Faithful Conversations #29

Introduction to Readers:

Twenty-two years ago (Monday) terrorists hijacked planes and used them as missiles in attacks on the WTC in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. It’s safe to say they changed the course of history. It’s a day that is seared in my memory, in part, because it was our son’s 17th birthday and, in many respects, changed Jake’s life trajectory. He was among his classmates sitting in my European History class when we learned of the attacks when a colleague breathlessly ran into my room and said, “You need to turn on your TV — something terrible is happening in New York City!” (Sidebar: I was in the midst of a lecture on the life of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation at that moment — a strange companion to this memory!). 

This week’s readings focus on the Christian practice of FORGIVENESS and the 9-11 anniversary has been on my mind in that regard. As followers of Christ, how do we respond to evil in our world? Is it possible, for example, for us to forgive those young men who perpetrated those attacks many years ago? What would Jesus say about this? Let’s reflect. 

Readings for Pentecost 16
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 103 (1-7)8-13
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35

Psalm 103 (1-7)8-13: Thanksgiving for God’s Goodness

The Gospel Reading: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
²¹ Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” ²² Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. ²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. ²⁵ Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. ²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. ²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. ²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ ³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹ When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. ³² “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³ Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ ³⁴ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. ³⁵ “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

This Week’s Reflection: “Authentic Forgiveness: A Transformative Process”  

Every Sunday, and perhaps more often than that, we pray the Lord’s Prayer (known as the Pater Noster in Latin). We most often use this translation: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The origin of this prayer is found in Matthew 6:9-13 and is part of the Sermon on the Mount (there is a shorter version of it in Luke 11:2-4 as well). Interestingly, the version we use actually derives from the Book of Common Prayer, dating to 1549 and the English Reformation, but that’s another story (I got caught up researching that due to the occasional arguments we have regarding what version to use in worship — and the fact that the most common Biblical translations we use simply do not have the word “trespass” in them, but rather the word “debts” — we seem to be fighting over the version from the Book of Common Prayer, and not a Biblical translation!) 

The 5th Petition of this familiar part of our worship — Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us — is important for our reflections this week and a strong reminder that WE FORGIVE OTHERS BECAUSE GOD FORGIVES US. Luther addressed that in his explanation of the petition in the Small Catechism (Let’s have a, “What Does This Mean?” moment — A reminder of Confirmation days perhaps!): “We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look at our sins or deny our prayer because of them. We are neither worthy of the things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, but we ask that He would give them all to us by grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So we too will sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.”

And that brings us to this week’s Gospel reading, the “Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.” Jesus responds to Peter’s question regarding how FAR WE ACTUALLY GO with forgiveness by sending a radical message — forgiveness is an unending process that dramatically affects both the forgiven, and the one granting forgiveness. To illustrate his point, he offers a story. A king is attempting to settle accounts with his servants. One who owes ten thousand bags of gold — perhaps as much as 15 years of wages for a laborer in that time period — is pressed for payment. The servant begs the King to give him more time, and the King has mercy and simply cancels the debt. Freed from what he owed, however, the very same servant confronts one who owes him a much smaller amount, demanding payment. Showing no mercy, he has the debtor thrown in prison. When the King learns of this situation, he becomes justifiably enraged, relegating the man he had forgiven to prison and torture. Wow! 

As with most of the parables, this one challenges us to the core. The central point Jesus makes is that we forgive others because we have been forgiven by God. Our human nature, of course, gets in the way and forgiveness seems unnatural to us. History is filled with examples of payback and vengeance. And spend any time listening to the political rhetoric of 2023, and it is clear that forgiveness is off in the distance, if present at all.  Forgiveness, yes, is yet another example of the radical and countercultural message of Jesus Christ. In fact, I would argue that our ability to forgive is a miraculous gift and a reminder that we carry within us the image of our Creator. Through authentic forgiveness, both for us and by us, we are liberated and transformed! May we continue to pray for that miracle!    

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by Psalm 103): Lord God, Like a soaring eagle, you renew our strength day to day. Your steadfast love for us is constant, and you forgive our transgressions again and again. Plant in our hearts the capacity to forgive, even those whose evil we cannot comprehend. Amen.   

Our next round of FAITHFUL CONVERSATIONS is coming!: “Real Faith for Real Life!” 

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Join us for an exploration of that question in September and October. We will read and discuss Michael Foss’s book, Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship. In his book’s introduction, Foss writes: “This book was written to help you grow deep. It was written to help you on your journey of spiritual discovery and renewal. So it’s more than a book; it is workbook or notebook for the soul. Its pages will invite you to be open to hear the greatest call on earth, the call to Jesus the risen Messiah.”

All are welcome! No prior knowledge necessary! Contact me if you have any questions. Invite a friend!   Meeting Dates:

Wednesdays at 6:30 (September 20, 27 and October 11, and 18)

Faithful Conversations #28

Introduction to Readers: The problem of SIN runs in and through this week’s readings, and I’m reminded of one of my favorite episodes from “The Andy Griffith Show” called The Sermon For Today (I’m dating myself here!). A visiting preacher from New York City (Dr. Breen) comes to Mayberry and warns the parishioners that modern life has simply become too stressful and that they must take a step back from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with a simpler time (hard to imagine that Mayberry was all that stressed out!). As the folks are leaving church and complimenting the visiting pastor, Barney steps forward and compliments him on his sermon on SIN, though Dr. Breen had not mentioned SIN anywhere in the sermon! Barney, apparently, had slept through the sermon, or heard what he expected hear that day! You can watch the clip here, if you want a good laugh! Anyway, as you work your way through the readings, think about the various messages regarding sin and how we deal with it as Christians. My reflections this week will draw, in part, from Ezekiel, Romans, and Matthew.  

