The Restoration Project

better-off?

2011-05-03T15:35:00.000-05:00

"The world would be better off if people tried to become better.

And people would become better if they stopped trying to become better off."

- Peter Maurin (co-founded the Catholic Worker movement with Dorothy Day)

their deeds follow them

2010-11-01T06:06:00.003-06:00

I was encouraged by these verses from the New Testament reading for today:

12 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. (or the faithfulness of Jesus)

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14)

"Their deeds follow them!" yesterday I spoke of the "wholeness of wholeness" or the fullness of salvation, ie. that we are whole people and like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), our salvation is meant to impact our whole lives. Not only does God desire our wholeness/ unity, that inner conviction and faith translate to outward actions, God desires wholeness / unity among his creation, so salvation ought also translate into forgiveness, restitution, justice, peace, etc. This indeed reflects the "faithfulness of Jesus."

This revelation passage is one more reminder that what we do, in the Lord, is important. Our deeds can be a blessing long after we die.

thy will be done... (Mt 26:36-46)

2010-07-19T06:51:00.004-05:00

Matthew 26:36-46

"could you not watch with me one hour?"

The sad and lonely question,
with the press of the powers coming down,
and talk of returning to the Father
and of broken body and poured out blood,
friends and followers choose fearful sleep
over a courageous prayer

"your will be done"

Simple words,
taught to his disciples,
prayed by millions,
but fulfilled in this one man, in the few hours that remained of his life.

For us and our salvation...

ready, set, wait (Matthew 25:1-13

2010-07-12T10:07:00.002-05:00

Matthew 25:1-13

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
(Matthew 25:1-13)

Jesus now shares three parables to conclude his discourse on the last days. He has just said in 24:50 that "the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

This first parable follows that thought, "Then" or "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom..." (25:1). Five of them are unprepared, thoughtless, and dishonor the wedding party. These girls (virgins, perhaps not even teenagers yet, or very young teenagers) were to light the way to the bride's home, in celebration, for the bridegroom to ceremonially come to get his bride. The virgins were sharing in the joy of the bride and anticipating their own weddings. It was not uncommon however, once the torchbearers were ready for the ceremony, for the groom to be delayed. That's his prerogative on his special day, the procession members were not there for themselves - it wasn't their celebration - they were there for the bride and groom.

Their unwillingness to wait and watch in readiness was evidenced by not bringing flasks of oil for their lamps, thus in effect saying they'll participate if the bridegroom comes on their timetable and is not delayed. And such would be a huge insult to the bride and to the groom - and indeed they would not be welcome to share in the families' joy.

Jesus is saying in a number of ways that we are to live in readiness and expectation, and that we can expect that his coming to make all things right may be delayed. I think he's also inferring that to insist on our schedule, our plan, our way of conducting our lives, is to be a "wicked servant" (24:48) and foolish members of the wedding party.

How often do we think God ought to do something in a certain way at a certain time? And when that does not happen as we expected, or planned for, or prayed for, we are disappointed, or angry, and even rebellious in our attitude? This can be something as little as how we relate to those closest to us ("because you did that, I'll respond this way!"), to hurts or griefs ("this justifies getting drunk..."), to major decisions in our life ("I really believed I was supposed to get that job, or get into that school, I'm not going serve the Lord so seriously for a while...").

Perhaps by extension we could also say that to live in such a way insults not only the Lord but also his church. For this is the great event we look for and long for:

"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" -

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Revelation 19:6-9)

Once again, a core issue before us is relationship and heart attitude. A right relationship, love with all one's heart, is all about the attitude, intention and desires of the heart. And this heart attitude manifests itself in outward actions (righteous deeds). I think this is what Jesus is getting at, metaphorically giving us graphic pictures that impact us and reveal his heart for his people - not to scare them with "do this or else!" but to describe faithfully living through times of waiting and suffering and wondering, and especially the Time of trial and testing and tribulation.

Blessed is he who comes

2010-07-07T09:15:00.001-05:00

Matthew 23:27-39

"For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."
(Matthew 23:39)

This verse comes out of Jesus' last comments against the Pharisees, calling out the persecution and murder in their hearts. And yet he laments the city's rejection of him.

He seems to tie in this word with his "triumphal entry" on the donkey, when the crowds were celebrating "Blessed is he who come in the name of the Lord."

Curiously, he says "you will not see me again, until you say..." Does this mean that unless they have a change of heart they will never see him again? Or does it mean that they will have a change of heart and will see him again?

In any case, Jesus' tender love and compassion is so evident here. It surely is one of the motivations that carried him through his crucifixion. And secondly, it is clear that this honoring and prayer to the true king (remember "Hosanna" means literally "save us now") is crucial. It is an expression of welcoming him, of receiving him; and is connected to the experience of his gracious, redeeming presence - to "seeing" him.

"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

weightier matters

2010-07-06T07:31:00.001-05:00

Matthew 23:13-26

"You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness."
(Matthew 23:23)

We look at half of Jesus' "woes" to the scribes and Pharisees today. I simply want to comment on this line (above) regarding what Jesus says are the weightier matters of the law. While tithing is important (that is, Jesus says it should not be neglected either), Jesus calls attention to these weightier, heavier, matters of the law.

Justice - literally "judgment" or "decision" and meaning here something like righteous judgment, decisions made (personally and in the church or community) on the basis of all the law and the prophets, on the basis of what God has said - in particular the prophetic call for justice is most often with regard to the poor and the powerless being treated justly, or that judgments be made without partiality for those without clout or resources.
Mercy - "to show kindness and concern for someone in need" and kindness and concern is shown through practical help. It includes helping people out of their misery or need. Indeed, "Blessed are the merciful..." (5:7; cf. 9:13; 12:7)
Faithfulness - this is obviously related to "faith," but also to covenant loyalty. It relates to God, but also to people.

Jesus said back in the Sermon on the Mount that "whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (5:19). We have also recently heard him say that the "great and first commandment" is "you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and the second like it is, "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (22:37-39).

These certainly are such weighty matters: loving God and loving neighbor are all about justice, mercy and faithfulness.

God is just and merciful and faithful, and his steadfast love endures forever. And he does not neglect the least. May he give us grace to love and honor him by imitating him, and by working out what he is working within us.

All his ways are justice... (Deut 32:4)
Lord, have mercy on us. (Mt 20:30)
Great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23)

preach AND practice

2010-07-06T07:25:00.001-05:00

reposted from March 3, 2008

Matthew 23:1-12

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
(Matthew 23:12)

This is the beginning of Jesus' final discourse in Matthew, which will go from chapters 23 - 25. Jesus first discourse is three chapters long, to his disciples and the crowds, and begins with "Blessed are..." Jesus' last discourse is three chapters long, to his disciples and the crowds, and basically begins with "Woe to you..." addressed to his religious opponents.

The preface here, before the "woes," is a comment on the conduct (not the teaching) of the scribes (teachers of the Law) and the Pharisees. These were more influential with the people, the crowds, than the chief priests and Sadducees. And in so doing Jesus instructs his disciples about their conduct in their pending disciple-making mission.

I do think this is hugely important, and yes, I think much of what Jesus clearly rejects here still has found its way into the institutional church, and the clergy too. Pray for us, your clergy, and for yourselves, that we may honor our one teacher and our one Father, that we recognize that we are all brothers and sisters, that we clergy not lay on burdens hard to bear or not help to carry burdens, and that "the greatest among you shall be your servant" (v. 11; cf. 20:26).

Again, this theme of humility, of great reversals in God's kingdom. I am amazed at how much Jesus has emphasized this since chapter 18. It truly is a major theme, and again points to Jesus' mission to bring the kingdom not by power or might, but through weakness, meekness, and the humiliation of crucifixion. When Jesus says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted," he is not just giving a word of exhortation to his disciples, or just a description of life in his kingdom, he is also speaking of himself, his mission, and his destiny.

"he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name..." (Philippians 2:8-9)

Thanks be to God.

political

2010-07-02T08:34:00.000-05:00

Matthew 22:15-22

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
(Matthew 22:21)

After three parables where Jesus confronts and condemns the religious leaders in the temple in Jerusalem, we have three questions from these leaders back at him.

This passage begins with the Pharisees plotting "how to entangle [or trap] him in his talk," so they send their disciples along with "the Herodians." We don't know much about the Herodians, but they were apparently friendly to Herod the Great. In other words, they were in some manner a "political" party among the Jews.

Their question is prefaced with several positive, or flattering, statements or compliments: you are true, you teach the way of God truthfully, you don't care about anyone's opinion, and you are not swayed by appearances. This last phrase is variously translated "you do not regard the position of men" (RSV), "you do not regard people with partiality" (NRSV), or "you do not play favorites" (NLT). It's a phrase that literally reads "you do not look at peoples' faces" but is translated idiomatically, which is interesting because it ties in with the trap and the answer.

The question to entrap Jesus is one that brings politics into religion. It casts another long shadow over Jesus in the form of a cross - the preferred execution method of those in power. "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"

Jesus asks for a coin, then asks whose image (likeness) or inscription is on it. He who does not show partiality or preference, who will not kiss up to the emperor, does however look at faces. I imagine him looking intently in their faces during this encounter. The word here for image or likeness is ikon, the same word in the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible in Genesis 1 when God says "let us make man in our image." The same as when Paul will later say that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15).

So give to Caesar what bears his image, and to God what bears God's image. He is saying, on the one hand, to go ahead and pay the tax, that it is in keeping with God's law for their situation. But on the other hand he is saying, Caesar is God's also. Every person bears God's image. Even this tax, even allegiance to or cooperation with the political powers that be, is all subsumed under your allegiance to your Creator, Redeemer, and King. There is a kingdom that trumps every other kingdom for our allegiance, our loyalty, our money, our lives.

Jesus is on his way to paying that price - it will be much more than a denarius, or any amount we'll send to the IRS. It's closer to our fallen soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq, or a Martin Luther King or a Benizir Butto, except infinitely more for both the weight of injustice he bore and the purity of how he conducted his mission. But it was just as political.

come to the Feast

2010-06-29T12:30:00.002-05:00

Matthew 22:1-14

"Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find."
(Matthew 22:9)

"And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests." (v. 10) Those that were invited would not come. Not only that, some of them killed the messengers. But God will have a harvest. God will fill his house with guests.

Again Jesus is going after the religious leaders. Here is the third parable in a row that he tells against them. The Pharisees have joined with the priests in the plotting (21:45; 22:15). Jesus' demise is more and more certain with each parable, with each encounter.

The second part of this parable (about the wedding garment) is considered by most scholars to be another parable that Matthew links to the first. I don't really understand "Many are called, but few are chosen." But it obviously has to do with the man who had no wedding garment. He strikes me as a wedding crasher. He wasn't there for the king or his son or even the wedding, otherwise he would be wearing a wedding garment. Obviously those who were there had wedding garments, perhaps they were provided by the king. (again this is probably a separate parable, one which was not originally about bringing in everyone at the last minute, so they didn't have time to prepare... the king didn't fill his hall with guests only to condemn all of them).

And again, I think back to chapter 13 and the kingdom parables there. A couple of them speak of the good and the bad not being sorted out until the end, by the angels. There may be those who are at the feast for a while that won't ultimately be there, but the king will sort them out.

Jesus seems to be saying two things in these parables: (1) the Jewish leaders had rejected the invitation of both John and Jesus (and the prophets before them) to come into the kingdom, and (2) though it may seem like they're are inside now, they not there for the king and for his son. Therefore they will not be there with the king and his son.

This is about dishonoring the King and his Son, despite all of his goodness and generosity. You can be bad, you can be good - just come, with thankfulness, reverence, honor and love. Just come and glory in the Father and the Son.

kingdom life and fruit

2010-06-29T12:07:00.004-05:00

again, I'm re-posting entries from a couple of years ago with minor changes...

Matthew 21:33-46

"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits."
(Matthew 21:43)

Jesus turns up the intensity some more with a second parable told against the chief priests in the temple. They are the tenants working in the master's vineyard who beat and kill first the master's servants sent to get his fruit, and then the master's son. They refuse to give to the Lord his fruitful harvest. This is getting intense; Jesus is amping up the conflict.

Jesus quotes from Psalm 118 (from the section which the crowds quoted when he came into Jerusalem on a donkey - in fact, "save us, we pray" [ESV, v. 25] is Hosanna in Hebrew): "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone." This psalm was viewed as a messianic text, or at least pointing to a victorious, vindicated king who enters the Jerusalem. Jesus is referring to their rejection of him, like the tenants killing the master's son, and to his ultimate vindication and victory.

As the chief priests answer Jesus' question they say that the master will "let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” The word for give here is not the normal word used, but has the idea of returning what is due or paying back what is due or deserved. Just as the Father is due our love and devotion and worship, so the Messiah was due trust and praise and pleas for salvation.

Then Jesus concludes, "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits" (v. 43). As we heard in the parables back in chapter 13, there will be a harvest. The master will have his harvest. These priests have shown both their rejection of John the Baptist, who declared to the Sadducees (the chief priests) "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (ch. 3), and of Jesus.

By receiving Jesus as the Savior King, by honoring him as the Son, and by trusting and following him, we can and will bear good fruit in and for his kingdom. In this way we build our lives on the rock, the cornerstone, rather then rejecting it and being broken by it.

good news / bad news

2010-06-29T11:59:00.002-05:00

Matthew 21:23-32

"Which of the two did the will of the father?"
(Matthew 21:31)

Jesus is back in Jerusalem, back in the temple, after a little conflict with a fig tree... and the conflict with the chief priests and elders builds. Today we hear the first of three parables in a row that Matthew records that contribute to the religious leaders' increasing opposition to Jesus and his ministry.

These leaders come with a question challenging Jesus' authority to teach, heal, upset things in the Temple, and receive praise as the Son of David. He asks them a question, saying if they tell him the answer then he will answer them, "The baptism of John, from where did it come?" These people out to get Jesus recognize a trap and refuse to answer, knowing that if they said John's ministry came from heaven that Jesus would confront them, "Why then did you not believe him?"

So Jesus tells the parable of the two sons who are told to go work in the vineyard by their father. One says he won't go, but then changes his mind and goes. The second says he'll go, and doesn't. And so Jesus answers the question of the chief priests and elders in this way. "The tax collectors and prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him."

Wow, the priests are told that "tax collectors and prostitutes go into the kingdom of God" before them. What a slam. Blatant sinners go in before the holy ones, corrupt traitors before righteous collaborators. How hard it is for not only the rich (19:23f), but also the religious, to enter the kingdom of God.

But the parable and real-life story here speak of good news, of grace and mercy. It also seems to show that the gospel will soften and progressively heal the receptive who recognize they need the message, and it will harden and progressively lead to destruction the resistant who insist they don't need it, who demand that God deal with them on their terms.

And yet, I think I might still hear an echo of an invitation here, even as Jesus indirectly answers their question and "backdoors" them with their continued rejection of the message of the way of righteousness and of the kingdom.

Several times a year we renew our Baptismal Covenant. It's a series of questions of what the new life looks like, both in terms of belief and behavior. One of the questions is:

"Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?" (1979 BCP, p. 304)

There is a way home, there's always a way home. There's a way back to the kingdom way if you go astray. It's the same as it was when you started the journey. Living a "baptized life" means this call to "repent and return" is part of our pattern for spiritual living.

It's not bad news that we have to repent and return, it's good news that we can.
Thanks be to God.

kingdoms clash

2010-06-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

Matthew 21:12-22

"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
(Matthew 21:15)

In our passage today we have at least two groups of people with whom Jesus interacts in the temple. There are "all who sold and bought in the temple," the "money-changers," "those who sold pigeons," and "the chief priests and scribes." Then there are "the blind and the lame," and "the children crying out in the temple."

This is the third time in three passages where Jesus is addressed "the Son of David" and the second time in a row praised "Hosanna to the Son of David!" If we continue to look back at perhaps a trend or movement in the gospel, we had the interaction with James and John and their mother about places in the kingdom, and just before that Jesus' third prediction of his being delivered over to the chief priests and scribes to be condemned, crucified, and raised on the third day.

This shift in Jerusalem to a clash with the chief priests and scribes (from the resistance and plotting of the Pharisees) is significant. The chief priests were pretty much in league with the Romans in seeking to keep Jerusalem away from the empire's wrath. Without going much further into this right now, my point is to say that Jesus' doom was more than a religious conflict. It was a spiritual conflict, in the big, cosmic sense that everything is spiritual or theological from a certain perspective. But from a horizontal, historical, or earthly perspective, Jesus' descent to the lifting up on a cross was religious and political - national, economic, and social. In other words, it was a clash of kingdoms. (Tuck this away for some meditation and prayer, we'll be coming back to it in the weeks to come.)

The first clash in the temple we hear today closes with a quote from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. These are significant for a big picture of what seems to be going on here. Isaiah is prophesying that foreigners and eunuchs will come and be welcome in the temple. The buying and selling that Jesus was condemning was happening in the court of the Gentiles, where a sign had been put up saying something like "no Gentiles past this point on pain of death." And Jeremiah is prophesying that though the people were trusting in the Temple of the Lord, because of their sin and unfaithfulness, it would not (magically) protect them, it/they had just become like the dead, barren wilderness - a haven for robbers and thieves and murderers. (Jesus doesn't seem to be condemning the actual practice of money changing or the selling of appropriate sacrificial animals for financial gain or exploitation. Both sellers and buyers are cast out. And especially with Jeremiah's context in mind, it seems to be a symbolic act pointing to something much, much bigger than Jesus' sensibilities being offended at people making a business out of religion - though that is to be condemned too!)

Jesus comes to open up God's house for all people, Gentiles and eunuchs, the blind and the lame, and the poor and the prisoners, and the children - all who welcome him, his kingdom, his salvation and lordship, his gospel. This was God's will from the beginning. Once again we see that this thing Jesus has come for is HUGE. It is so much bigger than my little problems, than my private, personal salvation -

though this humble king, this gentle Jesus, this meek master of heaven and earth condescends to make a way for me, to invite and welcome me, to heal and restore me, to lift me up out of the ashes. Then to participate with him in this cosmic clash of kingdoms, this restoration of the world, this making all things right.

Hosanna to the Son of David!
thy kingdom come, thy will be done

to be served or to serve

2010-06-24T08:07:00.001-05:00

Matthew 20:17-28

But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
(Matthew 20:26-28)

It seems so "natural" for us to seek the highest place, to want to be in control, or in the know, and in the safe, significant, secure place in power (or for our mothers to want us to be...). It's like James and John and their mother didn't even realize their fellow disciples would naturally be indignant. And again Jesus shows us another way, the kingdom way, the way to life.

"You do not know what you are asking." I hear this passage today guiding our praying as well as our actions; it's as if Jesus is implying, "Know what you are asking. Think about your requests, reflect on them. Filter them through my example, align your intentions with the movement of my life downward in humble service, pattern yourself and your prayers after me."

