Faithful Conversations #96

Introduction to readers

“Massacre of the Innocents”
Léon Cogniet (1794-1880)

Beyond Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this week, we observe three Lesser Festivals from our ELCA church calendar: Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (my namesake along with Paul) on Thursday; John, Apostle and Evangelist on Friday; and on Saturday, the martyrdom of the Holy Innocents, recalling the tragic killing of male children by King Herod, who feared a prophecy about a newborn king threatening his rule. This brutal act is recounted in the second chapter of Matthew, including a reference to Jeremiah 31:15:  “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” French painter Leon Cogniet captured the horror of this long-ago event in the terrified look on the young mother’s face, a strikingly modern looking portrait. 

The innocent children who “are no more” have been on my mind this week owing to the recent events at Abundant Life Christian School on Madison’s east side, the 323rd school shooting in the United States in 2024. Something is terribly, terribly wrong. In my 41 years of full-time teaching (that’s roughly 7,800 days), the worst moments occurred when we learned of a school shooting somewhere in the country, a chilling reminder of our vulnerability. The first half of my career included occasional bomb threats (which often came in bunches), but in the second half it was “intruder drills” — learning how to barricade our classrooms, hide, evacuate, if possible, to rally points off school grounds. It always seemed a bit surreal. Such dark news may not seem like a good starting point for discussing the Lectionary, but as Christians there is much for us to consider as we walk in two worlds — both the temporal and the eternal. Our civic engagement flows from our understanding of God’s word, as applied to our daily walk. May we have discerning hearts in these troubled times. This, by the way, is the suggested prayer for December 28th, altogether fitting for this moment (ELW, page 54): 

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the innocent children of Bethlehem by order of King Herod. Receive into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims. By your great might frustrate the design of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

A couple notes regarding this week’s blog. I have included the readings for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and encourage you to work through them. My reflections will center on the Gospel for the first Sunday after Christmas, the story of young Jesus in the Temple. As always, thank you for your continued interest in exploring the scriptures. Our spiritual journeys evolve, and the key is to stay engaged. As we head into 2025, my offerings here are made with humility — the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know!     

Readings for Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9: 2-7
Psalm 96
Titus 2: 11-14
Luke 2: 1-14 (15-20)

Readings for Christmas Day
Isaiah 62: 6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3: 4-7
Luke 2: (1-7) 8-20

Readings for 1 Christmas
1 Samuel 2: 18-20, 26
Psalm 148
Colossians 3: 12-17
Luke 2: 41-52

Common Themes in the Readings for 1 Christmas (29 December)
The readings for 1 Christmas share themes of faithfulness, praise, growth, and community. In 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 and Luke 2:41-52, we see Samuel and Jesus both dedicated to God’s service and growing in wisdom and favor. Psalm 148 calls all of creation to worship and praise God, a sentiment echoed in Colossians 3:12-17, where believers are urged to live in harmony, singing with gratitude to God. Collectively, these passages emphasize the importance of dedication to God, worship, spiritual growth, and nurturing loving, forgiving communities.

“Christ Among the Doctors” (c. 1635)
Matthias Stom (1615-1649)

The Gospel: Luke 2: 41-52: The Boy Jesus in the Temple
⁴¹ Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. ⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. ⁴³ When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents were unaware of this. ⁴⁴ Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. ⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously looking for you.” ⁴⁹ He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”^{[ 50} But they did not understand what he said to them. ⁵¹ Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them, and his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor.

Reflection: “christ among the doctors”

“Christ in the Temple”
Heinrich Hofmann (1824-1911)

The story of twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple fascinated me as a child and that may have been because of the accompanying picture from Hurlburt’s Story of the Bible.  Among other things, I was always curious as to HOW Mary and Joseph could “lose” their son for three days and how Jesus seemed so nonchalant about the whole situation!  

Interestingly, beyond the birth story, this is the only episode we are offered from Christ’s formative years, and it is the first time we hear him speak (we will next hear from him at age 30). There is much to unpack within the verses. We learn that Mary and Joseph travel to Jerusalem each year for the festival of the Passover, an arduous journey of 100 miles that would have taken 8-10 days. Jesus’ age (12) puts him on the verge of manhood in Jewish culture (13). Further, we witness a dramatic moment between Mary and her son when they find him. She is clearly frantic and distressed, as any parent would be who has spent three days trying to find their child! 

And, perhaps most importantly, we are brought into this intriguing moment when the young Jesus is sitting in the Temple among the teachers (sometimes referred to as the “doctors”). We learn that this charismatic young boy amazes those in the audience with his questions and insights that day, not unlike the response many years later by the travelers on the road to Emmaus recounted in Luke 24. And standing off on the side, Mary and Joseph are astonished to see their boy holding court with the elders. His response to Mary’s anxious inquiry indicates that he is aware of his calling, his special role in history, at a young age. What a moment! And even though we know where this story is going, let’s stay with this moment for a time and like Mary, “treasure these things” in our hearts.

