20 October 2024: Pentecost 22

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Faithful Conversations #86
Introduction to Readers:

Henri Nouwen
(1932-1996)

“I am increasingly convinced that it is possible to live the wounds of the past not as gaping abysses that cannot be fulfilled and, therefore, keep threatening us as gateways to new life. The ‘gateless gate’ of Zen and the ‘healing wounds of Christ’ both encourage us to detach ourselves from the past and trust in the glory to which we are called.”

As Christians guided by the Holy Spirit, we carry a centuries-old tradition in our hearts. In fact, we visit our spiritual ancestors each week while exploring the Lectionary. Yet, as Nouwen reminds us (above), it is through that faith that we continually find liberation from the past — approaching “gateways to new life.” I have been thinking about that space between the old and new life this week and our role as believers navigating that space. I will revisit this in the prayer reflection in this week’s blog.

Two other things by way of introduction this week. First, we are three weeks out (Tuesday) from Election Day 2024. Of course, millions of people have already voted early across the country. Like many others, I have a bad case of “election fatigue” this year and am weary of the anger and mistrust within the body politic that we witness day to day. That said, I want to share this statement from the ELCA Conference of Bishops and commend it to your reading. May God guide our nation and the world in the days ahead.

Cathryn Wambheim Rykken
(1924-2013)

And second, my mother, Cathryn Wambheim Rykken, was born one hundred years ago this Sunday (20 October 1924). Beyond being a wonderful mom and faith mentor, she was a gifted English teacher and musician. I watched her command a classroom many times during my school years, and any skills I may possess as a teacher, I owe to her. She was strict, but always with a dash of humor, and had a knack for communicating with all people, especially those that needed a lift. This week’s blog is dedicated to her.

Thanks, as always, for visiting this space again this week! My short reflections will again focus on the Hebrews passage. This is the third of seven references to this book in the Year B readings. In addition, I’m posting the Gospel here and want to make that a subject of our discussion (among other things) in our Sunday meeting.

The Readings for Pentecost 22
Isaiah 53: 4-12
Psalm 91: 9-16
Hebrews 5: 1-10
Mark 10: 35-45

Common Themes in the Pentecost 22 Readings!
As you explore the readings for Pentecost 22, look for the following themes: suffering, intercession, and servant leadership. Isaiah emphasizes the transformative power of suffering, portraying the servant who bears the pain of many, while Psalm 91 reflects on divine protection and faithfulness in times of trouble. Hebrews highlights the role of Jesus as a compassionate high priest who empathizes with human weakness, bridging the divine and the mortal. Mark challenges notions of power and greatness, calling believers to embrace humility and service, reinforcing the idea that true leadership is rooted in selflessness and sacrifice.

The Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 1-10 (Focus Reading)
Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness, 3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not presume to take this honor but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Gospel: Mark 10: 35-45
35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39 They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to appoint, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 42 So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43 But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”

Reflections: Jesus the high priest  

One of my father’s common statements when discussing theology was, “Well, that remains a bit of a mystery to us.” His words echoed in my brain while tackling the Hebrews passage this week, especially when confronting Melchizedek. Who was this guy? As with many figures in scripture, he has been a subject of great debate. Here is some basic information about him.

“The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek”
Peter Paul Rubens
(1577-1640)

Melchizedek is mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 14:18-20, where he is introduced as the King of Salem (later known as Jerusalem) and a Priest of God Most High, who blesses Abram. He is also referenced in Psalm 110:4, which declares that the Messiah will be a priest forever in the Order of Melchizedek. In the New Testament, the Book of Hebrews (particularly chapters 5-7) elaborates on Melchizedek’s significance, drawing parallels between his eternal priesthood and the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. This connection emphasizes Jesus as both a king and a priest, fulfilling and surpassing the role of Melchizedek in the divine plan of salvation. (Sidebar: Luther, by the way, posited an interesting theory about the identify of Melchizedek, which I will not get into. You can read about it here!). 

How should we interpret his rather complicated story?  This is a good place to think about a fancy term — Christological exegesis — simply put, a method of Biblical interpretation that seeks to understand and interpret Scripture in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ. In practice, this means looking for prophetic or direct references to Jesus in both the Old and New Testaments. (For example, a Christological exegesis might explore how the sacrificial system in the Old Testament prefigures Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross). Though Melchizedek “remains a mystery,” the writer of Hebrews who is speaking to second-generation Christians, interprets the Old Testament passages that point to the coming of Jesus Christ and his role as savior, and the ultimate mediator between Christians and “God, the Father Almighty.” Let that sink in today!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

a prayer Reflection: “I stand by the door” 

Samuel Moor Shoemaker 
(1893-1963)
Episcopal Priest

Samuel Shoemaker served as an Episcopal Priest in New York City and Pittsburgh. He was among those who impacted Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, particularly the need to turn to God as a way of coming out of alcoholism. Shoemaker’s powerful poem, “I Stand By the Door,” spoke to me in a transcendent way when I first heard it years ago. It is widely applicable and a great commentary on the role we play with others when it comes to bringing them to Christ. I am sharing the text of it below, and also a READING OF IT HERE.  

I stand by the door.
I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out,
The door is the most important door in the world—
It is the door through which people walk when they find God.
There’s no use my going way inside, and staying there,
When so many are still outside, and they, as much as I,
Crave to know where the door is.
And all that so many ever find
Is only the wall where a door ought to be.
They creep along the wall like those who are blind.
With outstretched, groping hands,
Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,
Yet they never find it . . .
So I stand by the door.

The most tremendous thing in the world
Is for people to find that door—the door to God.
The most important thing any one can do
Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands,
And put it on the latch—the latch that only clicks
And opens to one’s own touch.
People die outside that door, as starving beggars die
On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter—
Die for want of what is within their grasp.
They live, on the other side of it—live because they have found it.
Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,
And open it, and walk in, and find Him . . .
So I stand by the door.

Go in, great saints, go all the way in—
Go way down into the cavernous cellars,
And way up into the spacious attics—
In a vast, roomy house, this house where God is.
Go into the deepest of hidden casements,
Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.
Some must inhabit those inner rooms,
And know the depths and heights of God,
And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.
Sometimes I take a deeper look in,
Sometimes venture a little farther;
But my place seems closer to the opening . . .
So I stand by the door.

The people too far in do not see how near these are
To leaving—preoccupied with the wonder of it all.
Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door,
But would like to run away. So for them, too,
I stand by the door.

I admire the people who go way in.
But I wish they would not forget how it was
Before they got in. Then they would be able to help
The people who have not even found the door,
Or the people who want to run away again from God.
You can go in too deeply, and stay in too long,
And forget the people outside the door.
As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,
Near enough to God to hear Him, and know He is there,
But not so far from people as not to hear them,
And remember they are there too.
Where? Outside the door—
Thousands of them, millions of them.
But—more important for me—
One of them, two of them, ten of them,
Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch,
So I shall stand by the door and wait
For those who seek it.
‘I had rather be a door-keeper . . .’
So I stand by the door.

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship in the library for discussions of this week’s readings. We learn from each other each week! All are welcome!