Jesus' very action in coming not to be served but to serve and giving his life as a ransom is not only what delivers us from eternal death, it is also the model or pattern for us to follow that will set us free. He came to rescue us from our bondage, our servitude to, our self - centeredness, self - absorption, self - exaltation, self - protection. Thanks be to God.

last first again

2010-06-23T07:14:00.003-05:00

Numbers 16:36-50; Romans 4:13-25;
Matthew 20:1-16

"Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?" So the last will be first, and the first last.
(Matthew 20:15)

We have another story, or parable this time perhaps, of value, conflict and cost; the second passage in a row to end with the last first. In this case Jesus seems to be exposing conflict not among masters and servants, leaders and followers, men and women, husbands and wives, adults and children, or rich and poor... this time it's about old-timers and newbies in the kingdom movement, in the discipleship group, in the ecclesia - the church.

This may be the Jew-Gentile issue, which is one of the major themes underlying Matthew's gospel. Interestingly, in that John 3 reaading about Nicodemus, Jesus tells him he must be "born again," born from above, born of water and the Spirit... Very likely, what Nicodemus heard Jesus saying was something like, "you must become a proselyte, just like a Gentile convert to Judaism, if you are to enter the kingdom of God, if you want to be a part of my movement." The language in John 3 sounds like baptism, and in fact is similar language to what would have been used with regard to a non-Jew becoming a Jew in Jesus' day. One of the three requirements was to be immersed, preferably in "living water" and be reborn of the Spirit of God (I think this last part, about the Spirit, was not a primary thread in proselyte conversion teaching, but can be found some with regard to Jewish immersion practice in general).

This whole disquieting parable applies in many ways to us, however, who are not Jews with the history of covenant and call and promises from God, which could draw them into a sense of preference and priority in terms of their value in the kingdom. Robert has mentioned in his "Piece" in the e-newsletter about our "truth-o-meter", I think we also may have a "worth-o-meter" - whereby we place a value on people we encounter and our interaction with them somehow is reflected in where we see ourselves in relative worth to them... This ties in to our issues of pride and shame, of perfectionism and competition, of feeling good, or bad, about ourselves. [Read this as another confession of the Director of Spiritual Formation...] Thankfully, our "worth-o-meter" can be and is being redeemed as well as the rest of us! (A redeemed "worth-o-meter" has the indicator arrow immovably stuck on the highest value...)

This also speaks to to the church, our church in particular, valuing those who are newest in our midst, or perhaps not even "members" yet. Certainly, the church ought to value the elders, those who have history and experience in our midst. But we also need the input and perspective of the newest (even of those outside) to help us really see ourselves and to be able to perceive what God is doing among us.

To conclude, what I hear in this familiar story today is compassion. The footnote to verse 15 tells us that it literally reads "or is your eye bad (evil) because I am good?" Good eye / bad or evil eye is a Jewish way of speaking of generosity and stinginess or envy. The eleventh hour workers needed a day's wage to live and provide for their families, as did the all day workers. The master generously chose to provide what was needed to all, no matter length of service (or how long one has been sitting in this pew, or holding this ministry position, or been ordained...). This is how it is in the kingdom. Rather than about work and relative worth, about place and privilege, or status, blood-line, education or reputation, it's about gift and gratitude.
Thanks be to God.

last first

2010-06-22T15:27:00.000-05:00

Matthew 19:23-30

"But many who are first will be last, and the last first."
(Matthew 19:30)

Jesus comments on the young man who went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions, saying how difficult it will be for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

The disciples are greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" (This is very similar to their response in v. 10 when they said, "If this is the way it is with a husband and his wife, it is better not to marry!" ) And Jesus says, "With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

We have these themes of value, conflict, and cost in this chapter. Jesus turns all of our values upside down, he inverts our "this is how it is or ought to be". Certainly a rich man (a blessed man) who basically kept the commandments would be considered enviable, and on an inside track to the kingdom. Not so, points out Jesus as the man walks away. That's reality, Jesus says as he looks at the man - people will choose their stuff over God most of the time, they will walk away from Jesus instead of making whatever radical change to be free from their bondage and servitude to their money or prejudices or hopes and dreams. All things are possible with God. Jesus says what seems inevitable is reversible with God. He came to set prisoners free. To deliver the oppressed. To raise up the lowly and humble trusting poor. Those who have left houses and lands and families for Jesus' sake will receive it all back manifold, and will inherit eternal life.

Here's a key to eternal life and to this upside-down kingdom, "many who are first will be last, and the last first." (v. 30) This is the theme of the beatitudes, and a repeated theme in the gospel: become like a child, humble yourself...

Yes, what is of value in the kingdom are the last, the powerless, the least; wives, children, the poor; believers and followers. But even moreso it is Jesus, for whose sake one might not marry or give away everything to the poor; it is Jesus who treasures and blesses the children; and it is Jesus who is good and who will sit finally on his glorious throne. For he is the one who took the lowest and last place, who let go of being first and exalted, and who through his death has been given the name above every name.

Those who value him most of all, those for whom no cost is too great to gain this treasure, those who have left everything to follow him, will indeed inherit eternal life, will be first with him who lives and reigns forever, and rather than going away sorrowful will enter his kingdom rejoicing.

the justice of God, the faithfulness of Jesus

2010-06-21T07:57:00.002-05:00

just a note on this great passage:

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

N.T. Wright argues that this term "the righteousness of God" might be better understood as "God's justice" (which includes a play on Rome's claim to being a just society... including their God Iustia). That is, how does this gospel relate to all God's promises and covenant with Israel, as it proclaims the kingdom of God and the invitation for all to be in covenant relationship with God.

the phrase in verse 22 might also better read, "the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe." This reading is less redundant - through faith for all who believe... is "faithful" to the Greek, and places the action, the vindication of his name, his promises, his covenant squarely on the Messiah, Jesus, and his faithfulness as representative Israel and representative Adam.

loving our poor neighbor

2010-06-21T07:20:00.002-05:00

Matthew 19:16-22

"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
(Matthew 19:21)

This passage continues to get under my skin. It's true that this was one case and one person who was basically coming to Jesus on his own terms. Jesus never responds to anyone else this way. However, we do probably squirm out of some of the radical impact this story is intended to have.

Jesus' initial answer to this man's question is "If you would enter life, keep the commandments." Then, in clarifying his initial answer Jesus seems to say that following him, trusting and obeying him is eternal life. But this man would not, could not, say "yes" to Jesus.

But Jesus' fuller response is instructive and ought to be taken very, very seriously. Jesus tells the man which commandments - those from the second tablet of the Law, summarized in "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (which, of course, is not one of the Ten Commandments but may emphasize Jesus' point).

When the young man says, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus seems to flesh out a practical example of fulfilling both tables of the Law at once. In obeying Jesus, he would be both loving God with all his heart, soul, and strength (which includes wealth), and loving his neighbor as himself. He would be trusting and believing in Jesus as he would be casting his lot completely with him, no other options.

But let's not miss that on the surface of it, at face value, Jesus puts a high premium on loving our poor neighbor practically through identifying with their needs, and through sacrifice and generosity. Picking up on one of yesterday's points - the poor have value in Christ's kingdom. That kingdom value is, again, upside down, it runs counter to the world's evaluation. And it brings both conflict and cost. Help us, Lord. Have mercy upon us.

I really like the Suffrages (BCP, p. 97-98 in Morning Prayer. Today's reading reminds me of them (note themes of peace, justice, safety, the needy, the poor):

V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

(Prayer is one thing, and action is another.)
Clean hearts, indeed, and sustained by your Spirit - for real peace in all the world.
Amen.

Is it lawful to divorce?

2010-06-18T11:29:00.004-05:00

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Matthew 19:1-12

I have a few comments about today's reading, but they will be limited mostly to casting a positive vision for disciples at Church of the Apostles. One of my most memorable sermons at St. James' (so people say) was from Mark's account (the gospel, that is) of this story... "the divorce sermon." I don't want to fuel another lasting discussion (seriously, I still hear comments about it). This is an important subject, with a lot of emotional, physical, social, absolutely life-changing weight connected to it. Hence, the disciples' response after Jesus' comments that it would be better not to marry, and Jesus' summary about being eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom (when you look up the word "eunuch" also look up the word "hyperbole", :) ).

One last thing before my devotional for today: if you haven't checked out Dwight Pryor yet, I commend him. His ministry's website is www.jcstudies.com (stands for Jewish Christian Studies). He has some excellent, in my opinion, teaching on divorce there.

+ + + + +

Matthew begins a new section, again noted with his phrase "Now when Jesus had finished these sayings..." and again reporting Jesus healing large crowds. This section seems definitely connected to chapter 18, while introducing, or revisiting, themes of conflict, value, and cost. Note that the whole discussion about divorce is premised on the Pharisees coming up and testing him. I think it's very significant that it immediately follows the teaching in chapter 18.

What is valuable in God's kingdom? How are we to treat the "weak" one? What kind of cost does that call for among disciples of Jesus? What place do the themes of chapter 18 - humbling ourselves, forgiveness, not causing a weak one to sin, seeking out a straying one, following a godly process of reconciliation, and experiencing Jesus in the midst of your union - have in this discussion? These are questions to keep in mind in thinking about divorce, NOT "how can I get away with it (and not go to hell)?"

Today's text speaks about wives (and then continues with children), who did not have the value or strength of the man in Jesus' day. Jesus recognizes and elevates their value, and consequently explicitly and implicitly clarifies the kingdom way and kingdom cost (see italics in paragraph above).

As Director of Spiritual Formation at Church of the Apostles, and as the pastor overseeing and encouraging our small group ministries, I want to share this:

For disciples of Jesus, our marriages can be our first "small group", and secondly, our families (ie. if there are children at home) can be our next small group.

By "small group" we mean an intentional gathering of 2 or 3 people to perhaps around 12, for the purpose of spiritual growth, worship,encouragement and accountability.

Having said that, most Christian wives reading this are going to think, "that's all I've ever really wanted..." And many Christian husbands are going to panic, or at least feel defensive. Please resist that response. Casting this vision is meant to unify and bless, not cause distress.

Again I'd say, if discipleship is a step-by-step journey walking with and after Jesus, then what's the next step? Do you pray together, every day? If not, how can you start in a way that works for both of you? Could you say the Lord's Prayer together? Could you sit silently and pray?

Let me simply say this (and probably further complicate things): divorce is not the unforgivable sin. Of itself, to divorce may or may not be a sinful action. I believe the import of Jesus' teaching is that if one divorces in order to marry another, that constitutes adultery. I also believe that there is a long honest, humble dialogue/journey (cf. Matthew 18) that ought to be processed through with the faith community (and not on one's own, or the couple's own) before coming to any place of thinking divorce would be permissible. However, this rarely, if ever, happens. The pain associated with marital stress can be overwhelming; the fight or flight response usually ends up in "flight"... Lord, please help us as couples and as a community.

Brothers and sisters, we have a promise from the risen one. From the one who knows all of our stuff, all of our struggles and fears and temptations; the one who bore all the pain of sin, separation, and unforgiveness in his body on the cross. From the risen, victorious king; the Prince of Peace. From the third person in every Christian marriage, who makes two one. From him who humbled himself; from Immanuel:

"If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
(Matthew 18:19-20)

restoration

2010-06-17T07:14:00.003-05:00

Matthew 18:10-20

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” (Matthew 18:15)

This is such an important passage, right in the middle of Jesus' discourse on relationships in the church. Let us note this priority of, and pattern for, reconciliation and restoration. This is a long one, but I didn't title it "two or three" because it's the length of two or three blogs...

It is so easy to draw others into our relational difficulties. It’s a dynamic called “triangling” - me (the first person) bringing a third person into a problem relationship, over and against the problem second person. We do it all the time, in our families, at work, in the neighborhood, and in church. Jesus says initially it is to be between “you and him alone.”

The process Jesus describes here has a number of components or steps, including bringing one or two people next, which would make a total of two or three witnesses to the other person’s alleged sin against you (consistent with Mosaic Law and)… which corresponds to Jesus’ promise that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (v. 20, also a reflection of one of the BIG themes of Matthew… Jesus is Immanuel, God with us, who will be with us always, to the end of the age), and finally bringing it to “the church.” We would do well to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this as a church. It’s hard stuff. But the purpose is to gain your brother (v. 15), to restore straying sheep to the fold, and to know Jesus' presence as we gather in his name.

We should not triangle others into our problem relationships, but we also ought to not allow ourselves to be triangled in another’s problem relationship. Sometimes this is easy to discern and handle, sometimes it’s so juicy or interesting or close to home that we gladly (or unknowingly) get pulled in. In such cases, we would do well to ask the person not to talk to us about it any more, and ask him or her to go alone to the other person, and not to involve you until after an unsuccessful first attempt on their part to deal with it alone, at which point you would go along as a “witness” (if you are willing to) to talk to the allegedly sinning person.

This whole concern has always been important to Christ's church. It's part of what we mean by saying we believe in "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church." The three marks of the true church, so defined by all the Reformation churches, were the Word faithfully preached, the Sacraments faithfully administered, and Discipline (or a disciplined Christian life) adhered to.

Wow, this all seems so intense… who would want to be so involved or holier than thou or whatever? Well, that may be part of Jesus’ point. If you feel sinned against, either be quiet (and pray about it) or deal with it. Don’t go spreading division and probably even half-truths about others around the fellowship (half-truths because we’re going to spin the story somewhat out of our hurt, plus we don’t know the whole story unless we talk first to that person). And also, think/pray long and hard about it before you play the judge and separate yourself from a brother or sister, or maim the body by trying to cut a member off. The unity of the Body of Christ is that important.

I do think this also relates to a brother or sister who has not necessarily sinned against you personally (like lied about you, or committed adultery, or stole from you), but who has sinned or is sinning, and because you know about it and are a fellow member of Christ’s Body and are in relationship in His church, it is in effect a sin against you and the whole church.

Now, of course, we all sin, every day. We have our habitual sins, that God willing, we are working on and not hiding. This is a great place for a small group to help us, and to function as the first couple of steps in the process Jesus instructs us in today. Some of our small groups do this, and a couple are starting with this in mind – where we would confess our sins, share our struggles, and encourage and hold one another accountable. [This is such a sign to me of God’s grace and Spirit at work in our midst!]

Finally, “binding and loosing.” These were common rabbinic terms in Jesus’ day, referring to the authority Jesus gives the church to discern and decide what is permissible and what is forbidden (cf. 16:19). This fits in to the context here because whether or not one has sinned, or is sinning, could be brought before the church (which I understand first to mean church leaders) to make a final decision (either way), and then, if necessary, communicated to the whole church.

John Howard Yoder, in his book "Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community before the Watching World," discusses binding and loosing as the first practice. Some of his points are:
- This whole process, which seems to be the central focus of the entire chapter, is not about church "discipline" - it is about restoration, moral discernment, a whole important perspective on how we will live together.
- There is no distinction between major and minor offenses.
- Any offense is forgivable, but none is trivial.
- The intention is not to protect the church’s reputation or to teach onlookers the seriousness of sin, but only to serve the offender’s own well-being by restoring her or him to the community
- What the believers do, God is doing, in and through human action.
- God will not normally do this without human action.
- This dialogical reconciling process must come first. Much Christian debate about moral issues makes the mistake of concentrating on what the standards ought to be rather than on how they are to be discerned and implemented

I have often fallen into the trap, the stumbling block, the sin of talking about others (rather than with others). I think it's rather innocent, and I really don't mean harm to others by it. But usually, if I stop and think about it (or if Brooke calls me on it), it's really because of pride, and insecurity, and exalting myself as greater than another - and because I'm not, as Jesus begins chapter 18 by saying, humbling myself, and as these last sections have called for, seeking the wholeness and restoration of my brother or sister.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

great & small (Mt 18:1-9)

2010-06-16T06:48:00.003-05:00

Matthew 18:1-6

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 18:4)

This passage begins the fourth discourse in Matthew, that is, one of those extended collection of sayings or sermons by Jesus that ends with Matthew’s formula “when Jesus finished these sayings…” (19:1; cf. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 26:1). This discourse seems to be about relationships in the “church” (this chapter has the second reference to the “church” in the gospels, the first being in 16:18.

So his instruction about being dealing with sin in the fellowship, about forgiveness, and resolving conflict, all begins with this question from the disciples, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” But before he answers the question, he calls a child and places him in their midst and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is rebuking them here. He’s saying something like, “Look, you won’t even be in the kingdom, let alone be great in it, unless you turn and change!” So an entrance requirement for God’s kingdom is becoming like children, and in some way not being concerned about who is greatest, or if you can be the greatest.

Children are able to recognize those who are greater than them, and thus try to imitate them. As prideful as I’ve been in my life, as much as I’ve really believed I could do this or that, or could have it I had worked at it or had the opportunity (much of it childish foolishness), it was generated by acknowledging the greatness of someone whom I wanted to be like, by someone “above” me. Children are also recognize their place in that order of greatness – they might not submit and serve as they ought to, but generally recognize they are not in the place to be giving orders. In other words, children recognize, or are forced to recognize, that they have to conform themselves to adults and can't expect adults to conform to them.

Perhaps Jesus is even saying something like, “Don’t you know who is greatest in the kingdom? Don’t you understand that I have humbled myself, and will humble myself, for you and your salvation?”

So he says, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” What we ought to aspire to is humbling ourselves, what we ought to look up to is the lowest place. Again, in the topsy-turvy kingdom, the way up is the way down.

Jesus is not pointing so much to a state of being that is radically honest, which is a way to define the noun “humility” (to be down to earth, real, with your feet in the “humus,” the ground), but rather to this action indicated by the verb, “to humble oneself”, which means to lower oneself in dignity or importance. The difference is important in that Jesus, who possessed perfect humility and was the greatest in reality, chose to humble himself, to lower himself in order to serve us.

Interestingly, the word “paidos” in the Greek, can be (and perhaps should be) interpreted in this context as “servant” or “slave”. It’s not as quaint and appealing, but may fit the scene better.

In any case, as Jesus teaches us about relationships in his kingdom and in the church, the fundamental principle on which it all hinges is that we humble ourselves in relation to one another. This of course is not so much a command or legal requirement; it just makes perfect sense. And secondly, it is the way of Jesus; it is the discipleship journey, for we are following the humble king, we are to walk in the footsteps of him and to have this mind among ourselves, which is ours in Christ Jesus, “who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant (different word, “doulos”)… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (cf. Philippians 2:5-8).

"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me..." As we continue through this chapter we'll see this theme come up again. Somehow, receiving a child in Jesus' name is to receive him; Jesus will be present with you, in your midst, among you, if you will just humble yourself and receive whoever comes to you in his name - for his sake, because of him, because he commands it, as his representative. And O that name... Jesus... Emmanuel.

Come, Lord Jesus - even among the least of these, and give me grace to receive you.

freedom

2010-06-15T10:05:00.001-05:00

June 15, 2010
Matthew 17:22-27

“Then the sons are free.” (Matthew 17:26)

Interestingly, this tax that the collectors ask Peter about is probably the census tax, described in Exodus 30:12 and following:
“When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them…half a shekel as an offering to the LORD… the rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the LORD’s offering to make atonement for your lives… that is may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the LORD, so as to make atonement for your lives.”

