My sisters and brothers, as we heard Luke tell of the beginning of Jesus ministry, let us make a new beginning of our Christian lives.
In our lesson form Nehemiah, we see the people receiving the work of the Lord and rededicating themselves to God, after their return from exile. This story actually starts in the book of Ezra with Cyrus of Persia’s decree, in 538 BC, permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Temple. The book Nehemiah is reading from is probably an early version of Leviticus. The important piece here is that the people agree to obey the law of God.
In our reading from First Corinthians we have Paul’s classic description of the church as the body of Christ. Paul has told the Christians at Corinth that spiritual gifts come through the Holy Spirit and are given by him, as he chooses, for the benefit of the whole community. The key is that every member is important. Paul makes the point that all members contribute in various ways to the welfare of the whole church. Diversity is rooted in, and contributes to, unity.
In today’s Gospel story we follow Jesus as he returns from his time alone in the desert (from his temptation, etc.). Now he steps out front and begins his prophetic teaching ministry. Luke draws on three sources to compile his gospel: Matthew (who used Mark), a collection of sayings and the remembrances of his own community. It is a gospel that emphasizes God's love for the poor, the disadvantaged, minorities, outcasts, sinners and lepers. Women play a more prominent part than in the other gospels. Also, Luke never uses Semitic words. This supports the theory that he wrote primarily for Gentiles.
Our lessons today present a strong theme of rebirth: the exiles have returned and rededicate themselves to God and the moral code of the Covenant, Jesus finishes his “exile” in the desert and reinvents himself as a prophet, finally Paul describes the new creation that we are part of as members of Christ.
We have probably all experienced new beginnings, transitions and transformations in our lives. We grow up and begin life in elementary school, then middle school and hi school. We enter collage, the work force, military, etc. We begin married life, professional life, etc. We experience serious sickness, disability. Any and all of which and leave us that “begin again” reality. It’s also true of Congregations. We form, grow, settle in, look around and refund or begin again.
Christ often calls us through these experiences to a new beginning in faith.
Today we can take the opportunity to make a new beginning and walk with Christ as we make our way through this new liturgical year.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Earthquake in Haiti
News is slowly trickling out about the devastating earthquake that shook Haiti. Because I have a colleague there it hits me especially hard. The Episcopal Church supports an extensive missionary diocese in Haiti and Episcopal Relief and Development will be on the ground supporting emergency needs for the victims. The best we can do at the moment is make a donation and pray.
E.R.D. web site has a secure donations page at this link.
Also, TEC news can be found here.
God be with our brothers and sisters in Haiti!
E.R.D. web site has a secure donations page at this link.
Also, TEC news can be found here.
God be with our brothers and sisters in Haiti!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Spiritual Opportunities of Marriage
Hay folks, I have a grate book to recommend for anyone who is married/partnered or contemplating the commitment. Especially if you see your relationship as a “Vocation” and want to deepen the spiritual dimensions of that part of your life.
The Sacred Dance: Spiritual Opportunities of Marriage by: Larry Wampler. My wife and I looked over Larry’s manuscripts as he drafted the book and since its been in print, I have used it to help prepare couples for marriage at St. Stephen’s. It’s great!
Click here for more information
Peace to all!
The Sacred Dance: Spiritual Opportunities of Marriage by: Larry Wampler. My wife and I looked over Larry’s manuscripts as he drafted the book and since its been in print, I have used it to help prepare couples for marriage at St. Stephen’s. It’s great!
Click here for more information
Peace to all!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Conservative supporting gay marriage law in California
Here is a new twist on the continuing debate. Ted Olson, a conservative republican, is the lead attorney in favor of restoring the marriage right of same sex couples in California. Why? He explains his reasons in Newsweek.
He explains his position in Newsweek
In para-phrase, he sees stable domestic relationships as a benefit for our entire society. Stable, committed, same sex couples contribute to our society and as much as others do. Regardless of one's religious point of view, Same sex couple should have equal protection under the law.
He explains his position in Newsweek
In para-phrase, he sees stable domestic relationships as a benefit for our entire society. Stable, committed, same sex couples contribute to our society and as much as others do. Regardless of one's religious point of view, Same sex couple should have equal protection under the law.
Homily for 1 Epiphany (Baptism of the Lord)
My brothers & sisters let us be refreshed in our commitment to follow Christ.