 Soli Deo Gloria!

prayer: “do well the few things” (henri nouwen)

(Note: The Nouwen meditation seems especially fitting in light of the school shootings) 

Henri Nouwen
(1932-1996)

The more I think about the human suffering in our world and my desire to offer a healing response, the more I realize how crucial it is not to allow myself to become paralyzed by feelings of impotence and guilt. More important than ever is to be very faithful to my vocation to do well the few things I am called to do and hold on to the joy and peace they bring me. I must resist the temptation to let the forces of darkness pull me into despair and make me one more of their many victims. I have to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and on those who followed him and trust that I will know how to live out my mission to be a sign of hope in this world. (The Nouwen Society Website, 21 December 2024). 

Musical Offering: The Wexford Carol 

The Wexford Carol is a beloved traditional Irish Christmas carol. It is also known as The Enniscorthy Carol, as it was originally collected by a folklorist named Grattan Flood in Enniscorthy, a town in Ireland’s County Wexford. The lyrics, which are in English, date back to the 12th century. As is the case with all very old songs, the history is a bit hard to track, but it appears that the lyrics were added to the tune much later, and it is not believed that the lyrics were originally in the Irish language.

(Source: LiveAboutdotcom) 

Enjoy this version of the song from the Clare College Choir, Cambridge!

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done
In sending his beloved son

With Mary holy we should pray,
To God with love this Christmas Day
In Bethlehem upon that morn,
There was a blessed Messiah born.

The night before that happy tide,
The noble Virgin and her guide
Were long time seeking up and down
To find a lodging in the town.

But mark how all things came to pass
From every door repelled, alas,
As was foretold, their refuge all
Was but a humble ox’s stall.

Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep
To whom God’s angels did appear
Which put the shepherds in great fear

Prepare and go, the angels said
To Bethlehem, be not afraid
For there you’ll find, this happy morn
A princely babe, sweet Jesus, born.

With thankful heart and joyful mind
The shepherds went the babe to find
And as God’s angel had foretold
They did our Saviour Christ behold

Within a manger he was laid
And by his side the virgin maid
Attending on the Lord of Life
Who came on earth to end all strife.

There were three wise men from afar
Directed by a glorious star
And on they wandered night and day
Until they came where Jesus lay

And when they came unto that place
Where our beloved Messiah lay
They humbly cast them at his feet
With gifts of gold and incense sweet.

 

And, a reminder: the bonhoeffer book study!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(1906-1945)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic, The Cost of Discipleship, is an excellent book for Christians to read heading into 2025! We have ordered several copies of the book and also hope that many will purchase it for themselves. Our intention is to do a five-session study beginning on Wednesday 29 January and continuing for each Sunday in February.  Contact me if you have questions! 

Faithful Conversations #95

Introduction to readers

Filmstrip Projector
c. 1958

Bupe Kibiki of Tanzania

Due to my age (b. 1957), I carry around layers of memory from the world of 1950s and 60s Lutheranism. An Advent message of joy from Bupe Kibiki of Tanzania came into my inbox this week, triggering one such memory –that primitive piece of technology known as the “filmstrip” (click here or on her photo if you want to view her message). Yes, those filmstrips in Sunday School or Luther League transported us beyond our small world into the global presence of Lutheranism represented by missionaries working in exotic lands (sidebar: it was a unique thrill if the teacher asked you to assist with the filmstrip!). The joy-filled message from Bupe Kibiki came from the website of the Lutheran World Federation, a communion of Lutheran churches established in 1947 in Lund, Sweden. The LWF brings together 149 member churches (including the ELCA) from over 99 countries, representing more than 78 million Lutherans worldwide. Rooted in the Lutheran tradition, the organization addresses issues such as poverty, climate change, gender equality, and peacebuilding, working ecumenically to promote the common good. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the LWF stands as a powerful reminder that we share our version of the faith with millions of people across the world!      

As always, thanks for your continuing interest in exploring the scriptures! In keeping with our walk through the various prophets for several Sundays, I have included a short video summarizing the book of Micah which I encourage you to watch. My reflections will focus on Luke’s Gospel and especially Mary’s presence — and I am including a few more verses than called for in the Lectionary.  

Reading for Advent 4
Micah 5: 2-5a
Psalm 80: 1-7
Hebrews 10: 5-10
Luke 1: 39-45 (46-55)

Common Themes in the Advent 4 Readings
Look for these themes as you work through next Sunday’s readings: hope, fulfillment of prophecy, and divine intervention. Micah 5: 2-5a speaks of a coming ruler from Bethlehem who will bring peace, while Psalm 80: 1-7 expresses a longing for God’s restoration and salvation. Hebrews 10: 5-10 highlights Christ’s sacrifice as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s will, and Luke 1: 39-45 (46-55) celebrates Mary’s faith and the coming of the Messiah, showing God’s intervention through humble means. Together, these texts emphasize God’s promises being realized through the coming of Christ, offering salvation and peace to all.