It apparently had turned into a temple tax in Jesus’ day, and around when Matthew was written the Romans demanded all Jews to pay it to the Roman government… but the original language of ransom and atonement is interesting.

Jesus seems to be saying that he and Peter are free, that they are sons of the King of the earth. However, not to give offense he provides the tax in an amazing, though kind of bizarre, way. Perhaps Jesus is showing that he is the king of the earth, or one with Him, by displaying his provision through such a way.

The King provides for ransom and atonement of his own. The King also provides for his children that they may fulfill their obligations within their society. This again may say something to us about the intersection of the kingdom and the world, or the involvement of the sons of the kingdom in the world (13:36-43), including be open and obedient to Jesus as he tells us to engage in, serve, or just be a responsible citizen and steward of our world… even if it’s in some ways we don’t understand. And all in the freedom of the children of God.

Prayer for Christ the King Sunday

2009-11-23T17:25:00.000-06:00

Collect for the Last Sunday after Pentecost
Christ the King

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

testimony that conquers

2009-11-04T07:05:00.002-06:00

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. (11) And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (12) Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 13:10-12)

This passage from today's epistle reading stirred me, in part because we plan on asking various men share their testimonies this weekend at our Men's Retreat - but also with regard to that ministry of division and slander and accusation that the evil one engages in day and night.

I wonder if the victory of the brothers and sisters referenced here through the word of their testimony is as much about being encouraged and redirected and edified through the testimony of another than about me having a testimony that I rehearse in the face of demonic, devilish whisperings or all-out accusation.

Just by personal experience, I am often very strengthened hearing a brother or sister share how God has worked in their life, how they trust God more deeply, how they are gaining victory over sin and fear through faith in Christ - which of course brings us to the main point, or person, Christ. He is the Conqueror, the Victor. All such conquering testimony will be, in some measure, His testimony.

------

One way to work on our testimony is to keep this outline in mind: before, how, after. Try to be able to share it in a couple of minutes; begin by trying to write it out on one page.
1. What was my life like before Christ - saved me / changed me / healed me... ? (does not have to be just the salvation event.
2. How did Christ change me / save me / heal me... ?
3. What has my life been like since? particularly in that area I'm reflecting on

Eg. I was very self-centered and self-sufficient, all of my life, including religion was focused around me - looking good, getting ahead, being okay in the eyes of the world. Christ revealed himself to me both as Savior and Lord; he loved me so much I couldn't believe it - it really humbled me, and he was by right my King and Lord. I yielded to his love and to his reign. I still struggle with self-centeredness, but the big direction of my life, and then all the components, I am living for him and for love. Deep down I am okay, at peace, loved and led by God; slowly, that is working its way out...

Transfigration?

2009-11-02T08:09:00.002-06:00

The Gospel reading for today's Daily Office reading is the parable of the weeds. In his explanation Jesus says that at the close of the age, the Son of Man will send his angels who will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin (scandalon) and all law-breakers, and

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
(Matthew 13:43)

This reminded me of our recent discussion on the Transfiguration, as a part of which we also discussed 2 Corinthians 3:18 -

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [transfigured] into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

And also of the last chapter of Daniel:

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Wow, kind of blows me away. Hard to think about. It's not about me, my reward, my shining, my having a secured place in the secure place. But remembering that the when Paul says, "beholding the glory of the Lord," it can also be translated as "reflecting the glory of the Lord," that helps me. Both the beholding and the reflecting. It is the glory of the Lord, the brilliant light that enlightens all, and will be the light of the new Jerusalem, that transforms me and us and all things.

Thanks be to God.

Jesus, gentle King

2009-10-22T09:14:00.002-05:00

from today's Daily Office gospel reading:

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
20 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”

I read through the Psalms also (don't use the Daily Office appointed psalms). Today's was from Psalm 145 and had the following which to me goes really well with the gospel.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your [2] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Lord, I thank you for who you are in your lovingkindness and your kingship, in your compassion and your justice. Give me grace to ever draw nearer to you, and become more like you.

not in vain

2009-10-21T07:51:00.002-05:00

1 Corinthians 15

(56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

All of our lives can be spent as the work of the Lord, this is not a reference to my work as an ordained minister! If we relate to our families, work faithfully at our vocation, love our neighbors as ourselves (which includes taking care of our own bodies, minds and hearts), because of the love of God expressed in the life and victory of Jesus, and with a view to the never-ending, ever-increasing reign of Messiah Jesus, our labor is not in vain. It has purpose, it is important, it is critical to "thy kingdom come."

Be encouraged - death, decay, discouragement, disorder... does not have the final word.
Jesus is risen and Jesus is Lord!

The Lord bless you...

2009-10-05T09:23:00.003-05:00

I read Psalm 133 this morning...

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brethren dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.

It reminded me of our Psalm yesterday, 128, in which Andy led us in a beautiful refrain:

The Lord bless you from Zion
the Lord bless you from Zion
all the days of your life
all the days of your life...

I'm still singing it. I shared with Andy (but forgot to share it in my sermon) that I thought it was a perfect example of what our homes can be like in the Lord. This song ever being sung, husbands blessing wives, wives blessing husbands; parents blessing children, children blessing parents; the Lord blessing the family, and the family blessing the Lord.

This is what can be called the "economy of mutual blessing." The idea that the principle biblical narrative is God's desire to bless and be blessed - this was his original intention in creation, and the whole biblical story (including the exceedingly important, but technically subtheme of sin and redemption) is about God bringing about the consummation of what he began.

A cool, and also very difficult, part of the economy of mutual blessing is that it is designed to flow in relationships of "differentiation." That is, God and humans - different but blessing one another; men and women - different but blessing one another; one generation to the next - different but blessing one another... and a huge one in the biblical story, Jews and Gentiles - different but blessing one another (Genesis 12), pointing ultimately to Jesus the Jew of whom all people are called to bless: "blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord."

The Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life.

the Christ, our Judge

2009-09-30T07:53:00.004-05:00

Wednesday, September 30

Matthew 7:13-21
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

I read today's Gospel reading with thoughts about the coming Son of Man, the Messiah and Judge, which we talked about in Bible study last night, still running through my head.

For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. (Mt. 16:27)

A few further reflections on Matthew 16:27 -

We've already had some pretty strong words from Jesus with regard to our actions lining up with our words and expressing the condition of our hearts and our faith. Good trees bear good fruit. There's a narrow way, and broad way - one of which requires intentionality, focus, courage, faithfulness, and radical trust. Finally, it won't be those who say, or said, "Lord, Lord" who will enter the kingdom of God's beloved Son, but those who do the will of the Father...

Amy Yearwood shared that, though the idea of judgment was scary, she trusted the character of the Judge. Good word! He is good and merciful and just - and bore the condemnation of our judgment. We can trust him, even if with some holy fear.

Lisa also reminded us about Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:
Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

And in connection with this she mentioned Randy Alcorn's "Treasure Principle" (which I haven't read), but I think the idea is that what we do now is an investment in the future kingdom. What we do for the kingdom, what we do in trust and love, what we do out of our connection to Jesus (our abiding in Jesus, cf. John 15:5), will not only "survive" but be a lasting, integral, fruitful, beautiful aspect of the eternal kingdom of Christ. [Perhaps another view of this is Jesus' speaking of having treasure in heaven, that is, investing in a kingdom "bank account," through giving to those in need. We can see this some in Matthew's gospel, but most clearly in Luke's.]

I mentioned that the phrase "he will repay to each one according to what he has done" was in the singular, which I realize doesn't make sense, at least the way the ESV translates it. A more literal translation would be, "he will repay to each one according to his deed (or his action)." One implication of this may be that it is our life as a whole more than every individual action being measured against all the others ("plus 2 here, minus 3 there..."). Tom shared that it's the deed and the motive that is considered. Here's a good definition of the word "deed" (praxis) that carries that singular sense, perhaps that it's our life as a whole that's being weighed: "a function or task, implying sustained activity and/or responsibility." This gives a sense of the whole trajectory of our lives, the motive, the direction and intention - was it for the love of God and love of neighbor?

What we do matters. Life, that is, our living is not in vain. This speaks of our dignity as created in God's image, as made a little lower than the angels with the care of creation entrusted to us (Ps. 8, Genesis 1). Jesus ensured and insured the value of our lives and our living through his death and resurrection. Thanks be to God.

humility and trust

2009-09-28T12:38:00.003-05:00

When I have short notice to share or minister, eg. a hospital visit, or a last minute Wednesday noon communion, or like today, being asked to pray with a group of peanut processors, I usually reflect on the Scriptures I've just been reading either in my daily devotions or in church.

Last evening I was asked by one of our members who owns the Summerdale Peanut Company to come out this morning and pray for them; they are entering an intense time of processing the peanut harvest and the owner is concerned about safety and honestly just desires an abundant harvest and blessing for all who will be working hard the next month or two.

I decided to use two Scriptures: the epistle from yesterday's eucharistic lectionary (James 4:6-10) and the gospel from today's Daily Office lectionary (Matthew 6:25-34). I shared a very mini-sermon after each. Here's a synopsis of what I shared and/or prayed:

Praying for safety is not a magic trick or some kind of manipulation of God or trying to convince God to do something for us. It is simply an act of dependence and humility. He is God and we are not. He is big, we are small. We are not bigger and stronger than the machines with which we work, or around which we work. We can't control the weather or make the peanuts grow. Yes, this text does remind us that we are sinners - doing our own thing our own way without God, whether that's some kind of spectacular sin or something very accepted by those around us. We don't come because we deserve it, but to humble ourselves before God and ask for help, for protection.

But remember, too, that God cares for you. We have breath and life today. We ate this morning. We have work to do. Don't be anxious, but trust the God who cares for you. Our coming together to pray can also be a sign of trust in God, who sees us and hears us and cares for us.

We see God's care in so many ways around us, and ultimately in his Son Jesus Christ who loves us and, in utter humility and totally trusting his Father, gave himself for us and for our salvation. Thanks be to God.

sowing in tears

2009-09-24T10:29:00.002-05:00

Thursday, September 24

Psalm 126

1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

Reflecting this morning on tears and seeds... and hope. "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad." Thanks be to God. But there are times of tears, of sadness, confusion and frustration; times of tragedy and grief.

But even in those times, do we have any seed? Do we have any faith, even the teeny-tiniest bit? ("I believe, help my unbelief!") Any fruit of the Spirit (in which are seeds...)?

Jesus' very passion is, once again, the ultimate example of this. Amidst suffering and tears and grief, he sowed the seed of his body (John 12:24), and that principal fruit of the Spirit, love (John 13:1), as he "loved them to the end."

And of course his Father vindicated him, and we who trust and love him will be his harvest one day, and will come home with shouts of joy.

What seed can we sow today? Even if it must be watered with our tears?

surrounded by the Lord

2009-09-23T07:08:00.004-05:00

Wednesday, September 23

Psalm 125
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.

2 Kings 6
14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

I was encouraged this morning with these readings. (I read the Psalms straight through - ie. I don't follow the Daily Office - but do read the OT, Epistle, and Gospel. So it's especially cool when they line up like today.) The connection of being surrounded by the Lord and his hosts, "so the Lord surrounds his people," even when we are surrounded by adversaries, is so encouraging. The One who is for us is so much greater than whatever or whoever is against us; and those who are with us are more than those who are with them...

Oh Lord, open our eyes that we may see.

The Beatitudes

2009-09-17T06:52:00.002-05:00

Thursday, Sept. 17
The Gospel appointed for today. It never gets old!

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5)

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

The Beatitudes

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Psalm 116

2009-09-14T11:39:00.003-05:00

I was struck in studying Psalm 116 for a sermon Sunday at all the different kinds of prayer expressed there.

Adoration (v. 1) – “I love the Lord...’

Praise (v. 19) “Hallelujah” ( ;h`Dy_…wlVl`Ah ). The Septuagint has Alleluia as first word of the psalm.

“Gracious is the Lord and righteous; our God is merciful.” (v. 5)

Desperate Cry for mercy (v. 1, 4) “O Lord, deliver my soul” (NIV, “save me!”)

Petition, also verses 1 & 4

Penitence (v. 7) “Return, O my soul, to your rest” (shuv, yIk◊y¡Dj…wnVmIl yIvVpÅn∑ y∞Ib…wv )

Oblation (vs. 13-18) full offering of self to God

Thanksgiving (v. 17) “I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving…”

Corporate, verse 18-19 – “I will pay my vows in the presence of all his people…

God rested from all his work

2009-04-11T07:28:00.003-05:00

Holy Saturday, April 11, 2009

Job 19:21-27a; Heb. 4:1-16 (morning); Rom. 8:1-11 (evening)

4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” (Hebrews 4)

Brooke and I have been enjoying a Tim Keller sermon on "Work and Rest" (Redeemer Presbyterian Church, free sermons), I commend it to you.

Another amazing thought with regard to Sabbath ("ceasing," "rest") is that Jesus himself most fully rested on this day, the seventh day, the Sabbath, in Joseph of Arimethea's tomb. There could be nothing more added to this rest. He laid down, as it were, absolutely and completely, trusting in his Father to wake him up. There was no more work he could possibly do, it was finished; he had expended himself, he had poured out his lifeblood to the uttermost and his powerlessness was perfect.

Jesus sanctified this day by his lying in death. He rested from all his works.

Therefore, so can we - who trust in him... "whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:10)

+ + +

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
(Job 19)

a break in the Dance, a pull into the Dance

2009-04-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2009

Jer. 20:7-11; 1 Cor. 10:14-17, 11:27-32; John 17:1-11(12-26)

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you...
now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed...
I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word...
All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them...
Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one...
While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them...
now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves...
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us...
22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
(John 17)

Yes, I butchered the prayer - leaving out some important things - but to highlight a thread through the whole prayer that blesses and strengthens me as we enter the highest, holy days of our Christian year, the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this prayer just hours before his suffering and outpouring of life, Jesus is pleading and interceding that we would know, that we would be drawn into, that we would not miss what it's all about - that we would know the glory and the unity of the Father and the Son. It's as if he sees his life quickly coming to an end, the hour has come, he cannot do anything more, and he's pulling us into that eternal dance which is the Trinity. The whole point of his being "glorified" by being lifted up on the cross and then lifted up in exaltation, was to restore all things, to unite all things in himself, who is united in love, honor, delight with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Overall this Lent has been better than most for me, in terms of devotion, growing in unity with and freedom in Christ. Reading Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann helped, as did the silent retreat back in the first week of Lent.

I want these last days, remembering him on this last evening, his Last Supper, his washing feet, his agony, his prayer, his mock trial, the violation of his person, his way of the cross, his receiving the nails, the jarring pain of being physically lifted up on the tree, the humiliation, the thorns, the spear, the blood flowing, the ultimate separation from the Father, his loud cries and tears, his heartbreak and expiration, his burial and resting on the Sabbath... and his vindication - victory over every power!!!

And now, though identifying with all that is overwhelming, I am encouraged, inspired and comforted that through it all, this high-priestly prayer is Jesus holding us, grasping us, pulling us in with him into the Dance, into the glory, into the love and unity that he and the Father and the Spirit have always known, and that we will know with them for ever and ever.

Amen. Thank you Lord Jesus.

more on anything and everything

2009-04-08T08:10:00.004-05:00

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 8, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 17:5-10, 14-17; Phil. 4:1-13; John 12:27-36

5“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord...
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord...
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick...
(Jer. 17)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4)

The images that Jeremiah uses to describe people who trust in man or the "flesh" versus those who trust in the Lord are a shrub rolling around in the desert versus a tree planted by water that sends its roots out by the stream. The one who trusts in the Lord will not fear when heat comes, nor be anxious when drought comes, and will not cease bearing fruit.

Of course, Paul teaches that Christ-followers are to not be anxious about anything, but rather pray and give thanks bringing every concern, request, and temptation to anxiety to God. This is one way we root ourselves by the stream, one way we deepen our trust in the Lord. Rather than "submit" to the fear, the worry, the pressure we are under, to not trust in God, but to trust in our own resources, even our own assessment of how things are just going to be, we consciously and explicitly submit all things to God. This anchors us in God, our hope. This is a way that we reaffirm that we are "rooted and grounded in love" (Eph. 3:17), that we trust in another power at work within us (Eph. 3:16).

When Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," he is speaking as one who has been brought to the end of himself (2 Cor. 12:9-10). He speaks as one who is not trusting in man or the strength of the flesh, but as one who has learned that God's power and provision are sufficient, even when there is no power left within him, no money for food or basic support...

while I love Stefan Currie and Tim Tebow, who both have this verse written on them when they compete (Stefan, Davidson b'ball star, has it on his shoes; Tim on his eye black strips), I'm not sure what Paul would think about that. To the extent that these young men are learning to not depend on their own resources, and working out their salvation and discipleship, and to the extent that they are really saying that it doesn't matter whether we win or lose but our faithfulness in serving Christ with all that is within us, that is, with all his strength, that's good and I respect them; but "advertised" in such a way can very easily give a wrong idea or impression of the "secret" of facing deprivation and plenty, of facing absolute powerlessness in one's health or the pumped up feeling of being strong and alive, of having the terrifying sense of no where to turn or having the world by the tail - all in a full-on discipleship and stewardship of the mystery and grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When do the roots go deep anyway?? If I'm not mistaken it's in tough times, dry times, times of stress and heat - O Lord, help us trust you, may we know the indwelling presence of Christ and strengthening of your Spirit, that indeed we may be more and more deeply and firmly rooted and grounded in your love.

Collect for Wednesday in Holy Week
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

how life comes

2009-04-07T07:09:00.002-05:00

Tuesday of Holy Week, April 7, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 15:10-21; Phil. 3:15-21; John 12:20-26

20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12)

Jesus seems to say here to these God-fearing Greeks who evidence by their question that the Father is drawing them to him (6:44) that you will see me, you will see me glorified when I am lifted up and draw you to myself. I preached on this two weeks ago, and am still feeling moved by the whole thing.

Immediately Jesus speaks about his "glorification." And he also ties it in with following him (ie. this is true for me, and if you follow me, it's true for you...). He says that life, God's life, real life, comes through (1) death, (2) rightly ordered love, and (3) service.

He displays these in his own life and in his own death. As we look to him in honor, in awe, in gratitude, in brokenness, may God give us grace to (1) die to ourselves, to break that hardened shell we so often cultivate around our hearts, (2) set love in order, to love God above all things simply for the sake of himself, and love all other created things appropriately for his sake, and (3) to give ourselves in service as servants of all.

This is beautifully exemplified for us in the events we commemorate this week.

Thanks be to God.

loss, gain

2009-04-06T08:13:00.004-05:00

Monday of Holy Week, April 6, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 12:1-16; Phil. 3:1-14; John 12:9-19

whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ... (Phil. 3:7-8)

Here again is that gospel theme we considered in the Passion Narrative yesterday of
"power through powerlessness," or
"life through death"
"life through rightly ordered love"
"life through service."

Three times Paul speaks of "loss." He counts his gain, indeed everything, as loss for supreme worth of knowing Messiah Jesus. He has "suffered the loss of all things" in order to gain Christ.