Readings for Pentecost 15
Ezekiel 33:7-11
Psalm 119:33-40
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-11
⁷ So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. ⁸ If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. ⁹ But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life. ¹⁰ Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel: Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” ¹¹ Say to them: As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14
⁸ Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. ¹¹ Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹² the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; ¹³ let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. ¹⁴ Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

The Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-20 
¹⁵ “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one. ¹⁶ But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. ¹⁷ If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector. ¹⁸ Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

This Week’s Reflection:
“There’s never any shortage of sin in the world!” My father, Unk Rykken, voiced that sentiment to me on more than one occasion, usually followed by subtle laughter. The reality of sin in our lives and the lives of others is ever-present, although we often see it more easily in other people than ourselves. This week’s readings offer several insights into our relationship to sin. 

Ezekiel (c. 622-570 BCE) was called to prophesy to the Israelites during the period of the Babylonian Captivity (597-538 BCE), including sternly calling out his countrymen for their transgressions against God (verse 1). What a difficult task Ezekiel had! (Let’s all picture someone standing on the steps of ELC on a Sunday morning, screaming at us as we enter the church, pointing out our failings in God’s sight, calling on us to REPENT! We would think them mentally unbalanced and most likely would sprint the other way!) Clearly, sin is a serious business and not to be lightly dismissed — we cannot hide from its consequences in our world (spend a few moments with any of the Old Testament prophets if you need a reminder).  Yet, take note of verse 11, and God’s desire for us to turn from our sinful nature and LIVE. It is said that this verse was Luther’s favorite from the book of Ezekiel because it pointed out the power of God’s grace (note the picture — he’s making eye contact with you!). Though we have free will, God did not create us to be living miserable lives in the darkness of sin! 

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, sin is once again being addressed. It’s important to read this passage through the eyes of those who were steeped in the laws of Judaism. As Dan Clendenin points out in a recent posting (Journey With Jesus, 3 September 2023), there are 613 commandments in the Torah (the first five books of the OT). Can you imagine attempting to follow that many commandments? An impossible task, for sure. The radical message of Jesus, as voiced by Paul in Romans 13, is simply this: by loving our neighbor as ourselves, all the commandments are fulfilled! The simplicity is both overwhelming and entirely liberating. This idea — loving our neighbor as ourselves — was not new within the Jewish community. In fact, it can be traced back 3,000 years (note Leviticus 19:18). What was NEW, as noted by Clendenin, was Jesus’ emphatic demonstration of God’s love, extending it to every person he met, including those wayward souls that so often accompanied him.     

Finally, Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel reading address the issue of sin-driven conflict within the body of believers. This is one of those hard subjects that most of us would rather avoid. As I read (and reread) this passage, two things struck hard. First, verse 18 is truly thought provoking:  Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. In other words, the relationships we have with other believers have an eternal quality to them — they matter and matter deeply! Second, Christ’s advice regarding handling conflict is deeply practical and matter of fact. Step One: If someone has sinned against me, point out the fault to them in private (verse 15). Step Two: If the person does not listen, take two or three people along as witnesses and have the discussion again (verse 16). Step Three: If the person still refuses to listen, point out the wrongdoing to the entire body of believers (verse 17). At that point, if they will not listen and accept fault, “let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector” (verse 17). (Sidebar: this last statement by Jesus seems especially ironic due to the fact that he clearly spent time with gentiles and tax collectors!). 

There is much to unpack in this Gospel reading. Jesus offers a template for dealing with conflict that seems infused with love, respect, and the preservation of dignity. He prompts us to engage with those who may have harmed us with kindness and discretion, but also with firm honesty. He reminds us that relationships within the body of Christ matter and that something affecting a part of the body impacts the whole. We are one in Christ. He suggests that there may be conflicts that are beyond resolution, and that we may need to accept that. These are hard things, but powerful in application.

Finally, as an educator for all of my adult life, I have had to deal with my share of conflict. A significant mentor from my early years of teaching, helped me understand the difference between REACTING and RESPONDING in situations involving conflict with others. It is tempting to REACT quickly and emotionally to perceived harm, but it is much healthier, and perhaps more challenging, to take a breath, take a step back, and RESPOND with firm compassion (think “tough love”). My sense is that is what Jesus is telling us here. Would you agree with me that in our conflict-filled world of 2023 we could use more of that approach?        

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by Psalm 119:33-40):
Heavenly Father, we pray for a deeper understanding of your ways. Help us to get beyond our selfish approach to life, and to turn to you for direction. Lead us, Lord, on the path that is guided by your commandments. We ask this in your strong and loving name, Amen.   

A REMINDER about our next round Adult Education/Bible Study at ELC: 

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Join us for an exploration of that question in September and October. We will read and discuss Michael Foss’s book, Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship. In his book’s introduction, Foss writes: “This book was written to help you grow deep. It was written to help you on your journey of spiritual discovery and renewal. So it’s more than a book; it is workbook or notebook for the soul. Its pages will invite you to be open to hear the greatest call on earth, the call to Jesus the risen Messiah.”     

 

Meeting Dates: Wednesdays at 6:30 (September 20, 27 and October 11, and 18)

I will be leading the study and all are welcome!  We will order several books, but you may want your own copy – available at a reasonable cost through Amazon. Feel free to contact me with any questions!   

Faithful Conversations #27

Introduction: Gratitude for a “Working Spiritual Retreat” 
MaryBeth and I enjoyed our mission trip to the 49th state and returned to Wisconsin thankful to have seen the miraculous beauty of the region, as well as the darker side of Alaska. The brokenness of many of those we encountered throughout the week was overwhelming, yet empowering at the same time. The Holy Spirit is truly at work within the lives of so many people who commit their time and energy to work with those whose lives are challenging day to day, and we were in awe of what we witnessed in that regard. It will take both of us more time to process the experience! 

And . . . a refresher on our approach to the Lectionary:
Each Wednesday since mid-February, I have been sending out the Revised Common Lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday. The goal is to become familiar with the RCL by taking some time with our Bibles in hand, and to reflect on the readings prior to our Sunday worship experience, whatever that may look like. I also offer a short reflection on one or more of the readings. I am using a “word-alone” approach to the readings, and purposely not being over-reliant on commentaries (sidebar: I include the readings here that provide the basis for my reflections). The blog is a work-in-progress and, once again, thanks for your participation!     

