Humility

Sunday, September 1st, Proper 17, Year C

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, `Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, `Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 14:1, 7-14

Mac Davis wrote these lyrics. "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way." We all know that all humans judge others and can look down on others who they feel are inferior. We can even, because of role, wealth or upbringing, think we are superior. And yet, we can too often find ourselves humbled by these same attitudes.

Jesus was teaching both his disciples and the religious leaders who were watching him closely. They thought themselves superior in every way. Time after time, Jesus confronts the wealthy, the arrogant ad the judgmental, by calling them to humility and service. And we are called, if we would be followers, to humility and service. We are to invite the " poor, crippled, lame and the blind" for the very reason that they cannot repay us, nor give us status. Yet we are promised love and abundance beyond measure if we but humble ourselves.

Today, I ask God to help me live humbly always. May we be those who plan banquets for those who need us, giving honor to the outcasts and aliens, the marginalized and the hated. In these places, we will know great love.

Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

A KIss and a Sword

Immediately, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” All of them deserted him and fled.

A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked. Mark 14:43-52

A Kiss and a Sword

Those who seemed to love us
will betray us when fear rises
when they ache for what we have
or for thirty pieces of silver.

When the storms threatened
when darkness descends early
when limits and boundaries set
they will betray their beloved.

Fighting for the last gallon of water
grabbing that last seat on a flight
stealing your beloved with charms
their fear will knock out all sense.

We will breathe and let light in
know that the Savior was betrayed
hold tight to the coming resurrection
praying for the fears of these times.

Are You Still Sleeping?

And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,

‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same.

They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.” Mark 14:27-42 

Sleeping and napping can be divine gifts. A rested body is very important. Science tells us that the only way we heal is through sleep. Our brains cannot multi-task, even though we would like to believe that. Our brains take on the work of healing when we sleep. And yet, some of us, who have experienced lack of sleep know how hard it can be to stay awake, even when we want and need to.

Jesus has been praying and returns to find his dear friends sleeping. They have eaten and drunk their fill. They have no idea what is ahead. They have heard Jesus' words, but their bodies took over. The hour of betrayal had come. Betrayal, plotting and cruelty had been aimed at Jesus before and they were used to it, or so they thought. This would be different. We are invited today to be aware of the cruelty and injustice around us and to never be complacent, or used to it.

Today, I ask God to open my eyes and keep me awake and responsive to the cruelty around me. May we be wide awake so God can use us for the love and compassion for the world.

Going Out Singing

On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’s disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?” So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

When it was evening, he came with the twelve. And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?” He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Mark 14:12-26 

Music is essential to my life and the life of my family. I grew up singing around the table after dinner, and have spent much of my life singing to my children. I often sing at the end of sermons, which helps me and the congregation remember the love and promises we have been given. After a surgery, my husband woke up singing, and it took me a good while to hear that song without crying. Music touches us deeply and speaks to our soul.

The Gospel brings us present to the last supper in the simplest telling. There is a Passover meal and the truth of betrayal, and then the familiar words we know as communion. Then they go out after a song. We never are told what the song was. Yet we do know that they must have sung, they must have been touched by the music of their lives. Like all humans, music touched their hearts and spoke to their souls. We are invited to remember to share the music we have. In the midst of pain and heartache, music can lift us and get us on our way. 

Today, I ask God to help me use the gifts of music that I have for the love of others. May we inspire and encourage folks in their darkest days. May we be the music that people need to hear.

In Remembrance of Her

It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; for they said, “Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people.”

While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. Mark 14:1-11 

In Remembrance of Her

She was someone's sister, mother
friend, daughter, lover and aunt
one alabaster jar and kindness
love demostrated changed history.

She had no name in Mark's telling
her name is generous and miracle
the mark of love out poured is hers
forever her beauty will inspire us.

Some will hate her now for waste
some will shame her now as lowly
others will find her simply foolish
yet she will never be forgotten.

There are so many nameless women
who gave of themsleves for love
who didn't eat so children could
who wouldn't sleep til all were home.

We must live as those who remember
love's touch, love's fierce embrace
the sacrificial love that is heedless
love which casts out all fears.

Keep Awake

For Tuesday, August 27th

‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ Mark 13:28-37

I am not one for getting up early. I also enjoy a good nap. Since I have spent a lot of my life with a family, working and going to school, I have had to work hard at keeping awake to read and finish papers. When I was in seminary and pregnant, I used to fall asleep reading and wake up as some heavy theological tome or other hit my head or made a huge noise hitting the floor. I'm not always good at keeping awake.