To trust in and rely on anything inherent in me, or that I have gained through inheritance, through study or training, through being where I have been blessed and gifted to have been at every stage of my life, is ultimately to miss out on huge areas of knowing the life and grace and presence of God. To aim for my good, or what I consider my best life, or to have as the end for which I am working, posturing, or hoping the enlargement or security of myself, is to be actually undermining the whole security, good, and "best life" that God has for me in Christ. Rather, I pray for the end of myself, the grace to truly consider as loss all the many, many things that are a "lesser good" than in fact knowing God intimately in Messiah Jesus.

In each area of my life I would aim for the end of myself - the end of myself as both resource (that on which I rely) and as goal (that for which I am aiming and living).

I am thankful for this Holy Week, for the gift and opportunity to
know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (vs. 10-11)

Through faith in Christ (v. 9), or through the faithfulness of Christ, through relying on and trusting in him and his work alone, we are to share his sufferings and become like him in his death... that is, I think, to suffer the loss of everything in order to know him, to know his power at work in and because of my powerlessness, and to know his victory, his life, and the fellowship of all the "much fruit" of his dying and rising.

One way we can do this is by remembering him, uniting with him in his passion, through Bible reading and prayer, and through liturgy. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services are gifted to us for this - to share with him in his suffering and to become like him in his death. I am looking forward to these times as this forty day journey nears its end and its destination.

Have a blessed and Holy Week. Peace.

Lazarus, in Lent

2009-04-03T06:06:00.003-06:00

Friday, April 3, 2009 [Happy Birthday, Michael!]

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 29:1,4-13; Rom. 11:13-24; John 11:1-27

The appointed Gospel reading for these last two days before Holy Week are the account of Lazarus, dying and being raised from the dead. In the Orthodox tradition, this whole week is dedicated to the Lazarus story - Christ's encounter with death, before his encounter with Death (in our BCP Daily Office, it's only in "Year One").

The post a few weeks ago at my dicristina site (and yes, my last post there) on memory is from this "Lazarus" section of "Great Lent" by Alexander Schmemann. Here's some more:

"Liturgical celebration is thus a re-entrance of the Church into the event, and this means not merely its "idea," but its joy and sadness, its living and concrete reality... It is one thing to explain that the resurrection of Lazarus was "to confirm the universal resurrection." It is quite a different thing to celebrate day after day for one entire week this slowly apporaching encounter between life and death, to become part of it, to see with our own eyes and feel with our whole being what was involved in John's word: "He groaned in the spirit and was troubled and ... wept" (John 11:33-35). For us and to us all this happens today. We were not there in Bethany at the grave with the crying sisters. For the Gospel we only know about it. But it is in the Church's celebration today that an historical fact becomes an event for us, for me, a power in my life, a memory, a joy. Theology cannot go beyond the "idea." And from that point of view of idea, do we need those five long days when it is so simple just to say, "to confirm the universal resurrection"? But the whole point is that in itself and by itself the sentence confirms nothing. The true confirmation comes from celebration, and precisely from those five days on which we witness the beginning of that mortal fight between life and death, and begin not so much to understand as to witenss Christ going to put death to death... (p. 82-83)

I do believe Lent is a gift. Working it, walking it out, is a gift from God through the Church - to help us know a more full union with Jesus Christ, and to bear much fruit (John 12:24). And so meditating on this Lazarus account, is an amazing springboard into Holy Week... just as it was God's way to launch Jesus into his final week, his final encounter in the holy city with all those holy people, a powerful empire, and our ultimate enemy.

Also, check out My Utmost for October 11. I heard this read at Will Pufall's funeral yesterday, he had posted a year and a half ago, after the death of a friend of his... it's a good balance to John Eldridge.

hearing his voice

2009-04-02T07:26:00.003-06:00

Thursday, April 2, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 26:1-16; Rom. 11:1-12; John 10:19-42

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27)

This verse is one of the main premises for John Eldridge's book, Walking with God. (and this theme is a recurring one in John 10) It's a good and important book, but does raise questions regarding what a "normal Christian life" looks like. Essentially it is a year long journal of his, with comment from John for the reader. In particular, a main theme in the book is hearing from God and wanting to hear from God - even for things like, "should our family go on this trip this weekend?"

Honestly, I started reading it and after about a quarter of it I put it down. Some of my concerns were as a pastor, that I was not comfortable with his encouraging people to listen for God's voice, with virtually no comment on discernment (he does address this later in the book); but also, it was cutting close to home. I wasn't sure I really wanted to hear from and submit to/ trust God with regard to some of the things in my life, like watching TV too much and chowing down on junk food. And what if God told me to do some big, uncomfortable thing? some huge, life adjusting call? some heart tearing selfless task?

Yes, I went back to reading it - because deep in my heart is the life and love of God. Because I do want to live in the freedom of the children of God. Because I do trust my Father, that he is good and for me, merciful and mighty.

I still have concerns about the book, and what to be expected as normal Christian living - I think we can become too introspective about this, obsessed and/or guilt ridden or silly. I wonder where being a mature and wise son or daughter to whom the Father says, "I've raised and trained you well, that is your decision. I love you and will be with you always, irregardless of what you decide." Or in the metaphor of John 10, when the shepherd lets the sheep just graze and walk around and get a drink... And at the same time, God sees what I can't see. And while, I don't think God wills to direct us around all evil and suffering in this world - I think he might want to direct us around, or even toward, some of it.

So yes, at any time, the ear of my heart ought to be attentive, soft and "directable", to hear Jesus call and say come, follow me this way. In the end, this whole chapter is not about the sheep. It's about the shepherd. It's about his voice. His goodness. His motivation and commitment to give life abundant. His attentiveness and power to protect so that nothing can snatch us out of his hand. And in the end, I think this is the upshot of Eldridge's book; as a friend told me in sharing why it meant a lot to her, it encouraged intimacy with God and this was healing for her. It instilled a desire and a freedom, a hopefulness and trust, that God loves us, is always thinking of and attentive to us, and wants to speak to our deep heart regularly.

Thanks be to God.

all things, nor anything

2009-03-27T05:43:00.002-06:00

Friday, March 27, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 23:1-8; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:52-59

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sorry for the limited comments this week. Along with busyness of heart and mind (moving to our new space, or not...), there's not a lot I think I can add to Romans 8. Let's let is soak in and convince us...

be who you is

2009-03-25T07:42:00.002-06:00

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 8:1-11; John 6:27-40

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

What more can we say?
Again, it's "be who you is, 'cuz if you is who you ain't, you ain't who you is."

Thanks be to God!

"sin" in my "flesh"

2009-03-24T06:16:00.002-06:00

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:22-23)

Paul actually has already given a pattern, a discipline, a new way of life, in order to deal with this "sin" in the "flesh," this other "law" that dwells in his members (cf. ch. 6). He will return to it shortly in chapter 8 - after framing it in its most important context and reality: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord... the law of the spirit of life in Christ has set me free..."

But I find this whole chapter oddly comforting. While some scholars hold that this is Paul's testimony of his life before Christ, what in part led him to Christ, the majority consider this his and our current reality as believers. This does describe me. Ingrained in my "flesh," in my very body and mind, are ways of relating, responding, thinking, rationalizing... that have long been ingrained in me, habitual patterns of behaving and "believing" that are not ways of faith and trust, that when I step back and think about it, I don't really want to do.

But I also have experienced, bit by bit, little victories. Patterns and responses changing, as I take on disciplines (that I initially resist, and do not like!) to detach and begin to heal from these "compulsions." The speeding example I gave in a recent sermon is one. I'm finding myself relaxing much more while driving. My quick response to be irritated and even angry with people going the speed limit (!) is lessening; and I'm not as panicky when I see a police car too (!). But lurking close at hand is pride... an even more deeply ingrained "sin" pattern. Bottom line is, where is my life? What is it that satisfies, that seems to "increase" and secure me? And, of course, the answer is - the love of God in Jesus Christ. But it is the "discipline" of engaging the "sin" in my "flesh" that exposes that I'm not really trusting God, and which moves me to repentance and faith...

Lent, and life in Christ, is a journey - a journey to Easter, to the passion, cross, and resurrection. It is a journey of dying with Christ and rising to new life, and Romans 7 reminds us (and ought to encourage us) that we have not arrived, that God's Word (his "law," the Torah = guidance, teaching) is a gift pointing us to Jesus, and to take the frustration, the reality of our stumbling along in the journey and cast it all on him who is our only hope.

"Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord"

fruit for our master

2009-03-23T06:26:00.003-06:00

Monday, March 23, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. (Romans 7:4)

I think Paul is referring to our uniting ourselves with Christ in baptism, as we saw in chapter 6. He really died. In believing the gospel, in putting our whole trust in his grace and love, we so identify with Messiah Jesus, with his death and resurrection, that we die to an old way of living. In this case, we have died to the law.

Robert put it this way in his sermon yesterday: Jesus - dead, raised; us - dead, raised (preaching on Ephesians 2:4-5).

There are two proceeding truths from this death to the law, from any sort of finding our life, our hope, our future in the law: (1) we belong to another (to him who has been raised from the dead); and (2) that we might bear fruit for God (fruit of sanctification and eternal life).

Now fruitfulness and servitude go together, in the body of Messiah, now that we belong to him, now that we live for life, for love, for God and God's. We belong to and are servants of The Servant; so that we might bear fruit in him and for him who is the first fruit of all creation, of the new creation, in him from whom the Spirit of life and all fruitfulness pours into us abundantly.

But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. (v. 6)

Now our focus is on life, not law; relying on God the Spirit, not "the letter" (literally); now love, not judgment. This huge shift of heart is literally like death - from perpetually scanning the letters and words of even the beautiful, holy Torah, and evaluating myself thereby... to a continual gaze in adoration and wonder at Jesus, beautiful and holy, dying on the cross and reigning on the throne, and accepting myself thereby...

Bear fruit in me, O living, loving Savior and Lord!

Fourth Week of Lent

2009-03-22T20:38:00.003-06:00

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Bible Readings

Monday Ps. 89:1-18 + 89:19-52
Jer. 16:10-21; Rom. 7:1-12; John 6:1-15

Tuesday Ps. 97, 99, [100] + 94, [95]
Jer. 17:19-27; Rom. 7:13-25; John 6:16-27

Wednesday Ps. 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 + 119:121-144
Jer. 18:1-11; Rom. 8:1-11; John 6:27-40

Thursday Ps. 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 + 73
Jer. 22:13-23; Rom. 8:12-27; John 6:41-51

Friday Ps. 95* & 102 + 107:1-32
Jer. 23:1-8; Rom. 8:28-39; John 6:52-59

Saturday Ps. 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) + 33
Jer. 23:9-15 Rom. 9:1-18 John 6:60-71

sanctification

2009-03-21T08:43:00.002-06:00

Saturday, March 21, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 13:1-11 Rom. 6:12-23 John 8:47-59

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Romans 8:13)

My birthday is always in Lent (52 today), and always feels a little weird "breaking" whatever Lenten disciplines I've been following. But this is part of living under grace, and not under the power of sin; of yielding my members to righteousness (to covenant relationship with God) and not to "sin," which is anything not done in faith.

This passage is absolutely huge. It is the main Scriptural support for Dallas Willard's excellent book The Spirit of the Disciplines, and is included in a book I've had for a long time but have only read portions of until now, Addiction and Grace, by Gerald May.

"For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification." (v. 19) This speaks of the pattern of addiction and compulsions, which need more and more to satisfy; and also of how sanctification works in our lives.

In a nutshell, once again, we're called to be who are are; to live out of our new status as free people and no longer slaves (John 8); out of grace; as "slaves" to this gracious, generous, hope-filled, steadfast love relationship with our Father, and not as slaves to anything else. May God give us more grace to see and to desire him.

Grace and peace.

sin and grace

2009-03-20T07:45:00.003-06:00

Friday, March 20, 2009
The first day of spring - may the Light lengthen in us! And may the Life grow and abound in fruitfulness!

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 11:1-8,14-20; Rom. 6:1-11; John 8:33-47

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)

This passage seems to get to the heart of our ongoing discussion of grace and works. The self-examination that Lent calls for, the perhaps hyper-sensitivity to our sin for a season, is not that we might pat ourselves on the back and present our goodness to the Father saying, "I deserve a party, I've worked so hard and been so faithful..." It is that we may not presume upon grace, it is that we may not deceive ourselves.

The language Paul uses here is death and new life; in John 8, Jesus is using the language of slavery and freedom, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34), and "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v. 36).

Paul says, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

For me, the question is continually, "am I truly trusting Christ?" (Of course, on one level the answer is always "no," but in specific areas I find, little by little, victories with God's help). Sin, by both omission and commission, exposes where I either am presuming on grace or trusting in my own righteousness - and either way, I am not trusting Messiah Jesus for my salvation, for my wholeness, for my life.

Indeed, the whole goal is to be "united with him" (v. 5), and this always and only happens through repentance and faith. "So," Paul writes, "you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (v. 11). In Jesus' language in John 8, it would be "so you must no longer live like a slave (don't go back to Egypt in your body or in your mind!) but as the beloved child of your Father who delights in you!"

One additional observation that I think is cool - Paul says that "Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father..." (v. 4). It was by, or through, the glory of the Father that Jesus was raised from the dead. Not just to, or for, the glory of the Father, but by his glory! That can go some delightful places. God's glory could not be contained in his dead body, nor in a tomb. It reminds me of chapter 1, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (v. 14). That very glory effected victory over death, over sin, and brought newness of life - both for Jesus and for all who are united with him by faith in baptism...

Thanks be to God!

in sins or in faith

2009-03-19T08:28:00.002-06:00

Thursday, March 19, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com]

Jer. 10:11-24; Rom. 5:12-21; John 8:21-32

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. (John 8:24)

There are only two options: to die in our sins, or to die believing in Jesus; to die in sin or in faith. Pretty simple.

I recently heard Dwight Pryor (Center for Judeo-Christian Studies) say this similarly. He was speaking on the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6:22-27. He emphasized that one thing this blessing emphasizes is God's fundamental disposition to bless his people. As part of the talk he mentioned that indeed God is holy and just, and we will all die for our sins. The question is, on whose terms will we die?

Jesus points to his own death in this passage, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me" (v. 28).

We can look to him who was lifted up and believe (3:15), or we can look to ourselves and/or everything else we think might "save" us, or "justify" our lives. Paul uses the language of grace reigning or death reigning. When we believe that indeed Jesus came from God, is heaven's full provision for every person, when we look to him upon the cross, bearing our sins, bearing our Sin (the attitude, the inclination, the bentness in on ourselves), and exchanging that poison for the medicine of his grace and love, we move from death to grace, from "in our sins" to "in faith" or "in Christ," from slavery to freedom.

And again, Lent is all about this theme. Death and life. And reminding ourselves over and over, "by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy word" (BCP, p. 265), that we still are quick to choose death, quick to choose destructive ways. So because this is life, because it is a life and not a static, impersonal deal, and because the body of death still clings so closely, Jesus immediately shares with them about remaining in this life, living this out, and growing strong in it:

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (v. 31)

the light of life

2009-03-18T07:41:00.002-06:00

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

[If I haven't heard from you that you read this blog, or visit it, I'd like to hear from you. It's meaningful to me, and helpful, but I'm evaluating whether I'll keep doing it after Lent. I'd especially like to hear from Church of the Apostles people. Thanks. markjdicristina@yahoo.com)

Jer. 8:18-9:6; Rom. 5:1-11; John 8:12-20

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. Discipleship, walking after Jesus, following him, gives to the follower the light of life. Even when all seems darkness, we have the light of life. Even when we can't see where the next step will land, he is with us; he promises to never leave or forsake us.

The "light of life": this is the light which is characterized by life, or has the quality of life; and it is the life which is light and sheds light. It helps us see clearly, gives us true vision. And it is that abundant and eternal life that brings everything into proper perspective. This is what following Jesus gives us.

When we have that light of life, when we are indeed at peace with God because we are in right relationship through trusting him, then even amidst suffering we can rejoice because God's love is poured into our hearts. We can see that suffering is not the end, it is not final, it is defeated and yet a servant of the Victor in bringing us to glory.

Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ,
for his suffering, and for ours,
for his victory,
for his peace, for his joy,
for his life, for his light.

no distrust!

2009-03-17T06:05:00.004-06:00

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Jer. 7:21-34; Rom. 4:13-25; John 7:37-52

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
(Romans 4:20-21)

No distrust. Abraham did not stop trusting God in spite of two withered bodies well past child bearing, he did not waver in trusting the God who promised life where there was no possibility of it - rather "the God in whom he believed... gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist." (v. 17)

Rather than weakening in trust or faith as time went along and the promise was unfulfilled, Abraham actually strengthened in his faith / trust / belief. And one way he did that (the only way Paul shares) was that he gave glory to God. As he gave glory to God his faith grew stronger.

So... how do we give glory to God? How can we be good stewards of the gift of faith, so that it increases like a good investment, and does not waver and weaken and diminish as we draw off it as if holding our breath, or sprinting for a hoped for finish line (that in fact may be miles and years ahead of us).

In our hearts and minds, with our lips, in our sharing and giving, and in all our actions. By being and becoming who we are, who God says we are - and not what our bodies say we are or what our thoughts say we are or our compulsions or lusts or whatever. And most simply (or frustratingly) by being "fully convinced that God is able to do what he promised." Wow, how can I make that up? If I'm not fully convinced, really? Well, we do intend to glorify God in all we think, say, and do. And then, that intention or desire or thirst we take to the Lord himself... and drink.

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7)

Lord Jesus, we believe, help our unbelief. We want to glorify you, but are so infected with wanting our own glory. Heal us. Help us. Fill us. Change us. You who were faithful, who did not waver in distrust, even unto death, you who were dead and now live and reign, give life to these dying bodies and messed up minds and be glorified in us, by us, and through us.

the temple of the Lord

2009-03-16T06:14:00.002-06:00

Monday, March 16, 2008
(Happy Birthday, Kate!)

Jer. 7:1-15; Rom. 4:1-12; John 7:14-36

“Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all you men of Judah who enter these gates to worship the Lord. 3 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place..."
(Jeremiah 7:2-3)

Yesterday, we heard in church from John's account of Jesus' cleansing the Temple (ch. 2). John does not refer to this passage from Jeremiah, as do Matthew, Mark, and Luke. They all quote part of verse eleven, "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the Lord."

But all of the gospels have this concern regarding Jesus "cleansing" the Temple - the ways and deeds of the people, and the leaders in particular, were corrupt and needed radical changing. Twice we hear, "amend your ways and your deeds."

The last two weeks we've used as the absolution after the confession one of those from the Rite I services: "The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit."

I like that, along with the absolving and remitting of all our sins, may God grant us:
true repentance (we considered that some last week - with our whole heart, not in pretense)
amendment of life (this is a part of true repentance - actually different ways and deeds)
grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit (to know peace, forgiveness, and grace to change and walk in the good works prepared for us to walk in)

God gives some clarity regarding the amendment of life he was looking for in the people who thought simply chanting, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord," would hold God to God's promise but let them forsake their covenant with him.

