Break

Time for a little break!  Will post again in mid-June!

Human of Dust/Human of Heaven

1 Corinthians 15:42-49New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Have you ever thought about what it means that we will also bear the image of the man in heaven?

Paul's theology is often weighty to sort through. It has it translation issues I think at times, and sometimes his word choice is problematic. 

When we think of Jesus, we must think of the man who is not simply the "man of heaven." Jesus was also a (hu)man of dust. A man of dust who redeemed other "(hu)men" of dust. 

But Jesus' last name wasn't Christ. Instead, Jesus WAS the Christ. The Cosmic Christ who was from time eternal and who came to us as dust to be like us. That human of heaven is who brings all things into one. Who creates unity. Who is one with the creator.

How this all happens has been debated and debated and theologized since the first century. And the truth is, our language will always fall short of explaining just how the man Jesus and the Cosmic Christ make it possible in his one being to redeem creation.  

To be one not just with God, but with each other.

To unify all things.

However Paul explains it, or a theologian explains it or your pastor explains it or however right or wrong we get the correct "belief" of it, one thing is clear.

God takes weakness and makes it strong.

God takes limited physical beings and makes them eternal.

God takes suffering and redeems it.

God takes what we have broken and makes it whole.

God completes everything God started.

And we bear God's image.

Remember that next time you feel weak, or limited, or suffering, or broken.

God's got more story to tell in you yet.

God, I am dust and to dust I shall return. But I also bear your image and your promise of completion. Remind me always to whom I belong.  Amen

Completion?

Philippians 1:6New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

This is a passage I need to remind myself of frequently.

I'm someone who likes to get something done and be able to sit back, look at it and be satisfied with the fruits of my labors. I'm guessing you might have the same inclination. It's a common one in our culture.

Yet Paul reminds us here of the part we play in the whole puzzle of God's plan for the Kin-dom.

We might not get to finish things.

Each of us has a role to play - a calling - in service and in ministry to help further the Kin-dom of God.

And yet for many of us, as much as we might not like the idea, we won't get to see our labors come to fruition.

We might not live to see what the church will become.

We might not see hunger ended in our lifetime.

Or poverty.

Or justice.

Or an end to all violence.

And yet on we go. On we serve. On we pray and worship and love and hope.

And know that God will ultimately bring all things to completion even though it most likely won't be in our lifetime.

This concept I think was most beautifully stated in a prayer attributed to Bishop Oscar Romero, which I'll conclude with:

"The kingdom is not only beyond our own efforts, it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s word.

Nothing that we do is complete.

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 includes everything that we are about.

We all plant the seed that one day will grow.

We water the seeds already planted, knowing that they hold promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.

We provide yeast that produces efforts far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything.

Knowing this enables us to do something, and to do it well.

Our work may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way.

Our actions present 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 the workers, not master builders.

We are ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

Amen."

Priests in the World

Numbers 8:14-22New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

[The Lord said:] "Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the other Israelites, and the Levites shall be mine. Thereafter the Levites may go in to do service at the tent of meeting, once you have cleansed them and presented them as an elevation offering. For they are unreservedly given to me from among the Israelites; I have taken them for myself, in place of all that open the womb, the firstborn of all the Israelites. For all the firstborn among the Israelites are mine, both human and animal. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself, but I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the Israelites. Moreover, I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites, to do the service for the Israelites at the tent of meeting, and to make atonement for the Israelites, in order that there may be no plague among the Israelites for coming too close to the sanctuary.

Moses and Aaron and the whole congregation of the Israelites did with the Levites accordingly; the Israelites did with the Levites just as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning them. The Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes; then Aaron presented them as an elevation offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. Thereafter the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting in attendance on Aaron and his sons. As the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did with them.

Do we still separate our "priests" from the rest of the congregation?

Maybe. Sometimes, despite the fact that this is not a tenet of our Christian faith as it was for the Jews and the Levites.

In our Christian life, we are all made "priests" through our baptism. Ministers, pastors are called to a special way of service, but it is not one that is separate. It is one that is placed in the heart of the congregation.

Yet all of us are priests - baptized and sent out to beyond the doors of our congregation.

To the world.

These days, as we read about more and more distrust of the institution of the church, and see more folks who claim to be "spiritual but not religious" or call themselves "Nones," having no religious affiliation, we might do well to wonder if we ourselves our separating ourselves as priests from the world.

