Temptation - First Sunday in Lent

First Sunday in Lent March 1, 2020

Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him. Matthew 4:1-11 

So often we talk about temptation as overindulging in food or other consumables, when in truth the temptations in most of our lives come as selfishness and abuse of power. We might resist the cookie but not give up our seat for a handicapped person. We might pride ourselves in charity and do it only for the attention and honor it garners. We can talk a good, pious game and take advantage of weaker people on a daily basis.

Jesus goes into the wilderness. This is one of the only stories in the Gospel where Jesus is completely alone. This is a critical moment in his ministry, because he must of regularly told on himself about these days in the wilderness. He must have wrestled with his humanity, his divinity and capacity and told his followers how important this time was. We are invited to wrestle with our temptations, to use our power and privilege inappropriately. We are invited to acknowledge our humanity and our need, as we start this Lenten season, to be brutally honest of how we are tempted.

Today, I ask God to help me be honest about the ways I am drawn away from God and community. May we all wrestle honestly with our brokenness, so that the light of Christ might truly shine through us.



Collect
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.

Protect Them

Jesus prayed, “I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:9-19

Protect Them

We all love battles between good and evil
the fantasy stories we wrapped ourselves in
the movie that captured our young imaginations
we gave ourselves to heroes and brave hobbits.

We fail to see our daily faith struggles
as fighting against the forces of great evil
yet our land is swallowed up by huge serpents
of greed, division, abuse and neglect.

Ultimate power given to small celebrities
great wealth accumulated by con artists
we put up walls to shield us from truth
and wander in a wilderness of destruction.

Evil has always walked the earth in finery
the tempter using the roles we most desire
like young ones in a opulent candy store
we fail to see the poison in each piece.

Glorify You on Earth

After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed.

“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.” John 17:1-8

Sometimes we have to press on despite the hurdles, and sometimes we have to let go and wait to see what's next. When we have done everything we can, we have to let go and "let God." In my life as an ordained person, the hardest moments are when I have had to walk away from someone or some ministry I was very committed to. I am always amazed that the letting go brings surprising and unpredicted results, often not what I wanted but something better. In Lent, we are invited to "let go" so that God can work in us again.

Jesus recognized he has done all that he could and his earthly ministry was at it's end. He would have so much more to do in the span of a few days, but at that moment, he had to turn things over. Having done all he could do, he too had "to let go and let God." Our human minds and hearts want to push on and fix what is undone. We are invited by God in this season, to let go of all the broken pieces and see what God can do.

Today, I ask God to help me let go and trust God completely. May we be the broken vessels, together waiting for God's healing and direction. May our example bring new life and love to others.

Ash Wednesday

Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

Ash Wednesday

We have feasted and neglected
the needs that surround us
now we enter that quiet place
where we hear the cries of others.

We enter that stillness and solitude
we cannot out run our pain and shame
our humanity is loud and clear
God has a place to speak to us.

The world hushed, the heart beating
reluctantly we take off the noise
entering into the garden of prayer
willing ourselves to abide in grief.

Come and find some holy space
God lingers with us as we mourn
the losses, the failures and the pride
that make us one with all human kind.

For This I Was Born - Shrove Tuesday

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.)

Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him.” John 18:28-38 

Shrove Tuesday - For this We Are Born

Today we feast with all exuberance
tomorrow we bend our heads
accepting the ashes of our shame
seeking a deeper faith and truth.

We toss the pancakes so very high
because we know we are brought low
another was born for us to die for us
we go deep into those scary wounds.

It is a day of contrast and delight
as the world awakes to new danger
we know we are beloved of God
yet there is so much for us to atone.

Today we celebrate the blessings
tomorrow we meditate on sorrow
we live life on the edge of death
and even at that grave sing alleluia.

Denial

Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing round it and warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.

Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered, ‘I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I said.’ When he had said this, one of the police standing nearby struck Jesus on the face, saying, ‘Is that how you answer the high priest?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I have spoken wrongly, testify to the wrong. But if I have spoken rightly, why do you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They asked him, ‘You are not also one of his disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with him?’ Again Peter denied it, and at that moment the cock crowed. John 18: 15-27

Denial

Oh how lovely to pretend
to act as if nothing's happening
to live locked away from truth
shut off from the world.

The pain of seeing a loved one
in trouble for being themselves
more than anyone can bear
and we run from the fire.

Denial cannot stop the flames
when hate rises up against love
when fear turns into violence
then we must open our eyes.

Oh, we are all Peter that night
a heart breaking in his own fear
the coming loss too great to embrace
our feet already fleeing the scene.

Oh, even there on that dark night
God in the midst of us was too
part of the holy broken mess
now part of our holy broken mess too.

Beloved

                       

                                                  Last Sunday After Epiphany

                                                          February 23, 2020

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Matthew 17:1-9

Sometimes it seems like yesterday when I went to be with my sister, who was dying. I had flown from Baltimore, where we lived, having left my small children behind. I knew I wanted to be there. I was newly ordained, and as much as I tried, all of my training escaped me, and I was trembling as I entered her hospital room. There she was, beautiful, with no hair, beaming in her brokenness, with  my parents, sitting on opposite sides surrounding her. It will be the vision I hold on to, the one of the promise that these folks are blessed and changed in glory. Love breaks us and changes us and gives us glimpses of heaven, the eternal seat of love.

Jesus and three disciples have a moment alone before the whole group headed, for the final time, into Jerusalem. This mountain top moment, this transfiguration gave the disciples a glimpse of glory, a vision of the intimate relationship of the Creator to Jesus and all creation. We are not abandoned to death, but indeed, surrounded and swept up by love.

Today, I ask God to help me face the loss and fears of the days ahead knowing the depth of divine love that surrounds us all. May we all hold on to the vision of the Beloved and be love for the world in need.

Across the Jordan

The Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus replied, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for blasphemy, because you, though only a human being, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—can you say that the one whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world is blaspheming because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried to arrest him again, but he escaped from their hands.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and he remained there. Many came to him, and they were saying, “John performed no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there. John 10: 31-42

Across the Jordan

I cannot argue with you any more
I will go to the other side of the river
New Jersey side or the Canadian side
I will seek God in the absence of furor.

There is mess and agony on this side
genuine compassion and concern dwell
among the poor, the restless and broken
God lives here in this lonesome place.

You can dress up your elegant cruelty
you can sell ads to your mean deceit
I will wander at the water's edge
seeking miracles that come from loving.

You can shun me and reject me
hurl insults and try to kill me too
I will be the child of God created
for love of this broken and messy world.

No One Will Snatch Them

Again the Jews were divided because of these words. Many of them were saying, ‘He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?’ Others were saying, ‘These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’ John 10:19-30

We can't help but worry about those we love, especially when they are sick or have received a difficult diagnosis. We don't want to even consider living without them. We don't want them to suffer pain or harm, let alone be lost to us. Yet, we know pain and suffering is part of life and all of us will meet our end. For those who know us by name, and to whom we are known by name, we are precious and wanted in every moment that we have.

Jesus is being tested - as usual. His response is a simple one about the relationships forged in love. When we are known and loved we do not have to question the motives or the thinking of others. We are held closely, cared for and loved tenderly. Despite all the world can dish out, we are reminded that we are held by God's love, surrounded, as parents arms around a child, secure in the love that is unmoving and permanent. We are invited to live as those so loved that nothing will be able to remove us from that place of secured and solid presence.

Today, I ask God to hep me live the assurance that we are so very loved by God and held closely and tenderly. May we be the secure loving hands needed in this world today.

The Shepherd's Gate

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’ John 10:1-18

The Shepherd's Gate

The pasture flows with grass
a stream flows near enough by
there is plenty for us each day
yet we look beyond the gate.

We run free here and are safe
yet we see ourselves beyond
aching for the adventurous road
the dangers coming around the bend.

This is the shepherd's pasture
and we peer through this very gate
we think our peace is shattered
when it is our hearts lacking creativity.