“For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, 6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, 7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever. (vs. 5-7)

As Robert pointed out yesterday, we are the temple of the Lord - individually in our bodies, and collectively as God's people. And also, "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17)

This, again, is the lenten call: to renew our repentance and faith; self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, and self-denial; reading and meditating on God's holy word (BCP, p. 265); to amend our ways and deeds.

In John's Temple cleansing account Jesus says he will give a sign: "destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." (2:19) He comes to not only cleanse the Temple, to purify his Father's house, but to rebuild it.

"But he was speaking of the temple of his body." (v. 21) He is the true representative of Israel, and of the human race. He is the new Adam. And he is "something (someone) greater than the Temple." He death and burial was a real and visible image of the reality of the desolation and deadness of all God's people, made to dwell with him, to know intimate fellowship, and to love and serve him always.

Joining ourselves to Jesus the Messiah in faith will do this work of renewal, uniting ourselves with him in his death and uniting ourselves with him in his resurrection (through baptism and a baptized life), will "create in me a clean heart..." (Ps. 51) in which he will dwell.

(There's more to be said, but I've got to go! Be blessed meditating on this.)

Third week of Lent

2009-03-16T05:23:00.002-06:00

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

------------------------------
Daily Office Readings
------------------------------

Monday 80 + 77, [79]
Jer. 7:1-15 Rom. 4:1-12 John 7:14-36

Tuesday 78:1-39 + 78:40-72
Jer. 7:21-34 Rom. 4:13-25 John 7:37-52

Wednesday 119:97-120 + 81, 82
Jer. 8:18-9:6 Rom. 5:1-11 John 8:12-20

Thursday [83] or 42,43 + 85, 86
Jer. 10:11-24 Rom. 5:12-21 John 8:21-32

Friday 95* & 88 + 91, 92
Jer. 11:1-8,14-20 Rom. 6:1-11 John 8:33-47

Saturday 87, 90 + 136
Jer. 13:1-11 Rom. 6:12-23 John 8:47-59

come to me

2009-03-13T07:51:00.003-06:00

Friday, March 13, 2009

Jer. 5:1-9; Rom. 2:25-3:18; John 5:30-47

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
(John 5:39-40)

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (v. 44)

All of our lenten devotion, indeed our disciple disciplines for every day of this journey following Jesus, are meant to provoke, to aid, to encourage and increase our longing for, as well as a sense of our urgent need for, an encounter with him.

Whether it is searching the Scriptures, praying the prayers, doing the liturgies, abstaining or fasting or giving... the point is that we might come to Jesus that we might have life, that we might know the glory that comes from the only God, that we might be conformed to his image, to the praise of the glory of God. That we might know him, yield to him, trust him, believe him.

In the language of AA, we could say that Lent, and our daily discipleship, is designed at least in part to provoke and bring us to and grace us to admit that we are powerless to help and change ourselves, to believe that God can restore us to sanity, and to make that decision (continually) to turn our will and lives over to God's care... (We heard a great talk on addiction and the 12 Steps by Paul Sheldon last night at the Men's Barn Ministry Dinner.)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
(Matthew 11:28-29)

Peace be with you on this crucifixion day.
Remember Jesus Christ, crucified for us, risen from the dead...
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him...
(2 Timothy 2:8, 11-12)

P.S. Check out "Memory and liturgy" at my dicristina site

his word, his voice - Life

2009-03-12T06:24:00.002-06:00

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Jer. 4:9-10,19-28; Rom. 2:12-24; John 5:19-29

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5)

"whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life."
"The hour is coming, and is now here." Future, present.
"The dead will hear." Dead hear? impossible.
"And those who hear will live." Wait, is that the dead who hear - or some others?

Even now we have the future happening. Even now the dead hear his voice. His voice is life. His voice is authority. All flowing from his Father.

Oh, may what is dead and lifeless and hard in me, what is calloused and unresponsive and yes, even unrepentant, hear his voice and live!

God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
(Ephesians 2:4-7)

final repentance, daily

2009-03-11T06:28:00.004-06:00

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Jer. 3:6-18; Rom. 1:28-2:11; John 5:1-18

Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 3:10)

3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
(Romans 2)

Do any of us really repent with our whole heart? Do any of us not presume upon the riches of God's kindness and forbearance and patience? Truly, as Jeremiah will say later, the heart is deceitful. Lord, have mercy.

This is why, I think, we must "lose" our self (Mark 8:35) continually. We must utterly, finally, (as) fully (as possible), "destroy" / crucify / bury / put off our old, self-driven, rebellious, pretentious self day after day after day. Daily, we ought to pray for revelation - of the glory of God in Christ, and of a true assessment of our own hearts.

I am so thankful for God's kindness and forbearance and patience! And for his promise to send faithful shepherds to lead us and teach us in truth and to heal us. And for his promise to no longer dwell in the midst of his people via a box with manna and commandments and even the mercy seat, but by his very presence on the throne in the restored city of his people. Until that day, we must participate with him in the continuing conversion of our believing, belonging, and behaving. We must dwell in a body (beautiful and glorious, but like a wooden box nonetheless) that still carries an ingrained waywardness (wretched man that I am in this body of death! Romans 7), and yet dwelling in this very body is the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead, working life in us, shining light in us, working salvation in us - for the honor and glory of him who is kind, forbearing, and patient. Thanks be to God.

Shepherd your people, Lord. Restore us, shine your face upon us and be gracious to us.

Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God
Have mercy on me, a sinner

a good exchange

2009-03-10T06:39:00.002-06:00

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Jer. 2:1-13; Rom. 1:16-25; John 4:43-54

my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.
(Jeremiah 2:13)

In this passage God laments that his people, his priests, shepherds, and prophets have not asked:
"Where is the LORD who brought us out..., who led us through..., who brought us in to a plentiful land...?" (v. 6f)
God wants them/us to seek him, even asking "where is the Lord?!" (Of course, we've already heard that it was they who left him, not God who left them and made an exchange... cf. 5).

What they had done (what we do) is not seek the Lord, but complain and grumble - believing that God is not for us, nor with us, demanding our own way, our own "devices and desires," to fulfill our needs, wants and lusts. It is the original sin - God is not good; God is not for us; God designs for us to die, and not live.

What they did (and we do) was to exchange our glory for what is worthless, what does "not profit." Or in a more graphic image, forsake God who is the fountain of living water, and dig out cisterns, broken cisterns, for ourselves that cannot hold water. Living water ("mayim chaim"), is fresh, flowing water - a river or a stream. It is great for drinking, and is the first choice for cleansing by immersion. One would never prefer even a good cistern to "living water," let alone a broken one. But this is in fact the very image God uses with regard to his people's waywardness.

How often I make my own way; I invest my hopes, my trust, my security... in "devices" that cannot contain my hopes, cannot support my trust, cannot provide security.

Yet in the gospel story we've just finished Jesus invites an all-star non-Jewish sinner to drink of the living water he offers, that will satisfy even unto life, now and without end.

Oh, let us forsake our broken cisterns. Let us seek the Lord and live, and drink deeply of him who satisfies.

a united heart

2009-03-09T06:22:00.003-06:00

Monday, March 9, 2009

(Ps. 86) Jer. 1:11-19; Rom. 1:1-15; John 4:27-42

And I will declare my judgments against them, for all their evil in forsaking me. They have made offerings to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.
(Jer. 1:16)

unite my heart to fear your name.
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
(Ps. 86:11-12)

to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations
(Rom. 1:5)

Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
(John 4:36-38)

For me, the "uniting" theme in the Scriptures today is that line from the psalm (again, I am not following the daily psalms in the Daily Office), "Unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart." Picking up on yesterday's gospel where heard about denying ourselves, truly following, about losing our lives for Jesus and the gospel to save them, I recognize once again the dividedness in my own heart. I have not utterly "forsaken" the Lord (Jer. 1), but I do forsake him in many lesser ways, in trusting in other things (ie. idols), including the "works of my own hands."

I trust that it's because the Spirit dwells within me, because I have been immersed into Jesus Christ, that I desire to have a united, whole heart in loving, serving, and worshiping the Lord; that I desire the maturity of "the obedience of faith" (Rom. 1).

And further, even this truth about co-laboring (Jn. 4) reveals a dividedness of heart. My pride wants to cut myself off from all those who have gone before, all those who are laboring now, and even that the Holy Spirit can do his work without me (! ... cf. Bruce Almighty). A united, whole heart is a heart big enough, open enough, trusting enough to include and receive that great communion of saints whom I need to make it as Christ's disciple. Paul says it this way, "that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine" (Rom. 1:12). This begins with my spouse and moves out from there.

In the end, these longings for a united heart, an undivided heart, only find any resolve at all when I simply offer all my brokeness, all my unintegrated heart to God as the only sacrifice I have to give. Only in surrender to and adoration of him whose heart was broken for us and for our salvation. The wounds that my brokeness caused are the very wounds that heal my dividedness ("our unhappy divisions," 1928 BCP). He receives it, he even delights in it; he holds my heart in his great heart of lovingkindness, and continues the wholeness and healing - his restoration project. Thanks be to God.

16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
(Ps. 51)

journey, patience, effort

2009-03-07T08:31:00.003-06:00

Saturday, March 7, 2008

Deut. 11:18-28; Heb. 5:1-10; John 4:1-26

(7) In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. (8) Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (9) And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him...
(Hebrews 5)

These readings in Hebrews during Lent are intentional, I think. Alexander Schmemann writes in Great Lent: Journey to Pascha that one set of lenten readings [the Saturday lenten eucharistic feast, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom] in the Orthodox Church are from this epistle, and he says why:

During Lent this meaning of Saturdays acquires a special intensity, for the purpose of Lent is precisely to recover the Christian meaning of time as preparation and pilgrimage and of the status of the Christian as "alien" and "exile" in this world (I Peter 2:11). These Saturdays refer lenten effort to the future fulfillment and thus give Lent its special rhythm... The particular character of that feast is that it refers itself to Lent as journey, patience, and effort... whose purpose is to make us reflect on the ultimate goal of that journey. (pp. 69-70)

Anyway, I trust the readings are intentional in our Anglican Daily Office tradition as well.

Today we hear of the beloved Son, God's anointed King (Psalm 2) who is also The High Priest, who in his earthly pilgrimage suffered, even "learned obedience through what he suffered" (that's a good reflection, for another day). And because of this suffering, he offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to him who was able to save him from death - but did not, or better said, he did save him from death, through death.

We hear of Jesus' "journey, patience, and effort." We see him as "alien" and "exile" even in the world made by and through and for himself. He was made perfect through the whole journey - the suffering, the crying out in reverent fear, the pains and the tears, in his dying, in his resting on the seventh day, and in his vindication on the first day of the New Creation. And therefore, he is the source of eternal salvation (another interesting phrase to ruminate on at another time) for those who obey him.

What does it mean to obey him? It means to heed his command: "repent and believe the good news." It means to do what he says, "believe in God, believe also in me;" and "Follow me;" and "watch and pray that you enter not into temptation, for the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

Yes, I know those are all pre-Easter, pre-Pentecost commands or expectations... prior to his empowering presence in our midst and within our very bodies. And this makes it even more important and encouraging to obey him, to walk in his footsteps, for one to indeed "deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

We have joined ourselves to him. We have committed ourselves to his kingdom and kingship. We have cast our whole existence into his saving and redeeming love. We have been forgiven. We are blessed. Certainly, we can be honest enough now to recognize where we are in this journey of following him; and if he cried out in fear and tears and suffering, how much more must we. Our sins, in attitude and actions, do separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2); perhaps not ultimately or finally, but certainly from his renewing work in us transforming us into the image of his Son. And so we "strive" to enter that rest; so we "toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me" (Col. 1:29). This is worth "all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength."

Lent reminds us of the journey, that we have not arrived, and yes, it calls us to effort and to patience, as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in us, both to work and to will for his good pleasure.

Collect for 1st Sunday of Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

he sympathizes

2009-03-06T08:50:00.004-06:00

Friday, March 6, 2009

Deut. 10:12-22; Heb. 4:11-16; John 3:22-36

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:11,15-16)

We do all "fall" through disobedience of one sort or another, most of all by not loving one another as he has loved us. And therefore we fall short of that rest... and of his glory.

But we have a high priest who stands before God on our behalf, who represents us to God, indeed intercedes for us and moreso, who is our mediator. And, as our high priest, who represents God to us, perfectly as a beloved and well-pleasing Son.

He can sympathize with our weaknesses for he has been tempted in every way as we are. Of course, not necessarily the specifics of a certain temptation to sin, but the heart of the matter, the core issue at stake in any given temptation. He sympathizes. That's "sumpatheo" in Greek. He literally "suffers with" us, he completely understands. This is amazing. He has been here, and he was faithful - for us and for our salvation.

I have posted the Ash Wednesday Litany of Penitence below. As I review these various sin patterns that we own before God, I can remember that Jesus is actually tender-hearted toward me as I plead for mercy and seek grace to help me. He has been here, and he is with me.

I think "weaknesses" here may refer to more than our evil inclination (the "old man," the flesh or body of death that clings so closely); it may actually refer to our actual failings, the actual evidence of weakness, not just the state of weakness we all carry.

All this is to say, again, that this is amazing. As sinners, as disobedient people - people who do look to Jesus, who have set their hearts after God, to truly rest in him, who confess Jesus - we are exhorted to be confident in him, to come boldly before the "throne of grace." The throne of grace - not condemnation, not judgment, not of God's longsuffering with our junk... the throne of grace of one who sympathizes with our weakness.

Finally, we must note where the mercy and grace and encouragement is found.

It is drawing near to Jesus, our high priest on the throne of grace who has been tempted in every way as we are but who did not sin...

It is in confidence and boldness pleading his mercy, and seeking his grace as our only option to make it.

It is in him increasing and us decreasing (John 3:30).

It is in the circumcision of our hearts (Deut. 10:16).

It is in prayer.

It is in renewing our repentance and faith.

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

Litany of Penitence

2009-03-06T08:09:00.002-06:00

The following is from our Ash Wednesday service. We spent some time with it at our Lenten Retreat last weekend, and I've been carrying around the copy I printed out for the group and visiting it during my devotions. I left a space to the left of each petition / confession that we might reflect on it and be specific regarding our sins and ways to amend out lives. It continues to make Ash Wednesday more meaningful... even as we are reminded of the need all Christians have "to renew their repentance and faith."

Litany of Penitence

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind,
and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Have mercy on us, Lord.

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us.
We have not been true to the mind of Christ.
We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us, Lord.

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride,
hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation
of other people,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those
more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts,
and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure
to commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, Lord.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done:
for our blindness to human need and suffering,
and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts
toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice
and contempt toward those who differ from us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

For our waste and pollution of your creation,
and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

believing, obeying, rest

2009-03-05T07:33:00.003-06:00

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Deut. 9:23-10:5; Heb: 4:1-10; John 3:16-21

Believing, obeying, rest

This whole section of Hebrews keys on these verses from Psalm 95:

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways.’
11 As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

The the continual dual refrain from Ps. 95 to which the writer returns over and over is
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts... 'they shall not enter my rest.'"

I am coming out of a time of rest. I have recognized some of the ways I do not truly rest. From striving, from anxiety, from my value being tied to my work, and yes, from resisting the Spirit of God.

This is one of those places in the New Testament that seems to emphasize the connection between believing and obedience. And it adds another to God's ordering of things. Rest.

Rest flows out of trusting. Trusting that God has not delivered us from bondage in order to destroy us in the wilderness. Trusting that he will provide all we need. Trusting enough to follow and obey. Jesus promises rest to those who yoke themselves to him (Matthew 11), who take his yoke on them and learn from him. Actually he is promising to personally give the rest of God (Ex. 33:14; Jer. 6:16).

Rest is also the command, which on one level we cannot do without obedient trust...

There's so much here. I've been meditating on it for a few days. A couple of resources: The God of Rest: Restoring your soul by restoring Sabbath, by Mark Buchanan; Freedom of Simplicity, by Richard Foster; The Way of the Heart, by Henri Nouwen.

God bless your meditation. Now, I've got to get to work...

Week of the 1st Sunday in Lent

2009-03-01T06:45:00.002-06:00

Collect of the Day for 1st Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Office Bible Readings

Monday 41, 52 + 44
Deut. 8:11-20 Heb. 2:11-18 John 2:1-12

Tuesday 45 + 47, 48
Deut. 9:4-12 Heb. 3:1-11 John 2:13-22

Wednesday 119:49-72 + 49, [53]
Deut. 9:13-21 Heb. 3:12-19 John 2:23-3:15

Thursday 50 + [59, 60] or 19, 46
Deut. 9:23-10:5 Heb: 4:1-10 John 3:16-21

Friday 95* & 40, 54 + 51
Deut. 10:12-22 Heb. 4:11-16 John 3:22-36

Saturday 55 + 138, 139:1-17(18-23)
Deut. 11:18-28 Heb. 5:1-10 John 4:1-26

(Reminder. I don't include Sundays, because often they are different readings, and to encourage engaging the Sunday Eucharistic readings. Also the numbers next to the days are the psalms appointed for the day, the first set being for morning, the second (after the +) being for evening. Presently I am just reading sequentially through the psalms, one in the morning and one in the evening which is why I am not including the psalms in the daily reflections.
Grace and peace for the lenten journey.)

2009-02-28T07:23:00.002-06:00

Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009

Deut. 7:17-26 Titus 3:1-15 John 1:43-51

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:4-8)

14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)

Hi all, this will be my last post for at least a few days, except for the listing of the collect of the day and prayers for the week tomorrow. I'm going to Manresa a Jesuit retreat center on the Mississippi in Louisiana. The retreat follows the "Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola".
I'd appreciate your prayers.

Today's epistle has a similar passage to the one we looked at yesterday - a beautiful, concise recitation of God's goodness working in and through Jesus to save and change us. Here Paul is clear to say that when God's goodness and lovingkindness appeared he saved us - not because of our righteous works - but according to his mercy, by washing and renewal in the Holy Spirit through Jesus. As if he was not clear about that, he says it was "so that being justified by grace..."

But then he is insistent that while our salvation and justification and renewal was not by works, it was indeed for works. Yesterday we saw the terminology as "zealous for good works"; today it is in terms of devotion to good works. Then he comes back to it as the last thing, before his closing grace, in the epistle.

This is a good warning for one embracing or renewing spiritual disciplines (like a silent retreat!) as we have begun our lenten journey. As the destination of Lent is Easter, so the goal of my life is union with Christ, transformation into him image, so filled with the love of God that the love of God works not only in my heart, but through my life, my mouth, my hands, my actions, etc. The gospel, the goodness and lovingkindness of God, cannot and will not be contained. Ultimately and finally, it will work itself out, burst forth, spill over... to the whole creation.

more godliness and good works

2009-02-27T08:04:00.004-06:00

Friday, February 27, 2009

Deut. 7:12-16 Titus 2:1-15 John 1:35-42

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works (Titus 2:7)

(Paul exhorts slaves to good works...)
so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
(Titus 2:10-14)

This is such a beautiful, compact, and amazing passage. Verses 11-14, which are appointed as the epistle reading for Christmas one year, flow out of Paul's exhortation to slaves: adorn the doctrine of God our Savior by your behavior.

