Fig Trees

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9

Nothing can last forever. The fig tree that was in our yard when I was young was lost during a storm. It had produced fruit and given us shade for many years. It spread roots widely but could not hold on in gale force winds in sandy soil. It stood its ground and gave us delight for many years. Our fig tree had a great run, produced despite our negligence and is still missed by us all.

Jesus was again talking in parables. Using stories that created pictures in the minds of his listeners helped them understand but also remember. He wanted them to understand the importance of repentance and living a life of faith. God does not want us to dwell on our mistakes but simply ask forgiveness and get about the business of producing fruit. We are invited to do what we can with what we have. We are called to offer the gifts we have been given with the rest of the world, and to offer ourselves for change and growth. For God's love, we are invited to change and grow for the love of the world.

Today I ask God to help me repent of those things which keep me from growing. Help us all to shed the past that we cling to and take on the challenges ahead. May we be faithful day by day, so that others might know the depth of God's love. And may we bear the pruning with grace knowing that God is working with us for the love if all.

Pentecost

Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."

"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14:8-27

When we woke up this morning it was snowing. May 19th and we have a little bit of snow. Living is Southeast Alaska has taken some getting used to and I am surprised from time to time by the weather and the challenges of life on this island. At the same time, the opportunity to experience a radically different environment and to serve with these amazing people has been anything but a challenge. It has changed my whole perspective.

Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. The disciples were meeting together regularly in order to pray and find their way through after such devastating loss. They were surprised by the Holy Spirit, given power and strength when before they had only one another. They had remained faithful in new and challenging times and God responding by giving them the strength and power for the ministry ahead. The church was born on that day, and because of their willingness to be faithful in the face of challenges, we have a rich heritage of faith. We also have the power and the strength to serve the world because of their faithfulness.

Today, I ask God to help me be faithful and to trust completely. The little surprises and challenges of today seem small in comparison to God's promises and blessings. May we remain faithful, trusting that we will be given power and strength, not for ourselves alone, but for the healing of our world.

The Finger of God

Now he was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons,” while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Luke 11:14-23

The Finger of God

We are forged in the Divine image
crafted by strong unseen hands
molded on the wheel of life
and beckoned to life by spirit.

The shape of our lives holy
the steps we take a dance of love
the heart that beats is infinite
and the flesh is withering away.

Like leaves caught in the wind
we dance and swirl in our time
we are bound together in a crimson pile
all together the Creator's hand.

So we can chose to love divinely
summoning strength and courage
deep from within the heart of God
delight and joy await being born.

The finger of God traces our outlines
signals us to the circle again
taps out a rhythm on the drums
and starts our hearts again with love infused.

The Good Portion

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:30-42

I am one of four sisters. Growing up, I can tell you from experience, that girls can be hard on each other, always correcting and criticizing. We also can get tangled in envy and jealousy. We can also be tender, supportive and inspiring all at the same time. I love my sisters deeply and miss my sister Pegi every day since she passed away. The best times we have are when we enjoy each other completely and let go of the worries of the day.


Martha wanted to provide the best for her guests and so worried and needed help. Mary just wanted to absorb every good word that Jesus could offer. Her excitement took her to set aside the worries of the day and learn from Jesus. Martha felt such responsibility that she could not shun her worry and care. We can be Martha and Mary at the same time, wanting to absorb the goodness of the day, while fretting and toiling. We can build resentment and envy, even though God is inviting us to let go and trust in the Creator's goodness and provision. We are encouraged today to set aside our anxiety and worry for a time as we sit with God's blessings in our midst. Today is enough and God is more than gracious to provide for today.

Today I ask God to help me be completely like Mary. May we intentionally set worries aside and revel in the love we have been given. May we see God's face in everyone and see the blessing in every moment. May we set down the lists and pick up the hand of those around us. May today be a gift from God for everyone we meet.

Who is My Neighbor?

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii1 and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

Living in a small town can have its advantages and its challenges. This town, on our little island has less than fourteen miles of road, to one of the island or the other. There are lots of places to explore and in this small town folks are generous and willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Island living makes us interdependent so that we cooperate with our neighbors and support one another as we can.

A bright well trained young man comes to Jesus. He wants to do everything right and has spent his life trying to accomplish things and do all the right things. Jesus challenges him to do more than do the right things. He challenges him. by telling a story, to live with mercy and love first, loving the enemy and the stranger well. We are all challenged by this story of the Good Samaritan. We want to so right but fear and discomfort keep us from living a generous and merciful life. The good news is every day is a new opportunity to make mercy and service our lives.

Today I ask God to help me set aside fear. May generosity, compassion and mercy replace the anxiety of today. May our lives be reborn in the spirit of love, with our eyes wide open to the needs of our neighbors. And may we no longer be blinded to the needs of others, but rather, be every moment inclined to serve others today.

Revealed to Children

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” Luke 10:21-24

Revealed to Children (to Mark, on our anniversary)

We were but children when love showed up
a warm early summer day drenched with light
new June strawberries from the Ay-rabs
sweet and tender like we were then.

Love visited in light dancing on the waves
in dark starlight nights when bugs moved in
we turned away from bitterness and bore the stings
for love was ours to nurture and to tend.

Alone in a very adult angry city
torn by poverty, powerlessness and smog
we grew a garden of sweet vegetables
and turned the soil until in could breathe again.

We held our babies close and played their games
we were children together, reaching and laughing
dancing to old albums into the night
watching their beauty shine from their eyes.

We kept out the capacity to be harsh and cruel
though the city and towns alike tried to break us
we danced in the night and ran in the sand
and found that love was with us like a friend.

God seeks the tender, the vulnerable and outcast
brings them a basketful of love constantly replenished
helps build a sheltered arbor of delight and wonder
wishing the whole world was willing to be small.

Mother's Day

Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."John 17:20-26

My mother is one of those people that always wanted to get everyone together and have a "big" time. Nothing fancy in her book, just family and friends gathering around eating and talking. At 90, she will still host her annual bicycle parade that ends on her lawn. The whole town, almost, gathers to eat cookies, drink cool aid and eat water ice. It a big time social event that has been going on for more than forty years. She likes getting people together, loving one another and enjoying God's blessings.

Jesus is praying for his disciples as he anticipates leaving them. He wants them to get along, to be people who enjoy together God's blessing. He wants them and us to be one people together. It is truly easier said than done. We know that the disciples and the early church had painful disagreements and heart rending divisions. They were human as we are too. But God's desire for us is to be one, to get together and have a "big" time together, enjoying God's riches and blessings.

Today as we celebrate Mother's Day, may we be given to honoring those who have loved us first by loving one another. May we set aside our divisions so that we can enjoy God's blessings. May we see how much better we are together than apart. And may we know God's love as we gather as one people together.



Collect

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.