Note: Among our discussion on Sunday, let’s plan to explore this week’s Gospel by reading it and applying the four-question approach (NRRD):

  1. What is something NEW you learned from the reading?
  2. What is something that caught your attention and caused you to REFLECT?
  3. What is something that RELATES to other reading you have done?
  4. What is something you would like to further DISCUSS?

 

 

13 October 2024: Pentecost 21

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Faithful Conversations #85

** Note: For those attending ELC, realize that in October, Pastor Jen is offering a special preaching series centered on stewardship, and therefore is using a different set of readings. For purposes of the blog and our ongoing Bible study, I am staying with the RCL readings. And one other thing — we will hear from parishioners as part of the stewardship process. This year’s theme is “Imagine Together,” and yesterday, Judy Ransom, a member of ELC since the early 1980s, offered a powerful testimony. Among other things, she stressed that she is always a “work-in-progress” spiritually (a good reminder for all of us), that we all possess at least one spiritual talent to share with others, and the importance of prayer in our lives (“I have a number of conversations with God throughout the day,” she said). Thanks Judy, it was a terrific message! 

Introduction to Readers:

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” (Kierkegaard)

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard
1813-1855
Danish Philosopher

The Danish philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard, died at age 42, but certainly left his mark. His oft-cited assertion (above) implies that while we can only make sense of our experiences and decisions by reflecting on them after they happen, we must still navigate life in a forward direction, making choices without complete clarity, and often with what Kierkegaard referred to as the “leap of faith.”  (Sidebar: You may want to explore this Danish rebel more fully!). Kierkegaard’s quote has been on my mind this week while navigating the second installment from Hebrews in the Year B cycle. 

A reminder today before going forward. As you walk through the four readings each week, utilize the four-question approach (NRRD):  

  1. What is something NEW you learned from the reading? 
  2. What is something that caught your attention and caused you to REFLECT? 
  3. What is something that RELATES to other reading you have done? 
  4. What is something you would like to further DISCUSS? 

(Note: Our son Jake who majored in history at West Point in the early 2000s, shared this method with me — something he learned from one of his professors there — and I have been using it with my students ever since!)

As always, thanks for visiting this space again this week! My reflections will focus on the Hebrews passage, along with a connection to Psalm 90. I am also including a terrific overview of the book of Hebrews and a familiar hymn!

The Readings for Pentecost 21
Amos 5: 6-7, 10-15
Psalm 90: 12-17
Hebrews 4: 12-16
Mark 10: 17-31

Common Themes in the Pentecost 21 Readings!
Look for the following themes in the readings for Sunday 13 October:  justice, accountability, and the pursuit of righteousness. Amos calls for genuine worship and social justice, highlighting the importance of ethical living over empty rituals. Psalm 90 reflects on the brevity of life and the need for wisdom, urging believers to seek God’s favor and purpose. In the New Testament, Hebrews emphasizes the transformative power of God’s word, while Mark presents a challenging view of discipleship, illustrating the difficulty of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions.

O God Our Help In Ages Past
By Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Inspired by Psalm 90

Psalm 90: 12-17
12 So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.
13 Turn, O Lord! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us
and as many years as we have seen evil.
16 Let your work be manifest to your servants
and your glorious power to their children.
17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us
and prosper for us the work of our hands—
O prosper the work of our hands!

Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12-16
12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Reflections: A reminder of who and whose we are

I remain intrigued by the fact that those that initially read Hebrews were second-generation Christians who had drifted into a malaise regarding the story that had initially fired their imaginations. They were being reminded of their history — indeed, hit over the head with their history — to wake them up! Before proceeding, take the time to watch this video. It will help you get a good sense of the book we are exploring. 

What should we take away from this week’s reading from Chapter 4? The first section (12-14) compares God’s word to a sword that judges the true intentions of our hearts. We can hide nothing from our Creator. That’s ominous and should bring us to our knees! But there’s more! In the second section (14-16), we are reminded that Jesus, our “great high priest,” experienced the world in human form (while remaining sinless), and has boundless compassion for us. Just as God knows all our failures, all our weaknesses, we are redeemed through God’s Son. Because of our faith in Christ, we are liberated from our sin, our failures, and even death, and brought back to God, the one who formed us! Our troubled world needs to hear this message! Who can we share this good news with this week?   

Soli Deo Gloria! 

a prayer Reflection: “O God our Help in ages Past” 

Note: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is a hymn written by Isaac Watts and paraphrases the 90th Psalm. This hymn is frequently sung as a portion of the Remembrance Day service in Canada and festive occasions in England. Learn more about its history here.

West Point Cadet Chapel
Dedicated in 1910

The recording I have linked below is an organ version of the hymn from the Cadet Chapel at West Point in New York. Mary Beth and I had the opportunity to hear an organ concert in that Chapel in 2007 while attending Jake’s graduation. What an incredible experience that was!  The organ is incredible — you can read about it here.

I offer this hymn as a prayer and it hearkens back to the idea that as a faith community, we have a powerful history that points us to a miraculous future!  

1. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home!

2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship in the library for discussions of this week’s readings. We learn from each other each week! All are welcome! 

6 October 2024: Pentecost 20

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Faithful Conversations #84
Introduction to Readers:

None of us succeed in life “on our own,” and I am wary of those who posit that notion. We have all been lifted by many along our path. As a historian and teacher, mentors of famous individuals have long intrigued me (think Socrates and Plato, Plato and Aristotle, Aristotle and Alexander the Great, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, Mademoiselle Souvestre and Eleanor Roosevelt, to name a few).  

Howard Washington Thurman
(1899-1981)

Mentors have been on my mind this week prompted, in part, by reading portions of Deep is the Hunger by theologian Howard Thurman, a man whose articulation of the philosophy of non-violent opposition to unjust laws, coupled with the pursuit of inner transformation, dramatically impacted Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1950s. (Thurman had been a classmate of MLK’s father at Morehouse College in the 1920s and in the 1930s, as a young clergyman, traveled to India, notably spending a good deal of time with Gandhi!).

I encourage you to think about the spiritual mentors in your life as you work through this week’s lectionary readings, especially the Hebrews passage. Who guided you in your faith formation, and how did they do that? Who have you mentored in the faith, if you have been blessed with that opportunity? These are good questions for us to consider.

Between now and the end of November, as we reach the final phase of the readings for Year B of the three-year lectionary cycle, we will interact with the book of Hebrews seven times. Count this week’s blog as my opening volley in that regard — exploring a book that has never captured my attention much. I have much to learn, and I hope you will explore with me! As always, thanks for visiting this space again this week and your continued interest in exploring the scriptures on a deeper level. You are an inspiration in that regard!

The Readings for Pentecost 20
Genesis 2:18-24
Psalm 8
Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2: 5-12
Mark 10: 2-16

Common Themes in the Pentecost 20 Readings!
Look for the following themes in this week’s readings: creation, human relationships, and the significance of Christ. Genesis 2:18-24 highlights the creation of human partnership, emphasizing the importance of companionship. Psalm 8 praises the dignity and responsibility of humanity in creation, marveling at God’s care for humankind. Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 and Mark 10:2-16 both focus on Christ’s authority, His solidarity with humanity, and the call to live in right relationships, particularly in marriage and family.