The Old Testament Reading: Micah 5: 2-5a

The Prophet Micah
The Ghent Altarpiece
Hubert van Eyck (c. 1385/90-1426)

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. ³ Therefore he shall give them up until the time     when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. ⁴ And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth, ⁵ and he shall be the one of peace.

** Note: If you want to spend a few minutes gaining a better understanding of the book of Micah, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO! And further, if you are interested in more of these types of videos, they come from The Bible Project, a site you may want to explore! 

The Gospel: Luke 1: 26-56
²⁶ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” ³⁵ The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. ³⁶ And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. ³⁷ For nothing will be impossible with God.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, ⁴⁰ where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit ⁴² and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. ⁴³ And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? ⁴⁴ For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Mary’s Song of Praise

Virgin Mary
(A.I. Generated)

⁴⁶ And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸ for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
⁵⁰ indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
⁵¹ He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
⁵² He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
⁵³ he has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
⁵⁵ according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

Martin Luther
Augustinian Monk

Preface to this week’s reflection: This is an updated version of my posting from Advent 3 in 2023. Let me also add the following short explanation of how Lutherans differ from our Roman Catholic sisters and brothers regarding Mary. Martin Luther’s attitude toward Mary was complex (no surprise) and evolved over time. He acknowledged her unique role in salvation history, for example, as indicated by the following excerpt of his Christmas sermon of 1531:  “[She is the] highest woman and the noblest gem in Christianity after Christ . . . She is nobility, wisdom, and holiness personified. We can never honor her enough. Still honor and praise must be given to her in such a way as to injure neither Christ nor the Scriptures.” That final sentence encapsulates Luther’s objection to what he saw as excessive prayers or the attribution of mediating powers to her (similar to his attitude toward the Saints). While he continued to honor Mary as “Theotokos” (God-bearer) and believed in her perpetual virginity, he firmly opposed the idea of her being an object of intercession or veneration beyond what was biblically grounded. What a time it was in the years around 1517 when these debates were in the air!   

Reflection: “mary’s radical and ancient prayer” 

 One thing I learned early on as a teacher was this: stories bring history to life, and that revisiting the same story time and again allows us to see it from different perspectives and with richer meaning. In this 4th week of Advent, we revisit a compelling story, embodied in the two passages from Luke’s Gospel, the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel’s announcement to young Mary, and the Magnificat, her prayerful response. I have heard these stories any number of times in my life but am seeing them (again) in a new light in 2024, especially the Magnificat. Let me explain.

Young Mary and the Annunciation

First, let’s consider Mary and her world, especially from our vantage point in December of 2024, amidst the troubling events surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. While I have heard about her from a young age, especially at this time of year, I must admit not engaging more fully in her story. This Judean teenage girl (perhaps only 13!), swept into history by miraculous forces, lived a life like no other. From lowly circumstances, and a virgin, she learns in a spiritual encounter with Gabriel, that she will bear a son destined to be the Messiah for her people, and far beyond. Can we even imagine how her mind must have been racing at this moment? In what can only be described as a depth of faith that dwarfs anything I can understand, she responds with a calm and submissive courage (verse 38). And second, what of this dramatic prayer, the Magnificat (Latin for “magnify”)?  As Debi Thomas, Minister of Formation and Discipleship at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto, California points out in a 2020 essay on these texts points out, Mary’s prayer comprises the longest set of words spoken by a woman in the New Testament. Further, that the prayer was soaked in Jewish women’s history, echoing the words and stories of Miriam, Hannah, Judith, and Deborah (Note “Hannah’s Prayer” in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10). Most astonishing, however, is the radical and subversive nature of the prayer, what Thomas calls Mary’s fiery justice song. Read it again focusing on the highlighted verses (51-53). Our friend Dietrich Bonhoeffer, called the Magnificat the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary hymn ever sung. Oscar Romero, Salvadoran Catholic Priest, murdered in 1980, later canonized, drew comparisons between Mary and the poor and powerless in his community. Indeed, the Magnificat has been banned more than a few times by those in power who fear its message. As we move toward the celebration of our Lord’s birth, we would do well to hear and reflect on his mother’s fervent prayer with fresh insight. As scholar Kenneth Craycraft asserts, A lowly birth to a lowly woman ushers in the magnificent fulfillment of God’s offer and promise of salvation.

Soli Deo Gloria!

 prayer/musical reflection: “some children see him”   

Wihla Hutson (1901-2002)

Alfred Burt (1920-1954)

Some Children See Him was composed by Alfred Burt, an American jazz musician who produced an annual Christmas carol from 1942 through 1954 with an old family friend, Wihla Hutson who looks right out of central casting for any lutefisk supper I ever attended as a child!  This song was produced in 1951 and I’m sharing an especially fine interpretation of it from James Taylor. The lyrics are below. 