Readings for Pentecost 14
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28

Psalm 26: 1-8: Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness
¹ Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
² Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and mind.
³ For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
⁴ I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
⁵ I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
⁶ I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O Lord,
⁷ singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
⁸ O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-28: Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
²¹ From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” ²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ²⁶ For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? ²⁷ “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

This Week’s Reflection: 
This week’s readings have prompted me to reflect on the practice of OBEDIENCE in our Christian journey. Derived from the Latin, “obedire,” to obey means to serve, pay attention to, to give ear.  My impression of OBEDIENCE is that the concept (perhaps) was more important — or more consistently present — to prior generations. We live in a culture that is obsessed with personal freedom on so many levels, and OBEDIENCE to a higher power, something outside of ourselves, flies in the face of that. Indeed, OBEDIENCE seems old-fashioned, too restrictive, and far too limiting. 

It’s hard to miss the emphasis on OBEDIENCE in this week’s readings. In Psalm 26, for example, David responds to God’s steadfast love for him by walking “in faithfulness” and “integrity” (I love the phrase, “walked in my integrity” in verse 1, suggesting living the life of faith). Read that portion of Psalm 26 again with that in mind. (And, by the way, the passage from Romans offers an excellent primer on what the Christian walk should look like!). 

More dramatic, however, is the powerful exchange between Jesus and the disciples in Matthew’s Gospel. This episode comes after that lofty moment in which Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah, followed by Jesus blessing Peter and foretelling the building of his church on earth (verses 16-20). Jesus then offers those harsh words regarding his future suffering and death, not something the disciples wanted to hear. The ever impulsive Peter rebukes Jesus and says that “must never happen” (verses 21-22). Then, in an unusually harsh tone, Jesus calls Peter out: “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (verse 23). He then tells his band of followers they must “take up their cross” and be willing to lose their lives for the Messiah (verses 24-25). I must admit, I feel sympathy for Peter at this chilling moment. Like us, he was limited by the reality of his time, and he (and others) expected Christ to resemble an earthly king. They could not wrap their minds around this amazing companion of theirs suffering and dying in such a humiliating way — it didn’t fit with their worldview. And, I suspect, the message Jesus offered had not yet fully penetrated their hearts. As 21st Century Christians, we live with the benefit of hindsight, and it’s good to remind ourselves that the disciples were experiencing Christ in the flesh, in real time.  Unlike us, they did not know the end of the story of his earthly life yet, nor the miracle of his resurrection.

What lesson should we draw from this exchange and how should it inform our thinking in 2023? It is uncomfortable, to be sure, to contemplate “taking up the cross” and further, hard for me to grasp as one who lives in a society where I am not in danger of being persecuted for my faith (certainly, there are Christians around the globe who actually are!). Perhaps in our present context, “taking up the cross”  means OBEDIENCE to God, checking our own ego, being open to the word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, regardless of where that might take us. Perhaps “taking up the cross” means having a heart that is open to the pain of others, to those destitute and broken people in our midst who it is so easy to dismiss. Perhaps “taking up the cross” means to weep for the tragic divisions that continue to tear us apart and to be more deliberate and fearless about offering a Christian presence in our communities and in our world. The world desperately needs that presence. Let us “take up the cross” and walk forward in the light of Christ!

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by the horrific violence that has touched many communities this week):
Lord God, We pray for those that have suffered from gun violence in the past several days in our nation and around the world.  We pray for those who have been killed — may you guard their souls. We pray for those who have lost loved ones, been injured or traumatized — may you grant them healing and hope. We pray for those who perpetrate such violence — may you change their hearts and minds, and may you grant us the power to forgive these broken souls, as difficult as that may be. We ask this in your strong and loving name, Amen.    

Finally . . . a promo regarding our next round of Adult Education/Bible Study at ELC: 

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Join us for an exploration of that question in September and October. We will read and discuss Michael Foss’s book, Real Faith for Real Life: Living the Six Marks of Discipleship. In his book’s introduction, Foss writes: “This book was written to help you grow deep. It was written to help you on your journey of spiritual discovery and renewal. So it’s more than a book; it is workbook or notebook for the soul. Its pages will invite you to be open to hear the greatest call on earth, the call to Jesus the risen Messiah.”     

Meeting Dates: Wednesdays at 6:30 (September 20, 27 and October 11, and 18)

I will be leading the study and all are welcome!  We will order several books, but you may want your own copy – available at a reasonable cost through Amazon. Feel free to contact me with any questions!

Faithful Conversations #26

Introduction to Readers:
“I fear for our country right now — there is so much division!” A friend of mine offered this somewhat jarring statement in the course of a conversation this week. His words are on my mind as I experience Sunday’s readings, especially that grinding fear that often pervades our lives. Clearly, my friend simply has reached the point of fatigue with the drumbeat of the daily news (and obsessive focus on the things that divide us), and his anxiety level has risen off the charts. I’m sure many of us have experienced something similar in recent years. In fact, I have talked to many people who simply withdraw from the news, feeling exhausted by all of it. For over 40 years, I have walked young people into the world of history and current events, and there is no question that our current media environment can seem overwhelming. My admonition to them is that we have an obligation to be informed and reflectively engaged in our world, but need to be smart about HOW we are accessing the chaotic information environment — it’s a heavy lift for all of us! That said, I have included a link below that offers a great reflection on how to deal with “the news” from a Christian perspective — you may enjoy it!

One another note by way of introduction .  .  .  .   Beyond today’s blog posting, “Faithful Conversations” will take a pause and return on Wednesday, August 30th. My wife MaryBeth and I are enroute to Alaska later this week as part of a mission trip. We appreciate your prayers! As you will note, I did include the Lectionary Readings for Pentecost 12 and 13 and encourage you to keep going with the process. I also included a link to the Lectionary Blog that is part of the “Living Lutheran” Magazine (digital), that you may want to access for a change of pace!  As always, thanks for your continued interest in the Lectionary!      