Focus Reading: Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2: 5-12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

5 Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6 But someone has testified somewhere,

“What are humans that you are mindful of them
    or mortals that you care for them?
7 You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
    you have crowned them with glory and honor,
8  subjecting all things under their feet.”

Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation, I will praise you.”

Reflections:

As mentioned, Hebrews receives a good deal of attention in the Lectionary for the next two months. Let me offer a few markers for you prior to reading it. First, the authorship of the book has always been disputed (sidebar: Luther was not enthusiastic about Hebrews, and I hope to understand that better in the weeks ahead!). Second, it was written around 70 C.E. for a community of second-generation Greek speaking Christians, many of whom had Jewish background. Third, the recipients of the letter (which is really a sermon) apparently enthusiastically embraced the story of Christ initially but drifted into a malaise over time (note chapter 10).  The sermon was meant to draw them back — to remind them of their heritage and the promise of salvation. In this regard, Hebrews is remarkably relevant for us in 2024!

And here are a couple things to keep in mind when reading the specific verses for this week. I encourage you to compare 1: 1-4 with the opening of John’s Gospel (1: 1-18) or Philippians 2: 6-11 (known as the Christ Hymn). The opening lines also bring to mind the Nicene Creed, and especially these words:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end. 

In the second passage (2: 5-12) the writer connects the people to the Old Testament (Psalm 8 is quoted in Hebrews 2: 6-8a), reminding them that God created them for glory and honor (“for a little while lower than angels”). Remember, they were “drifting” (10: 32-39) and needed to hear these words — it feels a bit like a pep talk! Christ is then portrayed as a “pioneer” (2: 11) who charts our course and ultimate salvation.

We should often remind ourselves that the words we are reading in the scriptures were written for a certain time and place, but they clearly were also meant as a letter to the future. We are hearing directly from our spiritual mentors in these words!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

A PRAYER REFleCTION (inspired by Joan D. Chrittister)

Sister Joan Chittister
Benedictine Order

Note: Sister Joan is a prolific author and religious leader. This quote cited below brought to mind a conversation I had with Pastor Barb Knutson who served ELC some years back. We were talking about how the church will survive going forward in light of declining membership and participation in the early years of the 21st Century.  In her compassionate wisdom, she reminded me that the Christian Church has always moved forward in times of crisis with a remnant of believers (spiritual mentors?), an intriguing fact worth exploring.

“Religious life is not going to go away. It will take a different form. Why am I so sure it’s not going to go away? Because there are people whose personalities and gifts, and interests and soul, are simply immersed in living this kind of a spiritual lifestyle. That only makes sense. If you can live an artistic lifestyle, why can’t somebody live a spiritual lifestyle? We’ve always, in every single great tradition, had a percentage of the population that stands in the middle of us being the beacon that calls us to realize that the spiritual life is an essential part of every life.”

Gracious God, thank you for the souls whose lives are immersed in spiritual devotion, standing as beacons of light in a world of distraction. May their presence inspire us to recognize that the spiritual life is woven into the very fabric of our being, calling us to deeper meaning and purpose. Grant us the wisdom to honor their gifts and embrace the sacred within ourselves and others. Amen. 

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship in the library for discussions of this week’s readings. We learn from each other each week! All are welcome! 

29 September 2024: Pentecost 19

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Faithful Conversations #83
Introduction to Readers:

St. John’s Abbey Church
Collegeville, Minnesota

Sacred spaces and their relation to our faith journeys have been on my mind this week prompted, in part, by travels west to attend an “All-70s” reunion at West Fargo High School (proud member of the class of 1975!). One stop along the route was St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Thirty years ago, this summer, I spent a month there in a study program with 25 other teachers from around the country. We were studying the writings of Machiavelli with a renowned scholar, but that became secondary due to my absorption into the day-to-day life of the Benedictine Monastery. I read “The Rule of St. Benedict” and joined the Monks in the rhythm of their daily prayers. I tried to imagine Luther’s struggle with Roman Catholicism (they had a huge section of their library devoted to Luther, by the way). This moment of repose came at a moment in my life when I needed help, and I felt the presence of God in that place, profoundly. Walking the grounds again this week brought it all back to me. (Sidebar: Unk, my father, came to visit me there and jokingly asked, “We aren’t going to lose you to the Catholics are we? A perfect example of his humor). I urge you to think about sacred spaces in your life this week, past and present. We live in a time and within a culture that crowds out the sacred spaces of our lives, and I am convinced that so many sisters and brothers in our midst are struggling with anxiety, anger, depression, and hopelessness because of that.

Although each of the readings this week offer a great deal of food for thought, my reflections will focus on Psalm 19. As always, thanks for visiting this space again this week, and I pray that your time with the scriptures is meaningful!

The Readings for Pentecost 19
Numbers 11: 4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Psalm 19: 7-14d
James 5: 13-20
Mark 9: 38-50

Common Themes in the Pentecost 19 Readings!
The readings for Pentecost 19 are rich with insight for our daily lives! They emphasize themes of leadership, community, humility, and personal responsibility. In Numbers, Moses struggles with the burden of leading a complaining people and shares authority with others, showing the need for shared leadership and God’s provision. Psalm 19 praises God’s laws as perfect and life-giving, urging personal reflection and moral integrity. In James, the power of prayer and confession is highlighted, while in Mark, Jesus teaches humility, inclusion, and the need for self-discipline to avoid causing harm to others or oneself spiritually.

Psalm 19: God’s Gory in Creation and the Law

 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God,

    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth
    and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
    and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and nothing is hid from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect one’s own errors?
    Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
    do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless
    and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Reflections:

C.S. Lewis
(1898-1963)

“I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.” (C.S. Lewis)

Prolific Christian author C.S. Lewis enjoyed the artistry of the writing in Psalm 19.  Known as both an instructional and creation Psalm, this poem from David celebrates the glory of God as revealed through both the order of creation (verses 1-6) and the order of His divine law (verses 7-10). The heavens declare God’s majesty, while His laws are described as perfect, trustworthy, and life-giving, guiding people toward righteousness. The psalm concludes with a personal prayer for forgiveness and purity (verses 11-14), asking that both words and thoughts be pleasing to God. What should we take away from this powerful and poetic Psalm?

God’s order in our lives runs in and through this poem. The first portion reminds me of significance of sacred spaces in our lives, in this case God’s creation.  No words can adequately describe the breathtaking beauty of the natural world. We can feel it walking on the shores of Lake Michigan, hiking in Alaska, or gliding on a river in a canoe. We can feel it in a memory from our youth of a sacred encounter. And it is good to be reminded that we need sacred spaces, including time, in our lives. Our world does so much to take that from us, if we are not mindful of it.

The second portion reminds us of the positive and instructive nature of God’s law, as presented to us in the scriptures (note the six references to the law). Again, think order. Luther, recall, taught that the law served two purposes. First, it taught us how to live in this world as children of God, both in our relationship to the Triune God and with our neighbors. And second, it reminds us that no one is perfect and that we are all in need of salvation. The third portion, a prayer, reminds us that submission to God is the starting point for order in our lives. Full stop.

