The gospel I chose for April 24/25 was Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer" from John 17. One disciple who listened responded with the observation that "Today's reading in John seems to me uncharacteristically redundant (e.g., "those whom you gave me" is used at least 3 times) for Jesus whose prayers seem generally more concise."
I tend to agree. The "redundancy" of this passage makes it very difficult to read aloud -- there is the tendency to think one is repeating lines. The repetition of thoughts seems overbearing and heavy.
So, what is going on here? Was John weaving his own agenda into Jesus' words, if John even "heard" Jesus pray this prayer (there are several times in the Gospels where Jesus was "praying alone" and yet the supposed words of his prayer are recorded i.e. in the Garden of Gethsemane)? Is John just being John: wordy, theological and yet precise? Is something "lost in translation"? Would this make more sense if it were in a poetic format?
I suspect it is some of all of the above. The message that I get from John 17 is that there is a big need to understand a longing for unity, for "oneness" and for how later disciples are connected to early disciples who were to dwell in Jesus as God came to dwell in Jesus. There is no doubt in my faith that an early issue for the church, maybe about the time John was recording his Gospel (some decades after Jesus), was unity along with a proper understanding of God's work through Jesus and Jesus' work thorugh the disciples.
Reading this section of John through the eyes of first century Sunday School faith would led me to believe that John is doing some heavy duty theological instruction along with the story. In context, this is not so long before Jesus dies, so the message might be that I'm leaving you now, so I want you to have all of this stuff straight about God and Me. John would have seen it in the sense that Jesus has left us now and he would have wanted us to have had all of this stuff straight.
John is always a challenge to read. He always seems to be talking in abstractions. This section is no different. But perhaps we get the picture if we simply see in John the longing for the love of God in Jesus and the power of the spirit for the spreading of the good news to the ends of the earth.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
May 2010 "Sketchings"
SETTING INTENTIONS FOR OUR ‘JOURNEY 2 RENEWAL’
Recently there have been more and more conversations regarding our intentions for our “Journey2Renewal”. More and more people are sensing the opportunity that these upcoming two months give us to be renewed, revived, transformed and deepened. Frankly, we’re on the right track in this regard.
From the beginning my intention has been pretty clear: “…to enhance and deepen my understanding and appreciation of the culture, territory and environment from which the Apostle Paul lived, preached and wrote.” My intention has been to be open to what God might reveal. My intention has been for these deeper understandings and appreciations to inform my faith and the preaching and teaching ministries for which I am responsible.
Now others are beginning to put their intentions into words. One person said something like, “I think these weeks, especially hearing new voices, give me an opportunity to listen more closely to what God might be saying.” Another has stated an intention of dusting off some old attitudes and to take some time to get to know the Apostle Paul again, in a new way. Still another has set some intentions about reading the Bible and Paul’s letters. Still another has chosen to set aside a feeling of intimidation when picking up the Bible and just read for what can be understood by reading – that is not having a feeling that she needs to “understand” it all. Still another is digging deeper from a more intellectual point of view. And others are pondering ways to enter into some group studies.
Each of these intentions is well and good –- not for the fact that they all support my intention for this time, but for the fact that people are setting out some desires for renewal. You see, when we set out and state our intentions and our desires for a particular activity or process, it opens the doors for God to work and it opens us to being fertile soil in which God can the renewal and transformation that God might want to work during our “Journey2Renewal.”
If you’re wondering how to make the most out of getting reacquainted with the Apostle Paul, let me make these suggestions:
1) Find the map in the back of your Bible depicting the four journeys of Paul. Then read the Book of Acts and trace Paul’s travels.
2) Read some of Paul’s Letters. Don’t start with Romans. While Romans is probably the most important book in the New Testament (Martin Luther thought so), it is also the hardest to follow and grasp. Start with maybe 1 and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, I and II Timothy, Titus, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, Ephesians and finally, Romans. Or you might want to read the letters more in the order in which they were written: I and II Thessalonians and I Corinthians during his second Mission Trip; Galatians, II Corinthians and Romans during his third mission trip, and then Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 Timothy, Titus, and II Timothy written from Rome, some while he was in prison, before his death. And when you read, don’t feel like you have to understand it all, or make sense of it all. Read for the spectrum of themes, ideas and feelings that Paul presents.
3) Read a book like “Paul: A Novel” by Walter Wangerin, Jr. or any other book on the Life of Paul. Or maybe you’d want to tackle a book like, “Paul Among the People: The Apostle Reinterpreted and Reimagined in His Own Time” by Sarah Ruden. (This book tries to put Paul’s work into his social context for a better understanding of his worldview.)