Readings for Pentecost 11: 13 August 2023

1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33

Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33: Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. ²³ And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴ but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. ²⁵ And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. ²⁶ But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸ Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. ³³ And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

This Week’s Reflection: “Walking in Two Worlds” 

I have a vivid childhood memory of visiting a country church somewhere (although not Battle Lake) that featured the scene from this week’s Gospel on the front altar. It powerfully captured my childlike imagination, and, as they say, spoke “a thousand words.” The story of Christ walking on the water in the midst of a violent storm is found in two other Gospels (Mark 6 and John 6), but Peter’s attempt to do likewise is only chronicled in Matthew.

Remember the context. After the feeding of the five thousand (last week’s Gospel), Jesus goes into the mountains to pray (recall he wanted to do that earlier), sending the disciples across the Sea of Galilea in a boat. By nightfall, they are navigating a terrible storm, and at dawn’s light, with winds yet howling, see a figure walking toward them on the water. Not surprisingly, the disciples believe they are seeing a ghost. Jesus, however, identifies himself and utters that stirring line in verse 27, “Take heart, It is I; do not be afraid” (sidebar: according the Biblical scholars, the most commonly repeated phrase in the Bible is some version of “do not be afraid,” “fear not,” or “have no fear”). It’s at that point in the story that the ever impetuous Peter, wants proof of Jesus’ identity (verse 28). He challenges Jesus to enable him to walk on the water as well, and we know how that ended. Ultimately, Christ saves Peter, admonishes him for his doubt, and joins the disciples in the boat, at which point the storm ceases. Astonished by what they have witnessed, the disciples acknowledge Jesus as “Son of God” (verse 33), the first time that phrase is used by his followers. 

What are we to make of this head-spinning story? Let me offer two observations to consider. First, as Christians, we spend our days walking within two worlds simultaneously — our earthly life and God’s Kingdom (perhaps you have heard the statement, we “are in the world, but not of the world”). Fear is a palpable reality in our earthly lives, a truly human emotion — fear of dangerous situations, fear of health crises, fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of others who are not like us, fear of losing people who are close to us, fear of our own death, and fear of the future, just to name a few! Fear can so easily become a predicament, a trap. Like Peter, we want to step out of the boat and move with confidence through the perils of life, relying on God for strength. But, alas, our courage fails, we become distracted, and the choppy waters envelope us. In despair, we cry out, “Lord Save Me!”

Second, though we may falter in our “oh-so human” attempt to walk toward Jesus, he never stops moving in our direction, walking toward us in steadfast love. He continually reminds us of our place in his Kingdom, that we are already there. This powerful promise, sealed by our baptism, strengthens us to face our fears, not recklessly and without care, but with courage derived from our creator: “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” Let’s spread that message to those who need to hear it!          

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by Romans 10: 5-15)
Lord God, You assure us that if we call on your name and follow you, we will receive salvation, that your love is for all people, regardless of differences. Strengthen us to be fearless witnesses for you in our communities, enabling more people to hear of your great love for them. Amen. 

Postscript: Here’s the link I mentioned in the introduction today:  
Peggy Haslar: Books Before Newsbites: Curating the News with C.S. Lewis and Dorothy Day (“Sparrowfare” Blog) 

And . . . here are the readings for Pentecost 12 and 13:  

Readings for Pentecost 12: 20 August 2023

Isaiah 56: 1, 6-8
Psalm 67
Romans 11: 1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20) 21-28

Readings for Pentecost 13: 27 August 2023

Isaiah 51: 1-6
Psalm 138
Romans 12: 1-8
Matthew 16: 13-20

And, here is the link to the ELCA Lectionary Blog!

The most recent blog is located in the upper left, just below the big “Living Lutheran” sign.

 

Faithful Conversations #24

Introduction to Readers: 
Colleague Peter Bushman and I chatted this week about the sequence of readings that comprise the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and how those have been determined over time — such subjects come up in the balcony as we are working on tech delivery! Anyway, the Consultation of Common Texts Website is a good go-to for this question. It is wonky and may give you more information than you need, but helpful! Recall that our goal here is to build a greater understanding of the Lectionary and develop a regular engagement in scripture by working through these readings. My reflections this week will focus on the readings from 1 Kings and Romans. Thanks for your continued interest in the Lectionary! 

Readings for Pentecost 9

1 Kings 3:5-12
Psalm 119:129-136
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12
⁵ At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” ⁶ And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you, and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. ⁷ And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. ⁸ And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. ⁹ Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil, for who can govern this great people of yours?” ¹⁰ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. ¹¹ God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or for the life of your enemies but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, ¹² I now do according to your word. Indeed, I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you, and no one like you shall arise after you.

Second Reading: Romans 8:26-39
²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And God, who searches hearts, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. ³¹ What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not withhold his own Son but gave him up for all of us, how will he not with him also give us everything else? ³³ Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? It is Christ who died, or rather, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

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

This Week’s Reflection: “Decisions, Decisions!”
  
J. Robert Oppenheimer has been on my mind this week, in part, because I saw the new film. Roughly 78 years ago this month, President Truman and his national security team were in the throes of making the most difficult decision in modern history — whether or not to use the “once-tested” atomic bomb on civilian and military targets in Japan in pursuit of hastening the end of World War II in east Asia.  We live with the consequences of that decision every day in 2023. As the leader of the top-secret Manhattan Project in the 1940s, “Oppie,” as his friends knew him, was a central figure in the lead-up to that historic decision (sidebar: a renowned professor at Concordia College during my years there in the 1970s, Carl Bailey, worked on the Manhattan Project as a young man). A brilliant physicist and complex personality, Oppenheimer lived with the torturous ramifications of his work — a series of decisions on his part — until his death in 1967, something that is chronicled in the movie.  His story prompts me to think about the centrality of decision-making in our lives, a theme echoed in this week’s readings from 1 Kings and Romans. Young Solomon’s “dream conversation” with God and request for understanding and discernment, reminds us of the challenges leaders (and regular people!) face in making wise decisions.

