Ascencion Day

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20 

Loss and distance are always hard. When someone we love passes, when those who relied on for support and knowledge are gone, we can feel at seas without a sail or rudder. The memories and their teachings remain with us and often inspire us to be and do more. They are with us as we live to honor them by our works of compassion and care. 

Jesus and his disciples have had encounters after his resurrection, all of them fraught with great joy and great confusion. Life did not return to the way it was. They were flailing about, trying to figure out how to continue the work of their teacher and savior. This bunch of confused, struggling people were given direction as they lose sight of him, to go out into the world. He empowers them, despite the reality that they felt or seemed undeserving. We are reminded that when we are most vulnerable, God still needs us to share love in the world, and that, we are never alone or abandoned.

Today, I ask God to help me use the gifts of wisdom and compassion learned from those who have gone before, to love and care for others. May we all trust that we too are empowered, even in our weakness, to go and share God's love as we care for our neighbors, wherever we might find ourselves.

Consider the Lilies

Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 12:22-31

Consider The Lilies

The world has burst with color
spring light illumines and enlivens
the fragrant flowers all around us
sing the song of love alive.

The pains and sorrows of our lives
weigh us down as we daily walk
our lives of service and caring
cause us to miss the morning bird song.

The earth pulses with promise
turning always and again sunward
hiding in our shadowed worries
we can miss the rebirth around us.

Consider the lilies that do not toil
ponder the beauty in childrens' smiles
breathe in the hope that is braking out
drop the blinders and live again.

Ask

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
   Your kingdom come.
   Give us each day our daily bread.
   And forgive us our sins,
     for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
   And do not bring us to the time of trial.’

And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11:1-12

I don't like having to ask for help. I think we all like being independent and able to do what is needed done. Yet, too often, we hold back and don't ask when we are really in a jam. We do not like to seem weak or needy. We don't like people knowing we need help. Yet all of us need other people, none of us can truly go it alone, and we all stand on the backs of those who came before. A simple prayer, a simple ask, is often the key to our freedom.

Jesus teaches his disciples to pray in the simplest way. Then he tells them that they must simply ask, seek and knock. God's love and generosity knows no bounds. We are all too often struggling when we have forgotten to pray. We are often overburdened when we fail to seek out community. We are invited today to ask away, knowing we are loved so well.

Today, I ask God to help me put aside shame and fear and simply ask. May we be willing to always ask for what we need so that we have the strength and compassion to care for others.

Those Who Lose

Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”

He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:18-27

Those Who Lose - Memorial Day 2019

Memorial Day is here and we forget
on this day of honor and respect
to remember the fallen, the young
who offered their all for the greater good.

They gave themsevles up for others
not for rewards or for hig praise
but because they knew no other way
to honor those before and after themselves.

Denying oneself is not a lesson given
a gift from the grateful and terrified heart
respect for the freedom and love given
an honor bestowed on all citizens.

Some would say they died in vain
others would say that war is foolish
I say all that and yet remain convinced
they fell for me so that I might live.

Stirred Up

                            For the Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 26, 2019

After Jesus healed the son of the official in Capernaum, there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids-- blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." Jesus said to him, "Stand up, take your mat and walk." At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. Now that day was a sabbath. John 5:1-9

We often wait to live our lives fully until we are better, more whole, thinner, more accomplished, etc. The list is different for each of us, but the behavior is the same. We wait for some magical moment, to jump in and get on with it. Often times, those moments never come. Jesus finds a man who has been waiting by the pool for  a long time. He instructs him to get up and get moving. And he instructs as well, to do what we can, not waiting for our perfection, but to take steps, even on tentative legs.

Today I ask God to help me get up and get going, so that no matter the restrictions I might face, I can carry the love of God to others. May we all let go of all shoulds and coulds, getting up to spread love around.

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Daughters

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.

As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.” When Jesus heard this, he replied, “Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.” When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. Luke 8:40-56

Daughters

We women were once young daughters
laughing and playing in the puddles
swinging bookbags on our way home
believing in magic, wonder and hope.