For God's grace has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. God's grace trains us to renounce ungodliness (irreligion, "impiety") and worldly passions. Remember, godliness is both a state of life (that adorns the gospel - does not make us worthy of it), and a way of life that is intended to move us more fully to the state of godly life. (see previous posts)

God's grace trains us to live a certain way, it trains us to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives now, in this present age that tempts and lures and reasons with us not to live that way.

God's grace trains us to wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus the Messiah. God's grace was at work in Jesus in order to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are zealous for good works. Yes, that's what it says. Jesus redeems us and purifies us so that we might be zealots for good deeds! But note the order here! He redeems us. He purifies us. In order to have a certain kind of people...

God's grace trains us to say "no" some things (to renounce them) and to embrace a new way of living that adorns this good news, that is a fragrant aroma, that gives glory to our Father in heaven. The repentance and the faith, the renunciation and affirming embrace, and the good works created beforehand for us to walk in, are all due to his grace.

O Lord, and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
faint-heartedness, lust of power, and idle talk.
But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yes, O Lord and King!
Grant me to see my own errors
and not to judge my brother;
For thou art blessed unto age of ages. Amen.

(Lenten prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian, see dicristina)

godliness and good works

2009-02-26T08:14:00.002-06:00

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Deut 7:6-11 Titus 1:1-16 John 1:29-34

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness. (Titus 1:1)

(15) To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. (16) They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (Titus1:15-16)

Godliness and good works. We've seen this term, godliness (religion, piety), an important one in 1 and 2 Timothy and now it introduces the third "Pastoral Epistle" in Titus 1:1. We will see the idea of "good works" being an important one in this letter to Titus.

My main message yesterday in my Ash Wednesday sermon was (1) that Lent is a journey with a destination, which is Easter. It is a time to intentionally do the work of repentance and faith in order to more fully identify and be united with Christ in his passion, death, and resurrection. (2) On this journey, prayer, fasting, and giving to those in need, are disciplines that will help us - in fact, they will change us, if we participate in them with all our hearts. This was Jesus' message in Matthew 6 and Isaiah's in Isaiah 58. Jesus' point was not to say that we didn't have to pray, fast, and give if we couldn't do it with a right heart. Neither was his point to say we must go in our closet, not let our left hand see our right hand, nor simply to wash and look cheerful.

He was saying, "Seek God!" Participate in your heart as you give, pray and fast. He was saying, "Yes, give and pray and fast - and do it with all your heart. Mean what you're doing, be intentional. Love God with your all your heart and soul and strength!"

God has promised that those who seek him will find him, that those who truly repent will be forgiven and cleansed. ("Fasting" in Matthew 6, and in Jesus' day, meant literal going without food and drink, as a sign of the intention of repentance and amendment of life.)

In Titus 1:1 Paul links faith, the knowledge of the truth and godliness together in referring to God's elect people people. In fact, the faith and knowledge of the truth is described as "which accords with godliness." They are, all three, to be inseparable. Think on that.

Lastly, the goal of godliness, of following Jesus through "putting on" disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and giving to / serving those in need, is to bring about the kind of purity of mind, conscience, and works that reflects the Image being worked increasingly in us, that is, the evidence that we are being conformed to Christ, in heart, mind, and deed.

Ash Wednesday

2009-02-25T07:09:00.004-06:00

Collect for Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.

The Invitation to the observance of a holy Lent

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great
devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and
it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a
season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided
a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy
Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of
notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful
were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to
the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation
was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set
forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all
Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the
observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance;
by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and
meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning
of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now
kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.

(Silence is then kept for a time, all kneeling.)

(If ashes are to be imposed, the Celebrant says the following prayer)

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the
earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our
mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is
only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

(The ashes are imposed with the following words)

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

(From the Book of Common Prayer)

a good confession

2009-02-24T07:30:00.002-06:00

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Deut. 6:16-25; Heb 2:1-10; John 1:19-28

He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
(John 1:20)

John, the greatest prophet, the forerunner, the voice, was pretty vague when he was asked for answers by the priests and Levites from Jerusalem. When asked, "Who are you?" he said "I am not the Christ." When asked "Then why are you baptizing?" all he really said in answer to that was, "I baptize with water."

My point is not to be disrespectful to John. (To be fair, when pressed, he he did say "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” ) Either he was being purposefully elusive in his answers, or he really did have a lot of specific answers, or he insisted on keeping the focus on Jesus.

When they ask him "Who are you?" John the Gospel writer reports that John confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." This was a "confession" - not in the sense of admitting to doing something wrong, but in the sense of a positive declaration of affirmation, or assertion, or a profession. His saying, "I am not the Christ," was not principally a denial but a positive witness to the truth.

Certainly, these people who were questioning were wondering if he was the Messiah, or claiming to be the Messiah. So John was cutting to the quick in his reply. But I think we can learn from this. We are called to confess Jesus before people, and not deny him ("acknowledge" here is the same word John uses here of the Baptist's confession):

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

Robert mentioned in his sermon Sunday that so often we are thinking about us and our response when talking with people, and quickly give our input as soon as they finish (or in my case, too often interrupting!). It is better in conversation to listen to and to honor the other, than to call attention to ourselves.

We are made and re-made in the Image. We are made and re-made to reflect his glory, and live to the praise of his glory. This doesn't necessarily mean always giving articulate, formulated confessions of faith. But it does mean in all we do and say we act like Jesus, we are quick to reflect his goodness and glory.

worthy of all worship

2009-02-23T08:10:00.002-06:00

Monday, Feb. 23, 2009

Deut. 6:10-15 Heb 1:1-14 John 1:1-18

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Yesterday, the last Sunday after Epiphany, was "Transfiguration" Sunday. Again we heard the Father's words about Jesus, "You are my Son, my beloved." This week as we move from the Transfiguration, to the ashes of present reality, to the forty days of testing and waiting and following - we are given Hebrews 1 and John 1.

Our Bible readings drive home the glory of the Son for us, and this year will carry us along through Lent.

Jesus became one of us, he became a human being, and he lived among us. John's testimony is "we have seen."

As I approach Lent, I am mindful and hopeful and prayerful, that increasingly Jesus - his goodness, his glory, his grace and truth - will be seen in me, this really is what it means to be a disciple. I am also mindful, hopeful and prayerful, that his goodness, glory, grace and truth can be and will be formed in me the more I see, receive, and celebrate him in his goodness, glory, grace and truth.

... Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb,
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge,
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
(the second half of the Te Deum laudamus, BCP p. 91-92)

week of Last Sunday after Epiphany

2009-02-23T07:55:00.003-06:00

Collect for last Sunday after Epiphany (February 22, 2009)

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings for week

Monday 25 + 9, 15; Deut. 6:10-15 Heb 1:1-14 John 1:1-18
Tuesday 26, 28 + 36, 39; Deut. 6:16-25 Heb 2:1-10 John 1:19-28
Ash Wednesday 95* & 32, 143 + 102, 130; Jonah 3:1-4:11 Heb. 12:1-14 Luke 18:9-14
Thursday 37:1-18 + 37:19-42; Deut 7:6-11 Titus 1:1-16 John 1:29-34
Friday 95* & 31 + 35; Deut. 7:12-16 Titus 2:1-15 John 1:35-42
Saturday 30, 32 + 42, 43; Deut. 7:17-26 Titus 3:1-15 John 1:43-51

great gain in godliness

2009-02-21T12:05:00.003-06:00

Sat. Feb. 21, 2009

Isa. 66:1-6; 1 Tim. 6:6-21; Mark 12:35-44

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
... people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1 Tim. 6:4-8)
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (v. 11)

More on "godliness" today - Paul uses the word four times in the last chapter of this letter to Timothy. He links it with contentment, saying there is great gain in godliness with contentment; and he says to pursue it, along with righteousness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness.

I missed this reference to it back in chapter 2: Paul says to pray especially for those in authority, "that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (v. 2)

I am looking forward to studying this more, but my books are in Daphne. But a few reflections...

We think of godliness as the state of being godly, of being like God - of course not in appearance only, a kind of self-righteous separation or aloofness or arrogance (classic Pharisaism) but in Christ-likeness. In word, and deed, and manner, and action, and attitude, we are becoming like Jesus - so that he is manifest through my life and the church's life. But what I've been learning here is that godliness (or piety or religion) is also the means to the "state." Godliness is a way to order one's life that it may become a godly life.

Praying, Bible reading, fasting, giving, doing good deeds... can be and ought to be part of the ordering. And when attended with contentment, when we train ourselves in it and pursue it as one of the highest Christian virtues, there is great gain in it.

not far...

2009-02-20T08:32:00.003-06:00

Friday, Feb. 20, 2009

Isa. 65:17-25; 1 Tim 5:17-22(23-25); Mark 12:28-34

And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34)

Jesus came preaching, "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15) In essence, the kingdom of God is near you, the kingdom of God is not far from you. We understand that Jesus meant this spatially, not temporally. I, the king of the kingdom, am here in your midst. Dwight Pryor says that often when Jesus speaks of "the kingdom" he is speaking of his movement, his followers, as opposed to, for example, the future "new heavens and new earth" (Isaiah 65:17).

Interestingly, in this last of a series of questions challenging him, when this scribe affirms Jesus' answer that to love God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength is the first commandment and to love our neighbor is the second, Jesus says that he is "not far from the kingdom of God." I find this intriguing, and affirming.

Of course, it's far better to be in the kingdom, that is Jesus' mission. While this man has not yet humbled himself and turned from his ways to following Jesus, just affirming the principle commandments of the kingdom of God draws him near to it.

I sense a gentleness as Jesus deals with this opponent in particular. His interactions with the religious authorities in this whole section tend to be sharp, and hard, and pressing the differences almost to provoke the pending conflict. But not this one.

Is it the question itself and the man's affirmation of it that touches Jesus? That is, they've gone at it regarding Caesar and taxes, how many wives in the resurrection, about authority and faithful leadership, but this question may get to the heart of what's really important for Jesus, to what is central (Not that the other questions are not important, but they were clearly more set-ups to corner him...). Love God, love your neighbor - this is what you're made for. Love God by loving your neighbor, this is my teaching in a nutshell.

Secondly, this affirmation of Jesus to him, "you are not far from the kingdom of God," may teach us something about relating to people who have not yet repented and believed the good news. Something about loving our neighbor as ourselves. While dealing with sin in the church, especially with elders (1 Tim. 5:19-21,24-25), we ought to deal with it head on and openly.

With those outside who are interested, those that seem somewhat aligned with important principles of the kingdom, can we interact with more generously than perhaps we have in the past? Too often we've been the ones like wolves and lions, not imaging the kingdom that the child of Isaiah 9, 11, and (by inference) 65 has inaugurated.

Some of those in Athens, to whom Paul preached, responded "we will hear you again about this" (Acts 17:33). Inside me, I hear myself saying to people like this man, "let's keep talking about this, we're closer to each other than we may think..."

training in godliness

2009-02-19T07:07:00.005-06:00

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Isa. 65:1-12 1 Tim. 4:1-16 Mark 12:13-27

Initially I was reflecting on Paul's words about marriage and food:
...abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
(1 Tim. 4:3-5)

He continues on to say, "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. " (v. 6) The RSV here reads "nourished on the words of the faith..." instead of "being trained," which actually is, I think, a better reading. A very quick look at the meaning of the word here has either "to live on" or "to feed on" - or this idea of training.

One meaning looks back to his previous words, the other to his words following.

Verses 4-5 reflect what I harp on with regard to saying "the blessing" before meals. We bless the Lord, not the food. "Everything created by God is good" - we don't make it good or better by our prayers, we do "nourish" ourselves first of all when we recognize God's gifts and thank and bless him. It was God's word that originally created all things good, that declared all things good; and as we align with his Word, intending through prayer to receive his gifts rightly, we set the gifts apart, and ourselves apart, as holy. [This same theme holds for marriage, and for sex within marriage. ]

Paul takes this theme of the goodness of marriage and of food, and says to Timothy that if he instructs the people about these things he be a good servant of Christ, nourished in (or being trained by) the words of faith and good teaching he has followed.

Paul then introduces the word "training" as he develops his argument, however it is a different word altogether.

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, [7] because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things.

This word for training is the word from which we get our word "gymnasium." Exercise yourself, train yourself, in godliness. There it is again: godliness, piety, religion (eusebia) - which we've considered a couple of times lately. Exercise at it, work on it, practice it. Godliness / piety is good for you in this life, and will reap benefits in the life to come. It is something in which to toil and strive, because our hope is in the living God, the Savior of all.

We can have an appearance of godliness, or the form of religion, but deny or be devoid of God's power (2 Tim. 3); the mystery of godliness is great, Jesus who has been revealed (1 Tim. 3:16), and who we are to reveal; and now the call to train ourselves in godliness, which, being inferred here, includes a right handling of God's Word, a right handling of our own words (no silly talk, ungodly conversation), prayer, setting oneself apart for God's use, a healthy and thankful partaking of all God's gifts, etc.

But let us note, with thanksgiving and graciousness, that it is training and exercise. Yes, that denotes toil and energetic striving, but it also means that we haven't arrived - and that that's okay. Just start "working out." Do what you can, today. Say your prayers. Read and meditate on and live out God's Word. Do good. Speak blessing and peace. Practice, experiment - and remember Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:8), your hope and the mystery of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16); and remember your goal, your aim:
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Tim 1:5)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim:3:16-17)

And the God of grace will be with you.

the mystery of godliness

2009-02-18T08:12:00.004-06:00

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Isa 63:15-64:9; 1 Tim. 3:1-16; Mark 11:27-12:12

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
(1 Timothy 3:16)

"The mystery of godliness" -
The RSV read "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion:..."

Paul uses this term, godliness, in that phrase from 2 Tim. 3 that we considered last week, "holding the form of religion (or appearance of godliness) but denying its power." Here, he uses it immediately after writing

"I am writing to you these things so that, if I delay, you may know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth" (vs. 14-15).

The instructions, so far, have included prayer and leadership.

But lest they, we, miss the point; lest we get sidetracked by important instructions about behavior in God's household; lest in seeking to be faithful in the church of the living God which is indeed a pillar and buttress of truth, we miss the mystery long hidden and now revealed; Paul shares that mystery in what seems to be a short creedal statement or hymn.

Great is the the mystery of godliness, or of our religion; great is the secret of living out this faith through our behavior as God's people, God's family, God's church; the great mystery is this: "He..." The great mystery was manifested in the flesh... The great mystery is no longer a mystery! He was manifested, vindicated (in his resurrection), seen, proclaimed, believed on, and taken up in glory. He is Jesus the Messiah the Lord.

Let me bring this quickly to the point, I think. All of this right order of prayer, leadership, etc. for those who name the name of Christ called out and gathered together as his church, is for one thing - that the mystery be manifest. That the truth be not merely a pillar and buttress but also a living, breathing, loving, healing, world-changing reality. As we considered last week, the very purpose of godliness, piety, religion, is to connect us with the power which is God, to be transformed into the Image in whose image we were made. Jesus himself is the great mystery (cf. Ephesians 1:9-10), and the mystery who is great. While he does remain hidden from so many (as we studied last night in Matthew 11:25-29), and the revelation of him in the heart and mind of a person is sheer grace and gift, still it is the call of his followers, his church, to reveal him to the world in word and in deed. Of course, that is precisely the point of being a disciple: to become just like the master...

Hear our prayers, Father. Have mercy on us. Make us like your Son.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
(Isaiah 64:8)

Belief, forgiveness, & prayer

2009-02-17T07:16:00.004-06:00

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Isa. 63:7-14; 1 Tim. 1:18-2:8; Mark 11:12-26

We have a couple of references to prayer in the Scriptures today. Paul instructs Timothy and the church at Ephesus about prayer. In fact, it's "first of all" (2:1) in his instructions about "how one ought to behave in the household of God, the church of the living God" (2:15). And Jesus uses his cursing of the fig tree to instruct his disciples about prayer.

Belief and Forgiveness. These are two essential elements of prayer. Jesus says

22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

All I want to say about this today is that maybe we only ought to pray for things we believe in, for which God has given us faith (which Paul wrote about to this church in another place, Ephesians 2:8). Yes, there is a volitional aspect to believing. We must choose to believe in God, to trust in him, and not in the myriad things that call out to us to trust in them. However, too often "prayer of faith" is rather something made up, I think; something that comes out of one's imagination, even one's "flesh."

How about, after presenting ourselves to our Father, that his name may be hallowed and sanctified by our lives, and bringing our hearts as fully as possible in line (kavanah, focused intention) that his kingdom come and his will be done, that we examine our hearts to see what indeed we really believe and do not doubt with regard to our prayers? What if, for a season, we experimented by praying only those things we truly trusted that God willed, without a doubt? Not that we wouldn't pray for friends who were sick, though we did not truly believe they would be healed - we just wouldn't pray for the physical healing, for example, but for exactly what we really believed... eg. a deep sense of security in God's love, reconciliation with a family member, etc. (Hang in there with me on this. This is the way we grow in spiritual disciplines, through practice and experiment. Of course we are to pray for people to be healed. But perhaps the way to differentiate would be to recognize the various categories of prayer. We have honest, humble, childlike petitions ("we humbly beg you to heal, Father"); and the "prayer of faith" which is really what I'm talking about [James 5:15 - "the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick...])

Secondly, forgiveness. Jesus says

25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

It's interesting to note that there is no verse 26 in Mark 11. Some manuscripts include a verse 26, But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses. This, of course, is exactly what Matthew includes immediately following the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. "Whenever you stand praying, forgive." Jesus seems to be saying, you might be able to move a mountain into the sea, but what good is that if your sins are not forgiven?!

But perhaps even moreso, I think Jesus may be implying that if we harbor unforgiveness we are undermining and destroying the grace of faith in our hearts. They go together. The faith to believe a mountain can be moved into the sea is the same faith that believes a mountain of hurt, sin, or abuse piled up in your heart can and ought to be moved. Unforgiveness is like rot to the pillars of trust, to the foundation of faith and faithfulness.

I recently read an article in Christianity Today by Richard Foster on the Future of Spiritual Formation. On a sidebar he listed qualities necessary for a Spiritual Director (I think that was the term he used). I was struck that he clearly and definitively included forgiveness as one of them. A spiritual friend or guide cannot have the darkness of unforgiveness clouding up their hearts as they seek to help another discern the light for their path.

Faith and forgiveness. Bottom line, key elements of prayer that connects with God, prayer that changes us and perhaps even our circumstances, prayer that is in the way of Jesus.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

P.S. here's a freebie, along the lines of forgiveness. Trinity Worship Songs. Click "songs" and enjoy, my son Mark has a couple of songs there, including a new one called "Confession" based on the BCP Rite 2 Confession. Enjoy.

The end is love

2009-02-16T07:06:00.002-06:00

Monday, February 16, 2009

Daily Office Bible readings

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Tim. 1:5)

The goal or end (telos), Paul writes, of their charge (command, instruction) is love. There is an imperative to Paul's gospel. In Romans he calls it the "obedience of faith" (1:5; 16:26). He speaks in this passage of the goodness of the law, and of his preeminence as a sinner.

