This is an interactive discipline to enhance spiritual deepening by using John Winn's own Yale New Testament Lectionary as an alternative to the Common Lectionary. What is interactive varies from season to season in order to avoid sameness, boredom, and lack of imagination. The discipline suggests a Lectio Divina process. If that is unfamiliar to you, simply Google "Lectio Divina" and you will get a multitude of examples.
The best way is "to find your own way." It is the discipline, itself, that really drives the process. My hope is that you will be moved to try this "spiritual practice" and will do your own form of Lectio Divina; will sense what words and phrases shimmer off the pages for you and come up with your own prayers and "I Believe" statements. When called for, write your own Reflections. Interact with as much originality as possible.
In each of the seasons I give my own examples of what I am hoping for in the interaction. Try not to let my examples get in your way. The process is most meaningful when you write-out your own. You will be surprised the difference the writing makes. You will find "magic" in the writing.
It helps to ponder awhile, too.
+++
E A S T E R T I D E
The interactive phase of the process shifts again during Eastertide. It revolves around a slow, deliberate reading of the Gospel and Epistle. The operative words, as you will see, are "CAREFULLY," "CENTER," and "TITLE." Take the latter of these three more seriously than you might be prone to do. Think of it with the same depth with which you would name your own child. Or pet. Or self, even.
Then there is the real challenge: "WHAT THESE PASSAGES MEAN TO ME." Take a moment to write about it; stream of consciousness; in broad strokes; double-spaced; about a page.
The Readings for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sundays after Easter are all from the three Post-Resurrection stories from the Gospel of John. One of John's many literary touches; makes one think of the three days between death and Resurrection. The last of these readings has a trilogy, too. What does it make you think of? Jesus really died---but there is MORE. In theology the MORE is what always matters most.
Stay tuned.
+++
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Carefully read the Gospel passage. If it is possible to do this with a
small group, do so, and have more than one person read the passage aloud.
Center on those words or phrases that seem to be speaking to you today.
Below the Gospel reading, give a Title to it. Try not to let my examples sway you.
Then, do the same thing with the Epistle reading.
John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.
MY TITLE: “The Three Faces of Love”
YOUR TITLE:
+++
Romans 7:15-25
15I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. 20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. 22For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, 23but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
MY TITLE: “My Several Selves”
YOUR TITLE:
+++
WHAT THESE PASSAGES MEAN TO ME
Write about a one-page, double-spaced, personal interpretation of the
two passages as to their meaning for you and your life. Try not to labor over it.
Just let it pour out.
For example:
The Post-Resurrection stories in the Gospel of John form a trilogy. In the last of these stories, John 21:15-17, there is also a trilogy. When Jesus asks Peter three times if he, Peter, loved him, it gave Peter a chance to reverse the three times he denied Jesus in John 18:15-18. That says tons to me about the God who is revealed in Jesus of Nazareth. That is the value of these three Post-Resurrection stories. They give us a glimpse of the nature of God as it was perceived through Jesus of Nazareth by these first followers.
How that can be reduced to a Grade B movie style literal interpretation of passages that carry such freight of meaning is beyond me. Look deeper than the surface. Not only is Peter a central character, flaws and all, but so is Paul, who in his “Saul Days,” was a persecutor of people who thought the way the author of John did. Search deeper, still. Actually, these stories are about you and me---flaws and all---and about the transformative possibilities of faith in a loving and forgiving God. The three stories are not simply about the truth about Jesus. They embody the truth about life!
J. B. Phillips really captures it in his modern translation of Romans 7:15-25:
“My own behavior baffles me. For I find myself not doing what I really want to do, but doing what I really loathe. Yet surely if I do things that I really don’t want to do, it cannot be said that “I” am doing them at all---it must be sin that has made its home in my nature…I often find that I have the will to do good, but not the power. That is, I don’t accomplish the good I set out to do, and the evil I don’t really want to do I find I am always doing...
“My conscious mind wholeheartedly endorses the Law, yet I observe an entirely different principle at work in my nature. This is in continual conflict with my conscious attitude, and makes me an unwilling prisoner to the law of sin and death. In my mind I am God’s willing servant, but in my own nature I am bound fast, as I say, to the law of sin and death. It is an agonizing situation, and who on earth can set me free from the clutches of my own nature? I thank God there is a way out through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
+++
THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Carefully read the Gospel passage. If it is possible to do this with a
small group, do so, and have more than one person read the passage aloud.
