Saturday, December 30, 2017

The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us

    Scripture:
  • Isaiah 61:10-62:3  • 
  • Psalm 148  • 
  • Galatians 4:4-7  •
  • John 1:1-14

  • It is appropriate, as we begin a new year, that John's gospel is our text this week, opening with "In the beginning was the Word," λόγος , logos, in Greek. This week we learn more about the nature of The Word made flesh, who lives - not just lives- among us, but who tabernacles with us, full of grace and truth, the meaning of grace and truth. And the gift, as well as the giver, and what that means for us. See The Rev. Edward Marquart's "The Word Became Flesh."

    Just how much do we mean to God, and each other? Especially in these times. What can we rely on so we do not lose our way? See The Rev. Whitney Rice's "In the beginning..." She concludes  with "This is why scripture matters so much. Because when real life comes crashing in, when the divorce papers are served, when the job loss happens, when the cancer or Alzheimer’s diagnosis comes through, we have to have somewhere to anchor our souls. And we do, in a few simple words a man named John wrote a very long time ago. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” The hard knocks of life plus the poetry of scripture give us the chance to build our lives so that we become a word of poetry ourselves, one little phrase expressed by the great Word that is God." The Rev. Cannon Anna Sutterisch says the birth and life of Christ transforms the relationship of God and humanity in Right Relationships." Dan Clendenin challenges us to mean what we say or routinely recite in "Ox and Ass Before him bow."


Saturday, December 23, 2017

Saying Yes to God

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16  •Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26   • Romans 16:25-27   • Luke 1:26-38


This week's Scripture is replete with God coming to us through the willingness of a very young woman to say "yes" to God. No cop outs, excuses, or begging out of what God asked of her, but simply and beautifully, Mary says "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

All three authors of articles this week reflect on what it means to say "Yes" to God. See "And It Was Sufficient" by Kyle Childress, gutsyfaith, greater than the angels – a reflection on the Annunciation" by The Rev. Rick Morley, and Jenny Warner's "The God-Bearer: Advent Reflections on Mary."

What strikes me most is that God chooses the ordinary, the unpretentious, the seemingly powerless - in short, each of us, just as we are, to manifest himself to, and in, the world. And despite our shortcomings and "lowly estate," like the babe in the manger, and his very young mother, the Lord God deems it sufficient and enough to accomplish his will, and bring about his kingdom.



Saturday, December 16, 2017

Surprised by Joy


As we prepare for the Lord's coming, we are reminded that this time of year can be a sad and lonely time for many. A local Catholic church offers a blue mass service for those low in spirit, lonely, depressed, down and out. As we wait and prepare with expectant hope, this week we are invited to share in the joy of the Lord's coming - in the midst of our human condition - amidst times of turmoil, violence, illness, troubles and woes.

As Jesus began his mission, he unrolled the scroll and read from this week's passage in Isaiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to bring good news to the oppressed, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners." Isaiah wrote to those returning from the exile of captivity. Returning to the ruins of their homeland. In the midst of those ruins, with great joy the prophet and the Israelites returned, thankful and filled with the promise of restoration.

Psalm 126 shouts of that joy of restoration in every verse, and Luke's Song of Mary, the god bearer (Θεοτοκος) is full of joy as her "soul does magnify the Lord." Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians enjoined them to give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ for us.

Consider the contrasts, and experience the hope and joy in Daniel Berrigan's, Advent Credo, Steve Goodier's "Surprised by Joy," and Melissa Bane Servier's "Joy?" When you have time, read C.S. Lewis' Surprised by Joy.


Saturday, December 9, 2017

Preparing the Way of the Lord - What is the way?

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11  • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13  • 2 Peter 3:8-15a   • Mark 1:1-8

After last week's apocalyptic passage from Mark, we have the first verse, or introduction, to Mark in this week's gospel. Mark starts with "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," seizes on the writings of the prophet Isaiah, and introduces us to John the Baptist, a voice crying in the wilderness, making straight the path, preparing the way for the Lord, proclaiming a baptism of repentance by water, for the forgiveness of sins. We await the coming of the Lord, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Just as Mark speaks of preparation for the Lord's coming, the author of 2 Peter urges patience and endurance as we wait. Contrasted with last week's cry from Isaiah of "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, " the prophet says, "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God," and he says that the Lord will feed his flock like a shepherd, gathering the lambs, carrying them gently in his bosom, and gently leading the mother sheep.

In violent and unsettled times, considering John the Baptist's ministry of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, Kathleen Norris, in "Mercy, Me," asks "Can it be that mercy really is at the heart of God?  In "I Want to Be Ready, " Steve Goodier suggests ways to prepare for the future we are called to. In "Leftovers," Melissa Bane Servier suggests that in the re-imagining, re-emergence of our faith tradition, is a coming anew of God, creating anew, "taking those beautiful flavors of the ancient past and delivering them to us in ever-new ways," - sort of like living anew that glorious feast of Thanksgiving, and the leftovers of all of the wonderful memories, people, stories, aromas and blessings of our lives.

In "Comfort My People," Debie Thomas asks where do we look for comfort? She says the context of the Scripture finds us in a hard place. What an eye and heart opener to know God is with us in hard places. 



Saturday, December 2, 2017

Light a Candle of Hope and Peace


Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9  • Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19  • 1 Corinthians 1:3-9  • Mark 13:24-37

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, and the first Sunday of Lectionary Year B. We light a candle with readings of hope and peace as we wait the coming of the Christ child, and Christ's coming again. What are called to do, as we wait? In what, or in whom do we hope? What are our expectations about the coming of Christ? Why does Kathleen Morris call her article "Apocalypse Now?"

In "Advent Alchemy," John Stendahl urges us not to choose indifference or resignation in the seasons of our lives as we take care to note the shape of the darkness in which our candles burn. Instead prepare for the Lord's coming by anticipating the good which will come, and shining when and where the light is most needed.

Finally, consider two short readings about Advent Candles, Melissa Banes Sevier's "One Candle," and The Rev. Eric J. Liles, "Why Blue for Advent?"