First, some backstory on Solomon’s epic life. Recall that he was the son of King David and further, the result of David’s adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (if you want the complete story and sordid details on that, consult 2 Samuel, 11-12!). He became King of Israel in 970 BCE upon the death of his father, and ruled until 922. He is most remembered, perhaps, for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem (completed in 957 BCE) and his great wisdom. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, we associate Solomon with three books of the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. He is also, by the way, considered a significant figure within Islam.  

Solomon’s request for discernment (verses 6-9) suggests maturity at a young age, and reflects his response to God’s steadfast love and notably, his dependence on God. That word — discernment — comes from the Latin discernēre, meaning to distinguish or judge, and is perhaps a not-so-common skill among those in leadership. It strikes me that discernment often goes hand in hand with humility, and perhaps this is why God was so pleased with Solomon’s request (verse 10)! 

St. Paul echoes Solomon’s dependence on God in his “pep talk” in Romans. We often confront decisions in life that leave us baffled, that require great discernment on our part. Paul reminds us that in those moments we may not even know how to talk to God or what to ask for —  that we may not even know our own minds — but that the Spirit will intercede for us (verse 26). That’s powerfully reassuring! In those moments, we must assume a posture of humility and rely on God. Further, we are guaranteed that “all things work together for good for those who love God” (verse 28), and that NOTHING can separate us from God’s love through Jesus Christ (verses 37-39). That’s a word that we need to hear today!        

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (inspired by Psalm 119:129-136)
Lord God, Your unfolding words light our path. In our weakness, you provide great understanding and give us steady steps as we make difficult decisions. We pray for discernment today, Lord. Shine on us with your love. Amen. 

Faithful Conversations #23

Introduction to Readers:
As you work your way through this week’s readings, pay special attention to Psalm 86. Recall that a Psalm is included in the lectionary each week as a response to the first reading. The Hebrew word for this compilation of prayers, songs, liturgies, and poems (also called the “Psalter”) is Tehillim, which means “praises.” In the introduction to the Psalms in my Lutheran Study Bible, the nine types of Psalms are identified as prayers for help, hymns of praise, liturgies, instructional psalms, songs of thanksgiving, royal psalms, trust psalms, acrostic poems ( a poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a Hebrew word, name, or phrase when read vertically), festival psalms, and historical psalms. The 150 Psalms in the Bible were compiled over five centuries (c. 1000-500 BCE) and authored by many different people. More than 70 of the Psalms are attributed to King David who lived during the 9th century BCE. You will note that the Psalter is divided into five books: Book I (1-41), Book II (42-72), Book III (73-89), Book IV (90-106), and Book V (107-150). Those divisions are thought to reflect the five books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy), although there is some division of opinion on that. One final note: the Psalms were written as poems and also as songs. My reflections this week will focus on Psalm 86, and the prayer will draw from both the first reading and the Psalm. Thanks for your continued interest in studying the lectionary!      

Readings for Pentecost 8:
Isaiah 44:6-8 (or Wisdom 12:13, 16-19)
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

The First Reading: Isaiah 44:6-8
Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
I am the first, and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
⁷ Who is like me? Let them proclaim it;
let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old the things to come?
Let them tell us what is yet to be.
⁸ Do not fear or be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me?
    There is no other rock; I know not one.

Psalm 86: Supplication for Help against Enemies (A Prayer of David)

This Week’s Reflection: “The Gift of the Psalms”
How to read the Psalms? That question has been on my mind this week. It strikes me that through my first 22 reflections on the Lectionary, I have not specifically focused on any of the Psalms — an unfortunate omission on my part! Though never having studied them in great detail, I have always appreciated the Psalms, but viewed them as a “add-on,” for some reason or other, never central. Luther, it seems, had a different view. He wrote that the book of Psalms “might well be called a little Bible. In it is comprehended most beautifully and briefly everything that is in the entire Bible. It is really a fine enchiridion or handbook. In fact, I have a notion that the Holy Spirit wanted to take the trouble himself to compile a short Bible and book of examples of all Christendom or all saints, so that anyone who could not read the whole Bible would here have anyway almost an entire summary of it, comprised in one little book” (Lutheran Study Bible, p. 848).

Keeping Luther’s description in mind, here are four suggestions for reading the Psalms (these are inspired from “Walk Thru the Bible” website). First, immerse yourself in the imagery presented — these are poems that engage our imaginations. Second, break the silence — read the Psalms out loud. They were meant to be experienced that way. Third, linger a little longer. It is easy to rush through things when reading scripture, but it deserves more of our time. Slow down and allow the passage to enter your heart and mind. And finally, commit Psalms, or portions of Psalms, to memory. Many in our midst have done that with Psalm 23 over the years. There is power in that process and enables us to “call up” the Psalm during moments of joy or sadness.  

So, a few thoughts on Psalm 86 (though verses 11-17 are singled out for the Lectionary this week, I included the entire Psalm). The Psalm is part of Book III (73-89) and is the only one of that group ascribed to David. It is an individual prayer for help. David is a compelling figure in so many ways (we will hear more about him in next week’s reading from 1 Kings). His epic story is found in 1 and 2 Samuel. As a boy, I remember being enthralled with the story of David’s slaying of Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior (with a sling shot, no less!). His tortured relationship with King Saul, his infatuation and adultery with Bathsheba (note that Psalm 51 is his prayer for cleansing and pardon — and that it became one of our Offertory songs — “Create in me a clean heart, O God!”), and his rise to glory make him cinematic in scope. He also was father to Solomon — amazing. 

If anyone needed to pray such a prayer as Psalm 86, perhaps it was David! The first ten verses, remind me that we pray for two reasons: first, because we are on our knees and needing help! And second, we pray to glorify God. Read those verses again and note those two motivations for prayer playing out. As I read the Psalm, verses 11-13 speak powerfully to me for a variety of reasons. The notion of an “undivided heart” is powerful and calls to mind that we live with so many distractions in our lives day to day. Verse 14 seemed unclear to me, so I looked it up in another version (the New International) and found that helpful: “Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you.”  That feels personal, and makes me curious about the circumstances the writer was dealing with. Verse 15 — I suspect the most memorable portion of this Psalm — again reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us and that “steadfast love.” That phrase — steadfast love — appears three times in this Psalm. The word “steadfast” is an old word that we don’t hear often these days. It comes from the Old English and literally means “place that is firmly fixed” — a powerful description of God’s love!  