Maybe our congregation IS the world.

We are not Levites, sent to do service in a tent of meeting.

We are the people of God, sent to serve the world. A world that is hungry to see the love we are equipped to share.

God send us out to do your work of love and service to the world. Amen.

Dumb luck?

Acts 1:21-26New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

This passage has always struck me as a bit odd.

First, Matthias might be the one picked, but he certainly doesn't get mentioned with as much flourish as Joseph (or Barsabbas or Justus, whichever you prefer).

And second, it seems perhaps that this whole endeavor might be premature. This happens before the coming of the Holy Spirit, and later we will find out that the Christ's choice for the twelfth apostle is none other than Saul, who becomes Paul. 

Is that the point? That the Holy Spirit hasn't come yet, and so Matthias gets his place at the table by dumb luck (or drawing lots)?

It makes we wonder if perhaps sometimes we do the same things.

There probably wasn't anything wrong with Matthias. Likely he served well (although we are never told one way or another). And yet, this group gathered rather hastily to get the correct committee in place with the right number of folks...

Before the Holy Spirit came.

I wonder if sometimes we are in such a hurry to get things done - with meetings, deadlines, constitutions, budgets and the like all nipping at our heels - that we forget to slow down and discern the work of the Spirit in our midst to see which way the wind is really blowing?

Lord help us to discern your plans by looking and listening for your Spirit's work in our lives. Amen.

God's Word

Deuteronomy 11:18-21New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.

What is it that reminds you of God's word?

What is it that reminds you of God's Word?

This passage always calls to my mind the Jewish mezuzah: the piece of parchment attached to many doors of Jewish homes.  On it is the Shema, the prayer that begins with the words: "Hear of Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Words that are commanded in Deuteronomy 6:9 to be inscribed on the doorposts of the home.

And it makes me wonder where we inscribe God's word?

Where do we remind ourself that our God is Lord?

That our God is one?

Where do the words come back to remind us over and over until they are bound to our hearts, souls, and minds?

How do we teach them to our children?

How to we keep them with us always?

There are places in the world where God's word is so precious that people die for it. We have the luxury of that not being the case for us.

What is it that makes it so precious do you think that some would write it on their doorposts?

Or inscribe in on their hearts?

Or die for it?

Lord God, your word is good. Bind it on my heart and in my soul and in my mind. Amen.

Something new

Isaiah 42:5-9New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Thus says God, the Lord,
    who created the heavens and stretched them out,
    who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
    and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
    I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
    a light to the nations,
    to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
    from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the Lord, that is my name;
    my glory I give to no other,
    nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
    I tell you of them.

God is always doing something new.

Let me repeat that.

God is always doing something new.

If you get nothing at all from the whole arc of Scripture, let it be that: that God is always doing something new.  God is always creating and re-creating. Renewing.

Resurrecting.

Rebuilding.

Redeeming.

Making the dead alive again.

Turning outcasts into princes.

Healing the sick.

Bringing to life the dead.

Freeing the captive.

Releasing the prisoner.

Just when we think things are comfortable.

Easy.

That we understand it.  That it makes sense. 

God will upend your plans and surprise you.

God is always doing something new.

If you can banish any sentence from your life, let it be this: "We've always done it that way."

Because God is always doing something new.

The church is changing. 

My church, your church, THE church...

It's becoming something new. 

Rejoice and be glad in that.

It means our creative, redeeming, loving Lord is causing life to spring forth where there was none before.

Lord of life, help me to be part of your creative process. Amen.

No partiality

Acts 10:1-34New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon’s house and were standing by the gate. They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Look, three men are searching for you. Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them.” So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?” They answered, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging.

The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. On Peter’s arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshiped him. But Peter made him get up, saying, “Stand up; I am only a mortal.” And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; and he said to them, “You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. Now may I ask why you sent for me?”

Cornelius replied, “Four days ago at this very hour, at three o’clock, I was praying in my house when suddenly a man in dazzling clothes stood before me. He said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon, who is called Peter; he is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ Therefore I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. So now all of us are here in the presence of God to listen to all that the Lord has commanded you to say.”

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality,"

Another one of my favorite New Testament stories. In fact, I think one of the most important stories of our Christian heritage.

It is on this story that really everything turns. It's in this story that the trajectory of "the people of the Way" moved toward global event.

