disharmony) in the world. Some consonance/dissonance examples are peace/war, justice/violence, sharing/greed. Perhaps you can imagine how the dissonance in your own life, whether self inflicted or inflicted by others, is at the root of pain in your life and is the cause of feelings of separation from God. Jesus the Christ, whom scriptures tell us is God personified, is presented in the scriptures as the example of how we are to live a life in consonance with God. Interesting to note is that the consonance in Jesus' life lead to his crucifixion. Consonance with God is not something that the powers of this world can easily tolerate.
The Spirit of God that lived within Jesus and enabled him to live a life of consonance, also lives within each of us. This Spirit is described in Isaiah 11:2 as:
"the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
How will we know when we are living in consonance? To paraphrase Isaiah 11, verses 3 and 4: "We will not judge by what we see with our eyes, or decide by what we hear with our ears; but with righteousness we will justly deal with the needy, and with justice we will give decisions favoring the poor of the earth."
As we enter the Season of Hope, may God bless us in our efforts to bring peace and justice to a world sorely in need. Amen.
Weekly Meditation
By Ron & Christine White
Revelation 1: 4-8
Grace to you and peace from the One who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before God's throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings and queens of the earth. To Christ who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving God and Parent, to God be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Look! Christ is coming with the clouds;
every eye will see Christ;
even those that pieced Christ;
and on Christ's account all the tribes of the earth will wail.
So it is to be. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and Omega," says God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
What does it mean to have a God who does not have a noun for a name - a God who isn't a person, place or thing, a God who tells us that God is beyond our comprehension? In many ancient cultures, a name captures the essence of a person or thing. The God of the Hebrews whom we claim today as our God is a God of "being" or "presence." The Old and New Testament writers testify to a God who was personally active in their midst, in Israel and the early Christian community. Today, some of us recognize God's presence, albeit in different ways, some of us more deeply on a personal level, some of us less intimately. Whatever our personal circumstances, most of us understand our God to be the ultimate presence throughout the entire universe. Many of us believe that God is personally present with us. And we believe that our Creator desires to be in a very personal relationship with us just as we do with our Creator.
So how do we recognize God's presence in our lives? Ron would say that God's presence is the consonance (harmony) in the world, while human will is the cause of dissonance (disharmony) in the world. Some consonance/dissonance examples are peace/war, justice/violence, sharing/greed. Perhaps you can imagine how the dissonance in your own life, whether self inflicted or inflicted by others, is at the root of pain in your life and is the cause of feelings of separation from God. Jesus the Christ, whom scriptures tell us is God personified, is presented in the scriptures as the example of how we are to live a life in consonance with God. Interesting to note is that the consonance in Jesus' life lead to his crucifixion. Consonance with God is not something that the powers of this world can easily tolerate.
The Spirit of God that lived within Jesus and enabled him to live a life of consonance, also lives within each of us. This Spirit is described in Isaiah 11:2 as:
"the Spirit of Wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of power,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
How will we know when we are living in consonance? To paraphrase Isaiah 11, verses 3 and 4: "We will not judge by what we see with our eyes, or decide by what we hear with our ears; but with righteousness we will justly deal with the needy, and with justice we will give decisions favoring the poor of the earth."
As we enter the Season of Hope, may God bless us in our efforts to bring peace and justice to a world sorely in need. Amen.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Nov 15
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Michael Desmond
Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I don't know about you, but for me worrying is not necessarily something that can just be switched off-even if God tells me to do it. The lifelong trials of career, children, marriage, sonship, and friendship take their toll. Over time some level of worry seems to get baked into our chemistry. It becomes a habit of sorts.
One way to break a habit is to work at replacing it with another. Have you tried the practice of thankfulness? Work at being thankful for literally everything (and if you are really searching for what to be thankful for, add opposites). For example: sunshine, rain; fresh clothes, rumpled ones; sight, darkness; people, solitude; laughter, sorrow; community, aloneness-just on and on. It's kind of a searching of everything (events, people, thoughts and mysteries) that happens to try to experience thankfulness at finding God in it.
Maybe you have heard it expressed simply as the "attitude of gratitude". (Maybe this is a practice you also follow.) This practice often clears and revives the mind. Anxiety levels can fall off dramatically. Thoughts and energies focus where they belong, on God. After all, who are we thankful to? An added bonus is recognizing the sometimes subtle experience of receiving God's grace. It is often easier to perceive when we are in a thankful state of mind.
Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness kind of follow along naturally. (Seeking, even if not achieving!)
Thank you God for the opportunity to express this viewpoint. May we find you often today. Amen.
Weekly Meditation
By Michael Desmond
Matthew 6:25-33 (New International Version)
Do Not Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I don't know about you, but for me worrying is not necessarily something that can just be switched off-even if God tells me to do it. The lifelong trials of career, children, marriage, sonship, and friendship take their toll. Over time some level of worry seems to get baked into our chemistry. It becomes a habit of sorts.
One way to break a habit is to work at replacing it with another. Have you tried the practice of thankfulness? Work at being thankful for literally everything (and if you are really searching for what to be thankful for, add opposites). For example: sunshine, rain; fresh clothes, rumpled ones; sight, darkness; people, solitude; laughter, sorrow; community, aloneness-just on and on. It's kind of a searching of everything (events, people, thoughts and mysteries) that happens to try to experience thankfulness at finding God in it.
Maybe you have heard it expressed simply as the "attitude of gratitude". (Maybe this is a practice you also follow.) This practice often clears and revives the mind. Anxiety levels can fall off dramatically. Thoughts and energies focus where they belong, on God. After all, who are we thankful to? An added bonus is recognizing the sometimes subtle experience of receiving God's grace. It is often easier to perceive when we are in a thankful state of mind.
Seeking God's kingdom and righteousness kind of follow along naturally. (Seeking, even if not achieving!)
Thank you God for the opportunity to express this viewpoint. May we find you often today. Amen.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Nov 8th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 12:38-45
As he taught, he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'
The catchword "widow" links these two pericopes together. In the first story, Jesus condemns the scribes for using their position to be an agent contributing to the poverty of most widows rather than the role that Jesus sees for them as an advocate for widows, defending and seeking justice for them.
In the second story, Jesus starkly contrasts the deficient character of the wealthy who make a show of giving from their abundance with the humble character of the widow who quietly gives all she had. His praise for the widow does not imply that Jesus approves of the social conditions that have created her poverty. Some suggest that not only is Jesus condemning the scribes whose rich taste is linked to "devouring the houses of widows" but also the religious system that taught this woman that God demanded (and in some religions still demands) such a sacrifice from the poor of the world.
This story poses the same challenge to readers today as it did 2000 years ago. Amos, Chapter 5, contains a prophetic condemnation of the rich within the sanctuary of the temple who foster injustice that reduces others in society to poverty:
"I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies
Even though you offer me your burnt
Offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
And the offerings of well-being
Of your fatted animals
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps."
By our deeds, we the people of MetropolitanCommunityChurch are defining ourselves more and more every year as a social justice church. Both the Mark and the Amos stories indicate that this is a mission that God finds worthy. The Amos passage ends with these words:
"But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever flowing stream."
May God bless us as we provide sanctuary and seek justice for those who cannot do it for themselves.
Weekly Meditation
By Christine White
Mark 12:38-45
As he taught, he said, 'Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.'
He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.'
The catchword "widow" links these two pericopes together. In the first story, Jesus condemns the scribes for using their position to be an agent contributing to the poverty of most widows rather than the role that Jesus sees for them as an advocate for widows, defending and seeking justice for them.
In the second story, Jesus starkly contrasts the deficient character of the wealthy who make a show of giving from their abundance with the humble character of the widow who quietly gives all she had. His praise for the widow does not imply that Jesus approves of the social conditions that have created her poverty. Some suggest that not only is Jesus condemning the scribes whose rich taste is linked to "devouring the houses of widows" but also the religious system that taught this woman that God demanded (and in some religions still demands) such a sacrifice from the poor of the world.
This story poses the same challenge to readers today as it did 2000 years ago. Amos, Chapter 5, contains a prophetic condemnation of the rich within the sanctuary of the temple who foster injustice that reduces others in society to poverty:
"I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies
Even though you offer me your burnt
Offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
And the offerings of well-being
Of your fatted animals
I will not look upon them.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps."
By our deeds, we the people of MetropolitanCommunityChurch are defining ourselves more and more every year as a social justice church. Both the Mark and the Amos stories indicate that this is a mission that God finds worthy. The Amos passage ends with these words:
"But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever flowing stream."
May God bless us as we provide sanctuary and seek justice for those who cannot do it for themselves.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Weekly Meditation for November 1
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
How Shall We Pray?