Finally, let me circle back to Luther for a moment. In the post-Reformation period, Luther wrote many hymns, and the Psalms often were his inspiration. The famous Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God,” for example, was prompted by his reading of Psalm 46 (you may want to look that up). With some quick searching, it appears that Psalm 86 has inspired a great deal of music over the centuries — note two examples below.    

Soli Deo Gloria

Music Inspired by Psalm 86 (click on each description to hear these pieces):   

First, this one comes from the English composer William Byrd and was first published in 1768, roughly 7 years before the American Revolution. The choir is the Cambridge Singers under the direction of John Rutter. 

Second, this one is more contemporary and comes from composer Gregory Wilbur, the Chief Musician and liturgist at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Franklin, Tennessee. The soloist is April Galtieri.

Prayer (inspired by Isaiah 44:6-8 and Psalm 86)
Heavenly Father, You are first and last. Grant us undivided hearts, that we may look to you alone for strength. Gladden our souls, Lord, and help us to be your witnesses within our various communities. Amen. 

And, one more thing today: I receive a daily message from the Henri Nouwen Society and today’s is excellent. It reminds me that we need to take time within our day to day to simply stop and allow ourselves to be in the moment. This seems especially important in 2023! Here is the today’s entry:   

“Although many good things have been written about contemplation and contemplative prayer, many people still have the impression that contemplative prayer is something very special, very “high,” or very difficult, and really not for ordinary people with ordinary jobs and ordinary problems. This is unfortunate because the discipline of contemplative prayer is particularly valuable for those who have so much on their minds that they suffer from fragmentation. If it is true that all Christians are called to bring their thoughts into an ongoing conversation with their Lord, then contemplative prayer can be a discipline that is especially important for those who are deeply involved in the many affairs of the world.” (Henri Nouwen Society, 19 July 2023). 

My hope is that you find that moment of contemplation today!  

Faithful Conversations #22

Introduction to Readers:  Two things as you navigate the readings this week: first, those of us who live in a semi-rural environment can feel a natural affinity with these ancient texts — they speak to us across time. I thought about that while tooling through the hills, trees, and cornfields west and south of the city this week on my bike (my favorite verse from the Isaiah passage is, “the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” — what a great image!). And second, look for references to JOY in each of the readings, along with a sense of optimism and hope. I found that to be a welcome relief after some of the challenging texts of the past two weeks. It’s easy to become angry or bitter about things in 2023 with all that is going on around us – it’s a slippery slope. Our relationship with God helps us move in a different direction and enables us to be purveyors of joy, optimism, and hope within our communities. May God help us find our “better selves.” 

My reflections this week will center on the Gospel reading, with a reference to the Isaiah passage.  Thanks for your continued interest in the weekly lectionary!    

Readings for Pentecost 7:
Isaiah 55:10-13
Psalm 65:(1-8) 9-13
Romans 8:1-11
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

The First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13

The Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23: The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. ² Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. ³ And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. ⁴ And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. ⁵ Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. ⁶ But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. ⁷ Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. ⁸ Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ⁹ If you have ears, hear!”

¹⁸ “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. ²⁰ As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹ yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. ²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. ²³ But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

This Week’s Reflection: Sowing Seeds With Reckless Abandon!
Stories are central to our humanity. I have a bias in this regard, perhaps, because I was raised by a man who LOVED stories of all kinds. Unk (my father’s nickname) told me on more than one occasion that, “everyone has a story to tell and they are just waiting for someone to take the time to listen.” He was a great storyteller and listener. I think about that often and theorize that part of our polarized 2023 world results from us simply not knowing the story of “the others” in our midst, especially those who are different from us. More on that at another time.

This week’s Gospel reading — the parable of the sower — is familiar, I suspect, to most of us. It is one of more than 40 parables recorded as part of Jesus’ first century ministry. Owing to its significance, it is one of seven parables that appear in each of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and further, is explained by Jesus himself in verses 18-23. The word “parable,” by the way, comes from the Greek “para,” meaning “next to” and “bole” meaning “to throw.” A parable, then, refers to things that are thrown next to one another or compared. (As a sidebar, I encourage you right now to read Matthew 13:10-17, the portion in between the two passages cited in this week’s Gospel. Jesus deftly EXPLAINS why he utilizes parables in his teaching).

Here’s the story. A sower is out planting and scatters seed in multiple directions. Some falls on the path and the birds have a feast. Other seed lands on rocky ground, comes to life quickly, but soon withers due to shallow roots. Some seed gets choked among thorns. Finally, other seed falls in good soil and flowers abundantly (verses 4-8). If you’re like me, my “hearing” of this parable has always focused on those four possibilities for faith formation. It’s easy to place ourselves — and others — in one of those four spaces  and make a judgement about the authenticity and growth of our faith, or lack thereof. But, it strikes me that there may be an alternative approach to this powerful parable. What if we focus on the sower, and not the seeds? The sower didn’t carefully spread those seeds. He threw them randomly — recklessly — without concern for where they landed — a perfect metaphor for the generous nature of God’s love for humanity! And, a good reminder that we should never be tentative about sharing that love, cautious about making sure the “conditions are right.” I suspect we can all think of instances where God’s love sprouted amidst thorns or the rocky spaces of our world. Jesus spent a good deal of time during his ministry in those difficult spaces and with people who didn’t fit the mold, much to the chagrin of the religious establishment of the day. 