Jesus reminds us to be aware and to keep awake. I think he really didn't object to sleeping, rather, he is inviting us to be aware of the times and the world around us, never complacent and always alert to the dangers and abuses that abound. There is a need for us to be awake to injustice and abuse, aware and active for the causes of the poor, the needy, and all who are on the margins. We are called to be on guard for the good of all.

Today, I ask God to help me keep awake and aware of the small and large dangers around us May we all live to care and love for those around us, keeping the most vulnerable safe, and carrying love and forgiveness to all the broken places.

False Messiahs and Prophets

Jesus said, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must flee to the mountains; the one on the housetop must not go down or enter the house to take anything away; the one in the field must not turn back to get a coat. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not be in winter. For in those days there will be suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, no, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut short those days. And if anyone says to you at that time, ‘Look! Here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Look! There he is!’ – do not believe it. False messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce signs and omens, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be alert; I have already told you everything.

“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” Mark 13:14-27

False Messiahs and Prophets

Dear children, listen to the elders' wisdom
there will always be a new fad or fashion
a wonderful offer, a promise of youth
that will take your money and scar your soul.

The ones who come will promise to love you
woo you with sweet words and better dreams
yet no day will go by without them taking
never really seeing you but always blaming you.

Oh sweet child, the world is full of them
messiahs and prophets, hucksters and scammers
all sorts of attractive and conniving people
who have no care for your well being ever.

Seek the quiet of the Creator, touch the earth
know you are made of stars and wonder
you are enough for these treacherous times
trust that your maker is within you now.

Set Free

Proper 16, Sunday August 25th, 2019

Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Woman, you are set free from your ailment." When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, "There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day." But the Lord answered him and said, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?" When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.

Today is my parent's 77 wedding anniversary. They did not live to celebrate it on earth, but I'm sure they're celebrating. They were all about celebrating life, living faithfully and bringing healing and joy where they could. They both dedicated their lives to God, and crossed all sorts of barriers and lines, color, religious, social and economic, for the common good. They were always loving but never really political. They just took the command of loving their neighbor seriously. This is my true inheritance from them both. The gift of living for God and for community, always serving and willing to love others beyond measures, despite the challenges that life threw at them.

Jesus healed a women on the Sabbath day and was criticized for it. It wasn't proper or following the rules, but it was an act of love. Loving one's neighbor, bringing them joy, healing and relief is always proper and always in season. We are reminded by God that conformity is not compassion. If we are to truly love God and our neighbor, we will have to color outside the lines, reach beyond our comfort zones, and expect criticism for the life we lead.

Today, I ask God to give me the courage and will to serve as my parents have served, and to love as they have taught me. May we be courageous in our loving, sidestepping our own comfort for the love of others.

Collect

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

To Endure

As he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!’ Then Jesus asked him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.’

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.

‘As for yourselves, beware; for they will hand you over to councils; and you will be beaten in synagogues; and you will stand before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. When they bring you to trial and hand you over, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say; but say whatever is given you at that time, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:1-13

A Saturday Night Reflection

I learned to swim in the open ocean. I was so small I really don't remember it. What I do remember very well, is the feel of the salt water, the swells of the waves and the need to work hard to get any distance. One needs to endure to really swim in the ocean. Even seemingly calm seas have hidden challenges. Under tows and currents can surprise even the best swimmers. And things change with the seasons.

We are invited to look on our lives of faith with the impermanence of an ever changing sea. The tides get high and low twice a day. Our lives can come crashing down, but they will rise again. Our calm, sweet moments are often followed by a clanging riot of problems. Yet God promises to be with us in all these tides and seasons, through storms and collapses, through all the breakthroughs and all the breakdowns.

May we, as we prepare our hearts for Sunday, remember that this season, no mater how it has marked us, will surely change. There is more love to receive and we are never alone.

Two Small Copper Coins

While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”‘

“David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:35-44

We have traveled a long distance today, saying goodbye to daughters and grand daughter. We have spent two weeks with our lovely family. We are so rich in lovely human relationships, gifted with abundance beyond measure. We may not have mansions, and vacation homes but we have love and know we are love. We had to leave the place I call home, but we know that we are bound there, by relationships and histories that cannot be destroyed.

As the day closes, I ask God to help me always be like the widow. Generous and grateful for this measure of blessing, whatever it might be. May we all be grateful in our little or our much, showing the world tht God is blessing one and all. May we all live like that widow, thankful for the day, the light, for love and for home.