What is "True Religion?"

 Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 and Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9  • Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 and Psalm 15  • James 1:17-27  • Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

If you Google "true religion," the first thing to pop up in the search is the clothing line "True Religion," with images of designer jeans. What does that tell us?

In this Sunday's gospel from Mark, Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter of "true religion." Following his series of "Bread of Life" teachings, it is fitting that eating food is the backdrop for today's teaching. The Pharisees questioned Jesus and his disciples eating without following the purification hand washing ritual. What does Jesus say?

In our religious life, are we practicing "true religion?" Consider The Rev. D. Rebecca Dinovo's "Distractions," and Debie Thomas' "True Religion."

What is Home?

 Scripture:

1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and Psalm 111  • 

 

Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14  • 

 

Ephesians 5:15-20  • 

 

John 6:51-58

  

In this week's lesson we read about Solomon building God a dwelling, a home, the first temple. In the gospel reading, many followers leave Jesus when he tells them he must they must eat of his flesh, and drink of his blood, foreboding the Last Supper, the Eucharist, and his crucifixion. When Jesus tells them they are free to go, Peter asks, in essence, "Lord, where, to whom can we go." Peter goes on to say "You have the words of eternal life, and we have come to believe and know you are the Holy One of God."

So where, and to whom, do we go? What is home for us? What does home mean to us? What about the homeless? Read Michael Fitzgerald's "Sun and Shield" for a thought provoking article considering "home" and "dwelling." I never thought I would leave my home of 42 years, the town and State, city of my work, and my dear home church of more than 17 years, but my wife and I did to be of help to our youngest son and daughter-in-law in law in caring for their children, our granddaughters, when their work in healthcare and church put such demands on their time and themselves. It hasn't been without its human costs, sacrifice, and emptying of those things we held onto for so long. But we have found home is where the heart is, and where the Lord is. In giving up most of our possessions, we have been freed to find the love of God through Jesus and family, especially seeing our grandchildren grow from infants to young children. Jesus didn't leave us when we left our home of 42 years. He dwells within us, if we let him. Especially if we give up our possessiveness. 

You Are What You Eat

 Scripture:

1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14 and Psalm 111  • 

Proverbs 9:1-6 and Psalm 34:9-14  • 

 

Ephesians 5:15-20  • 

 

John 6:51-58

  

We have been studying the bread of life teachings of Jesus, and have enjoyed a smorgasbord of Scripture from manna come down from heaven to the feeding of the 5,000; Elijah, in his exhaustion, being fed by an angel, and sharing a cake with a starving widow and her son. We saw the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman healed as Jesus expanded his ministry to include all, when the Syro-Phoenician woman rejoined him with "even dogs receive crumbs from the table." David, feeding the shewbread of the priests to his hungry warriors. Jesus spoke in many parables about feasts, such as the welcoming feast of the Father for the Prodigal Son, and the wedding feast expanded to all when those invited did not come, or who weren't diligent enough to stay awake.

Ultimately, the feeding and hunger stories all lead to the table of the Lord. In today's gospel, Jesus tells us what it is to partake of the bread of life in the sacrament of communion, The Eucharist. 

You've heard the expression, "You are what you eat." It has an interesting origin and meaning. See "What's the meaning of 'You are what you eat."

In the feast of The Eucharist,  we are invited to encounter the very presence of God, the feast of eternal life, and all that entails. For a glimpse of what that entails, read Fr. Bernie Pearson's "Eternal Life." In celebrating The Eucharist, in the exchange of the elements, it is said

 The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.] The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Keep you in eternal life."

The Heart of the Father

 Scripture:  2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 and Psalm 130  •1 Kings 19:4-8 and Psalm 34:1-8  • Ephesians 4:25-5:2  • John 6:35, 41-51

In "Enough to Raise the Dead," The Rev. Charles Hoffacker reveals to us the heart of the Father from the Scriptures today. From the heart of David who does not revel in the victory which saves his kingdom, but mourns the loss of his son Absalom, to God the Father who weeps with us at the death of his Son on a cruel Roman cross, to the celebration of the return of the prodigal son, to the broken heart of any suffering parent who has lost a child, or whose child is hurt, wounded, sick, or born with problems.

Read his discussion of Strict Father and Heavenly Father. What do you think of the heart of God the Father? How does that translate into how you live your life, and the values you espouse? What do you think of his statement "But God sees us not simply as ourselves, but in his child Jesus."  How does this relate to Jesus' claim that he is the bread of life, and his and our relationship with God? How do you perceive of God the Father?

Continuing with Jesus' "I am" sayings in John's gospel, and that he is the bread of life, in today's reading he says he is the manna come down from heaven. What does this mean for us? In the passage from 1 Kings, we see the feeding of Elijah who is famished and exhausted, fleeing from Jezebel.  Read Debie Thomas' "Bread to Carry." God provides for his beloved people. 

And then there is the meal of eternal life, life everlasting. The Eucharist. Read one of the best homilies I have read about the Eucharist in 

Kirk Alan Kubicek's "Abide in My Love."

Hunger free?

 Scripture:  2 Samuel 11:26 - 12:13a and Psalm 51:1-12  • Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 and Psalm 78:23-29  • Ephesians 4:1-16  • John 6:24-35

What do we hunger for? Do we do the right things for the wrong reasons, or the wrong things for the right reasons? How can our hunger be satisfied?

This week's gospel from the 6th chapter of John follows John's account of the feeding of the 5,000. John crafts his gospel around discerning the identity of Jesus. We are studying the "I am the bread of life" theme, and claim of Jesus.

This lesson begs the question "for what do we hunger?" Consider a man after God's own heart, David. What did he hunger for? What did God do to and with him?

What did the Israelites hunger for as they wandered in the desert? What did God do?

Glenn Monson has an excellent discussion in his blog this week "Hunger Free," as does Sister Kym Harris in her separate "Exposition," and "Reflection." Read Debie Thomas' "Deep Hunger."

How can we be authentic?