Monday June 1, 2015

Romans 8:12-17

In preparing for a study tour to the Holy Land with Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, I read Witnessing for Peace, by Munib Younan, Lutheran Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). The book centres on the need for martyrdom, not solely as bodily sacrifice, but as a conscientious act of witness, a testimony of justice and peace in a war-torn land.

Analyzing my experiences from my time in the Holy Land is challenging. The longer I consider the situation the more complex it seems to become. You can get easily bogged down in the history and politics of the situation, and risk losing a way forward. But always there is a voice that rings out, that cuts through the opaqueness: the Spirit of God alive in the land, reminding us that we are a part of the struggle.

While in Jerusalem, we had the honour of meeting Bishop Younan. He called for us to be both prophetic and pastoral in our approach to conflict, to be critical of all injustices while also offering a way forward. It is not enough to simply cry out. There is a responsibility that is given to us; we become co-heirs to the land.

It is a great challenge, and one that does not have simple solutions. But this is part of the arresting nature of the Holy Land. It calls – demands – you to be more than only a visitor. You are forever a part of the world’s narrative, and so are forever challenged to testify on behalf of those who suffer.

- Joshua Zentner-Barrett

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Luke 1:39-57

The Magnificat: Mary’s song of trust and praise. But also... something that we might expect to be sung by the likes of a Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, or may I be so bold as to suggest a couple of my favourites, New Model Army and Sepultura? Though many people recall Mary’s words in the rich language of the Book of Common Prayer’s Evening Prayer liturgy, we must not let the beauty or tame ‘religiosity’ cover up the bold, political (or pre-political) message. This is not some deviation in Luke. In fact, this song and its message is in line with much of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially the prophets. We find these words coming from Hannah, the mother of Samuel in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Look for the similarities!

“My heart exults in the Lord;
    my strength is exalted in my God.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in my victory.

2 

“There is no Holy One like the Lord,
    no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.

3 

Talk no more so very proudly,
    let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
    and by him actions are weighed.

4 

The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble gird on strength.

5 

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.

6 

The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.

7 

The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low, he also exalts.

8 

He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
    and on them he has set the world.

9 

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
    but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
    for not by might does one prevail.

10 

The Lord! His adversaries shall be shattered;
    the Most High will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
    he will give strength to his king,
    and exalt the power of his anointed.”

How might the words of Mary and Hannah inform our lives as people trying to follow in the way of Jesus? Give that some thought, and if you need some music to keep you stimulated, consider giving a listen to some of the artists I mentioned!

- Matthew Kieswetter

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Ephesians 3:14-21

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ]15 from whom every family [or fatherhood] in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father

from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.

I pray that

according to the riches of his glory

he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being

with power through his Spirit

and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

as you are being rooted and grounded in love.

I pray that you may have the power to comprehend

with all the saints

what is the breadth and length and height and depth

and to know

the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge

so that you may be filled

with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who

by the power at work within us

is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine

to him be glory

in the church

and in Christ Jesus

to all generations

forever and ever.

Amen

PRAYING FOR THE UNIMAGINABLE

What a prayer!

Have you every prayed for others using these words? There’s nothing of repentance here; no kyrie eleison. No mention of needs, healing or release. 

Here Saint Paul adores the Father and asks for his outpouring of love, strength comprehension and knowledge on fellow believers. He asks for a deepening relationship with Jesus, and empowerment by the Spirit. It’s hard to imagine what God could do in us.

Then Paul bursts forth with a doxology, a “Glory to God,” as our Rector insists we should do when we are filled with the joy of Jesus’ love in the Sunday Eucharist. Except this isn’t the Gloria we use at the beginning of the service; it is the Gloria we use just before the final blessing. 

In our services it looks like we exalt God in the first Gloria and are penitential (or at lease reverential) for the second. Why the difference? Shouldn’t shouting “Glory to God” be just as potent, if not more so, after we have experienced the sacraments in worship?

At the first Gloria we exhort the beings in heaven: “Glory to God in the highest.” At the second we exhort each other: “Glory to God…in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations.” Perhaps we’re more confident in the heavenly host, those who announced the coming of the Saviour to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. They surely do surround the throne of God offering ceaseless praise. It’s easy to encourage something that’s already happening. But to encourage one another — that’s another matter entirely. Or is it?

Confidence in one another can only be lacking because we focus on our own shortcomings. We might wonder, “How can I encourage my fellow Christians to glorify God when I’m so deficient in my own spiritual life?”

But I think that’s exactly why Paul prefaces this Gloria with a reminder about the over-the-top accomplishments God does, things beyond our asking or imagining. The sacrifice of Jesus for the sin of the world is an over-the-top accomplishment. The grace in baptism by water and Spirit is another. The mysterious, miraculous working of the love of the Father is in us already. That’s reality. That’s encouragement. That’s amazing and worth shouting “Glory to God” about!

Not only is the power of God at work in us, but Paul says it is at work to all generations. 

I’ve just become a grandfather and it’s far more intriguing anticipating being a grandfather than a father. When becoming a parent you are filled with awe, joy… and terror. “What have we done? What will happen next?” It’s a future filled with unknowing. When you become a grandparent, the terror is gone. Oh yes, there is healthy concern, but mostly it’s joy and pride because you have enough life experience to recognize the potential for life, love, strength and goodness. The cycle of life continues with a sense of knowing all will be well.