By Tom Robertsen
Revelation 21: 1-5
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jeusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and will live with them. They will be people of God, and God will be with them and be their God. Our God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." The One seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
This passage from the last book in the Christian New Testament is an example of apocalyptic writing, which is usually a visionary depiction of a sometime future face off between powers of good and evil. The book of Daniel could be another instance of an apocalypse.
We know almost nothing about John the author of Revelation except that he lived on a small and rather barren island off the coast of Greece. The purpose and overall meaning of John's book have been almost anyone's guess for nearly 1900 years. In fact, it wasn't even included in the official collection of biblical writings until sometime in the 4th century.
In spite of that, certain passages -- such as the one above -- speak profoundly to us as followers of the gospel message. These words can quite possibly answer the most basic Christian question: Why do we pray? What does it do for me? or What do I get out of it?
Follow with me if you will in John's footsteps. Silently meditate for a few moments on the infinite love of our God, the inexhaustible care and benevolence provided on our behalf. Shut out from your perception anything to the contrary. Feel yourself to be spiritually centered on this single divine energy source.
I believe that continuing your prayer-meditation in this way you will soon begin to experience a new heaven and earth, a renewal of everything around you. Some of the old stuff in your life can begin to fall away. "No more sea?" That's Bible talk for an end to life's turbulence.
Let's look at what follows: a new Jerusalem or an exalted city of hope; then, God as an indwelling and living presence in our lives; and lastly, a way out from a lot of the bad stuff in our lives.
This happened in the experience I wrote about last month, seeming nearly like an apostolic event. Starting in the very depth of frustration, I saw through prayer how things could change almost immediately to a time of hope and fulfillment!
This Christ consciousness is constantly inviting us in to experience renewal and regeneration in our personal live as well as in our larger church community. Truly God does make all things new.
Weekly Meditation
How Shall We Pray?
By Tom Robertsen
Revelation 21: 1-5
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jeusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men and will live with them. They will be people of God, and God will be with them and be their God. Our God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." The One seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
This passage from the last book in the Christian New Testament is an example of apocalyptic writing, which is usually a visionary depiction of a sometime future face off between powers of good and evil. The book of Daniel could be another instance of an apocalypse.
We know almost nothing about John the author of Revelation except that he lived on a small and rather barren island off the coast of Greece. The purpose and overall meaning of John's book have been almost anyone's guess for nearly 1900 years. In fact, it wasn't even included in the official collection of biblical writings until sometime in the 4th century.
In spite of that, certain passages -- such as the one above -- speak profoundly to us as followers of the gospel message. These words can quite possibly answer the most basic Christian question: Why do we pray? What does it do for me? or What do I get out of it?
Follow with me if you will in John's footsteps. Silently meditate for a few moments on the infinite love of our God, the inexhaustible care and benevolence provided on our behalf. Shut out from your perception anything to the contrary. Feel yourself to be spiritually centered on this single divine energy source.
I believe that continuing your prayer-meditation in this way you will soon begin to experience a new heaven and earth, a renewal of everything around you. Some of the old stuff in your life can begin to fall away. "No more sea?" That's Bible talk for an end to life's turbulence.
Let's look at what follows: a new Jerusalem or an exalted city of hope; then, God as an indwelling and living presence in our lives; and lastly, a way out from a lot of the bad stuff in our lives.
This happened in the experience I wrote about last month, seeming nearly like an apostolic event. Starting in the very depth of frustration, I saw through prayer how things could change almost immediately to a time of hope and fulfillment!
This Christ consciousness is constantly inviting us in to experience renewal and regeneration in our personal live as well as in our larger church community. Truly God does make all things new.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Weekly Medidation for October 24th ~ Rev. Sue Yarber
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Rev Sue Yarber
Jeremiah 31: 7-9
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
'Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.'
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Mark 10:46-52
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stood still and said, 'Call him here.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart; get up, he is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'My teacher let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Both Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, come calling "Save, O Lord, your people." Jeremiah says it literally, and Bartimaeus does so figuratively. Jeremiah foretells how the Messiah "will gather up the people from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and lame." Bartimaeus is a blind beggar, for to be blind in ancient days meant that one was relegated to a life of poverty, one's only chance for survival was to beg. Blind people could not enter the temple, which was the center of community life, but had to remain outside while others enjoyed each other's company.