We women are at once bent with age
our daily pain and suffering unseen
bleeding and aching in silence
brave, strong, tender and alone.

We women still need our mothers
our dreams, our hope and faith
spurned by government ad clinic
we ache for our childlike spirit.

We women are always ready to embrace
the love of children and neighbors
ready to try again new with the morning
willing to go into battle for love.

When Pigs Fly

Then they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As Jesus stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me”—for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many times it had seized him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilds.) Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They begged him not to order them to go back into the abyss.

Now there on the hillside a large herd of swine was feeding; and the demons begged Jesus to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

When the swineherds saw what had happened, they ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. Those who had seen it told them how the one who had been possessed by demons had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them; for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39 

"When pigs fly," is ususally said when there is no possibility of change. It is often said when folks give up trying since there is no way to make things better or improve the situation. We live in times when people feel stuck in a system which is unmoveable. And yet, as people of faith, we are encouraged to be people who expect miracles and who don't give up.

Jesus brings healing and freedom to an impossible situation. The man's family and friends have tried everything to help him and have given up all hope. When the miracle did occur, people were afraid. They didn't know how to let go of there tortured normal, their lives which had been haunted and terrorized by a very sick friend. We are invited by God to live into the new possibilities and to rejoice in the miracles and healing when they happen.

Today, I ask God to help me imagine and live into new possibilities. May we always welcome the heling love of God in our lives and rejoice when "pigs fly."

There Was Calm

Jesus said, “No one after lighting a lamp hides it under a jar, or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, nor is anything secret that will not become known and come to light. Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A windstorm swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?” Luke 8:16-25 

We used to lined our chairs up at the kitchen window and watch the storms roll across the bay. The lightening and the thunder surrounded us, but we were safe.  I have so often headed to the beach when the weather is rough to catch the big waves. It is one thing to be safely on shore and another to be caught up in the midst of it. Rocking and rolling on the waves is a terrifying event, even to the most seasoned of sailors. We all can be sailing along in life and be hit by storms we cannot handle. 

Jesus has been teaching in the midst of a crowd and welcomes all those who listen to be his family. We moved from the crowd to the intimacy of his closest friends on a boat. The storm hits while he is sleeping. Despite all the miracles they have seen, they are sure they are doomed this night. We have all had those moments when our doom seems moments away. Yet our Gospel reminds us that Jesus is in the midst of al of our terrors and storms.

Today I ask God to help me be faithful in the midst of the storms. May we seek the calm of God's love in the midsts of our trials and terrors, so that we can help those who cannot see the shore, who fear surviving another storm.

Sowing Seeds

Soon afterwards Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. Some fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

Then his disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but to others I speak in parables, so that

‘looking they may not perceive,
and listening they may not understand.’

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones on the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe only for a while and in a time of testing fall away. As for what fell among the thorns, these are the ones who hear; but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. But as for that in the good soil, these are the ones who, when they hear the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.” Luke 8:1-15

Sowing Seeds

The sun has warmed the earth
once frozen is now softening
the soil yearns for seeds again
life ready to burst forth in color.

The dappled light of morning
announced by bird's serenade
cut grass perfumes the moist air
possibilities blossomming around.

The soil aches for mending, tending
water, air and nutrients to be added
she cannot remove her stubborn rocks
nor pull the weeds trying to choke her.

Lend a hand and get them dirty
for love's harvest is a messy thing
we must invest our hearts to the task
and give the verdant earth our all.

Wisdom's Children

“To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.’

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” Luke 7:31-35








Wisdom's Children

Not taken by the passing fancies
the screen dreams promised but
rooted in the lasting abiding love
found in the quiet of the night.

Unfazed by glitter and tinsel
captivated by ancient voices
dancing with the older women
in the clouds of fairground dust.

Wisdom's children find love
genuine and ever steady
prayers are always on their lips
thanksgiving always in their hearts.

Drawn to the warming night fires
they listen to the old stories as new
revel in the steady solid promises
known by name and on the wind.