4) Journal your thoughts and feelings, your questions and insights. We will likely have opportunities to share these later on.
Of course, you might choose many other intentions for this Renewal time. Nothing says that your intention has to focus on the Apostle Paul. To be sure, any thoughtful intention for renewal and transformation will lay a foundation for God to be able to work in your faith process during this time.
“Journey 2 Renewal: Eight weeks, two walks of faith renewal, half a world apart, reuniting as one strong church” frames the next two months of our lives together even as we are in different places.
I know God will be good. I know God will take care of us all. I know these days of renewal will be a deep blessing for each of us. And I’m looking forward to being the stronger community of faith we vision for the years to follow.
With my prayers for blessings and peace, joy and hope to us all!
T. O. M.
Recently there have been more and more conversations regarding our intentions for our “Journey2Renewal”. More and more people are sensing the opportunity that these upcoming two months give us to be renewed, revived, transformed and deepened. Frankly, we’re on the right track in this regard.
From the beginning my intention has been pretty clear: “…to enhance and deepen my understanding and appreciation of the culture, territory and environment from which the Apostle Paul lived, preached and wrote.” My intention has been to be open to what God might reveal. My intention has been for these deeper understandings and appreciations to inform my faith and the preaching and teaching ministries for which I am responsible.
Now others are beginning to put their intentions into words. One person said something like, “I think these weeks, especially hearing new voices, give me an opportunity to listen more closely to what God might be saying.” Another has stated an intention of dusting off some old attitudes and to take some time to get to know the Apostle Paul again, in a new way. Still another has set some intentions about reading the Bible and Paul’s letters. Still another has chosen to set aside a feeling of intimidation when picking up the Bible and just read for what can be understood by reading – that is not having a feeling that she needs to “understand” it all. Still another is digging deeper from a more intellectual point of view. And others are pondering ways to enter into some group studies.
Each of these intentions is well and good –- not for the fact that they all support my intention for this time, but for the fact that people are setting out some desires for renewal. You see, when we set out and state our intentions and our desires for a particular activity or process, it opens the doors for God to work and it opens us to being fertile soil in which God can the renewal and transformation that God might want to work during our “Journey2Renewal.”
If you’re wondering how to make the most out of getting reacquainted with the Apostle Paul, let me make these suggestions:
1) Find the map in the back of your Bible depicting the four journeys of Paul. Then read the Book of Acts and trace Paul’s travels.
2) Read some of Paul’s Letters. Don’t start with Romans. While Romans is probably the most important book in the New Testament (Martin Luther thought so), it is also the hardest to follow and grasp. Start with maybe 1 and II Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Philemon, I and II Timothy, Titus, Colossians, I & II Thessalonians, Ephesians and finally, Romans. Or you might want to read the letters more in the order in which they were written: I and II Thessalonians and I Corinthians during his second Mission Trip; Galatians, II Corinthians and Romans during his third mission trip, and then Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 Timothy, Titus, and II Timothy written from Rome, some while he was in prison, before his death. And when you read, don’t feel like you have to understand it all, or make sense of it all. Read for the spectrum of themes, ideas and feelings that Paul presents.
3) Read a book like “Paul: A Novel” by Walter Wangerin, Jr. or any other book on the Life of Paul. Or maybe you’d want to tackle a book like, “Paul Among the People: The Apostle Reinterpreted and Reimagined in His Own Time” by Sarah Ruden. (This book tries to put Paul’s work into his social context for a better understanding of his worldview.)
4) Journal your thoughts and feelings, your questions and insights. We will likely have opportunities to share these later on.
Of course, you might choose many other intentions for this Renewal time. Nothing says that your intention has to focus on the Apostle Paul. To be sure, any thoughtful intention for renewal and transformation will lay a foundation for God to be able to work in your faith process during this time.
“Journey 2 Renewal: Eight weeks, two walks of faith renewal, half a world apart, reuniting as one strong church” frames the next two months of our lives together even as we are in different places.
I know God will be good. I know God will take care of us all. I know these days of renewal will be a deep blessing for each of us. And I’m looking forward to being the stronger community of faith we vision for the years to follow.
With my prayers for blessings and peace, joy and hope to us all!
T. O. M.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Honoring God's Wishes and Love
When I was handed the envelop, the individual, who I hadn't seen in quite some time, said, "This is just between you and me." Then rephrased the statement to "Actually, somehow this is just between you and God."