The shepherd watches and waits
bring food and safety, singing along
we bleat out our dissatisfaction
we butt heads and fight for dominance.

It is the Shepherd's pasture and delight
that we should be cared for and sought
wanted and protected we resent it all
until the stranger comes to steal us away.

Lord, I Believe

The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”< So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” Then they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?” And they drove him out. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped him. Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” John 9:18-41 

Lord, I Believe

These days, when the sun won't shine
when reports of pain and horrors ahead
swirl around and try to swallow us
I will still say, Lord, I do believe.

The waters rise and the snow falls
it can be like drowning is our fate
we can feel the inevitable damages
or we can float and remember to breathe.

The whole world can panic on rumors
folks run and hide for fear of this disease
that is when we can remember we are loved
we can cry out, Lord, I do believe.

We can lose the roadmap and the light
find ourselves in a foreign place and time
yet there is no strange place to our Creator
and we are held in God's loving arms.

When our homes have been demolished
when another love has been lost in death
when sorrow is too deep and constant
still the love of God is here in our distress.

Mud on My Eyes

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar began to ask, ‘Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?’ Some were saying, ‘It is he.’ Others were saying, ‘No, but it is someone like him.’ He kept saying, ‘I am the man.’ But they kept asking him, ‘Then how were your eyes opened?’ He answered, ‘The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, “Go to Siloam and wash.” Then I went and washed and received my sight.’ They said to him, ‘Where is he?’ He said, ‘I do not know.’
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also began to ask him how he had received his sight. He said to them, ‘He put mud on my eyes. Then I washed, and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?’ And they were divided. So they said again to the blind man, ‘What do you say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ He said, ‘He is a prophet.’ John 9:1-17

Mud on My Eyes

Cover me Lord in the earth
and let me see life again
for I am drowning in sorrow
and losses too deep for words.

These neighbors ridicule me
my world is crumbling in on me
everything I could count on
is passing away from my grasp.

You promised before I was born
that I would be made in your image
yet I am frail and aching all over
wondering if I have been abandoned.

Cover my eyes and my being Lord
with the rich and loamy earth
the tender container for all life
so that I can know your love again.

Free Indeed

The Pharisees answered Jesus, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.”
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does.” They said to him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
“Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.” John 8:33-47

Free Indeed

Life has so many shackles
some are chains of our making
others darkly  thrust upon us
by those who would bind us.

The substances we have abused
are no match for this great love
not cupids or Valentine's day gifts
but the eternal Creator's love.

Love makes us a family member
strength giving by divine decree
all the enemies that gather round
cannot overcome love's power.

Rise up children in bondage
rise up those who have fallen down
for God has called you children
beloved and free indeed!

Light of Life

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Then the Pharisees said to him, “You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf.” Then they said to him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while he was teaching in the treasury of the temple, but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. John 8:12-20

The Light of Life

We are hanging on in rough seas
trembling in this wicked storm
lanterns lit, aching for more light
for the sun to shine on us again.

Up here on the rolling deck
the wind and waves are furious
we strap ourselves to the gunnels
and pray for a beacon of light.

So many are hanging on tight
in a world overwhelmed by pain
tossed by the tides of greed
crumbling from the daily onslaught.

Take heart for light craws near
again, there is an end to this storm
we will dance on the deck with joy
for the light of the world shines still.

Throwing Stones

Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them,they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.

Throwing Stones 

We have the ultimate power
When we pick up stones
Our arms become weapons
Of hate, anger and destruction. 

These same arms can embrace 
The lonely and the destitute 
Can stir a generous pot of soup
And make stones into bridges.

We are bound together broken
Forged from loss and hope
Sought out by our Creator 
To be the hands of living love.

Our hurt can become hate
And hate can become violence 
We can become the instruments 
That sing our people to freedom. 