And finally, dwell on verse 14 for a few moments — there is much there. We have heard these words many times from the pulpit, and we should write them on our hearts. There is a wonderful symmetry here between this verse and verse 3 (“there is no speech, nor are there words”). And though David wrote these words ten centuries before Christ walked this earth, as Christians we believe that the “meditation of our hearts” points us to Jesus in new and powerful ways every day. This is news that we need to share!

Soli Deo Gloria!

A PRAYER REFELCTION (Inspired by James 5: 13-20)
(Note: This week’s passage from James is the fifth and final reference to the Epistle in the Lectionary for Year B). 

Loving God, in times of joy and suffering, help us turn to You in prayer, trusting in Your healing and grace. Strengthen our faith to support one another, confess our faults, and seek forgiveness. May our prayers be powerful and effective, bringing restoration, peace, and spiritual wholeness to our community. Amen.

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship in the library for discussions of this week’s readings. We learn from each other each week! All are welcome! 

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
Fourth Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Postscript: On 20 September, Elizabeth Eaton, the fourth presiding Bishop of the ELCA, and the first woman to preside as Bishop, issued the following statement in response to the recent controversies surrounding the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. I commend it to your reading.

 

22 September 2024: Pentecost 18

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Faithful Conversations #82
Introduction to Readers:

Thomas Jefferson in 1801
(1743-1826)
Artist: Rembrandt Peale

This week marks the fourth go-round on James in the Lectionary (there is one more). While researching this week’s passage, I stumbled upon an excellent commentary by a man named Doug Bratt, a retired minister of the Christian Reformed Church of North America, a denomination with Dutch roots and Calvinist bent. What especially caught my attention was his reference to Thomas Jefferson, primary author of the Declaration of Independence and our third President. Teaching Jefferson always proves complicated, especially owing to his toxic relationship to slavery. You might also find his views on religion surprising!

Thanks for visiting this space again and I hope your reading and reflections on scripture are going well! I am on the road for part of this week attending an “All-70s Reunion” out in West Fargo where I graduated high school in 1975. In fact, I will be speaking at a memorial service that is part of the reunion activities, so that should be a unique experience. After a short summary of the common themes among this week’s readings, I am sharing the commentary on James as noted above, and a compelling poem by Walter Brueggemann.

The Readings for Pentecost 18
Jeremiah 11: 18-20
Psalm 54
James 3: 13 – 4: 3, 7-8a
Mark 9: 30-37

Common Themes in the Pentecost 18 Readings
The common themes among the readings for Pentecost 18 emphasize trust in God amidst persecution and suffering, as seen in Jeremiah’s plea for divine justice and the psalmist’s cry for deliverance. Humility and submission to God are highlighted in James, who contrasts earthly ambition with the peace and righteousness that come from heavenly wisdom. In Mark, Jesus teaches that true greatness comes through humility and service, as he predicts his own suffering and elevates the least, symbolized by a child. Together, the readings call for reliance on God’s justice, humility, and a reversal of worldly expectations of power.

Focus Reading: James 3: 13 – 4: 3, 7-8a

13 Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. 15 This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

4 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it, so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it, so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Reflections: 

Here is the link for the commentary by Doug Bratt. 
Soli Deo Gloria! 

 

A Poem and Prayer by Walter Brueggemann

Note: The Brueggeman poem seems especially fitting for an election season!  

Post-Election Day

You creator God
who has ordered us
in families and communities,
in clans and tribes,
in states and nations.

You creator God
who enacts your governance
in ways overt and
in ways hidden.
You exercise your will for
peace and for justice and for freedom.

We give you thanks for the peaceable order of
our nation and for the chance of choosing—
all the manipulative money notwithstanding.

Walter Brueggeman
(b. 1933)

We pray now for new governance
that your will and purpose may prevail,
that our leaders may have a sense
of justice and goodness,
that we as citizens may care about the
public face of your purpose.

We pray in the name of Jesus who was executed
by the authorities.

Note: Walter Brueggemann is a professor emeritus of Old Testament studies at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and has authored more than seventy books. 

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship for some in-person discussion of the week’s readings. We meet in the library, and all are welcome! We learn from each other each week! 

15 September 2024: Pentecost 17

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Faithful Conversations #81
Introduction to Readers:

John Wooden (1910-2010) and Kareem Jabbar
(formerly Lew Alcindor)

As a young basketball player, I was a great admirer of John Wooden — and, actually had the chance to meet him, including a 15-minute conversation in 1978 when he visited Concordia! One of my favorite quotes from Wooden (who was quoting Ghandi) is this: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” It seems to me, that’s a good way to think about our lives as Christians — and it applies to studying the Bible! My intention with the FC Lectionary Blog each week is to provide guidance for the four readings, and I do that with great humility. My understanding of scripture is limited, but I know that we need to be persistent about it. Like me, I hope you are not content with staying at a superficial level.

James is in the line-up again this week and I’m gaining more clarity on the epistle. His words do not need a whole lot of explanation, in my mind. This week’s passage, for example, hits hard and is exceedingly relevant in our current political environment! We will come back to James two more times between now and the end of September, so I included this week’s reading in full. My reflections, however, will focus on the passage from Isaiah. Once again, thanks for your visit this week!

The Readings for Pentecost 17
Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Psalm 116: 1-9
James 3: 1-12
Mark 8: 27-38

Common Themes in the Pentecost 17 Readings
The readings for Pentecost 17 emphasize themes of perseverance, humility, and the power of words. In Isaiah 50:4-9a, the prophet speaks of unwavering faith and endurance in the face of opposition, trusting God for vindication. Psalm 116:1-9 reflects a deep gratitude to God for deliverance and the importance of walking in His presence. James 3:1-12 warns about the destructive potential of the tongue, urging believers to speak wisely, while Mark 8:27-38 calls for self-denial, highlighting the cost of discipleship and the importance of aligning one’s life with Christ.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 50: 4-9a

The Lord God has given me
a trained tongue,
that I may know how to sustain
the weary with a word.
Morning by morning he wakens,
wakens my ear
to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.

7 The Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand in court together.
Who are my adversaries?
Let them confront me.
9 It is the Lord God who helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
All of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.

New Testament Reading: James 3: 1-12: Taming the Tongue
3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will face stricter judgment. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is mature, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord[d] and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Soli Deo Gloria! 

A PRAYER REFELCTION: Remembering Oscar Romero

Oscar Romero
(1917-1980)

A Future Not Our Own

It helps now and then to step back and take a long view.
The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction
of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of
saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession
brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives include everything.

This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one
day will grow. We water the seeds already planted
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects
far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of
liberation in realizing this.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning,
a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s
grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the
difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not
messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.

From Xavarian Missionaries:
Oscar A. Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, in El Salvador, was assassinated on March 24, 1980, while celebrating Mass in a small chapel in a cancer hospital where he lived. He had always been close to his people, preached a prophetic gospel, denouncing the injustice in his country and supporting the development of popular and mass organizations. He became the voice of the Salvadoran people when all other channels of expression had been crushed by the repression. This poem was composed by Bishop Ken Untener on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Bishop Óscar Romero. 

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship starting on 15 September for some in-person discussion of the week’s readings. We meet in the library and all are welcome! We learn from each other each week! 