There is no way to be emphatic enough about the outrageousness of a Roman Pagan military man being baptized as a follower of Christ.

No way to emphasize enough how outrageous Peter would have thought it was to break every Jewish law he loved by bringing Cornelius into the fold.

The entire Christian story shifts here.  Peter moves from being a man completely sure of his righteousness and the righteousness of his laws to being a man who baptizes the most outsider of outsiders and realizes that God shows no partiality.

No partiality.

Who might God be calling you to change your mind about? 

Who is the most outrageous person or persons you are being called to love?

Lord you know know partiality in your love. Move my heart and mind to love without partiality as well. Amen

More peace

John 14:27New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

What is peace?

When you hear Jesus tell you that he gives you his peace, what is it?

What is deep, abiding Shalom?

It is more than the opposite of war.

It is more than the opposite of unrest.

It is more than harmony.

In a time frame where we've seen unrest and disharmony in Baltimore, and are bombarded daily with images of ISIS and other terror organizations, we might long for peace that is the opposite of war and the opposite of unrest and that is harmony.

But Jesus' peace is much more than that.

Jesus' peace makes amends.

Jesus' peace restores.

Jesus' peace heals.

It is a state of being.  It is a place you reside.

It is wholeness.

It is abundant life.

When someone says to you "The peace of the Lord be with you," it should knock your socks off.

When you say it to someone, it should knock their socks off.

What would it mean if every time we said it to each other, we meant: "May the Lord Jesus restore all that is broken in your life. May the Lord heal all that breaks your heart. May you live constantly in a state of well-being and abundant life. May you be whole."

What would that be like?

Lord, may your peace dwell within us and knock our socks off every time we imagine it! Amen

Peace

James 3:17-18New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

Martin Luther famously was said not to be a big fan of the Epistle of James. If it were up to him, according to some scholars, it wouldn't have been been included in New Testament canon. 

Rightly or wrongly, since then, James has gotten some bad press in Lutheran circles with it's heavy emphasis on law.  We're gospel people after all!

And yet, James has always drawn me in. Here from him is as succinct an explanation of peace as there is.

James, regardless of whether you consider him law-driven rather than gospel-driven, knows how to draw a fine point. 

He knows how to describe truth.

He knows how to describe how things appear and how they are. 

True wisdom begets peace, not war.

It begets gentleness, not anger.

It begets mercy, not vengeance.

And don't you know when you are in the midst of true peace? Can't you sense God then in a way you can't when you are angry, ticked off, vengeful, hypocritical or scornful?

You don't need the law to tell you when true peace reigns.  God's given us the means to sense it.

Of course, sometimes we still fight against it, because honestly sometimes we like getting our own way.

Even if our way is a complete disaster for us!

Peace may not always beget peace - just ask Gandhi and MLK.

Just ask Jesus.

Yet righteousness reigns when peace reigns.

And we know it. Even when we can't seem to live it.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Amen.

Spirit and Flesh

Galatians 5:16-26New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

Those who follow along with Richard Rohr's devotions might know what he has to say about Paul's unhelpful habit of contrasting "flesh" and "Spirit."  I won't go into it all here, but I will say that we do need to remember that God is creator of all things "flesh" and has declared creation to be good.  

So there's a lot to unpack here, and it would be easy or even tempting to read this passage from Galatians as bad news. Maybe you look at his works of the flesh list and think to yourself: "well, envy, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels...maybe even an occasional drunkenness.  Uh oh!"

When we think, however, that Jesus said that the Kin-dom of God is at hand. That it is now, we might begin to see that those times we've taken part in some of the actions in that list, we know from experience that we feel quite apart from God.

And we also know that when we live in love and joy and peace and patience and kindness, etc, that something else entirely happens in our lives.  We can literally touch the Kin-dom.  We can feel a part of it.

If we look at life as an evacuation plan where our goal is to get out of this "evil flesh" we live in, the this passage seems pretty cut and dried.

But if we remember that God wants abundant life for us not only in the future - and not only for eternity - but also now, then we already have the experience we need to know that Paul's "works of the flesh" don't serve us well and that life - full, abundant life - happens when love happens.

When joy happens.

When peace happens.

When patience happens.

When kindness happens.

When generosity happens.

When faithfulness happens.

When gentleness happens.

 And yes, even when self-control happens.

Lord make me an instrument of your love.  Amen.