Bartimaeus yearned to see again. He understood that sight would restore him to the community. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving they encountered crowds and, yet, over the din of chaos they heard a strong and determined voice calling, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, surely he could tell he was blind, yet he asked what he needed. Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to state his own needs and to participate in his own healing. Receiving Christ's mercy happens when we recognize our own need and humbly confess that need to Christ. I have experienced this spiritual truth in my own life. God will allow me to struggle over and over with something until I am finally done and able to give it up to God's care. When I can identify my own need for healing and sincerely ask God to heal me, then, and only then, can I move forward in my process. God's grace, as demonstrated through Jesus in this story, can only be received through a humble and waiting heart, one that has quieted enough to hear when Jesus speaks. Jesus said, "Go; your faith has made you well." Jesus calls Bartimaeus and us to move beyond the situation for which we have requested healing. We can acknowledge how God has moved in our lives and brought healing to us. We must see ourselves as healed, not perfect, just as ones who have received mercy and grace and are grateful.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus; once healed, he was compelled to be a part of other people's healing experiences. We, too, are able to pass on the unconditional love, the compassionate care and the promise of new life to others. We have all met people who define themselves by their problems or their personal histories. They may focus on what has happened to them, or the ways in which they have been mistreated by others. They have not, yet, approached Jesus requesting healing, they are caught at the point of surveying the damage. Jesus will be there whenever they are ready to move on in the process. We are called to point that way to the foot of the cross where we are receive mercy.
Sight is so much more than vision; Bartimaeus knew that a miracle had happened and that his entire future was transformed in an instant. Help us along the path to Jesus and give us the courage and faith we need to walk as a healed and beloved people.
Weekly Meditation
By Rev Sue Yarber
Jeremiah 31: 7-9
For thus says the Lord:
Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
and raise shouts for the chief of the nations;
proclaim, give praise, and say,
'Save, O Lord, your people,
the remnant of Israel.'
See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north,
and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth,
among them the blind and the lame,
those with child and those in labor, together;
a great company, they shall return here.
With weeping they shall come,
and with consolations I will lead them back,
I will let them walk by brooks of water,
in a straight path in which they shall not stumble;
for I have become a father to Israel,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Mark 10:46-52
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' Jesus stood still and said, 'Call him here.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart; get up, he is calling you.' So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' The blind man said to him, 'My teacher let me see again.' Jesus said to him, 'Go; your faith has made you well.' Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way.
Both Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, come calling "Save, O Lord, your people." Jeremiah says it literally, and Bartimaeus does so figuratively. Jeremiah foretells how the Messiah "will gather up the people from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and lame." Bartimaeus is a blind beggar, for to be blind in ancient days meant that one was relegated to a life of poverty, one's only chance for survival was to beg. Blind people could not enter the temple, which was the center of community life, but had to remain outside while others enjoyed each other's company.
Bartimaeus yearned to see again. He understood that sight would restore him to the community. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving they encountered crowds and, yet, over the din of chaos they heard a strong and determined voice calling, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, surely he could tell he was blind, yet he asked what he needed. Jesus empowers Bartimaeus to state his own needs and to participate in his own healing. Receiving Christ's mercy happens when we recognize our own need and humbly confess that need to Christ. I have experienced this spiritual truth in my own life. God will allow me to struggle over and over with something until I am finally done and able to give it up to God's care. When I can identify my own need for healing and sincerely ask God to heal me, then, and only then, can I move forward in my process. God's grace, as demonstrated through Jesus in this story, can only be received through a humble and waiting heart, one that has quieted enough to hear when Jesus speaks. Jesus said, "Go; your faith has made you well." Jesus calls Bartimaeus and us to move beyond the situation for which we have requested healing. We can acknowledge how God has moved in our lives and brought healing to us. We must see ourselves as healed, not perfect, just as ones who have received mercy and grace and are grateful.
Bartimaeus followed Jesus; once healed, he was compelled to be a part of other people's healing experiences. We, too, are able to pass on the unconditional love, the compassionate care and the promise of new life to others. We have all met people who define themselves by their problems or their personal histories. They may focus on what has happened to them, or the ways in which they have been mistreated by others. They have not, yet, approached Jesus requesting healing, they are caught at the point of surveying the damage. Jesus will be there whenever they are ready to move on in the process. We are called to point that way to the foot of the cross where we are receive mercy.