8 September 2024: Pentecost 16

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Faithful Conversations #80
Introduction to Readers:

Some Reformation Humor!

Being raised by “cradle to grave” Lutherans (of the Norwegian Lutheran Church to American Lutheran Church to ELCA lineage), James has always inhabited a second-tier status among the New Testament books in my worldview. Luther, as is widely acknowledged, objected to James due to its lack of focus on Jesus Christ and emphasis on “works” righteousness. He referred to it as a “right strawy epistle,” and deemed it inappropriate for use in the religious schools of his day. Indeed, I remember an old religion professor of mine at Concordia getting downright worked up about James in one of his lectures! That said, between now and the end of September (including last Sunday), we encounter James five times in the Lectionary, so I hope to confront my Lutheran biases and give James another look!

Thanks for visiting this space again this week! I hope you feel as challenged as I do walking through the Lectionary! After providing a short summary of common themes among the Pentecost 16 readings, my reflections will focus on the passage from James. Beyond that, we will hear from Henri Nouwen again this week and conclude with a new interpretation of a familiar tune.

(Sidebar: Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig is commemorated in the ELCA this week (2 September), and if you want some background on his life, here is a good link. My sense is that Rollie Lee will appreciate it!  You will find the calendar for “Lesser Festivals and Commemorations” in the ELW, pages 15-17. It’s quite a list!) 

The Readings for Pentecost 16
Isaiah 35: 4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2: 1-10 (11-13) 14-17
Mark 7: 24-37

Common Themes in the Pentecost 16 Readings
The readings for Pentecost 16 emphasize God’s justice, mercy, and the call to live out an inclusive and active faith. Isaiah 35:4-7a speaks of God’s promise to bring healing and transformation, offering hope to those who are weak and oppressed. Psalm 146 praises God as the one who upholds the marginalized, executes justice, and provides for those in need. James 2:1-17 and Mark 7:24-37 challenge believers to reject favoritism, live out their faith through compassionate actions, and recognize the expansive reach of God’s healing and love, which transcends social and cultural boundaries.

Note to Readers: 
I’m including the James reading from Pentecost 15 (last Sunday) to add context to this week’s focus reading from James. Here it is:  

17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 You must understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. 23 For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; 24 for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. 25 But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. 26 If any think they are religious and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Focus Reading: James 2: 1-10 (11-13) 14-17: Warning Against Partiality
2 My brothers and sisters, do not claim the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory while showing partiality. 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here in a good place, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor person. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into the courts? 7 Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well. 9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. {11 For the one who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but you murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.} 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

“Saint James the Less”
Peter Paul Reubens
(1610-1612)

Often as I work on the blog, I am humbled by Alexander Pope’s (1688-1744) famous admonition, a little learning is a dangerous thing. The authorship of the book of James, for example, took me down a rabbit hole. Like other NT books, debates over the actual source have stirred for centuries, so likely I will not solve it here. There are several men named James referenced in the New Testament. Some believe the book was written by James, the brother of Jesus, while others believe a later author simply wrote “in the name of James,” a common practice of the time.

James the Just
Neo-Byzantine Icon
Russian Orthodox Church

And one more thing about his identity. I found this reference to James on the site of a Russian Orthodox Church:  “Saint James the Just, also called James Adelphos and James the Brother of Our Lord (died AD 62), was the first Bishop or Patriarch of Jerusalem. According to the Protoevangelion of James, James was the son of Joseph—along with the other ‘brethren of the Lord’ mentioned in the scripture—from a marriage prior to his betrothal to Mary (another theory! my emphasis). He wrote an epistle which is part of the New Testament. St. James is commemorated on October 23″ (and yes, we commemorate James the Martyr on that day in the ELCA!). 

Major Sidebar — I feel compelled to include this since I married a “Mary,” born to Catholic parents!): The question of whether Mary and Joseph had other children besides Jesus is interpreted differently across Christian traditions. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches teach that Mary remained a perpetual virgin, meaning she had no other children, and interpret references to Jesus’ “brothers” and “sisters” as either cousins or close relatives. In contrast, many Protestant denominations believe that Mary had additional children based on a literal reading of biblical passages that mention Jesus’ siblings. Luther, owing to his strong Catholic training, held to the perpetual virgin theory and referred to Mary as the “Queen of Heaven.” In fact, he included this statement regarding the “Hail Mary” in his Little Prayer Book: “Let not our hearts cling to her in faith, but through her penetrate to Christ and to God himself. Thus, what the Hail Mary says is that all glory should be given to God, using these words: ‘Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of thy body, Jesus Christ. Amen.’ ” (Living Lutheran Magazine, 31 August 2018). I may never hear the “Hail Mary” the same way again after reading this!  

The ELCA, as far as I can tell, does not have an official doctrine on whether Mary had additional children besides Jesus, leaving the interpretation largely to individual belief. The ELCA tends to emphasize the centrality of Scripture and does not require adherence to the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity. Therefore, many within the ELCA are open to the possibility that Mary had other children, interpreting biblical references to Jesus’ “brothers” and “sisters” as literal siblings. However, there is also room for diverse personal beliefs within the denomination, and members are not required to take a specific stance on this issue (not surprising!). 

Regardless of who authored James, the book offers sound advice for practical Christian living and is often compared to Proverbs. The Lutheran Study Bible identifies the following themes in the 108 verses of the book: joy, wisdom, creation, word, first fruits, faith, blessing, growth, and endurance. And I appreciate this sentence from that same introduction: “These themes give powerful encouragement for responsible Christian action amid the complex realities of daily life” (Lutheran Study Bible, page 1992). 

Finally! What about this week’s passage? What should we take away from that? Like so much of this book, it seems straightforward. If we claim to be Christians, and yet show partiality to those who hold power and wealth, we are missing the mark. If we talk a good game, but never show it with our actions, we are empty. So, where was Luther coming down on this? It seems to me, if we could talk to brother Martin, he would say, “Ah, but be careful that you don’t start thinking you can earn salvation by ‘doing this’ or ‘doing that’ — we simply cannot! We all sin and fall short of the Glory of God, and it happens to us every day!” I can see Luther’s point here, but also feel like the words from James could have come from Christ — reread the passage again with that in mind. It is this tension between “faith and works” that we must continually grapple with in our Christian journey. My interpretation of Lutheranism is simply this: I have been given the gift of faith and my salvation is settled — I did nothing to earn it. My response to that, however, is to share the gift, including a greater understanding of it!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

A PRAYER REFELCTION: Henri Nouwen
(Note: The spiritual connection to water referenced in this prayer really hit me — something we can all relate to. Perhaps it’s the river, or a beautiful lake, or “the sea.”) 

Today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to life, by your love I am sustained, and to your love I am always called back. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your unwavering love. . . . O Lord, sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know there is ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea. Amen. (From the Henri Nouwen Society website’s Daily Meditation, 31 August 2024). 

The Doxology

Thomas Ken
(1637-1711)
English Cleric

(Nostalgia Warning! This song takes me back to the many church basements of my youth, or family gatherings where people spontaneously broke into harmony! I found this description of the hymn’s background that you will appreciate. I also appreciate using the expression “Holy Ghost!” The version I posted takes an old hymn and puts a new twist on it — so heartfelt).