Some children see Him lily white
The baby Jesus born this night
Some children see Him lily white
With tresses soft and fair

Some children see Him bronzed and brown
The Lord of heav’n to earth come down
Some children see Him bronzed and brown
With dark and heavy hair

Some children see Him almond-eyed
This Saviour whom we kneel beside
Some children see Him almond-eyed
With skin of golden hue

Some children see Him dark as they
Sweet Mary’s Son to whom we pray
Some children see him dark as they
And, oh they love Him too

The children in each different place
Will see the baby Jesus’ face
Like theirs, but bright, with heavenly grace
And filled with holy light

Oh lay aside each earthly thing
And with thy heart as offering
Come worship now the infant King
‘Tis love that’s born tonight

‘Tis love that’s born tonight

And, a reminder: the bonhoeffer book study!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(1906-1945)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic, The Cost of Discipleship, is an excellent book for Christians to read heading into 2025! We have ordered several copies of the book and also hope that many will purchase it for themselves. Our intention is to do a five-session study beginning on Wednesday 29 January and continuing for each Sunday in February.  Contact me if you have questions! 

Faithful Conversations #94

Introduction to readers

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
(1828-1914)

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain has been on my mind this week. College professor, soldier, and politician, Chamberlain was best known for his heroism during the American Civil War. Enlisting at age 34 in 1862, he most notably commanded the 20th Maine Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863) where his epic defense of Little Round Top was crucial to the Union’s victory. After the war, this amazing man became a politician, serving as the Governor of Maine and later as a U.S. Congressman. A lesser-known episode in his war experiences came after he was severely wounded in the battle of Petersburg (June 1864). In excruciating pain and facing death, he penned these words to his beloved wife Fanny: “I am lying mortally wounded the doctors think, but my mind and heart are at peace — Jesus Christ is my all-sufficient savior. I go to him. God bless and keep and comfort you . . . To know and love you makes life and death beautiful.” (Let’s imagine Fanny receiving such a letter!) Having visited both the Gettysburg and Petersburg battlefields, Chamberlain’s powerful testimony regarding Jesus Christ left such an impression on me when I first read his letter.  Among other things, his words bring a much-needed clarity for the Advent Season. My sense is that he understood the nature of the authentic joy the Apostle Paul is talking about in this week’s Philippians passage. As Christians living in our deeply cluttered, harried, hate-filled, and chaotic world, we have a Savior — an all-sufficient Savior, and that is enough!     

As always, thanks for your continuing interest in exploring the scriptures! My reflections this week will focus on the passages from Zephaniah Philippians. And two suggestions: first, take one reading per day and spend time with it; and second, utilize the four-question approach with each reading as noted here: 

1. What is something new you learned from the reading? (NEW)
2. What is something that caught your attention and made you think? (REFLECT)
3. What did you read that relates to other reading you have done? (RELATE)
4. What would you like to discuss from the reading? (DISCUSS)

Reading for Advent 3
Zephaniah 3: 14-20
Isaiah 12: 2-6
Philippians 4: 4-7
Luke 3: 7-18

Common Themes in the Advent 3 Readings
Look for these common themes in this week’s readings: joy, salvation, and hope. All the readings highlight the theme of rejoicing in the Lord, with Zephaniah and Isaiah proclaiming the coming restoration and deliverance of God’s people, calling for songs of praise and celebration. Philippians emphasizes joy in the Lord and peace through prayer and trust in God, while Luke’s message of repentance and the coming of the Messiah prepares the way for the ultimate salvation. Together, these passages reflect the larger Advent themes of anticipation, inner transformation, and the joyful expectation of God’s saving work.

The Old Testament Reading: Zephaniah 3: 14-20

** Note: If you want to spend a few minutes gaining a better understanding of the book of Zephaniah, check out the video below! And further, if you are interested in more of these types of videos, they come from The Bible Project, a site you may want to explore!   

The Second Reading: Philippians 4: 4-7
⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: “Gaudete in Domino semper!”

The Prophet Zephaniah
Russian Orthodox Icon
18th Century

The third Sunday in Advent is known Gaudete Sunday. The name derives from Roman Catholic tradition and the opening words of the traditional Introit (opening chant) for the Mass on this day: Gaudete in Domino semper (“Rejoice in the Lord always,” a reference to Philippians 4). The day is marked by a slight relaxation of the penitential tone of Advent, symbolized by the use of a rose-colored (instead of purple) candle on the Advent wreath in many churches. Gaudete Sunday highlights the joyful expectation of Christ’s coming, both at Christmas and in the future Second Coming. (If you want to know more about the traditions surrounding Gaudete Sunday in the ELCA, and especially the Advent Wreath, check out this article). 