Paul's message about "another king, Jesus" (Acts 17:7) obviously is a call to a faith that obeys and an obedience that trusts. As Bonhoeffer writes in The Cost of Discipleship, "only he who believes obeys, and only he who obeys believes."

But Paul well knows that the aim, end, and goal of the good news of the kingdom of God in the Messiah Jesus is love, not observance of commands. It is inner transformation, not outward conformity.

He says in verse 14, "the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." The very aim of the gospel, love from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith, is somehow conveyed in the receiving of the gospel. Grace overflowing with the faith and love that are in Messiah Jesus. However, even overflowing grace (a gospel that will not be contained!) is attended by a "charge," by directives given by the apostle to live and speak this way and not this way.

This morning I was thinking about a Jewish concept of prayer that I find helpful and I think connected to what I'm aiming at here. "Kavanah," or intention. It simply means to intend what you pray. I often hear people say something about the liturgy, or wrote prayers, getting boring, or them being distracted because the prayers are so familiar. That sentiment is absolutely understandable. And the antidote is not to beat ourselves up or just "fake it till you make it." It is simply to call one's heart into alignment with what you are praying, perhaps even starting over if you find you've been drifting off and thinking of other things.

The Greek word here in 1 Timothy 1:5 connected to faith, a "sincere" faith, has this definition "pertaining to being genuine and sincere, and hence lacking in pretense or show." Perhaps part of what Paul is getting at here is that the overflowing grace of faith and love we receive in Messiah Jesus while abundant, generous and free, still must be attended by intention, by a directedness, by a cooperation ("Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed... work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you to will and work for his good pleasure," Philippians 2:12-13).

I want to say our part is like river banks making sure the river doesn't just spill off and dissipate and is wasted... but that is not a good analogy, for we can't guide or contain God's overflowing grace, but perhaps it is like intentionally getting in the middle of that strong current, when we find ourselves pulling off to the side, to a calm little pool or inlet or the shallows where we can stand safely. That strong current is the love of God, and will culminate in the full and perfect love of God.

A pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincer faith at least includes the rightly ordered loves St. Augustine spoke of...

week of 6th Sunday of Epiphany

2009-02-15T06:45:00.004-06:00

6th Sunday of Epiphany, February 15, 2009

Collect for the Day
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Bible Readings for week of 6 Epiphany

Monday 89:1-18 + 89:19-52 // Isa. 63:1-6, 1 Tim. 1:1-17, Mark 11:1-11

Tuesday 97, 99, [100] + 94, [95] // Isa. 63:7-14 1 Tim. 1:18-2:8 Mark 11:12-26

Wednesday 101, 109:1-4(5-19)20-30 + 119:121-144 // Isa 63:15-64:9, 1 Tim. 3:1-16, Mark 11:27-12:12

Thursday 105:1-22 + 105:23-45 // Isa. 65:1-12, 1 Tim. 4:1-16, Mark 12:13-27

Friday 102 + 107:1-32 // Isa. 65:17-25, 1 Tim 5:17-22(23-25), Mark 12:28-34

Saturday 107:33-43, 108:1-6(7-13) + 33 // Isa. 66:1-6, 1 Tim. 6:6-21,
Mark 12:35-44

godliness and power

2009-02-13T10:23:00.003-06:00

Friday, February 13, 2009

Isaiah 61:1-9; 2 Timothy 3; Mark 10:32-45

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
(2 Tim. 3:1-5)

Avoid such people, and avoiding being such a person...

Yes, all the Scriptures today are profound and beautiful and inspiring (including the second part of the 2 Timothy reading). But what stirs me this morning is the phrase "having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power," because at least twice recently someone has mentioned it. I think the RSV read, "holding the form of religion, but denying its power."

Our "religion," or "godliness," or "piety" has as its aim several purposes: first and foremost being to offer to God the honor due his Name, to worship in the beauty of holiness because of his "worthship," but also precisely to do so in a genuine, humble, transforming way that gives space for a connection with God in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not to manipulate the power, but to connect with the God of all glory, blessing, and power, in such a way that my life is being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Simply illustrated - to so pray, day by day, the Lord's prayer that I am living it. To "intend" what I pray. To pray it but offer my heart, thoughts, actions, life to be the prayer. That I truly sanctify God in my daily actions and words, that I live in and advance his kingdom and do his will as seen in Jesus, that I truly trust in God and am truly grateful to God for daily bread, that I indeed live a life of forgiveness no matter how grievously I am sinned against...

Or maybe more simply illustrated - to so continually offer up the Jesus breath prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me") that my attitude and demeanor are characterized by gentleness, brokenness, and humility and not pride, over-confidence, and arrogance.

Jesus criticized the Pharisees in the words of Isaiah, "This people worships me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." To structure one's life around forms of godliness / piety in such a way that my deep heart is open and accessible to the fire and goodness and mercy and majesty of God, to the power of the Spirit of God - I think this is what Paul is implying what's needed by the saints in the "last days."

I think it was C.S. Lewis who said we pray, not to change God, but that we might change...

ministry in the fruit of the Spirit

2009-02-12T08:42:00.004-06:00

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Isaiah 60:1-17; 2 Timothy 2:14-26; Mark 10:17-31

the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness... (2 Tim. 2:24-25)

In this discussion that begins with Paul's appeal to Timothy to "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (v. 15), Paul is concerned about speech and conversation and teaching that is impure, destructive, and evil.

This morning I'm struck by this word regarding "the Lord's servant" who is to be "able to teach." In his description he uses some of the "fruit of the Spirit" to describe the Lord's servant teacher. Yes, he admits, you have opponents; and yes, you must endure evil; but do so in the Spirit. These indeed are evidences of a life empowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

And yes, the hoped for result in this "fruit of the Spirit" and not "works of the flesh" type of ministry is repentance and deliverance from evil and the evil one: "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." (v. 25-26)

But this morning, in preparation for service and the Lord's bondservant, the correction, the call to repentance, the "cleansing" oneself "from what is dishonorable" (v. 21), the fleeing from "youthful passions" and intentional pursuit of "righteousness, faith, love, and peace," (v. 22) must begin with the Lord's servant. It must begin with me.

There is no possibility of true, enduring, Spirit-rooted, Spirit-filled kindness, patience and gentleness without severely dealing with the impurity, the anger, the jealousy, the fear... that is close at hand in this planting, this garden, this vineyard, of the Lord. But God does promise to heal, deliver, and restore; he promises to indwell and give his life to who put their trust in him, who (with his help!) turn their hearts to him, and intend to follow and obey.

I will make your overseers peace
and your taskmasters righteousness.
(Isaiah 60:17)

let God's grace empower you

2009-02-11T08:14:00.004-06:00

Wednesday, February 11. 2009

Isaiah 59:15b-21; 2 Timothy 1:15-2:13; Mark 10:1-16

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, (2) and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Tim. 2:1-2)

The old RSV of this reads, "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.."

"Be strengthened by..." is a good / better translation. Or even, "be empowered by the grace that is in Christ Jesus..." would be consistent - and for me, today, more helpful. The root here is that Greek word, dunamis = power or might. Same word Jesus uses when he promises "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (Acts 1:8) and that Paul uses when he prays that the Ephesians will be strengthened with power in their inner man (3:15).

Balanced with the reflection on "fan into flame" - where there is, I think, a call to effort, focus, responsibility, we have here the reminder that it is a kind of aligning with, or drawing upon, what is graciously being given and being worked in us (different word, but similar concept in Philippians 2:12-13).

Strengthen yourself in this grace; empower yourself by this grace that is yours in Messiah Jesus. Drink deep of the wellspring of life. Remain plugged in to the power source (do not circumvent the absolute trust and risk and abandonment of self and of being in control that attends drawing power from God through the Spirit, and not really and finally from yourself and your ways and maneuverings). Again, do not empower yourself by any self-source, or "earthly" source, but only that which is gifted by God.

(Today's OT reading in Isaiah is the passage where he says that the LORD put on righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation on his head... again, this armor of God is just that, God's armor, that somehow he offers us, cf. Eph. 6:13f; 1 Thess. 5:8 - be strong, empower yourself, in what God gives...).

Suffice it to say, we naturally tend to try to draw empowerment and protection from lots of other sources. The repentant life, the life of continual turning from all that is not God to God, includes this core and critical issue. Seeking empowerment and protection in some self-source or worldly source in connected to, and a very short step from, finding life, satisfaction, and peace (ie. idolatry) in that which is not God.

Remember, you received a spirit of power and love and self-control...

And then, pass on this truth to others who will also train others in it. Grace, grace, grace, grace...

fan into flame

2009-02-10T06:56:00.002-06:00

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Isaiah 59:1-15; 1 Timothy 1:1-14; Mark 9:42-50

[I'm sorry to miss yesterday's readings, Isaiah 58 and the last section of Galatians are important and always great to reflect on...]

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
(1 Timothy 1:6-7)

This verse is always a good reminder.
I wonder if we can read it this way, "Because God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and self-control, therefore fan into flame, rekindle and stir up the gift of God that is in you." In other words, the appeal to be passionate, to be on fire, to be ablaze with whatever special gifting and calling God has given to Timothy, and to us, is itself empowered by this truth - that we have in us a spirit of power and love and self-control.

Is he saying, "you can do it Timothy!" "You can be strong and courageous and unashamed. As your heart and whole being burns with love for Jesus you can warm and lighten and transform your community. You can do it, you can find the strength and motivation to do it, because you don't have fear in you, you have strength and love and soundness of mind."?

To some degree we are responsible for our own "passion," for the degree to which our hearts burn with this love for Jesus - to fan it into flame, to provide a setting that is most conducive for the fire. I built a couple of fires last week. I love sitting by it reading for the morning. But it takes some attention. Especially when the wood isn't all dried out... If you walk away for too long, or just fall asleep, it will not flame for long.

The image only goes so far, but the call to focus and attention to one's life with the Lord is on point. Inattention, carelessness, prayerless, non-reflection on the state of our hearts, fear (which subtly, or not so subtly, influences us continually) ... will all lead to lukewarmness or worse.

But we have, as gift, all that we need to burn hot and bright.

week of February 8, 2009

2009-02-09T21:24:00.002-06:00

collect for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings for the week

Monday

Ps 80 + 77, [79] Isa. 58:1-12 Gal. 6:11-18 Mark 9:30-41

Tuesday

78:1-39 + 78:40-72; Isa. 59:1-15a 2 Tim. 1:1-14 Mark 9:42-50

Wednesday

Ps. 119:97-120 + 81, 82; Isa. 59:15b-21 2 Tim. 1:15-2:13 Mark 10:1-16

Thursday

Ps. [83] or 146, 147 + 85, 86; Isa. 60:1-17 2 Tim. 2:14-26 Mark 10:17-31

Friday

Ps. 88 + 91, 92; Isa. 61:1-9 2 Tim. 3:1-17 Mark 10:32-45

Saturday

Ps. 87, 90 + 136; Isa. 61:10-62:5 2 Tim. 4:1-8 Mark 10:46-52

Life in & by the Spirit

2009-02-07T08:38:00.005-06:00

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Isaiah 57:3-13; Galatians 5:25-6:10; Mark 9:14-29

I've been struck by how often Paul refers to the Holy Spirit in chapters 3-6 of Galatians. I recently read this blurb for a commentary by a former New Testament professor of mine, Gordon Fee -

Galatians: A Pentecostal Commentary
"In this insightful commentary, respected New Testament scholar Gordon D. Fee unpacks Galatians with a major concern for readers to consider the book of Galatians as if the Reformation had never happened, which takes the focus off the justification by faith or by works issue. Fee explains 'the concern lies not in how one begins life in Christ, but whether, once begun, one must also add these aspects of the law to be completed in one's faith in Christ.'"

"If we live (are alive) by the Spirit, let us also walk (live it out, day by day, step by step) by the Spirit." (5:25) After describing what that looks like from yet another perspective, this time restoration of a brother and humility, he sums up his appeal:

"Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." (6:7-8)

To say it a different way, John Piper wrote a book entitled "Future Grace," in which he talks about not just looking back and receiving grace for salvation, for the beginning of this new life in Christ, but trusting in God's grace for every step of the way, today and tomorrow. Or, as we confess, "we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life..." which can be read as "we trust the Holy Spirit who is the Lord and the give of life, right now and in every moment to come..."

This places life in the Spirit, for me, today, in the mode of humble, dependent, risky and courageous Christian living, and rescues it from the spooky or "crazimatic" category. That is not to denigrate the gifts of the Spirit, but to place them in that realm of trusting in grace, trusting the Holy Spirit, and not the manifestation (or supposed manifestation). The whole gifts of the Holy Spirit discussion can be so pressed that they become, rather than circumcision for example, what is needed to "become completed in one's faith in Christ."

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Collect for Purity, BCP, page 355)

concatenation

2009-02-06T08:25:00.002-06:00

Friday, February 6, 2009

Daily Office Bible readings, ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

This new life through the Spirit of God will bring about transformation into the image of the One whose children we are, into the likeness of the One who loved us to the end and who dwells now in us. There's a good sermon by Tim Keller that I've linked below for you to download if you want to. It's on this passage.

He draws one of his points from Jonathan Edwards. Edwards uses a big word to speak about "the fruit of the Spirit" - it's "concatenation" (a series of interconnected events or things). He says that the while Paul refers to fruit in the singular, he describes that singular fruit in a plural and varied manner. Each fruit is interdependent on the others. You can't have or be growing in one and not the others. Gentleness may just be personality, if there's not faithfulness and self-sacrificing love; joy may be present, but only if there is no need for patience...

(Gifts of the Spirit are not interdependent nor interconnected, within the individual - they are interconnected within the Body of Christ, cf. 1 Cor. 12)

This is what the Spirit does. Yes, we cooperate; but if the Spirit is present he will do it. Gradually, with some seasons much more productive than others, but surely - for the pleasure of the One who planted the seed, and waters it, and gives it growth.

"How to change" can be found at
free sermons from Redeemer Presbyterian, NY

faith working

2009-02-05T07:37:00.002-06:00

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Daily Office Bible readings, ESV

Isa. 55:1-13; Gal. 5:1-15; Mark 8:27-9:1

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:6)

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. (Mark 8:35)

O the many ways I seek to save or preserve my life. Little manipulations, ways of thinking or posturing myself (even if only in my own heart or mind), my contributions to secure myself and help God do what I don't really trust him to do. In the midst of trying to live a "Christian life," is it truly possible to lose one's life?

The language Paul uses in Galatians 5 says that the only thing that "works," the only thing of any avail (RSV), with any strength to acount for anything of value, is faith through love. Faith working through love. Later he will say that the "flesh" working produces all kinds of evil, but here he says that faith working is freedom, and faith at work in love, faith working itself out through love, is all that matters, all that can bring about life, love, joy, and peace...

That which is of me, which is my way, my seizing control, my having to secure my soul, save my life, is ultimately rotten and deadly. That which is of the Spirit, of an abandonment to the love of God in Jesus Christ, of a radical devotion to him who gave himself for us and our salvation, in this letting go and trusting, is security and life and peace, and salvation.

"Jesus, reduce me to love..."

trust is the way

2009-02-04T09:30:00.003-06:00

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Daily Office Bible readings, ESV

So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
(Galatians 4:31)

Paul is driving this point home, and will continue to hammer on it - in Christ we are free. We are children of freedom, not slavery; we are children by the Spirit, not the law; we are children through faith, not the works of the flesh.

He again appeals to the story of Abraham (cf. chapter 3), who was reckoned in right relationship with God on the basis of his trust in God. This story of Hagar and Sarah speaks of the "end runs" we tend to do to try to get to God's will for us, but not in God's way for us. I know I do this, and have recently been repenting for it. Of course, it's a deception to think we are trying to bring about God's will for us if we are not going about it in God's way for us - which is, of course, radical trust in him and not in "chariots or horses," not in our logic or wealth, or anything else.

And ultimately, that way of trusting in anything other than God, will be slavery. It will not deliver what it promises and will bring bondage and enslavement to that way - whether our logic or power or wealth or hoop-jumping or security-ensuring or approval-manipulating... only trust in God for life, for future, for the fulfillment of his promises as both the beginning and the way to live itself will bring freedom and increasing freedom in the love and Spirit of God.

Lord, help me trust you as a way of life, not just the way to life...

the Spirit of God's Son

2009-02-02T09:23:00.002-06:00

Monday, February 2, 2009

Daily Office bible readings

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
(Galatians 4:4-7)

Again, Paul comes back to the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit in this discussion. Enslaved children coming to adoption as sons... this is a very interesting way of describing the Jewish and Gentile condition before and after Christ.

This new life begins with the heart of the children welling up with life and love and thanksgiving and in some way or another spilling over in intimacy, trust, and deepest security to our Father in heaven.

"Daddy!"

"Papa!"

Notice that Paul says, "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts." Again, our principle story here is the baptism of Jesus. He commits himself to the Father and to his people and immerses himself in the Jordan; coming out of the water the Spirit descends from heaven upon him in the form of a dove, and the voice tears open heaven declaring, "You are my son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased."

It is to this word spoken to us through the life and work and person of Jesus that the believer responds, "Father!" It is only a gracious gift of God that the Spirit hovers over us and begets in us new creation, gives us new life and even the faith to trust and believe.

It is possible, and this is the urgency of Paul's letter, to forsake this freedom and life and trust and love, and return to slavery. To return to trusting in lesser things, the elemental principles of the world, for example, and not in the scandalous love of God for us through his Son. I am so susceptible to this. What about you?

Father in heaven, thank you for loving us. Give us grace to trust you, and forsake everything else in which we so quickly trust for life and peace.

Week of 4th Sunday of Epihpany

2009-02-01T22:22:00.002-06:00

Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings for Week of 4 Epiphany

Sunday Ps. 24, 29 + 8, 84

Isa. 51:9-16 Heb. 11:8-16 John 7:14-31

Monday Ps. 56, 57, [58] + 64, 65

Isa. 51:17-23 Gal. 4:1-11 Mark 7:24-37

Tuesday Ps. 61, 62 + 68:1-20(21-23)24-36

Isa. 52:1-12 Gal. 4:12-20 Mark 8:1-10

Wednesday Ps. 72 + 119:73-96

Isa. 54:1-10(11-17) Gal. 4:21-31 Mark 8:11-26

Thursday Ps. [70], 71 + 74

Isa. 55:1-13 Gal. 5:1-15 Mark 8:27-9:1

Friday Ps. 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 + 73

Isa. 56:1-8 Gal. 5:16-24 Mark 9:2-13

Saturday Ps. 75, 76 + 23, 27

Isa. 57:3-13 Gal. 5:25-6:10 Mark 9:14-29

2009-01-30T06:22:00.000-06:00

January 30, 2009

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!

Mark 6

53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him 55 and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

the promise, through faith

2009-01-29T06:33:00.002-06:00

January 29, 2009

Daily Office readings, ESV

3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

There's a lot hear about the Holy Spirit, as well as faith. Again we see over and over that it is faith / trust / belief that brings one into or connects one in right relationship with God. And this life is a life in and by the Spirit.