Thomas Ken (1637–1711), who crafted these plain and profound words in the late 1600s, wrote them as the final and “doxological” stanza of three hymns he published, first for students at Winchester College at Oxford University. Ken, who was an Anglican minister, royal chaplain, and eventually bishop, first penned verses for his students at Winchester to sing upon arising in the morning, and at bedtime each evening. Later he added a third hymn, to rehearse at midnight, were students to have trouble sleeping. Each hymn was a confession of faith, and an invocation of divine blessing, tailored to its particular moment of the day. And each hymn ended with the same 25-word doxological verse in praise of God, three in one.

Ken’s hymns have by no means been lost today. However, it is his final verse — our beloved “Doxology” — that has endured, so well-known is it that it needs no placeholder in our hymnbooks. Christians the world over simply know it, almost without fail — both Ken’s timeless words and the tune, which Ken did not write, but which much later began to accompany the song. The tune, called Old One-Hundredth, originally designed to accompany the singing of Psalm 134, and later Psalm 100, first appeared in the Geneva Psalter in 1551 and was written by Louis Bourgeois (1510–1561), who served as head of choirs and music, alongside famous pastor and theologian John Calvin.

(Source: desiringGod website: The Best Known Hymn in History)

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship starting on 15 September for some in-person discussion of the week’s readings. We meet in the library and all are welcome! We learn from each other each week! 

1 September 2024: Pentecost 15

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Faithful Conversations #79
Introduction to Readers:

Moses by Italian Painter Guido Reni (1575-1642)

Moses is on my mind this week. The Deuteronomy passage reminded me of Israel’s 40-year desert journey from Egyptian slavery to the promised land. When I learned that story as a boy, it always bothered me that Moses was not allowed to enter! In fact, he was buried in an unmarked grave to eliminate the possibility that any of the Israelites might gather his bones and take them into Canaan (Deuteronomy 34: 5-6). It seemed so patently unfair. But I digress.

I suppose I had thousands of conversations with Unk (my father) while growing up, but certain ones have stayed with me (memory is such a random thing!). One I vividly recall was his explanation of why those Israelites — former slaves — wandered for 40 years — I must have been curious about that. After all, the Sinai Desert was only roughly 120 miles across. He explained to me that the enslaved generation disobeyed God and doubted his promises and therefore could not enter the promised land. They needed to pass away, being replaced by a purified generation with a new mindset. Further, he explained that the wandering was a metaphor for how change often happens in our world — old things must pass away and be replaced by new things, and that often takes a generation or more. As an elder historian fifty years later, that metaphor makes a lot of sense to me, and I will comment further on it in my reflections below.

Thanks for visiting this space again this week! After providing a commentary on the common themes found in the Pentecost 15 readings, I will offer some introduction to the Deuteronomy passage and share a compelling excerpt from a new book by John Philip Newell. I came across the excerpt in Diana Butler Bass’ “The Cottage” a weekly column (“Sunday Musings”) on the lectionary.

One other note: We will be dealing with the book of James five times between now and the end of September, and I plan to get started with that next week. James does not show up in the Lectionary often, so let’s challenge ourselves to learn more about this particular book!   

The Readings for Pentecost 15
Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15
James 1: 17-27
Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Mark the Evangelist by Frans Hals (1583-1666)

Common Themes in the Pentecost 15 Readings
The common themes among the readings for Pentecost 15 focus on the importance of living according to God’s commandments and embodying righteousness in daily life. Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 emphasizes the significance of observing God’s laws as a testament to wisdom and understanding, urging the Israelites to keep these statutes close to their hearts. Psalm 15 describes the qualities of those who may dwell in God’s sanctuary, highlighting the necessity of leading a blameless life marked by truthfulness, integrity, and justice. James 1:17-27 underscores that every good and perfect gift comes from God, calling believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, and to practice true religion through care for others and personal purity. Finally, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 addresses the issue of external rituals versus inner purity, teaching that true defilement comes from within, from the evil thoughts and actions of the heart. Together, these readings encourage a faith that is both deeply rooted in God’s teachings and manifested through righteous living.

Focus Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9 (New Revised Standard Version)

4 “So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. . . 6 You must observe them and perform them, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!’ 7 For what other great nation has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? 8 And what other great nation has statutes and ordinances as just as this entire law that I am setting before you today? 9 “But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Reflections:  

The View from Mount Nebo
(Effi Schweizer)
Deuteronomy 34: 1-12

The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah and the Old Testament, serving as a series of speeches by Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Written around 700-640 B.C.E., it reiterates and expounds upon the laws given in previous books, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God’s commandments. (Sidebar: Deuteronomy means Second Law or Repetition of the Law. The book focuses on Moses’ reaffirming and explaining God’s law one final time before his death). Moses reminds the Israelites of their covenant with God and warns them against idolatry and disobedience. The book concludes with Moses blessing the tribes of Israel and his death on Mount Nebo, overlooking the promised land. Prior to this transcendent moment, the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the Sinai Desert. Their wandering — their exile, if you will — perhaps mirrors our own time of transition and disruption within Christianity, something we have often discussed.

And that leads me to this. While researching this week, I stumbled on this excerpt from John Philip Newell’s new book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home. 

John Philip Newell
(born 1953)

What is the spiritual vision at the heart of our religious inheritance that we have forgotten or neglected? The Spirit is urging us to remember that we are to do to others, including Earth and every species, what we would most want done to us. This is the teaching of Jesus at the heart of our Christian inheritance, with its equivalent in the ‘Golden Rule’ of nearly every great spiritual tradition in the world. It is the teaching that can lead us into new beginnings. In our Great Search of today, we are searching for what will bring healing, not only for ourselves, whether as individuals or nations or races, but for all people and for every species. And it is for all things that we are seeking a new sense of home address, not only physically but spiritually. We are longing for a deeper sense of shared origin and spiritual kinship, including a sense of family responsibility for everything that has being. . . . 

During this time of transition, many of us, as we have been emphasizing, are in religious exile, whether that be literally as fugitives from our religious tradition or simply as dissatisfied members of it, longing for more depth and vision. The modern Scottish poet, Kenneth White, says that “exile is the mark of any deep and far-going creativity.” By this he means that leaving home, whether that be the home territory of our nation or race or religion, either willingly or by force, presents us with the possibility of expanding our vision beyond what it has been. His emphasis is not on what we are losing in exile, which may be painful and unsettling, but on what we are being invited to open to in exile in new and creative ways. And those who are in exile, he adds, will often take with them more of the essential vision of home than what is prevalent in the places they have left. Exile, therefore, whether individually or collectively, can be a time of great openness to new vision and creativity.

This time of spiritual exile in the Western world is a moment in which we are being invited to find relationship with Earth and one another in ways that surpass anything we have known. It is a time of opening to the Spirit in our own depths and the depths of every human being and lifeform. And it can be a time of liberation from the closed boundaries of nationhood or race or religion that have confined us in the past.  .  . Our cherished places of religious authority from the past, including our local churches or temples or mosques, can serve us at this moment in time but only if they remember that the centre of the divine is everywhere. It is deep in my soul and your soul, and it is deep in Earth’s soul and every soul….