Thirsty

On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.'” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

When they heard these words, some in the crowd said, “This is really the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Messiah.” But some asked, “Surely the Messiah does not come from Galilee, does he? Has not the scripture said that the Messiah is descended from David and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was a division in the crowd because of him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. Then the temple police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why did you not arrest him?” The police answered, “Never has anyone spoken like this!” Then the Pharisees replied, “Surely you have not been deceived too, have you? Has any one of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law—they are accursed.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus before, and who was one of them, asked, “Our law does not judge people without first giving them a hearing to find out what they are doing, does it?” They replied, “Surely you are not also from Galilee, are you? Search and you will see that no prophet is to arise from Galilee. John 7:37-52

Thirsty

So very much critical need
across a water encased globe
thirsty people crying out
for water that is safe to drink.

We have harmed and polluted
turned green to brown for gain
burned down the breathing grassed
clear cut the forests that are lungs.

The Creator seeks those who will mend
this verdant earth, re-weaving the sacred
binding back together communities
and listen in the night to the wind.

We are on the very edge of collapse
hands reaching for living renewing streams
places of healing, restoration, welcome
the very planet which has been given as gift.

Salt and Light

Fifth Sunday After Epiphany, Year A

February 9, 2020

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, 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. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:13-20

Some weeks are quiet and normal. Other weeks, like this past one, are tumultuous and confusing. From the Iowa Caucus scramble to the Impeachment votes, we have all been in a bit of a whirlwind. Most of us, when things get turbulent want to run and hide. When things are confusing we might feel drawn to our own corners to reflect and watch. It seems to me, it is in these times, when life is topsy- turvy, that people need others' gifts the most. A calm word or a gentle hello can make all the difference.

Jesus teaches powerfully about being salt and light, to people who have been crushed and marginalized. They don't think they have much to offer. It is exactly these folks who God calls precious and valuable. They are salt and light. Their gifts were needed then. Our gifts are needed now. Our little glimmering lights, our little spark of life, our small gifts of food for the soul - these are needed now more than ever.

Today I ask God to use my heart and hands for the good of others. May we be radiant so that those who are lost and without direction may see their way clear to a new day.


Collect
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.

Time

After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He did not wish to go about in Judea because the Jews were looking for an opportunity to kill him. Now the Jewish festival of Booths was near. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples also may see the works you are doing; for no one who wants to be widely known acts in secret. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” (For not even his brothers believed in him.) Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify against it that its works are evil. Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.” After saying this, he remained in Galilee.

But after his brothers had gone to the festival, then he also went, not publicly but as it were in secret. The Jews were looking for him at the festival and saying, “Where is he?” And there was considerable complaining about him among the crowds. While some were saying, “He is a good man,” others were saying, “No, he is deceiving the crowd.” Yet no one would speak openly about him for fear of the Jews. John 7:1-7

Time

There is never enough
and it's not the right time
yet love has wandered in
and will not be denied.

Those who would do harm
always gather when they see
a crowd bound together
a people full of radiant joy.

We will go up anyway
we will carry our hearts along
not hiding the hope kindled
not bending to evil's will.

There will be those who judge
those who will want to destroy
folks who don't understand us
who think we should be shunned.

Love has wandered in to stay
the doors will never be shut again
no walls can contain or keep it out
love is taking root among us.

To Whom Can We Go?

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?” But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, “For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.”

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil.” He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him. John 6:60-71

We all find ourselves in tough times. We learn who are true friends are then. In happy days, when there is plenty to eat and drink, everyone can act as a friend. When sickness, poverty or political messes arise, many flee away. Many people are in it for themselves alone. Yet, when we have true friends, the ones who will walk with us on the hardest climbs, then we are truly blessed.

Jesus is honest and sincere with those who have gathered around. They loved the miracles and the healings. They were groupies, but not true friends. The words he said scared them. They wanted an abundant life with no challenges. And Jesus spoke words that didn't please them. His close disciples were going nowhere. They knew the heart of God was with them in Jesus. They knew, despite all they might face, that this life of faith was worth every risk and danger. They didn't need to be popular, for they were truly loved. Telling the truth can lose us friends, but living honestly and faithfully is always a blessing.