I didn't quite know what to make of it. I wasn't aware that anything particular had been going on between God and me, but apparently I hadn't looked deep enough.
Later, when I opened the envelope, there were two slips of paper. On one, a torn 3x5 card, was a hand written note that said, "When God tells us his desires it brings great joy to be apart (sic) of them. Love, God's servant." The other slip of paper contained expressions encouragement with the notation, "In honor of God's wishes and love."
Tears filled my eyes. I began to understand what might be up between God and me. The encouragement was timely and the words with the encouragement were even more timely. I felt like I was in one of those old aftershave commercials, "Thanks! I needed that." Because, you see, I did need, on a deeper unconscious level, these timely words and signs of God's grace.
I needed them because, you see, they are full of so much truth. When we are in line with God's desires -- in our home, in our workplace, in our family and in our church, community, nation and world -- it brings great joy to be a partner with God. It brings great joy to know that somehow we're on the right track. It honors God when we honor God's love in our midst.
But we don't always recognize when we are in line with God's desires. We get distracted by worldly values and priorities. We get discouraged by what we see on the surface. We are so caught up with the small things that we miss the bigger picture.
It is then that the messages of God come through the faith of others. Sometimes, God reaches out when we are unaware of a deep need to work some magic in our spirit, to calm a the longings of our spirit or to affirm our commitments and faith. And when that happens, indeed it is actually between us and God -- no matter who the human messenger might be.
Thanks to the one known simply as "God's servant."
Thanks to anyone who is "God's servants" in the lives of others.
And, thanks be to God for knowing and taking care of the stuff that is just between us and Him!
I didn't quite know what to make of it. I wasn't aware that anything particular had been going on between God and me, but apparently I hadn't looked deep enough.
Later, when I opened the envelope, there were two slips of paper. On one, a torn 3x5 card, was a hand written note that said, "When God tells us his desires it brings great joy to be apart (sic) of them. Love, God's servant." The other slip of paper contained expressions encouragement with the notation, "In honor of God's wishes and love."
Tears filled my eyes. I began to understand what might be up between God and me. The encouragement was timely and the words with the encouragement were even more timely. I felt like I was in one of those old aftershave commercials, "Thanks! I needed that." Because, you see, I did need, on a deeper unconscious level, these timely words and signs of God's grace.
I needed them because, you see, they are full of so much truth. When we are in line with God's desires -- in our home, in our workplace, in our family and in our church, community, nation and world -- it brings great joy to be a partner with God. It brings great joy to know that somehow we're on the right track. It honors God when we honor God's love in our midst.
But we don't always recognize when we are in line with God's desires. We get distracted by worldly values and priorities. We get discouraged by what we see on the surface. We are so caught up with the small things that we miss the bigger picture.
It is then that the messages of God come through the faith of others. Sometimes, God reaches out when we are unaware of a deep need to work some magic in our spirit, to calm a the longings of our spirit or to affirm our commitments and faith. And when that happens, indeed it is actually between us and God -- no matter who the human messenger might be.
Thanks to the one known simply as "God's servant."
Thanks to anyone who is "God's servants" in the lives of others.
And, thanks be to God for knowing and taking care of the stuff that is just between us and Him!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Reflection for the Days after Easter
“Easter is Ended!”
It is, you might think.
The last lovely anthem has been sung; the last sermon on the living presence of the Christ has been spoken; the last young lady in a pretty bonnet has walked out of the church; and the custodian has just picked up the last scraps of paper that cluttered the empty sanctuary.
Easter is ended!
Or so you might think, until you see a mother patiently give herself to instill love and character into the heart of a daughter. Or until you see a father stand by a small boy in a hospital bed confident that God could be trusted with is dying son. Or until you see a child give up a cherished toy because a sick friend has seen it and looked at it longingly.
For so long as we see in the lives of others the love and understanding and sacrifice that God gave our world when Jesus came … then we shall know in the highest sense …
Easter is NEVER ended!!
(Borrowed)
It is, you might think.
The last lovely anthem has been sung; the last sermon on the living presence of the Christ has been spoken; the last young lady in a pretty bonnet has walked out of the church; and the custodian has just picked up the last scraps of paper that cluttered the empty sanctuary.
Easter is ended!
Or so you might think, until you see a mother patiently give herself to instill love and character into the heart of a daughter. Or until you see a father stand by a small boy in a hospital bed confident that God could be trusted with is dying son. Or until you see a child give up a cherished toy because a sick friend has seen it and looked at it longingly.