Though I am still trying to absorb what Newell is saying here, it made me think that our experience in the Church today — the frustrations we have experienced with declining membership, the shortage of clergy, the various cultural pressures that seem to threaten the faith — is perhaps our “Sinai moment.” We are wandering, sometimes feeling adrift, but in that journey are moving toward something regenerative and exciting! May we continue to pray for insight as we share the story of Jesus with those around us!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

Dutch Theologian
Henri Nouwen
(1932-1996)

A PRAYER REFELCTION: OUR PILGRAMAGE
Detachment is often understood as letting loose of what is attractive. But it sometimes also requires letting go of what is repulsive. You can indeed become attached to dark forces such as resentment and hatred. As long as you seek retaliation, you cling to your own past. Sometimes it seems as though you might lose yourself along with your revenge and hate—so you stand there with balled-up fists, closed to the other who wants to heal you. . . . Praying means, above all, to be accepting of God who is always new, always different. For God is a deeply moved God, whose heart is greater than our own. The open acceptance of prayer in the face of an ever-new God makes us free. In prayer, we are constantly on our way, on a pilgrimage. On our way, we meet more and more people who show us something about the God whom we seek. We will never know for sure if we have reached God. But we do know that God will always be new and that there is no reason to fear.(Source: Daily Meditation, 15 August 2024. The Henri Nouwen Society).

Join us on Sundays at ELC after the 9:30 worship starting on 15 September for some in-person discussion of the week’s readings. We meet in the library and all are welcome! We learn from each other each week! 

25 August 2024: Pentecost 14

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Faithful Conversations #78
Introduction to Readers:

Arthur C. Brooks

Spiritual Malaise refers to a deep sense of disconnection with one’s inner self, beliefs, or purpose, accompanied by feelings of emptiness or lack of meaning in life. This concept has been on my mind this week, prompted by Arthur Brooks’ recent article in The Atlantic titled, The Best Therapy for Our Anxiety Epidemic (sidebar: some of you participated in a book study at ELC on Brooks’ book Love Your Enemies). As one who has spent my adult life working with young people, the article is jarring. Let me start with two framing excerpts:

  • To note that a mental-health crisis is hitting American adolescents and young adults is hardly news—data to that effect emerge almost every day. The latest confirmation, in April, comes from a survey that I was grateful to help develop: This major survey, sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation and fielded by Gallup, revealed that some 38 percent of respondents aged 12 to 26 had received a formal diagnosis of anxiety or depression. That finding broke down by gender as 29 percent of young men and 45 percent of young women.
  • Among adolescents and young adults who spent more than 20 hours a week on social media, 65 percent said they felt anxiety “a lot of the day yesterday” (as opposed to 49 percent of those who spent 20 hours or less so engaged); 49 percent of the heavy social-media users felt sadness for a lot of the day before (versus 26 percent of non-heavy users); and 80 percent of them felt a lot of stress (against 59 percent of those other users).

Brooks then drills down on what he considers the central problem driving the anxiety epidemic. While social media is partially to blame, he argues that in a larger sense, young people (and perhaps older people too!) are not being prompted to explore deeper questions about their life’s purpose or meaning. He identifies two questions that he believes are fundamental for all of us to contemplate: Why am I alive? And for what would I give my life? A sustained effort to find answers to those will reveal your life’s coherence, purpose, and significance. Let that sink in. 

This circles me back to Spiritual Malaise. Is the sense of hopelessness apparent among so many in our culture, and notably by young people, related to a crisis of faith? Allow that question to stir your heart and mind as you observe the world around you this week.

Once again, thank you for visiting this space each week, and realize that I come at this process with humility. The more I learn, the more I am confronted by how much I do not know.   We remain in Ordinary Time, the longest phase of the Christian calendar (Good Shepherd Lutheran in Pearl River, New York offers a great explanation of the church calendar here, if you need a refresher). After pointing out common themes in this week’s readings, we will take one more walk into Psalm 34, including connections with the other readings. I have also included a terrific poem that seems especially fitting this week.

The Readings for Pentecost 14
Joshua 24: 1-2a, 14-18
Psalm 34: 15-22
Ephesians 6: 10-20
John 6: 56-69

Common Themes in the Pentecost 14 Readings
Look for these common themes as you work through the Pentecost 14 readings: faithfulness, commitment, and divine protection. In Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18, the Israelites are called to choose whom they will serve, emphasizing the importance of loyalty to God. Psalm 34:15-22 highlights God’s attentiveness and deliverance for the righteous, reinforcing the theme of divine protection. Ephesians 6:10-20 and John 6:56-69 both focus on spiritual strength and perseverance in the face of challenges, with Ephesians encouraging believers to put on the armor of God and John emphasizing the sustaining power of Christ’s presence through faith.

Focus Reading: Psalm 34: 15-22 (New Revised Standard Version)

15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
    to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
    and rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    but the Lord rescues them from them all.
20 He keeps all their bones;
    not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil brings death to the wicked,
    and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
    none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 Reflections:

King David’s Tomb,
Mount Zion, Jerusalem

We have been working with Psalm 34 for three weeks. A quick recap: It is one of seventy-three Psalms attributed directly to King David (Psalm 23 is his most famous). He lived roughly ten centuries before the birth of Christ, and 34 appears to be rooted in a particular episode in David’s journey. The short statement of identification (“Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.”) references a harrowing story found in 1 Samuel 21 when David fled from Saul and took refuge with the Philistines. He was afraid of King Achish of Gath, pretended to be insane, and ultimately escaped (such a strange story!). In the Psalm, David expresses gratitude to God for deliverance from fear and enemies. He also emphasizes seeking the Lord for protection and sustenance, promising that those who trust in God will not lack any good thing. Finally, he also encourages righteousness, assuring that God is close to the brokenhearted and will ultimately save those who take refuge in Him.

Our focus this week is on verses 15-22. Verse 18, in particular, jumped out at me in light of the Brooks article mentioned in my introduction. Those experiencing anxiety and depression — a sense of spiritual malaise — are certainly “brokenhearted” and “crushed in spirit,” and it saddens me that so many of our young people are living in that space. In verse 17, however, we are assured that God hears us when we “cry for help,” and that he stays near to us — continues to love us — even if we drift apart from him, unable to articulate the cause of our separation. And we are all susceptible to drifting apart. Like those Israelites in dialogue with Joshua in this week’s first reading, we are confronted with numerous “gods” that vie for our attention in our techno-driven society. We may even aggressively walk away from the faith, as some of Jesus’ followers did in this week’s Gospel reading (note John 6:66). The radical nature of his teaching was simply too much for them. Yes, sometimes it’s just easier to walk away. Faith, in my experience, is not a linear journey, but rather is filled with peaks and valleys. It is a daily walk requiring certain disciplines, especially engagement in the Word and prayer, calling us to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power” (Ephesians 6:10). That message needs to be shared and shared widely to a broken world! Keep your ears and eyes open in the days ahead — someone you know needs to hear this message!