As you know, Advent affords us the opportunity to hang around with several Old Testament prophets and this week, Zephaniah takes center stage. He prophesied during the late 7th century BCE, a tumultuous period for the Kingdom of Judah, under the reign of King Josiah. This era was marked by religious reform as Josiah sought to return the nation to proper worship, but also by the looming threat of foreign invasion. Assyria, once a dominant power, was in decline, and Babylon was rising, signaling an impending shift in regional power dynamics. Zephaniah’s prophecies, which emphasize the coming “day of the Lord” and divine judgment, reflect the anxiety of this time (not unlike our own), while also offering hope for the faithful remnant amidst the destruction that was to come. Like all the Old Testament prophets — these men and women who spoke for God — Zephaniah’s message is one of both judgement and salvation. The passage included for Sunday picks up on the second part of that and echoes like a rousing pep-talk across the centuries. Read it with that in mind. 

Saint Paul
Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Writing more than six centuries later (and while under house arrest in Rome!), Paul’s admonition to the Christian community in Philippi, reflects the anticipatory JOY voiced by Zephaniah.  Throughout the letter, Paul expresses gratitude for their generosity, encourages unity and joy despite challenges, and emphasizes living a life worthy of the gospel. Offering Christ as the ultimate example of selflessness, Paul urges the Philippians to stand firm in their faith as they await Christ’s return. Like many of our Christian ancestors of his generation, Paul was executed under the Emperor Nero as part of a wave of persecutions between 64-68 CE. His clear and direct language in next Sunday’s passage, stand as a reminder for us — JOY is not a fleeting vapor that comes and goes. Rather, it is an attitude, a decision, and a gift for us to share!  

Soli Deo Gloria!

prayer: The Advent Attitude (from Henri Nouwen)

Dutch Theologian
Henri Nouwen
(1932-1996) 

In the beginner’s mind there is no thought ‘I have attained something.’ All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. The beginner’s mind is the mind of compassion. When our mind is compassionate, it is boundless.”

I like these words. Also very important for Advent. Open, free, flexible, receptive. That is the attitude that makes us ready. I realize that in Zen you are not expecting anything or anyone. Still, it seems that all the things Shunryu Suzuki tells his students (above) are important for Christians to hear and realize. Isn’t a beginner’s mind, a mind without the thought “I have attained something,” a mind opened for grace? Isn’t that the mind of children who marvel at all they see? Isn’t that the mind not filled with worries for tomorrow but alert and awake in the present moment?

(6 December 2024 Entry: Accessed from the Nouwen Society Website)

update on the bonhoeffer book study!

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(1906-1945)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic, The Cost of Discipleship, is an excellent book for Christians to read heading into 2025! We have ordered several copies of the book and also hope that many will purchase it for themselves. Besides on-line, copies can be purchased at regional bookstores — BAM in Eau Claire or Barnes and Noble in LaCrosse. (Note: Apparently The Cost of Discipleship is flying off the shelves and not available through normal on-line outlets. We will continue to be resourceful about that and hopefully the fact that we are not starting our study until late January will help!). Also, I should mention that Mary Beth and I had the opportunity to see the film on Bonhoeffer currently playing in theaters and both enjoyed it immensely! It captures many aspects of his story well. 

Here’s the plan for our study: 

Prior Preparation
It will be helpful to read Bonhoeffer’s book, or a good portion of it, prior to the start of our study (although it certainly will work to first experience the book during the study). 

Study Format
Our study will focus on four key themes from Bonhoeffer’s book. Each week will include a chapter selection, key themes, discussion points, and reflection questions. No prior knowledge is necessary, and you will not be put on the spot to read aloud – our format will be simple and informal!

Schedule
We are offering this as part of our preparation for the Lenten Journey that starts in early March this year. We will gather for one evening session (including a film), followed by four sessions on Sunday mornings. The Sunday morning sessions will be from 10:45-11:45.

Wednesday 29 January: “An Evening with Bonhoeffer” (5:00-7:00 p.m.)
To kick off the study, we will meet at 5:00 at ELC to watch a powerful documentary on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, followed by a discussion and overview of the study.
Sunday 2 February: Costly Grace vs. Cheap Grace (Focus on Chapter 1)
Sunday 9 February: The Radical Call for Discipleship (Focus on Chapter 4)
Sunday 16 February: The Ethics of the Sermon on the Mount (Focus on Chapter 12)
Sunday 23 February: The Church as the Visible Community of Disciples (Focus on Chapter 30)

let me know if you are interested in being part of the study, or if you have questions. email or text! (pstrykken@gmail.com or 715-299-0311). 

And We continue to meet on sundays at 10:45 for those that want to participate in some in-person discussion of the lectionary readings. our next meeting is on 15 december. join us in the library — All are welcome!

Faithful Conversations #93

Introduction to readers

Two thoughts to get started this week. First, I have Bonhoeffer on the brain right now and this line from The Cost of Discipleship jumped out at me this week:  “Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without repentance; it is baptism without the discipline of community.” That phrase — the discipline of community — could be interpreted a number of ways, but one way to think of it is that we need each other. The faith journey is not an “island experience,” but rather, involves regular spiritual disciplines, including membership in a faith community. More on Bonhoeffer at the end of the blog. 