Sight is so much more than vision; Bartimaeus knew that a miracle had happened and that his entire future was transformed in an instant. Help us along the path to Jesus and give us the courage and faith we need to walk as a healed and beloved people.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Weekly Meditation October 18th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Val Jackson
1 Corinthians 13
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. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 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. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
The Trump Card
I've always had difficulty with the concept of unconditional love. It feels unnatural and unrealistic to me. I suspect others feel the same and that is understandable. We live in a competitive world. Value and lovability are linked closely to talents, appearance, possessions, influence, knowledge, and good works.
This biblical passage teaches about the characteristics and importance of unconditional love. Unconditional love is patient, kind, not envious, arrogant or rude. In the hierarchy of desirable traits and practices, unconditional love is above all others. All others are hollow without it and only have true value with it. Unconditional love, not strength, bears all things. Unconditional love, not faith, believes and hopes all things. Unconditional love, not power, endures all things. It is the only thing that will never end. Unconditional love is the trump card in the deck.
As spiritual children, it is difficult to practice unconditional love. We tend to be self-engrossed and shortsighted. We want others to earn our love. Sometimes, we can't love ourselves unless we've "earned it". But we are encouraged to mature from children to spiritual adults. We are encouraged to rise above the temporary and the incomplete and embody a trait which has no shelf life.
God is unconditional love and unconditional love is God. Unconditional love is like a magnet. As human beings we need and are drawn to it. It makes both the giver and the recipient whole and complete. When we practice unconditional love, we practice God.
Lord, help our church body to be the trump card in our community. Let us exemplify what it means to love others without conditions and agendas.
Lord, help me, as an individual, to remember that you have equipped me with your trump card. As I interact with others, let me ask myself, "Is the trump card on the table?"
Weekly Meditation
By Val Jackson
1 Corinthians 13
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. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. 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. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
The Trump Card
I've always had difficulty with the concept of unconditional love. It feels unnatural and unrealistic to me. I suspect others feel the same and that is understandable. We live in a competitive world. Value and lovability are linked closely to talents, appearance, possessions, influence, knowledge, and good works.
This biblical passage teaches about the characteristics and importance of unconditional love. Unconditional love is patient, kind, not envious, arrogant or rude. In the hierarchy of desirable traits and practices, unconditional love is above all others. All others are hollow without it and only have true value with it. Unconditional love, not strength, bears all things. Unconditional love, not faith, believes and hopes all things. Unconditional love, not power, endures all things. It is the only thing that will never end. Unconditional love is the trump card in the deck.
As spiritual children, it is difficult to practice unconditional love. We tend to be self-engrossed and shortsighted. We want others to earn our love. Sometimes, we can't love ourselves unless we've "earned it". But we are encouraged to mature from children to spiritual adults. We are encouraged to rise above the temporary and the incomplete and embody a trait which has no shelf life.
God is unconditional love and unconditional love is God. Unconditional love is like a magnet. As human beings we need and are drawn to it. It makes both the giver and the recipient whole and complete. When we practice unconditional love, we practice God.
Lord, help our church body to be the trump card in our community. Let us exemplify what it means to love others without conditions and agendas.
Lord, help me, as an individual, to remember that you have equipped me with your trump card. As I interact with others, let me ask myself, "Is the trump card on the table?"
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Weekly Meditation for Oct 11th
www.HopeandHelpCenter.org
Weekly Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Mark 10: 17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers, and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first"
What must I do to inherit eternal life? Or another way to phrase the question might be how do I enter into relationship with God, or be restored to fellowship with God as I was created to be, both here and now, and forevermore? This is a fundamental question that is at the very heart of the gospel. Depending on our religious background or possibly for some, no religious background at all, we might answer that question in a variety of ways: we must be baptized, we must receive Jesus as our Savior, we must be born again, we must confess Jesus is Lord, we must do penance, we must give generously, we must obey church teachings, we must make peace, we must live a good life, we must love others, we must, we must, we must...when we focus on what WE must do, then we lose sight of God's part and transforming power in the relationship.
Jesus' response to the question is an interesting one. First of all he asked a question before answering in attempt to open the young man's spiritual eyes. "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." Already, we begin to get a glimpse of the message AND the character of the young man Jesus was dealing with. The young man seems to have a belief or basic assumption in operation that he is capable of making judgments about others and then also about himself. A confidence, if you will, that he can discern who is good, and conversely then who is not good. Jesus begins by stating the obvious, that no one is good but God alone. In other words, we cannot be "good" of our own accord or of our own efforts. We ALL are on equal ground, found wanting, found needing. But the young man, as we also often do, misses the point.