For so long as we see in the lives of others the love and understanding and sacrifice that God gave our world when Jesus came … then we shall know in the highest sense …
Easter is NEVER ended!!
(Borrowed)
Images in the Good Friday Darkness
Most of the people in worship (due to their lines of sight) probably could not have seen the wonderful images that were being projected onto the front wall as our Good Friday Service of Darkness progressed. As most will know, the west wall of our building has a large stained glass image of Jesus.
On Good Friday this year, as has been true in a couple of years past, the setting sun was at such a place in the sky that it was coming through the stained glass window and casting a shadow of our large wooden cross on to the wall beside our altar. Of course, as the sun continued to set, the shadow grew and became taller on the wall.
By the time of meditation, the sun was shining rather directly through the face of Jesus and highlighting the "INRE" placard and the crown of thorns at the top of the cross. And then, as we turned out the lights for the time of darkness, the wall was glowing with the colors of the Jesus window making their way up the wall as the cross was now out of the "spotlight" and in the shadows.
It was a powerful image of Jesus dying and His spirit leaving this earth for the journey to do battle with the devil and then to return again in the resurrection.
It was, again, one of those times when it is great to be at the altar to observe the grander images of God's grace.
On Good Friday this year, as has been true in a couple of years past, the setting sun was at such a place in the sky that it was coming through the stained glass window and casting a shadow of our large wooden cross on to the wall beside our altar. Of course, as the sun continued to set, the shadow grew and became taller on the wall.
By the time of meditation, the sun was shining rather directly through the face of Jesus and highlighting the "INRE" placard and the crown of thorns at the top of the cross. And then, as we turned out the lights for the time of darkness, the wall was glowing with the colors of the Jesus window making their way up the wall as the cross was now out of the "spotlight" and in the shadows.
It was a powerful image of Jesus dying and His spirit leaving this earth for the journey to do battle with the devil and then to return again in the resurrection.
It was, again, one of those times when it is great to be at the altar to observe the grander images of God's grace.
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Legend of the Pelican -- An Update
Tonight as I was meditating during our Good Friday Worship, I was looking at the black frontal for our altar. What I noticed was the very image I wrote about in "Sketchings" is the image for our black altar frontal -- a white pelican with her beak in her breast feeding three young with the blood that is issuing forth.
Because of the way out front space is arranged, many probably can't see past the front altar table to the Altar frontal.
Sometimes, it's worth the walk to take a look at the beauty and symbolism of our paraments which are the ornamental items which hand on the altar, lectern and pulpit.
Other times, it's worth being in one of those front chairs just to be able to see and take in all the symbolism and drama that happens around the altar. Tonight was one of those "other times."
Isn't it so wonderful that God loved us so much that he'd rather die than live without us? Isn't it awesome that God would pour out his own self for us so that we can live?
With praise and thanksgiving to our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.
Because of the way out front space is arranged, many probably can't see past the front altar table to the Altar frontal.
Sometimes, it's worth the walk to take a look at the beauty and symbolism of our paraments which are the ornamental items which hand on the altar, lectern and pulpit.
Other times, it's worth being in one of those front chairs just to be able to see and take in all the symbolism and drama that happens around the altar. Tonight was one of those "other times."
Isn't it so wonderful that God loved us so much that he'd rather die than live without us? Isn't it awesome that God would pour out his own self for us so that we can live?
With praise and thanksgiving to our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
On "April Fool's Day"
I always find it sort of "fun" when the Holy Days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday - and even Easter) fall on April 1. It's "fun" because it was God who played the biggest "joke" of all time more than 2,000 years ago when, by the power of the resurrection of His one and only Son, Jesus, God turned the grave into a gateway to eternal life; God "won" the most significant battle of all time with an eternal victory over the power of sin, death and the devil; and God takes what seems to be the end of Jesus' ministry and making it the beginning of the mission and ministry of the church.
There has never been a more significant turnaround in a story. There has never been a more significant victory. There will never be a time when satan can "get even."
So, blessings this Holy Weekend. And praise God for His victory, God's eternal "joke" on all the forces that oppose God and seek to enslave us.
Praise God, we know the "end of the story!"
There has never been a more significant turnaround in a story. There has never been a more significant victory. There will never be a time when satan can "get even."
So, blessings this Holy Weekend. And praise God for His victory, God's eternal "joke" on all the forces that oppose God and seek to enslave us.
Praise God, we know the "end of the story!"
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