Second, time and the importance of context have been on my mind this week, prompted by the Malachi reading and Luke’s Gospel. Each week in the Lectionary, we are communicating with spiritual ancestors who walked this earth twenty centuries (or more) ago. And though their time and place are utterly foreign to us, I suspect if we could speak to them directly, we would quickly find common ground. Like them, we are navigating a broken world and living in that tense middle ground between what was and what is to come. Let’s see what they have to say to us this week!    

As always, thanks for your continuing interest in exploring the scriptures! My reflections this week will focus on Malachi and Luke’s Gospel. I will also share a hymn that is especially fitting for Advent 2. And two reminders: first, take one reading per day and spend time with it; and second, utilize the four-question approach with each reading as noted here: 

1. What is something new you learned from the reading? (NEW)
2. What is something that caught your attention and made you think? (REFLECT)
3. What did you read that relates to other reading you have done? (RELATE)
4. What would you like to discuss from the reading? (DISCUSS)

Reading for 2 Advent
Malachi 3: 1-4 (or Baruch 5: 1-9)
Luke 1: 68-79 
Philippians 1: 3-11
Luke 3: 1-6

Common Themes in 2 Advent Readings
Look for the following themes as you walk through this week’s readings: preparation, purification, and hope for salvation. Malachi 3:1-4 speaks of a messenger preparing the way for the Lord and a refining process to purify God’s people. In Luke 1:68-79 (replaces the Psalm), Zechariah’s song praises God for raising up a savior and calls for the people to walk in the light of peace and redemption. Philippians 1:3-11 emphasizes the growth in love, righteousness, and readiness for the day of Christ. Finally, Luke 3:1-6 highlights John the Baptist’s call to prepare the way of the Lord, urging repentance and the leveling of obstacles for the arrival of God’s salvation. Together, these passages focus on spiritual readiness and the transformative power of God’s coming.

The Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4: The Coming Messenger
3 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ² But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like washers’ soap; ³ he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴ Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years.

** Note: If you want to spend a few minutes gaining a better understanding of the book of Malachi, check out this video!  

The Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6: The Proclamation of John the Baptist

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, ² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. ³ He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, ⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

Reflection: Malachi and john 

The word prophet has Greek and Latin derivation and means an interpreter, spokesman, proclaimer; a harbinger. In the spiritual realm, we think of prophets as people who speak for God. Malachi and John both fit the bill (as does Zechariah, also included in this week’s lection).  For roughly a thousand years (1450-400 BCE), God sent prophets to the Israelites — think of Moses and Malachi as the bookends. The time between the book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, and the events of the Gospels in the New Testament is often referred to as the Intertestamental Period and lasted for roughly four centuries. Because it was a period of prophetic silence, we tend to ignore this era. Further, it should be noted, that one significant outcome of the Reformation within emerging Protestant churches was the disavowal of the Apocryphal writings — think 1 & 2 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, Judith, Tobit, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach or  Ecclesiasticus, and Baruch, among others — that highlight the intertestamental period.  (Note: It is interesting to note that Baruch 5: 1-9 is listed as an alternative first reading for this week. If you want to get further into the story of the Apocryphal writings, have at it!).

The four hundred years of prophetic silence, of course, does not suggest that nothing was happening during those years! Without getting too far into the weeds, the Intertestamental Period was a time of cultural fusion, political turmoil, and religious development that profoundly influenced the Jewish world into which Jesus was born. These historical dynamics provided the language (Greek, think Alexander the Great), infrastructure (Roman — think Roman Empire), and theological context (Jewish messianic hope — think the rise of the Pharisees and Sadducees) for the rapid spread of Christianity in the first century. Context, context, context. (I am reminded of Galatians 4:7: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children”). 

Saint John the Baptist (c. 1630)
French Artist: Valentin de Boulogne (1591-1632)

Malachi, then, identifies a messenger (3:1), a forerunner to the Messiah in the person of John the Baptist (compare Luke 1:17 and Malachi 4:6, Matthew 17:12 and Mark 9:11, and John 1:21). Writing four hundred years later, Luke identifies John as the messenger, placing him in a very specific context (Luke 3: 1-2) which equates to roughly 26 CE. Notably, he identifies both the political context (the rule of Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philipp, and Lysanias) and the religious context (the priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas). The “word of the Lord” (verse 2) came from this eccentric prophet, this radical man who lived in the wilderness, wearing animal skins and eating honey. I try to imagine how we would respond to such a figure today! The internet would be going crazy! 

What should we take away from these readings? In my imagination, I see Malachi shouting across the centuries, foretelling John’s arrival. And like the prophets of old, John arrives and makes us uncomfortable — read on into verses 7-14 if you need a reminder.  John is not an easy guy, and six months after his arrival on the stage, he suffers a gruesome death, a reminder that both John and Jesus will rock the establishment of their day. Yes, John speaks to us across time, urging us to wake up. His call for repentance is an invitation to think differently about our lives — a command to change direction with urgency! Let’s call this the excitement of waiting.      