In our reading from Isaiah we hear that “your Creator has redeemed you!” You are precious and be loved in the sight of God. The prophet address the people in the voice of God: you are created by God and should not fear for the future. God will come through for you. The prophet uses many symbols of danger (“waters ... rivers ... fire, etc.) to dramatize the point that God will be with them in any circumstance. God’s people are precious to Him.
In our reading from Acts, we see Jesus’ disciples reaching out to the non-Jewish world. Prior to this story Philip has traveled from Jerusalem and found a willing audience. He was part of the first group of Deacons chosen by the Church. When persecution became strong in Jerusalem, he traveled to Samaria to preach the good news there: the first known evangelism outside Jewish areas. Now the apostles send Peter and John to Samaria. Usually in Acts, converts receive the Holy Spirit at baptism (or even before it) but here they receive it sometime after being baptized, and only when the two apostles, representatives of the mother church, come.
Our Gospel story, Jesus is baptized and recognized as “the one.” John recognizes him and God miraculously gives his blessing on Jesus’ future ministry. John uses lots of symbolic language but some is probably not all that familiar to us. A “winnowing fork” is used to separate the wheat grains from the stalks. First the harvested wheat plants are threshed, i.e., they are laid out on the ground and animals are walked over them so that the grain removed from the stalks (chaff). Then a fork, like a pitch fork is used to toss bunches of trampled stuff into the air. The breeze then blows away the lighter stalks (chaff) and the grain falls back down. Once the chaff is all removed the grain can be gathered. It is clearly a symbol of separation and judgment. What is good and valuable is kept and what is not is thrown out.
One of many symbols in Jesus baptism is to show his solidarity with John’s proclamation of part of God’s plan for saving all who come to him. God shows himself to believers at the moment in an event beyond human language. The author uses the imagery of the dove and booming voice from heaven to describe the experience to his audience. It must have been a powerful and mystical moment.
Today we commemorate the day Jesus was baptized, the traditional moment that his ministry began. Traditionally, Jesus was seen as working in the trade of his father Joseph until he heard of John’s preaching and went to be baptized. From that moment on we see the public (prophetic) Jesus taking up his mission. It all begs the question: when did Jesus know who He really was? One can reasonably assume that the human part of him grew as would any boy; gradually coming to know who He was. Somehow he became fully aware of his unique relationship with the Father in heaven and the mission that was uniquely his.
Certainly his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptizer was one of the high points of his personal journey. Certainly at that moment we just heard about in today's Gospel account he was committing himself to the destiny that lay in front of him. Today then is a perfect time for us to recommit ourselves to our mission or destiny, as Christians. We will have just that chance when we renew our Baptismal Promises together.
In our reading from Isaiah we hear that “your Creator has redeemed you!” You are precious and be loved in the sight of God. The prophet address the people in the voice of God: you are created by God and should not fear for the future. God will come through for you. The prophet uses many symbols of danger (“waters ... rivers ... fire, etc.) to dramatize the point that God will be with them in any circumstance. God’s people are precious to Him.
In our reading from Acts, we see Jesus’ disciples reaching out to the non-Jewish world. Prior to this story Philip has traveled from Jerusalem and found a willing audience. He was part of the first group of Deacons chosen by the Church. When persecution became strong in Jerusalem, he traveled to Samaria to preach the good news there: the first known evangelism outside Jewish areas. Now the apostles send Peter and John to Samaria. Usually in Acts, converts receive the Holy Spirit at baptism (or even before it) but here they receive it sometime after being baptized, and only when the two apostles, representatives of the mother church, come.
Our Gospel story, Jesus is baptized and recognized as “the one.” John recognizes him and God miraculously gives his blessing on Jesus’ future ministry. John uses lots of symbolic language but some is probably not all that familiar to us. A “winnowing fork” is used to separate the wheat grains from the stalks. First the harvested wheat plants are threshed, i.e., they are laid out on the ground and animals are walked over them so that the grain removed from the stalks (chaff). Then a fork, like a pitch fork is used to toss bunches of trampled stuff into the air. The breeze then blows away the lighter stalks (chaff) and the grain falls back down. Once the chaff is all removed the grain can be gathered. It is clearly a symbol of separation and judgment. What is good and valuable is kept and what is not is thrown out.
One of many symbols in Jesus baptism is to show his solidarity with John’s proclamation of part of God’s plan for saving all who come to him. God shows himself to believers at the moment in an event beyond human language. The author uses the imagery of the dove and booming voice from heaven to describe the experience to his audience. It must have been a powerful and mystical moment.