So Jesus, loving him, tries again as God so often does with us. Having assured Jesus that he had kept the commandments since his youth, Jesus tells him there is "one more thing" he must do. I'm sure the young man was thrilled, excited with anticipation to hear the one last thing he needed to do in order to receive the benefits of the gospel. But all of the wind came pouring out of his sails when he heard the words "go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Why this one thing? What could Jesus possibly be saying? Why this particular instruction? Maybe it's because his possessions kept him in a place of self sufficiency, relying on himself to do whatever he judged as required to inherit eternal life rather than relying on God. Self sufficiency, self interest, and self importance...there seems to be a theme here...
God calls us to "let go" of self (the "whatever is in the way") of entering fully, and authentically into relationship with God. We need to see and experience that God's love is available for us, that we can partake of the fountain, but we have to "get out of the way" first. We can't give ourselves fully and wholly to God, when we are hanging on to things that we believe will provide us with joy and happiness in their own right. Acknowledgment that we can't do it alone seems to be the first step.
May we pray the Psalm from the Old Testament Reading this week in an effort to set self interest aside and to focus on what God can do in and through us this day? Psalm 90: 12-17: So teach us (God) to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O Lord! How long? (God) Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us (God) in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. (God) Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, as many years as we have seen trouble. Let your work (God) be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power (God) to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-O prosper (Dearest God) the work of our hands! May it be so.
Weekly Meditation
By Kelly Durbin
Mark 10: 17-31
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.'" He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, "You lack one thing; go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." They were greatly astounded and said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible." Peter began to say to him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age-houses, brothers, and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions-and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first"
What must I do to inherit eternal life? Or another way to phrase the question might be how do I enter into relationship with God, or be restored to fellowship with God as I was created to be, both here and now, and forevermore? This is a fundamental question that is at the very heart of the gospel. Depending on our religious background or possibly for some, no religious background at all, we might answer that question in a variety of ways: we must be baptized, we must receive Jesus as our Savior, we must be born again, we must confess Jesus is Lord, we must do penance, we must give generously, we must obey church teachings, we must make peace, we must live a good life, we must love others, we must, we must, we must...when we focus on what WE must do, then we lose sight of God's part and transforming power in the relationship.
Jesus' response to the question is an interesting one. First of all he asked a question before answering in attempt to open the young man's spiritual eyes. "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone." Already, we begin to get a glimpse of the message AND the character of the young man Jesus was dealing with. The young man seems to have a belief or basic assumption in operation that he is capable of making judgments about others and then also about himself. A confidence, if you will, that he can discern who is good, and conversely then who is not good. Jesus begins by stating the obvious, that no one is good but God alone. In other words, we cannot be "good" of our own accord or of our own efforts. We ALL are on equal ground, found wanting, found needing. But the young man, as we also often do, misses the point.
So Jesus, loving him, tries again as God so often does with us. Having assured Jesus that he had kept the commandments since his youth, Jesus tells him there is "one more thing" he must do. I'm sure the young man was thrilled, excited with anticipation to hear the one last thing he needed to do in order to receive the benefits of the gospel. But all of the wind came pouring out of his sails when he heard the words "go sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." Why this one thing? What could Jesus possibly be saying? Why this particular instruction? Maybe it's because his possessions kept him in a place of self sufficiency, relying on himself to do whatever he judged as required to inherit eternal life rather than relying on God. Self sufficiency, self interest, and self importance...there seems to be a theme here...
God calls us to "let go" of self (the "whatever is in the way") of entering fully, and authentically into relationship with God. We need to see and experience that God's love is available for us, that we can partake of the fountain, but we have to "get out of the way" first. We can't give ourselves fully and wholly to God, when we are hanging on to things that we believe will provide us with joy and happiness in their own right. Acknowledgment that we can't do it alone seems to be the first step.
May we pray the Psalm from the Old Testament Reading this week in an effort to set self interest aside and to focus on what God can do in and through us this day? Psalm 90: 12-17: So teach us (God) to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. Turn, O Lord! How long? (God) Have compassion on your servants! Satisfy us (God) in the morning with your steadfast love, so that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. (God) Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us, as many years as we have seen trouble. Let your work (God) be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power (God) to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands-O prosper (Dearest God) the work of our hands! May it be so.
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