Center on those words or phrases that seem to be speaking to you today.
Below the Gospel reading, give a Title to it. Try not to let my examples sway you.
Then, do the same thing with the Epistle reading.
John 21:1-13
After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. 2Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. 3Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ 6He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. 7That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the lake. 8But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off. 9 When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. 10Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ 11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ because they knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
MY TITLE: “Finding the Sacred”
YOUR TITLE:
+++
Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
MY TITLE: “No Condemnation”
YOUR TITLE
+++
WHAT THESE PASSAGES MEAN TO ME
Write about a one-page, double-spaced, personal interpretation of the
two passages as to their meaning for you and your life. Try not to labor over it.
Just let it pour out.
For example:
Between the time of what has come to be popularly known as “The Last Supper” and this “On the Beach” story we read about in the Gospel of John, a cluster of deeply emotional experiences happened to those earliest Disciples. In broad strokes we refer to those events as Upper Room, Gethsemane, Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, Abandonment---and something More. Each of us has to make out our own list, wrestle with their meaning, and decide what we believe about them.
It is “Abandonment” that strikes me sharply just now. Let me try to be one of them and put myself in their place; let me put it in the first person: “I remember we left the Upper Room, after that shared meal that seemed to be more than just a meal. At the time it seemed like a “farewell.” We quietly went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he needed time apart, a time to wonder, a time to pray. I wasn’t really “getting it.” I couldn’t really believe he was actually on a life-threatening collision course with the dominant political and religious authorities. He wasn’t the type to start wars---of any kind! But I went along. And I fell asleep. Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was the prevailing mood. I could sense that something sacred was happening, but I couldn’t really grasp its meaning.
The next thing I knew, all hell broke loose. It was like an ocean’s undertow getting hold of all of us, especially him. There was the Judas thing, then Peter---imagine that Peter, acting like he never knew him. And after that came the ugly Cross thing. I couldn’t find a place to hide quickly enough. I wasn’t sleepy any more! I was scared. What they did to him they could do to me. Believe me, I could almost understand the Judas thing, the Peter thing. I was no different. I ran. I abandoned him, too.
Something More happened, too; something very difficult to put into words. The women put us on to it first. It drew us back together. Maybe I didn’t get IT, but IT was getting me! Maybe I couldn’t find the SACRED, but the SACRED found me. He was still alive; ALIVE IN THE WAY THAT GOD IS ALIVE!
I was overcome by the emotion on the beach that morning. When it looked as though we would find no fish out there, we tried something different. And it happened again: something sacred. When we shared those fish, it brought us all back to that Upper Room, the meal we shared there, something sacred.
It was as though all the ways we had betrayed, denied, ran from, abandoned---had been forgiven. Something sacred! There was no condemnation only a New Beginning. He is alive as God is alive. Something sacred. I believe that.
And so do I.
+++
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Carefully read the Gospel passage. If it is possible to do this with a
small group, do so, and have more than one person read the passage aloud.
Center on those words or phrases that seem to be speaking to you today.
Below the Gospel reading, give a TITLE to it. Try not to let my example sway you.
Then, do the same thing with the Epistle reading.
John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 27Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ 28Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
MY TITLE: “Unless I See and Touch…”
YOUR TITLE:
Romans 3:21-26
21 But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.
My Title: “Grace Is A Gift"
Your Title:
+++
WHAT THESE PASSAGES MEAN TO ME
Write about a one-page, double-spaced, personal interpretation of the
two passages as to their meaning for you and your life. Try not to labor over it.
Just let it pour out.
For example:
I stand among you as one who has not actually seen or touched the nail marks in Jesus’ hand and side. Neither did Paul, who wrote the Romans passage. Neither have you. I can see Thomas’ point, though. The answer to the question, “Did it really happen?” is important. What really did happen is important. History is important. Facts matter.
But history comes packaged in many different ways, through many different experiences. The Gospel of John was written some six or more decades after the death of Jesus. Most of the eye-witnesses, if not all of them, were already dead themselves. Jesus had not “come again,” at least not in the fleshy way many took it to mean.