The image of the generous sower reminds me of a long-ago conversation with a beautiful person named Charity Thunder. Charity graced my path on many occasions from 1990 to the time of her death in 2018. She served in a variety of capacities with the Ho-Chunk Nation, including an important time as a liaison between the Black River school district and the Nation’s education department. She was part of the interview team that recommended hiring me in 1990, something for which I remain forever thankful.  Over many years, I conversed with her frequently and she graciously spent time with my students as well. One exchange I had with her in the early 1990s stands out. I was especially frustrated at  the lack of progress in my work, especially as it related to revising my classes to be more inclusive in our understanding of American Indian history and contemporary issues — challenging work in our community. She listened and this wise elder said something I never forgot: “Remember Paul, as a teacher you are planting seeds. You may not see the results immediately, but you continue to plant those seeds and have faith they will flourish. Planting those seeds is the right thing to do.” The clarity of her words lifted me then and continue to resonate with me today. God Bless her memory!

The writer of Isaiah echoed those same sentiments in the 8th Century BCE:  “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”  

May we continue to spread those seeds of faith with reckless abandon! 

Soli Deo Gloria.

Prayer (inspired by Romans 8:1-11 ): 
Lord God, You assure us that there is no condemnation for those who live in Christ. Help us to set our minds on the Spirit, and empower us with your presence in our hearts. Amen. 

And, a second prayer with some further reading. Last week I mentioned Reinhold Niebuhr. Among other things, this powerful theologian is remembered as the author of the Serenity Prayer, made famous, in part, due to its connection to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It is a truly wonderful prayer: 

God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

If you want to know more about the background to the prayer, click here for an excellent article on that!  

 

 

 

Faithful Conversations #21

Introduction to Readers:
The American Revolution drew me into history more than 50 years ago and I have spent countless hours studying our fascinating founding period and what followed. This week’s celebration of our national birth is a good reminder that as Christians, we are challenged to continually reexamine the political world within the context of our faith (and yes, we should discuss religion and politics, even though we are often warned against doing so!). My reflections will primarily be drawn from Zechariah and the Gospel this week, although Paul’s commentary on sin in the Romans passage is relevant as well. As a heads-up, I have provided several links (more than usual) if you want to go further with the information — you will note those as italicized text (referencing paragraph 2 of the Declaration, the evolution of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Babylonian Captivity, Cyrus the Great, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer — quite the mix!). 

Thanks for your continued interest in studying the Bible and reflecting on how God’s word impacts our lives day to day!       

Readings for Pentecost 6:
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

The First Reading: Zechariah 9:9-12
⁹ Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he,
humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
¹⁰ He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations;
his dominion shall be from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
¹¹ As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
¹² Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
today I declare that I will restore to you double.

 The Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
¹⁶ “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,
¹⁷ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.’
¹⁸ “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; ¹⁹ the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This Week’s Reflection: 
Patriotism has been on my mind this week as we celebrate our national founding 247 years ago. I was raised with an authentic love and respect for our nation and its story, tempered by an awareness of its flaws — proud, yet humble. I have spent more than four decades trying to help emerging citizens to see their lives within that story. The beautiful promise of America embodied in paragraph 2 of the Declaration — that all people are equal in the eyes of the creator, remains an unfinished story. And may we remain committed to that goal of “liberty and justice for all,” as voiced in our Pledge of Allegiance. 

That confounding sibling of patriotism — politics — has also been on my mind this week, prompted in part, by the ancient poetry found in the reading from Zechariah. First, some background. Recall that the Old Testament prophets lived at a time of great political upheaval and their messages of dire warnings and restoration centered on the events of the Babylonian Captivity (c. 598-538 BCE) and beyond. The prophet Zechariah wrote during the post-exile period, after the benevolent Persian King Cyrus the Great permitted the Jewish people to return to their ancestral land. Not all chose to return, in part, because Jerusalem was in ruins and the future was uncertain. For some, staying in Babylon seemed the smarter choice. To those who did return, Zechariah’s prediction of the resurgence of the Jewish state and the coming Messiah (verses 9-10) must have seemed ridiculous. Imagine a king, at some future date, coming into Jerusalem not with a show of strength, but rather in humility, riding a donkey and commanding “peace to the nations!”  This is clearly not what they envisioned for their future! They were caught up, as we are, with the world’s version of power, as executed through the political struggle, which certainly lacks grace or humility! Jesus radically upends that version of power (see Matthew 21:2-7 or John 12:14-15).      

During my college years, I was introduced to the writings of Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) in one of my religion classes (we were studying the courageous Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was a student of Niebuhr’s at Union Theological Seminary in New York in the early 1930s).  Niebuhr is associated with the philosophy of Christian Realism, and offered a critique of politics that seems especially relevant to me in 2023.  His writing was especially popular during World War II and into the Cold War years and deeply influenced my father’s generation. His observation that “The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful world,” reminds us of our flawed nature and the perilous journey of pursuing political power. Further, it runs counter to the “my way or the highway” mentality that permeates our political environment today, and the hubris that nations, and often their leaders, assume (this seems especially outlandish in America during campaign seasons!). Niebuhr, by the way, also offered this bit of wisdom concerning our system of government, a good reminder of our need for humility and a willingness to work together for the common good: “Democracy is finding proximate solutions to insoluble problems.” Rest assured, there are no easy answers to many of our vexing issues.   

Though politics is often terribly frustrating, it is important for us to remember that Jesus navigated a complicated political environment during his ministry. The Roman Empire was the big player, but he also dealt with both local leaders representing that empire and religious authorities. In this week’s Gospel, one can sense our Lord’s frustration with politics and especially those powerful Pharisees who were so hard to please. He chastises them for criticizing John the Baptist and him, for opposite reasons (Matthew 11:16-19). With a hint of exasperation, he thanks God for denying enlightenment regarding his truth to the “wise and intelligent,” while making it apparent to infants through “his gracious will” (verses 25-26). And then, those beautiful words in verses 27-29 (worth reading more than once!), words that we all need to hear over and over again. Jesus continually reveals himself to us, at times boldly, at times quietly, providing rest for our souls, amidst the turmoil of this life. May we all stay the course.         

Soli Deo Gloria.