Today we commemorate the day Jesus was baptized, the traditional moment that his ministry began. Traditionally, Jesus was seen as working in the trade of his father Joseph until he heard of John’s preaching and went to be baptized. From that moment on we see the public (prophetic) Jesus taking up his mission. It all begs the question: when did Jesus know who He really was? One can reasonably assume that the human part of him grew as would any boy; gradually coming to know who He was. Somehow he became fully aware of his unique relationship with the Father in heaven and the mission that was uniquely his.
Certainly his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptizer was one of the high points of his personal journey. Certainly at that moment we just heard about in today's Gospel account he was committing himself to the destiny that lay in front of him. Today then is a perfect time for us to recommit ourselves to our mission or destiny, as Christians. We will have just that chance when we renew our Baptismal Promises together.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Eye witness testimony "Highly Unreliable"
Scientific American Mind has published a powerful article on research into the reliability of eye witness testimony. For the last twenty years, since the introduction of DNA evidence in criminal trials, there has been an increasing body of data indicating that eye witnesses to crime identify the wrong person very frequently. This of course results in many wrongful convictions.
If you have any concern to see that real justice is done, you have got to read this article. Click Here!
If you have any concern to see that real justice is done, you have got to read this article. Click Here!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Homily: 2nd Sunday of Christmas, January 3, 2010
My sisters and brothers, have you made a clear and deliberate choice to follow the teachings and example of Jesus the Christ?
In our first reading today we heard (once again) Jeremiah’s version of the restoration of God’s faithful people. It certainly fits our celebration of the coming of Christ and the starting of a new year.
In our second reading Paul expresses his hopes and prayers for the Ephesians. Specifically, he hopes that they may be filled with God’s grace and wisdom. He describes these blessings as the invisible gifts which bring together the physical world and God.
In our gospel readings we glimpse the boy Jesus in the Temple. With this episode, the infancy narrative ends just as it began, in the setting of the Jerusalem temple. “I must be in my Father's house:” this phrase can also be translated, "I must be about my Father's work." In either translation, Jesus expresses devotion to God and the mission God places before him.
This story is also and illustration of making a fundamental choice of orientation in one’s life. Jesus seeks to grow in wisdom, knowledge of God and in virtue. Today we see the boy Jesus choosing the road he would walk through his life, the road of a man of God. It obviously influenced every step he took from that day forward. Even to dying the martyred death of a prophet and rising as our savior. In this simple story the author gives us a powerful example to follow. We grow in our Christian walk in life through several efforts: gaining in our knowledge of God, in our prayer life and in following the ethical conduct that Jesus taught. All of this begins at the point we choose to be a follower of Jesus’ way.
Robert Frost is one of our more famous American poets, and one of my favorites from his pen presents beautifully the question Christ places before us today:
The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost
Click here to read the text
My sisters and brothers, have you made a deliberate choice to follow Christ? Would you renew it today as we begin 2010?
In our first reading today we heard (once again) Jeremiah’s version of the restoration of God’s faithful people. It certainly fits our celebration of the coming of Christ and the starting of a new year.
In our second reading Paul expresses his hopes and prayers for the Ephesians. Specifically, he hopes that they may be filled with God’s grace and wisdom. He describes these blessings as the invisible gifts which bring together the physical world and God.
In our gospel readings we glimpse the boy Jesus in the Temple. With this episode, the infancy narrative ends just as it began, in the setting of the Jerusalem temple. “I must be in my Father's house:” this phrase can also be translated, "I must be about my Father's work." In either translation, Jesus expresses devotion to God and the mission God places before him.
This story is also and illustration of making a fundamental choice of orientation in one’s life. Jesus seeks to grow in wisdom, knowledge of God and in virtue. Today we see the boy Jesus choosing the road he would walk through his life, the road of a man of God. It obviously influenced every step he took from that day forward. Even to dying the martyred death of a prophet and rising as our savior. In this simple story the author gives us a powerful example to follow. We grow in our Christian walk in life through several efforts: gaining in our knowledge of God, in our prayer life and in following the ethical conduct that Jesus taught. All of this begins at the point we choose to be a follower of Jesus’ way.
Robert Frost is one of our more famous American poets, and one of my favorites from his pen presents beautifully the question Christ places before us today:
The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost
Click here to read the text
My sisters and brothers, have you made a deliberate choice to follow Christ? Would you renew it today as we begin 2010?
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