Soli Deo Gloria! 
Prayer/ Reflection: “silent god” (edwina Gately)

This is my prayer—
That, though I may not see,
I be aware
Of the Silent God
Who stands by me.
That, though I may not feel,
I be aware
Of the Mighty Love
Which doggedly follows me.
That, though I may not respond,
I be aware
That God—my Silent, Mighty God,
Waits each day.
Quietly, hopefully, persistently.
Waits each day and through each night
For me.
For me—alone.

(Source: Dan Clendenin: dan@journeywithjesus.net, 18 August 2024)

If interested, join us after the 8:30 service at ELC on 25 August for some in-person discussion of this week’s readings. No special expertise or prior knowledge is necessary! all are welcome!

18 August 2024: Pentecost 13

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Faithful Conversations #77
Introduction to Readers:

Yin Yang Symbol
The Principle of Balance

2024 is a significant year when it comes to global elections, and it is important to view our own elections in that context. The potential for political violence, as exhibited in our own campaign, remains a significant threat.  The day-to-day news cycle regarding this, prompts me to grapple with a couple questions: Do those of us who walk within a strong faith tradition have a special obligation to engage with the political process? If so, what should that look like? Of course, these are deeply personal questions prompting a range of views. History is filled with multiple examples of horrific episodes when those in political power usurp religion for selfish purposes, so I tend to be wary of that kind of language. On the other hand, as Christians, Jesus’ words and actions certainly should inform all parts of our lives, including our civic lives.  How do we find the balance? I continue to explore — as I have mentioned previously in this space — HOW, as Christians, we can provide another voice in our politics, a voice that needs to be heard.

As mentioned in several previous entries, the ELCA crafts social statements on many societal issues and these are all available for us to read and study. We certainly do not have uniformity of opinion on the various issues that are addressed, nor should we expect that. The social statements are not hastily constructed (in fact, clearly, we study things for a LONG TIME within our denomination — that’s part of our tradition!). This week, for those who are inclined, let me offer a timely resource which I found to be refreshing and hopeful — this article from this month’s Living Lutheran Magazine.  And a heads up, you will find a link to an excellent social message from 2020 included, along with a draft statement on civic life and faith that is being developed for action by the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. There is much to digest in both!

Thanks for visiting this space again this week! After providing a commentary on the common themes found in the Pentecost 13 readings, I will be revisiting Psalm 34 in my reflections (recall that we have three Sundays with this Psalm). I hope and pray that your scriptural exploration continues to go well!

The Readings for Pentecost 13
Proverbs 9: 1-6
Psalm 34: 9-14
Ephesians 5: 15-20
John 6: 51-58

Common Themes in the Pentecost 13 Readings
Look for these themes as you work your way through the Pentecost 13 readings: wisdom, righteous living, and spiritual nourishment. Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14 both call for a pursuit of wisdom and a life marked by reverence and moral integrity, suggesting that true understanding leads to fulfillment and peace. Ephesians 5:15-20 further elaborates on living wisely, urging believers to align their actions with divine principles and be filled with the Spirit. John 6:51-58 underscores the necessity of spiritual sustenance through communion with Christ, reinforcing the idea that wisdom and righteous living are sustained by a deep, life-giving relationship with Jesus.

Psalm 34: 9-14: Focus Reading (New Revised Standard Version)

    for those who fear him have no want.
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger,
    but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

11 Come, O children, listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Which of you desires life
    and covets many days to enjoy good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
    and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil, and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

 Reflections: “Let us fear and love god”  

We’re continuing our walk with Psalm 34 this week. A quick recap from last week: Psalm 34 is attributed to King David and dates from roughly 1000 BCE and references a harrowing story found in 1 Samuel 21 when David fled from Saul and took refuge with the Philistines. He was afraid of King Achish of Gath, pretended to be insane, and ultimately escaped. In verses 1-8, David testifies to God’s power and invites the community to join him in praising God. 

This week’s passage (9-14) emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the starting point for our faith lives. Deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, this phrase is used roughly 300 times in the Bible (depending on the translation).  When we think of fear, being afraid — perhaps terrified — comes to mind. But the word has a different meaning in this context and refers to that sense of awe we have in God’s presence. The concept of REVERENCE captures the idea. (Sidebar: Can we all think of people that inspired that feeling in us in our formative years? My basketball coach at Concordia College — Sonny Gulsvig — and my father fit the bill for me in that regard. My respect for them made me want to imitate them, and I certainly never wanted to disappoint them in any way).

An Explanation of the Catechism
H.P. Grimsby
Augsburg Publishing House, 1941

The phrase also takes me back to my Confirmation days and my rough attempt at memorizing Luther’s Small Catechism. In revisiting some of that material this week, I was reminded that Luther presented the chief parts of the Catechism — the Ten Commandments, the Apostle’s Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer — in that order for a reason. I’m lifting this quote from a wonderful explanation of this in my Lutheran Study Bible: “In 1522, in the preface to the Personal Prayer Book, a forerunner of the Small Catechism, Luther compared this order to recovery from illness. First, one receives the diagnosis (the Ten Commandments), then one is told the source for God’s healing (God’s grace revealed in the Creed), and finally one calls the pharmacist to fill this gracious prescription (Lord’s Prayer).” 

Martin Luther
(1483-1546)

And, now back to that phrase, the fear of the Lord. It is notable that Luther started each of the explanations of the Commandments with the phrase, We are to fear and love God . . . and then offered what we SHOULD NOT DO, followed in each case by WHAT WE SHOULD DO. The explanation of the 8th Commandment, a personal favorite of mine, goes like this (the version I learned in Confirmation): We should fear and love God so that we do not deceitfully belie, betray, backbite, nor slander our neighbor, but apologize for him, speak well of him, and put the most charitable construction on all that he does. Those words have stayed with me for more than 50 years, and just imagine if we applied this approach to our political lives! The point Luther was making, it seems to me, is that the Commandments are not simply “the law,” but also provide a healthy path for living — a point that was brought home to me in one of our recent Sunday morning Lectionary discussions! And, yes, this all starts with our fear of the Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria! 

this week’s Prayer (by Thomas G. Pettepiece)

Note: This prayer jumped out at me during this political season, especially the line, “I need the vision that Jesus gives.” The prayer also fits well with Proverbs 9: 6: “Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” I have added this prayer to my repertoire going forward!

On the Road to Emmaus

My God, thank you for the physical sight to see both light and darkness around me. Thank you too for insight that comes with the vision to tell the difference. I know that my perception of reality, my vision, determines my ability to respond to life, and that the greater my vision, the more fully alive and fully human I can be. Still, I confess that sometimes the smallness of my vision limits my perception of myself, my neighbors, and the world, so that I treat others as less than human and not fully alive — personally, politically, economically, and socially . . . I need the vision that Jesus gives, that sees no difference between sacred and secular, sexual identity and personhood, ethnic group and worth, economic position and dignity, education and value. I need the vision to ask the hard questions and to change my attitude and the structures of society where I can. Because of the sensitivity of sight you give, enable me to stand in awe and wonder at life and its possibilities. Help me kneel in humility to worship you and not myself. Lord, hear me as I say, “Let my eyes be opened.” Amen.

(From Thomas Pettepiece, Visions of a World Hungry. 1979)

If interested, join us after the 8:30 service at ELC on 18 August for some in-person discussion of this week’s readings. No special expertise or prior knowledge is necessary! all are welcome!