Soli Deo Gloria!

prayer and musical Reflection: A voice crying in the wilderness (elw/255)

James Lewis Milligan
(1876-1961)

James Lewis Milligan was a British-born poet who had a long and varied career. This hymn, written in 1930, directly references Isaiah 40:3, but also fits with this week’s Malachi passage. Milligan ultimately emigrated to the United States in 1911 and is buried in Toronto Canada. The performance linked below comes from the National Lutheran Choir which is centered in the Twin Cities area.   

1 There’s a voice in the wilderness crying,
a call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway,
a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted,
the lofty hills brought low;
make straight all the crooked places
where the Lord, our God, may go!

2 O Christians, you bring good tidings;
get up to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people
the coming of their King.
Like the flow’rs of the field they perish;
like grass our works decay.
The pow’r and pomp of nations
shall pass like a dream away.

3 But the Word of our God is eternal;
the arm of our God is strong.
He stands in the midst of the nations,
and he shall right the wrong.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd,
the lambs shall gently hold,
to pastures of peace shall lead them,
and bring them to his fold.

update on the bonhoeffer book study!

Bonhoeffer and Confirmands 1932

We will be studying Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic, The Cost of Discipleship as we start the new year. The goal will be for people to read it between now and the end of the year in preparation for several in-person sessions at ELC in early 2025. While giving us an opportunity to dive into some Lutheran history, Bonhoeffer’s book remains incredibly relevant for 21st Century Christians! We have ordered several copies of the book and also hope that many will purchase it for themselves. 

Our plan for the study is taking shape. Look for a schedule that will include a “Bonhoeffer Night” in January including a powerful documentary, followed by four sessions on Sunday mornings (10:45-11:45) for exploring the book. 

let me know if you are interested in being part of the study! email or text! (pstrykken@gmail.com or 715-299-0311). 

And We continue to meet on sundays at 10:45 for those that want to participate in some in-person discussion of the lectionary readings. our next meeting is on 8 december. join us in the library — All are welcome!

Faithful Conversations #92

Introduction to Readers:
Welcome back and to Year C of the three-year Revised Common Lectionary cycle (2024-25). Year C focuses on the Gospel of Luke. The Old Testament readings are of prophetic proclamation in chronological order and will highlight Jeremiah. The New Testament readings (or second readings) are mainly from Galatians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Timothy, and 2 Thessalonians. Sunday is a good reminder that as Christians, we walk in two worlds and our New Year starts now! Here is a breakdown of the upcoming Christian calendar: 

The Liturgical Calendar

Advent: 1 December through 23 December 2024
Christmas: 24 December 2024 through 6 January 2025
Time After Epiphany: 7 January through 4 March 2025
Lent: 5 March through 16 April 2025
The Three Days: 17 April through 19 April 2025
Easter: 20 April through 11 June 2025
Time after Pentecost (Ordinary Time): 12 June through 26 November 2025 

This week, then, marks the start of the Season of Advent. The word Advent derives from the Latin, adventus meaning “coming.” And while we tend to emphasize the birth of Jesus (looking back), Advent also boldly reminds us of Christ’s second coming (looking forward), as noted in this week’s Gospel. Amidst the stress foisted upon us by the overt consumerism and rush that infuses this time of year, Advent calls Christians to pause, to wake-up, to focus on Christ’s presence in our lives — and to seek God amidst the chaos that surrounds us.

As always, thanks for visiting this space again this week! My reflections will focus on the passage from Jeremiah and the words of Jesus as recounted in the Gospel. I will also share a hymn that is especially fitting for Advent 1. Also, realize that I offer hyperlinks for further reading, so be alert for those.  And a reminder to work through the four readings utilizing the four-question approach:

1. What is something new you learned from the reading? (NEW)
2. What is something that caught your attention and made you think? (REFLECT)
3. What did you read that relates to other reading you have done? (RELATE)
4. What would you like to discuss from the reading? (DISCUSS)

Reading for 1 Advent
Jeremiah 33: 14-16
Psalm 25: 1-10
1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13
Luke 21: 25-36

Common Themes in the Readings Advent 1
Look for these themes in the readings for next Sunday: hope, watchfulness, and God’s faithfulness. Jeremiah speaks of the promised coming of a righteous king who will restore justice, instilling hope for a better future. Psalm 25 echoes a plea for guidance and deliverance, trusting in God’s steadfast love and mercy as the faithful await His salvation. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul encourages believers to live in holiness while anticipating Christ’s return, fostering a spirit of preparation and prayer. Finally, Luke highlights the need for remaining awake and steadfast as we face trials in this life, with the assurance that God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail.

The Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 33: 14-16
¹⁴ The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ¹⁵ In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ¹⁶ In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

The Gospel: Luke 21: 25-36

The Coming of the Son of Man
²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶ People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
²⁹ Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰ as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch
³⁴ “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵ like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

reflection: “wide awake!” 