11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

We'll see more about what that is like in a couple of days. But for now (I have to run to Thad Barnum's morning Bible Study now), let us trust in God, and live in the Spirit. Peace.

justified by faith

2009-01-28T05:20:00.002-06:00

January 28, 2009

Daily Office readings, ESV

we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
(Galatians 2:16)

To be justified or righteous is not so much a legal standing, or a standing of moral purity, but simply God saying "we're in right relationship," or "you have fulfilled the 'demands' of being rightly related to me." And what is that? What is God looking for? What is God's will?

That we trust him, believe him, stake the whole weight of our existence upon him, his love and faithfulness.

Peace and joy.

families and offenses

2009-01-27T07:15:00.004-06:00

January 27, 2009

Daily Office readings, ESV

You know, some days nothing in your devotions particularly grabs you, or speaks to you - it is kind of hard work, or a discipline. Today's like that for me. I may be distracted, getting ready to leave for Atlanta today to see my son, Mark, and his beautiful wife and daughter, Monica and Lily. Then tomorrow I'll be going on to the Anglican Mission in the Americas (AMiA) Winter Conference in Greensboro, NC. I have a little anxiety about being at the conference due to being disconnected after resigning from my AMiA church 4 years ago, due to having concerns about what is emphasized and what seems neglected especially at these big gatherings, and just due to my own frustration, failure, anger, bitterness and cynicism that is all mixed in with my relationship to this "family" or "tribe ."

The thought I have as I let these Scriptures sit with me, as I let them mull around inside, exploring thoughts and feelings (even as I'm honest about why I may not be getting anything from them...), has to do with the themes of families, tribes, communities uniting or dividing around the good news of the kingdom, and of our freedom in Christ. Paul is absolutely alienated from his true family because of his past and his reputation. And even amidst the reconciliation there are those seeking to infiltrate and undermine their freedom in Christ. They were able to see and embrace a couple of different paths they'd be taking and honor each other in two different expressions and applications of the gospel (to the Gentiles and to the Jews).

Jesus, on the other hand, comes to his hometown, his own people who knew him and watched him grow up, and is teaching and doing some mighty works (though that may just be a report they are mulling over - "How are such mighty works done by his hand?"). And they take offense. For some reason they can't get past their natural, familial connection with Jesus enough to be awed or even to fear him, let alone humble themselves and repent and follow him.

One group moves from offense to unity and fellowship in Christ, the other from being fellow Nazarenes to taking offense. As I visit with Mark and Monica and Lily, and much moreso as I go to fellowship with my AMiA "tribe" - I pray that I will seek and find those places to be united in our freedom in Christ (it is for freedom Christ has set us free), and be tenacious in watching out for my heart taking offense at things not central to our unity and fellowship in Christ (my bent toward arrogance and being right is of concern here).

Even more dangerous to watch out for, I think, is taking offense (like those in Nazareth) over what and who is central to this life and freedom in the kingdom; that is, over the presence of the king himself working freedom in his children, advancing his upside -down kingdom, turning the tables and exposing my value systems and the honor & power structures of my heart. I choose you, Lord Jesus, today. I honor you for your humility, and poverty, and emptiness, and submission, and graciousness, and generosity. Be formed a little bit more in me today.

more on fear and faith

2009-01-26T07:13:00.003-06:00

Monday, January 26, 2009

Daily Office, ESV

Mark 5:21-43

"Do not fear, only believe."
(Mark 5:36)

This could be my daily word, probably for the rest of my life. Interesting how this theme keeps coming up in this section of Mark's gospel...

In this case, it is spoken to Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue, who came to Jesus asking him to come lay his hand on his daughter and heal her because she was sick and at the point of death. Jesus doesn't say a word, but does go with Jairus - presumably to do exactly what Jairus requested.

While they are on the way to Jairus' house, word comes that his daughter has died, no need to trouble the teacher (interesting reference in this context) any further. It is here that Jesus says, "Do not fear, only believe."

Of course, on one level this word is spoken with regard to the dead little girl and that Jesus can still make her well and live. But I hear a couple of other things here also. Not only is Jesus saying "believe that I can raise her up," but "believe that I am willing to lay my hand on her (as ritually unclean and wrong for a "Teacher," or any observant Jew, as being touched by a bleeding woman...) and restore her to life." "Believe that you and your daughter (cf. v. 34) are not untouchables, not out of reach, not hopeless cases cut off from community and from life;" and further, "believe that I do not consider it further trouble (cf. "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 4:38). Believe that I'm in this with you, that I will not leave or forsake you, that there is no limit to the trouble to which I will endure for you to rescue and restore you."

There is so much, once again, to explore regarding what we fear, and how that drives unbelief. It is as common to all people, I think, as it is unique to each individual: from our dear friend, and his family, who has been faithfully fighting cancer and recently learned it has appeared in his brain, to another friend who has a child struggling with loss and coping with drugs, to those whose income, or even job, has been cut due to the recession, to those young people trying to find meaningful jobs in this economy, to the deep questions of "Am I loved?" "Am I significant?" "Am I secure?"

It is good to keep reflecting and praying and being radically honest with our fears and distrust / unbelief. It is also good to recognize that passages like this are not absolute promises of physical healing this side of the "kingdom come," but signs of that restoration begun, of where it is all moving if we believe in Jesus, and again, that we must not fear that our condition or situation (or possible condition or situation, for after all many of our fears are not of a present problem but a future possibility) is beyond his reach, beyond his concern, too much trouble.

We have blazing evidence to the contrary - not only in his incarnation, but in his passion and cross and resurrection and ascension. Thanks be to God.

P.S. Isn't the whole epistle of Galatians which we begin reading today, another way of God saying "do not fear, only believe"?

week of January 25

2009-01-25T07:10:00.004-06:00

Prayer for Third Sunday of Epiphany

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunday Lectionary

Jeremiah 3:21-4:2; Psalm 130; 1 Cor. 7:17-23; Mark 1:14-20

Daily Office Readings, week of January 25

Monday Ps. 41, 52 (AM) + 44 (PM)

Isa. 48:1-11; Gal. 1:1-17; Mark 5:21-43

Tuesday Ps. 45 + 47, 48

Isa. 48:12-21; Gal. 1:18-2:10; Mark 6:1-13

Wednesday Ps. 119:49-72 + 49, [53]

Isa. 49:1-12; Gal. 2:11-21; Mark 6:13-29

Thursday Ps. 50 + [59, 60] or 118

Isa. 49:13-23; Gal. 3:1-14; Mark 6:30-46

Friday Ps. 40, 54 + 51

Isa. 50:1-11; Gal. 3:15-22; Mark 6:47-56

Saturday Ps. 55 + 138, 139:1-17(18-23)

Isa. 51:1-8; Gal. 3:23-29; Mark 7:1-23

power

2009-01-24T09:36:00.003-06:00

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Daily Office ESV

And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.
(Mark 5:15)

We have a second story where Jesus displays his power over what humans are normally powerless over, and the response is fear. True, later people marveled at the man's testimony (from a distance), but up close in the drama, as with the disciples in the boat in calm water, the immediate reaction is to be terrified.

And again, why? Maybe because here is One we cannot control. We are in the presence of him who can calm wind and wave, and command demons and pigs, and restore a man to sanity and wholeness. And perhaps part of us would rather have a god we can control in some degree and so (think we can) protect ourselves from any arbitrary outbursts of power.

Rather, Jesus calls us to repent and trust and believe the good news of the kingdom, that his power is for good and not for evil, that he has come to restore and unite, and only to subdue and conquer and drive out and destroy that which opposes him and works against his purposes of righteousness peace and joy. He also calls us to join him in his kingdom work; to work for peace and healing, to pray and proclaim and demonstrate in live consistent with the message, and to:

be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm...
(Ephesians 6:10-13)

This, of course, we do "in Christ" - hidden in his love and grace and care, and in the way of Christ, the very way he went about engaging and overcoming the "powers" - trusting completely in the Father, speaking the truth in love, and laying down our lives. This is not power against power, but trusting the Father to be the only one who can (1) overcome the powers, and (2) do it in righteousness and not become like them in the engagement...

fear and faith

2009-01-23T09:11:00.003-06:00

January 23, 2008

Daily Office, ESV

Isaiah 45:18-25; Eph. 6:1-9; Mark 4:35-41

40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
(Mark 4:40-41)

They, we, fear the storm and perishing in it's fury,
and they, we, fear God who is more powerful than the storm
(this not necessarily the good "fear of the Lord," though perhaps it is).

So many questions in this short passage. Do you not care? Why still afraid? Have you not faith? Who is this??
Whatever "storm" is blowing us about, buffeting us, stirring up, whipping up our hearts, we tend to be anxious or fearful that we will lose something - our life, our dream, our identity, our comfort. We will be diminished, or lose the control (which we never had), or experience pain. All is in question.

And yet, Jesus promises to be with us always, and to never leave or forsake us. He indeed is with us in the storm.

I guess the question at the bottom of it all, the question that may reveal the presence of faith in the midst of the fear is "Do you not care that we are perishing?" Do we fear a storm, and/or a god, who does not care? Who randomly displays power, sometimes for good, sometimes for ill? Or do we fear a God, manifest in Jesus the Christ, who is both more powerful than the storm, and who tenderly cares that we not perish? Who came and gave up his life precisely because God loves us so much that, believing and trusting in him, we should not perish?

Yes, it's important and helpful to identify the source of anxiety or fear I'm experiencing, but not to dwell on it or submit to, but bring it face to face with the One who is Lord and Lover of all. And to choose what/who I will fear - Jesus who cares so much that he faced this fear of perishing, entered into the eye of the storm, and went down, dead and buried, and who in his rising and in his reigning says,

"Peace, be still. I care. I care that you live, fully, freely, forever
in me"

+ + + + +

“Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
(Psalm 35:27)

21 And there is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.
22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness
a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
(Isaiah 45:21-23)

automatically

2009-01-22T06:53:00.003-06:00

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Daily Office Readings (ESV)
(I will put this link in most days. It is all the readings for each day. You can navigate to different days, or use the search / browse tab to look up any passage. You can also listen to the passage being read and read along.)

Ps 37; Isaiah 45:5-17; Eph. 5:15-33; Mark 4:21-34

"the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself..."
(Mark 4:27-28)

Another translation of the above could be "the earth (land) brings forth fruit automatically." Of course, only if the seed has been scattered on it - but we know not how. It is "by itself," or "without evident cause," or "automatically," that is, without the help of me or you or any other human or human invention. That is we can, and must, let it go and trust in the God of life, and the king of the kingdom. There's power and life in the seed.

There's no formula, no program, no class that will bring true, godly growth in me or our church and community, unless God is in it. There are no hoops to jump through, no "A+B=C" that automatically will bear kingdom fruit. Only absolute, hands-off gospel, good news.

Isaiah prophesies that one day the nations will plead with Israel, "Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him." Wow. God so evidently in the midst of his people. Let it be so, Lord. If God is in us, and among us, we will grow, we will bear fruit - as we trust in him, love him and yes, even fear him who so graciously, so generously, so amazingly, so mysteriously has come to us in Emmanuel - and who "automatically" works in us and in our midst as we break bread together, break open the gospel word together, break open our hearts and lives with one another, and are broken with him for the life of the world...

In the deepest core of my being, am I trusting? Is the weight of my existence resting on God in Christ, or am I still holding on to control some of it? Are my hopes and dreams, my security and significance, finally left to the majesty and mystery of a crucified and risen (a dead seed, planted in the ground, that springs up to new life) redeemer? Will I believe that this life and power and presence and dynamic is in me and among us to function "automatically"?

be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18)

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.
(Ps. 37)

a thorny issue

2009-01-21T09:26:00.004-06:00

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Ps. 119:25-48; Isa. 44:24-45:7; Eph. 5:1-14; Mark 4:1-20

And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19)

Last night, while discussing the last sections of Matthew 10 (Jesus' "Discourse on Mission" where he sends out the 12 and tells them they will be handed over to courts, persecuted, killed... families will be divided...). Georgi brought up the fact that in our world Christians pretty much don't look any different than the world around us. That's a sad fact, and there's much to say about it - but not today.

I thought of that when I read the parable of the four soils. I think here we see one reason for Western christians' blending in with the world around us. The "cares of the world," the "deceitfulness of riches," and the "desires for other things" enter in and choke the word of the gospel, and so the good news does not bear fruit in our lives.

I am just beginning Walter Wink's second volume on "The Powers," titled Unmasking the Powers: The Invisible Forces That Determine Human Existence. In the forward he writes that "materialism itself is terminally ill, and, let us hope, in process of replacement by a worldview capable of honoring the lasting values of modern science without succumbing to its reductionism. In that emergent worldview, spirituality will be perceived as the interiority of material, organic, and social entities, as I have suggested in volume 1 of "The Powers" (Naming the Powers)."

Now, Wink is pointing to more than consumerism; he speaks of a whole worldview that perceives reduces reality to what can be touched, tasted, studied, disected, and finally controlled by us humans... But what the thorns represent in the third soil, falls in this category, I think. It is the air we have breathed, the water we have drunk, the whole matrix in which we have been raised.

Left to ourselves, it is inevitable. But the Father owns it all, let us pray for mercy - that he would till the soil, and pull those thornbushes (or at least give us discernment that we may "put them off", per Ephesians 4). Those thorns are insidious. In my yard, they may yield blackberries (O deceitful desire), but I just cannot get rid of them, they keep popping up even though I try to pull them up by the roots!

But my new nature is not essentially "thorny" (though that stuff keeps popping up in my old nature). Paul writes, "Once we were darkness, but now we are light in the Lord" - not "in" darkness, not "in" the light (Eph. 5:8-9) - our very nature has been transformed, penetrated and permeated by the seed and life of the good news. We are now children of a Father, not workers for a tyrant, or in a desperate win-lose battle with evil. So Paul says:
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Lastly, I need my brothers and sisters. Me and the TV hidden away by ourselves are just not going to bear the fruit of light. I need be out in that field with all the other seedlings, not in my own private greenhouse trying to make it on my own. Part of looking different from the world around us, part of perceiving the seduction/deception of our culture of materialism, lies in the new community, the band of disciples, the family around the table. When a whole Christian community begins looking different that the community in which it lives and works and plays... then the fruit-bearing really can be more toward that one-hundredfold. We need each other.

practice, practice, practice

2009-01-20T06:59:00.003-06:00

January 20, 2009

Psalm 36, 39; Isaiah 44:9-20; Ephesians 4:17-32; Mark 3:19-35

Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

This, of course, is a big Christian life theme; an important theme for a "Director of Spiritual Formation" - putting off and putting on, the baptized life. Paul refers to this manner of living, of a disciplined, discipled life, as "the way you learned Christ."

Yesterday I went with the COTA youth group to serve lunch at the Waterfront Rescue Mission in Mobile. At one point, I tossed something from a distance into a trash can. One of our guys said something about my shot, and I thought and said, it took lots and lots of practice. Literally thousands and thousands and thousands of shots. (I also went to the driving range yesterday with a friend. I've hit thousands of golf balls too, but my shot is not as good... but seriously, I have not hit as many golf balls - with a good swing - as I have shot baskets with good form). The point is practice, practice, practice. Whether it's young Andy who went with us to the driving range who is already a good piano player, or Senior in High School Anna who is an amazing piano player, it takes practice, practice, practice - and our body, mind, spirit learns to do it "naturally."

Or whether it's the man in the Waterfront program who shared with me how he wasted four years of his life in prison because of cocaine, and thinking stupidly, thinking, if you will,

as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (Eph. 4:17-18)

As he shared about his determination to live a new life, I shared with him it will be thinking right every day, a kind of practice, practice, practice. Day by day, working the program...

This is the "way" we learn in Jesus to live. We cloth ourselves in him day by day; we take on thoughts worthy of him, inspired by him day by day; we center ourselves on the "new man" who indwells us, and draw our life from him, not from our old, self-centered way of living. And we do it intentionally, when the pressure is off (great book by Larry Crabb by the way, though slightly different theme), then the temptation is not pressing us, so that we learn more "naturally" to see, and to will, and to live in and for the new creation in Christ Jesus.

And so Paul spends the rest of this section describing what "putting off and putting on" looks like. In essence, put off these things and put on these things...

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

"whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 4:35)

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
(Psalm 36)

he fills all things

2009-01-19T07:03:00.003-06:00

Monday, January 19, 2009

Ephesians 4:1-16

He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. (Ephesians 4:10)

This section of Ephesians came up the other evening as we discussed Tim Keller's chapter "How can a loving God send people to hell?" (The Reason for God, chapter 5). Verses 8-10 is part of what, biblically, is behind the line in the Apostles Creed, "He descended into hell" or "He descended to the dead."

While we don't fully understand it, Tom was so right when he said "Jesus went there so I don't have to." And he's been here, and knows everything I struggle with...

I'm intrigued today with the phrase "that he might fill all things." What do you make of that? He ascended far above all the heavens in order that he might fill all things. We have just read in v. 6 that there is "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Jesus, Paul says in Philippians 2, emptied himself when he "descended" to become incarnate of the Virgin Mary, to take the form of a servant and to humble himself even unto death. He emptied himself of his power and glory, and in whatever sense he was, with the Father, over all and through all and in all. Somehow in his ascension to the right hand of the Father, he has come to fill "all in all" (1:23).

I don't really know what that means today, except that Jesus is not only Lord in power, but he is filling and upholding all things from that place right now (Col. 17; Heb. 1:3). I can trust him, rely on him, cast the weight of my existence this day upon him who loves me and died for me. I trust his wisdom, his grace, his understanding of my weakness and need; I trust he gave me that breath just now, and that heartbeat.

Fill me, fill my life, my world today - messy, messed-up, beloved me.

2009-01-18T07:32:00.002-06:00

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Daily Readings for the week
(Reminder: the psalms are divided into two parts, for morning and evening, and are on a seven-week, I think, rotation. We usually replace Sunday's with the Eucharistic lectionary so we can be prepared. Usually the Scriptures break for Sunday, though this week, for example the Isaiah readings continue.)

Sunday - Ps 148, 149, 150 + 114, 115
Isa. 43:14-44:5 Heb. 6:17-7:10 John 4:27-42

Monday - Ps 25 + 9, 15
Isa. 44:6-8, 21-23 Eph. 4:1-16 Mark 3:7-19a

Tuesday - Ps 26, 28 + 36, 39
Isa. 44:9-20 Eph. 4:17-32 Mark 3:19b-35

Wednesday - Ps 38 + 119:25-48
Isa. 44:24-45:7 Eph. 5:1-14 Mark 4:1-20

Thursday - Ps 37:1-18 + 37:19-42
Isa. 45:5-17 Eph. 5:15-33 Mark 4:21-34

Friday - Ps 31 + 35
Isa. 45:18-25 Eph. 6:1-9 Mark 4:35-41

Saturday - Ps 30, 32 + 42, 43
Isa. 46:1-13 Eph. 6:10-24 Mark 5:1-20