Today, I ask God to help me live a life of faith and turth. May we not count the cost of following Jesus, and rather, count the tremendous blessings of friends and companions on the way.

Abide

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. John 6:52-59

Abide

The midwinter still is dark
the light fades yet too soon
there is no green of hopefulness
simply winter browns and greys.

This palette of February
when indoor warmth confines
and outdoors chills to the bone
we can forget the promises.

We can forget that spring
will come again unbidden
life renewed with abundance
will force itself upon us.

Abide, children, abide
hold tight to the love
settle in by the fire
know God brings better days.

Bread of Heaven

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’

The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day. John 6:41-54
When I was a child, there was a bakery in our town, which we frequented, usually with my Dad. My Mom was a great baker, so we were usually there to pick out a surprise treat for her on a birthday or another important moment. We didn't care why we got to go, we just loved going. The smell was amazing and the baked delights were so very enticing. The women behind the counter would always hand us a cookie, so we were in kid heaven.
Jesus was having to explain himself to the religious leaders of his time. They wanted to humiliate him and distract his followers by talking about his origins. They thought they could turn his followers away. But when people see and know real delights, the real presence of God, there is no argument that can persuade folks from that love. We are invited to know love and God expressed among us and to be fed.

Today I ask God to help me embrace that Divine love and be satisfied, whatever else is before me. May we all delight in the living bread, love made real in our midst.

Free Indeed

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31-36

Free Indeed

You thought this life was hard
until you found yourself imprisoned
selfishness, cruelty and need to win
had you tangled up in chains.

You thought that self made suffering
made you noble and one to be pitied
you never saw the need on the street
always passing the homeless beggars by.

The Holy One on these mean streets
seeks to set all of the captives free
the suits and the shiny glass buildings
will never give us our freedom.

Come again and be the child you know
set aside your failures and your pride
for love draws near in these dark hours
freedom is a simple yes to God.

Feast of the Presentation - Candlemas

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:22-40

Often the Feast of the Presentation does not fall on a Sunday. This year, it not only falls on a Sunday, but it falls on Super bowl Sunday. February 2nd is also Ground Hog day. The Presentation celebrates the day when Jesus was brought to the temple as an infant, It is a moment of light, a time of promise, and a moment of expecting new life. We humans need reminders in the midst of the "deep midwinter",  that life will indeed spring forth and that light is returning to the world.

The parents of Jesus were well steeped in the expectations of their cultural and religious traditions. They brought Jesus to the temple for purification and blessing, to do what was required by Hebraic law. There they encountered Simeon and Anna, two elders and pillars of the faith, who recognized Jesus as the one they had awaited all of their lives. What a wonder and shock it must have been for Mary and Joseph. They were doing their duty and strangers surrounded them and confirmed God's promises. We are invited to know that in community, even when we think we are just going through the motions, God's promises will be declared to us. The promise of new light, new life and the world awakening come to us.

Today, I ask God to help me take the steps forward in community that will reveal and renew the promises of God. May we work faithfully together so that all might see the light and love of God returning to every community.

Collect

Almighty and ever-living God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Dark and Stormy

When evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” John 6:16-27

We have all lived through dark and stormy times, when life seems like one catastrophe after another. A series of losses, wrong turns and rough weather can have us believing that we are doomed to fall apart and be swallowed up by disaster. We might try to overcome the worst by "positive thinking", until yet another mess comes across our bow. We fear the evil in the dark and in the storms. Yet often, it is the lush times, the successes and abundance which we take credit for, which lead to our disasters.

Jesus has just fed the hungry thousands on the hillside, a miracle of great proportions. An even bigger miracle happened during the night of rough seas and dark fears. The crowd ached for more. More bread and more miracles for their comfort. And Jesus, who crossed the sea and calmed the waves wanted them to seek relationship. He invited them and us to seek the heart of God and the love of God in each other. This is what sustains and keeps us, the love of God in Jesus.

Today, I ask God to hep me see the dark and stormy nights as an invitation to deepen my relationship with God. May we not fear these times, but rather seek and share the love that God has given us.