Prayer (inspired by Psalm 145:8-14): 
Lord, your love for us is steadfast, and your compassion, boundless. You uphold us when we fall, and promise an everlasting kingdom. May we continually speak of your glory. Amen. 

And, one more thought about God’s revelation of faith to children . . . . 

Would you all agree how terrific it is to see children within our worship spaces? They remind us of that simple and pure faith. Their uninhibited joy, perhaps, helps us get back to the basics. Speaking as part of the “elder crowd,” we need their uninhibited joy and they need our wisdom. Let’s keep doing everything we can to encourage their presence, along with young families! This is a picture of our youngest grandchild experiencing that first plunge into a lake this summer. 

 

 

 

Faithful Conversations #20

Note to readers:
The Lectionary often presents us with passages that require more than a little background. In college days, my basketball teammates and I would pretend to pound on the glass if we encountered friends in conversation beyond our grasp (“Let me in! Let me in!”). That signaled the need for an explanation, and, of course, always brought a good laugh (so much of our humor was repetitive and it never seemed to get old!). I often find myself pounding on the glass when reading from the Old Testament prophets, and that certainly happened this week while wading through the strange encounter involving Jeremiah and Hananiah. I will drill down on that in my reflections, including a reference to the Gospel reading. Once again, “mange tak” for your continued interest in the spiritual discipline of exploring the Lectionary!

Readings for Pentecost 5:
Jeremiah 28:5-9
Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42

The First Reading: Jeremiah 28:5-9
⁵Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, ⁶ and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord and all the exiles. ⁷ But listen now to this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. ⁸ The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. ⁹ As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

The Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42
⁴⁰ “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, ⁴² and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”

This Week’s Reflection:
The prophetic books of the Old Testament are rich in history and mystery. First, some quick background. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, prophets served as messengers for God who offered warnings of impending doom in the face of idolatry and injustice, summoned people to repentance, and cried out for change.  Based on length, there are four Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel), and twelve Minor Prophets (Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi). The prophetic books were written over a period of three centuries (760-460 BCE), and centered on Israel’s exile  and eventual restoration (click here for a good map if you want some geographic references for context).

The prophet Jeremiah (c. 650-570 BCE) came of age in turbulent times, witnessing the fall of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of Babylonian King  Nebuchadrezzar. Thousands of Jewish people living in Judah (the southern kingdom) experienced a series of deportations and exile known as the Babylonian Captivity (c. 598-538 BCE). Further, Nebuchadrezzar destroyed the temple in Jerusalem, the center of Israel’s spiritual life built by Solomon in 960 BCE. Ultimately, the surviving exiles were allowed to return to their homeland by the Persian King Cyrus, something prophesied by Jeremiah (you may want to look up Ezra 1:1-3 for a reference to that prophecy!).

Called by God before he was born (noted in Jeremiah 1:4), Jeremiah, a reluctant prophet, interpreted the chaos of these events as Israel’s punishment for unfaithfulness to God and called for repentance. In doing so, he experienced both isolation from family and peers, and derision by his contemporaries. This is the backdrop for this week’s fascinating exchange between Jeremiah and the false prophet, Hananiah.

The opening scene in Chapter 28 takes place in 593 BCE, the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah (c. 618-586 BCE), the last of the kings of Judah prior to the Babylonian Captivity. The prophet Hananiah has come forward to assure the king and other leaders that the captives will be returned within two years (verses 2-4), breaking Nebuchadrezzar’s rule. Jeremiah, in what seems to be a sarcastic tone, questions Hananiah (verses 6-7), while others welcome his prediction. Then, in what must have been an odd moment, Hananiah takes the yoke Jeremiah is wearing (symbolizing the Jewish captivity in Babylon), and breaks it, making the point that this is what God will do to Nebuchadrezzar (verses 10-11). Jeremiah then leaves the scene, but God confronts him, directing him to confront the false prophet Hananiah for his rebellion, foretelling his death (verses 15-16). In a chilling and terse line, we learn that Hananiah dies in a matter of months (verse 17).

What are we to make of this ancient story?  What is its relevance in 2023? I’m still pounding on the glass, but let’s try these. First, though he takes us out of our comfort zone, we should heed Jeremiah’s words, especially concerning our relationship to God and neighbor (take a few moments and read from chapter 7:1-7, for example). Keeping God first in our lives is essential — idolatry is a serious matter (Jesus, in fact, references Jeremiah 7:11 when he throws the moneychangers out of the temple in Matthew 21). Repentance is required. Treating our neighbors with love and kindness, and pursuing justice for the oppressed — these are fundamental to our lives of faith. Second, there is clearly a lesson here regarding false prophets in our midst. Hananiah told the Jewish leaders what they wanted to hear, perhaps to gain their favor. He did not tell the truth. We live in an information-soaked and social media driven environment today that is rife with falsehoods. As Christians, it is critically important that we remain discerning consumers of the news of the day, and that is a big challenge! There are “Hananiahs” in our midst who assume the prophetic mantle, who cunningly mix religion with politics for their own ends — a not so subtle form of idolatry. And finally, a reminder that we keep Christ at the center as we explore the scriptures. Often misunderstood in their time, the mighty prophets of old, like Jeremiah, glimpsed the future and the coming of the Messiah (we will read more about that next week!). This was the throughline in history and is part of our heritage. That comes to mind as Jesus speaks to us across time in this week’s Gospel, reminding us of his eternal presence: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” 

Soli Deo Gloria.

Prayer (inspired by Psalm 89 and Matthew 10):
Lord, your steadfast love for us is unending, though we may not always feel deserving of it, and your faithfulness to your creation is as firm as the heavens. Grant us your grace, Lord, that we may courageously stand up for the most vulnerable in our midst with the same steadfast love you have shown us. Strengthen us as ambassadors for you within our communities. Amen.

And . . . from my father’s library of humorous books from the 1950s and 60s, I can’t resist sharing this cartoon from Charles Schultz. Yes! The same guy that did Peanuts! This kid clearly has some big ambitions!