Pin Worn by Wide-Awake Members in 1860

Lincoln in May of 1860
After Receiving the Republican Nomination

164 years ago, Abraham Lincoln became our 16th President. He received less than 40 percent of the popular vote in a brutally contentious four-way contest. Between the November election and his inauguration in March, seven southern states seceded from the Union, a precursor to our Civil War. One of my favorite episodes stemming from the 1860 election was the rise of the WIDE-AWAKES. Comprised mostly of young men, they were an imaginative, vocal, and often militant group supporting the anti-slavery Republican Party and its chosen candidate. Their name derived from the practice of holding torchlight parades and rallies (including in Wisconsin), and emphasis on being AWAKE to the moral and political issues of the time, particularly slavery and its expansion. Wide-Awakes saw themselves as actively engaged in the fight for justice, freedom, and reform, contrasting with those they viewed as complacent or asleep, if you will. They helped propel Lincoln to victory and their message remains relevant in 2024!

“Cry of prophet Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem” by Ilya Repin (1870)

The readings for Advent 1 spur us to wake up and be alert in our chaotic world. More than 26 centuries ago, the prophet Jeremiah was writing to a devastated people. The mighty Babylonian army had ransacked Jerusalem shipping thousands of Jewish people off to captivity, turning their world upside down. In that terrifying moment, the Prophet of God warned the “days are surely coming” when “justice and righteousness” shall return! In our interpretive framework, we hear those hopeful words to mean the coming of Jesus Christ, hence their inclusion in this week’s readings. But there’s more. As Julia M. O’Brien of Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian University asserts, the entire book of Jeremiah centers on the larger theme of judgement. Time and again, the Prophet hammers the Israelites for their waywardness from God (it’s actually tough to read!). My sense is that we should not read this as a finger-pointing exercise aimed at “those people back there,” but rather as a commentary on the lack of “righteousness and justice” in our time and place. Jesus echoes these words in the passage from Luke. Verses 25-26, for example, seem eerily descriptive of our time, a period of distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 

As we walk into Advent 2024, then, let’s imagine being in that Jerusalem temple crowd listening to Jesus, and may we take his words to heart. Let’s not become consumed with the worries of this life, but rather, **WAKE UP, focus forward, and spend our time doing God’s work in the world, as we prepare for Christ’s return!

Soli Deo Gloria!

**Note: As I worked on this blog in the past couple of days, I could not help but think of how the word “woke” has come into our political jargon. The term’s origin traces to the African-American experience, and referred to being aware of social injustices, particularly those related to racism and inequality, and staying alert to systemic issues. Over time, it evolved into a broader concept encompassing awareness and advocacy for various social issues, including gender equality, climate justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. However, it has also become a contentious term, with critics using it to label what they perceive as excessive political correctness or performative activism. As a result, “woke” can carry both positive connotations of social consciousness and negative connotations as a polarizing or pejorative term, depending on the context. 

prayer reflection: “Wake awake, for night is flying” 

Wake Awake, For Night is Flying is a powerful hymn (436 in the ELW) from Philip Nicolai and seems especially fitting with this week’s lectionary. A Lutheran Pastor (and a “PK”), Nicolai studied in Wittenberg from 1547-49 and was soundly influenced by Luther who died a year before Nicolai’s arrival.  He ultimately served in five different parishes in Germany during his ministry. Written in 1597 in Unna during a devastating plague during which many of his parishioners died, the stirring hymn offers hope amidst desperate times. Enjoy the version below offered by the Luther College Choir.

Philipp Nicolai
(1556-1608)

Wake, awake, for night is flying,
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
awake, Jerusalem, at last.
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
and at the thrilling cry rejoices:
“Come forth, you maidens! Night is past.
The Bridegroom comes! Awake;
your lamps with gladness take!”
Alleluia!
Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord,
whose light has stirred the waiting guard.

An Announcement Regarding an Adult Education Opportunity! 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(1906-1945)

We will be doing a book study on Bonhoeffer’s classic, The Cost of Discipleship as we start the new year. The goal will be for people to read it between now and the end of the year in preparation for several in-person sessions at ELC in early 2025. While giving us an opportunity to dive into some Lutheran history, Bonhoeffer’s book remains incredibly relevant for 21st Century Christians! We have ordered several copies of the book and also hope that many will purchase it for themselves. In addition, be aware that a film on Bonhoeffer will be coming out around Thanksgiving, and my intention is to reference the book and Bonhoeffer’s life within the blog as well.

let me know if you are interested in being part of the study! email or text! (pstrykken@gmail.com or 715-299-0311). 

We will meet on Sunday 1 December after church in the library, for those that want to participate in some in-person discussion of the lectionary readings. our pattern typically is to take one of the readings, apply the four-question approach to it, and let the discussion flow from there!  All are welcome!