And I’m shouting “Glory to God” because this wonderful experience of grace through the Lord Jesus extends to my children, my new grandson, and grand-generations I will never know.

Perhaps it would be fitting for us to open our eyes on Sunday morning, turn to the people siting around us and encourage fellow spirit-travellers to give God glory, because he’s in us, and in future generations, to do the unimaginable.

- Dave Sapelak

Friday, May 29, 2015

2 Corinthians 4:1-12

“…always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”

Do you identify more with your strengths or your weaknesses? How easy it is to define ourselves by what we do well, instead of finding value in our vulnerabilities. In today’s reading, Paul offers a different vision. Animating his life and ministry is the deeply mystical pattern of Jesus’ death and resurrection. “We have this treasure in clay jars,” Paul writes, “so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” In and through our vulnerabilities and weaknesses, God’s love brings power and new life.

            The Sufi mystic poet, Hafiz, captures so well the reality of vulnerabilities opening up places of new life in us:

“It used to be
That when I would wake in the morning
I could with confidence say,

‘What am ‘I’ going to
Do?’

That was before the seed
Cracked open.

Now Hafiz is certain:
There are two of us housed
In this body,

Doing the shopping together in the market and

Tickling each other
While fixing the evening’s food.

Now when I awake
All the internal instruments play the same music:

‘God, what love-mischief can ‘We’ do
For the world
Today?’

– Hafiz

In what ways are the seeds of your life being “cracked open” to reveal God’s life? 

- David Shumaker

Wednesday May 27, 2015

Proverbs 17:1-20

One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend. 

Not only will dwelling on disputes alienate a friend, but it can change your perceptions and your brain too.  These proverbs were written long before the term "neuroplasticity" was coined (neuroplasticity "refers to changes in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, environment, neural processes, thinking, and emotions - as well as to changes resulting from bodily injury") but there is an ancient wisdom in these words.  What we dwell on or focus on, changes our relationships and communities, our perceptions and our brains.  There is even a field of study called "neurotheology" that examines what happens in our brains when we dwell on love, compassion, and forgiveness as we pray and meditate.

St. Paul counseled the church at Philippi to choose wisely about what they would dwell on too.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

This isn't about ignoring disputes but, rather, about going through life harbouring and feeding grudges and with a chip on one's shoulder.  Jesus invites us to a greater freedom!

What will you dwell on today?  Ask God for the grace to dwell on those things that are worthy of praise.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015 (St. Augustine of Canterbury)

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

...we have behaved in the world with frankness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God...

Diocesan Synod -- the yearly gathering of clergy and laity to worship, discuss, and make decisions about the life and ministry of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Huron -- comes to a close around mid-day. Today we also celebrate the life and ministry of Augustine of Canterbury, the missionary bishop whom Rome sent to the English people. He met an already old and vibrant Christian presence, but over time the English people joined up with the Roman Church. (Certainly both the Celtic and Roman traditions had their strengths and weaknesses, but in the end things went the Roman way, though with some Celtic flavouring.) 

Oftentimes our experiences with church leadership and administration can leave us with a bad taste in our mouth. Sometimes any sort of organization or hierarchy is deemed unbiblical. But throughout the New Testament, and especially in Paul's letters, we see that the early Church went through lots of ups and downs, and had to go about the business of organizing itself as it expanded and as it reflected on its experience of knowing Jesus. If everything was easy and simple, Paul probably wouldn't have had to write any of those letters, right?! 

I think the key for us in our day is to remember that we are the Church, and not a business or club. Our meetings must take place in the context of prayer. When times are tough, we should remember that we will get through -- perhaps in ways that we might not expect -- not solely through our own ingenuity, but by the grace of God. When we get pessimistic, nasty, or hopeless, what does that say about our  trust in God's faithfulness? What does that say about where we think our inspiration comes from?

An appreciation of Church history makes us mindful of how we're in this for the long-run. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We will have our ups and our downs, but eventually we will come to a refreshing water station, where we are recharged and renewed.

 Everliving God, you strengthened your servant Augustine, though he was fearful and laden with doubt, to lay the foundations of your Church among the English people. Grant us always to show forth the reason for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us, by sharing with all peoples and races your infinite gift of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.*

- Matthew Kieswetter



* For All the Saints (Toronto: ABC Publishing, 2007), 175.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Proverbs 10: 1 – 12

“Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.”(The Message, 1)  While son is used here, I do read me, a daughter, there too.  Parents certainly want not only the best for their children but also from them.  When a child succeeds, we are filled with pride and joy; when a child screws up, we suffer too – both because we hate to see them suffer the natural consequences of bad choices, but also because we know that they know better!

I guess that is how God feels about us too.  He wants us to be wise, to obey His commands, to choose life.  I am reminded of Moses’ charge to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the promised land.  He teaches them again the laws of God, the ways to live with each other that God intends, and concludes by saying, “I place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse.  Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself.” (Deuteronomy 30: 19-20)

The rest of this passage gives other contrasts between good, wise behavior and wrong, stupid behavior: hard work vs laziness, honesty vs shiftiness, hatred vs love.

I do know better.  I was blessed with parents who taught me good things, and with knowing that God loves me.  It is up to me to choose: life or death, blessing or curse.  Yes, I will fail sometimes, but then I can count on God, as heavenly father (parent), to forgive me and restore me.  I chose to chose Life.  With God’s help.

Blessings

Ann Kelland