Yet, people were still believing the message, still being claimed by the gospel, the good news, still joining the movement, and, further, still believing that as a result they were able to live a fuller life, more liberated from what had limited them, no longer fearful of death. They had experienced a way to find meaning in life without always depending on factual certitude. They had found a way to trust a future that could be new and different. Paul understood it as “grace,” as being able to see with “the eyes of faith.” It was something caught, not taught. And it comes as a gift. We sense it at every New Beginning we experience. We trust it will be there after death, too.
What really did happen is grace, and everyone caught up in it became transmitters of it themselves, whether they planned to or not, even though they had not seen and yet believed. The gift of grace brought another gift: Faith. And faith can take us places facts can never go.
+++
THE LENTEN PAGES
To respect this radical shift in mood our interactive discipline will shift somewhat as well. We will continue to read the alternative lectionary passages, slowly and thoughtfully, and more than once. Ponder them. Then, underline or highlight a few of the scripture phrases or passages that seem to be speaking to you at this time. After that, read the Reflection that follows.
Then, once each week for this season of Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Holy Week begin a Journal, writing just three handwritten pages of whatever comes into your mind and heart. Let it be spontaneous. Let it just flow. Three handwritten pages. There is magic in what you write in your own hand.
After you have written them, read them over again to yourself. They are for your eyes only. These are your Lenten Pages.
+++
H O L Y W E E K
PALM SUNDAY
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then highlight or underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
John 12:1-19
12Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. 3Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, 5‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ 6(He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) 7Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. 8You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ 9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, 11since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. 12 The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting,
‘Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—
the King of Israel!’
14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: 15‘Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ 16His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. 17So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. 18It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. 19The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!’
Romans 10:4-17
4For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that ‘the person who does these things will live by them.’ 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) 7‘or “Who will descend into the abyss?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ 16But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
+++
REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection
Then write your own Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
I like to say, “I’m from New Orleans. I know about rivers and I know about parades.” Actually, though, I am aware it requires no small amount of imagination to correlate Palm Sunday with Mardi Gras. There is a certain rhythm about the two that is not lost on me. It is the rhythm of guilt and grace.
But first, about the River. It was the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who, on May 8, 1541, was the first recorded European to reach the Mississippi River. He called it Rio del Espiritu Santo, “River of the Holy Spirit.” For hundreds of years before Europeans laid eyes on the Mississippi River, Native Americans knew the river by a variety of names. One of these was an Ojibwe word, “misi-ziibi,” meaning Great River that ultimately gave the river its present-day name.
The Ojibwe were mostly around the Great Lakes, both in Canada and in the areas of Minnesota, near the source of the Mississippi River, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas. Their culture, however, was far reaching and very influential. The story of their west to east migration is recorded in an ancient written record on bark tablets and song sticks. It is said to be the oldest written record of people in North America and dates to before 1600 BC!(1)
Unity, the oneness of all things, is the fundamental essence of their understanding of life. They believed that “as people, they could not be separated from the land with its cycle of seasons or from other mysterious cycles of living things: birth and growth and death and new birth.”(2) Sounds a bit like Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter.
This life view is not uncommon among Native Americans. One can only imagine how far down river they migrated and what other tribes they influenced. There is nothing logical about where I am heading with this, but there is something mystical. I think Langston Hughes grasps it or is grasped by it, as am I.
I've known rivers:
I've known rivers ancient as the world
and older than the flow of human blood in human veins.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.
I bathe in the Euphrates when dawns were young.
I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.
I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.
I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln
went down to New Orleans,(3) and I've seen its muddy
bosom turn all golden in the sunset.
I've known rivers:
Ancient, dusky rivers.
My soul has grown deep like the rivers.(4)
There is no doubt that the Great River has had a mystical influence on everything about New Orleans and the people who have lived there.
Nearly two decades before New Orleans was founded in 1718, “Mardi Gras” had become a part of the nearby geography. It was on that pre-Lenten holiday, March 2, 1699, that Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville rediscovered the mouth of the Mississippi River. He camped for the night on the brink of a bayou that emptied into the great river, which he appropriately named Bayou du Mardi Gras.
Early in the city’s history the French settlers celebrated Mardi Gras in one fashion or another. William C. C. Claiborne inaugurated the American regime in New Orleans in 1803 and was fascinated by the passionate love of the native creoles for dancing and masquerade balls. By the mid-1850s, though the masked balls continued to flourish, rowdyism in the streets caused the once merry festival to degenerate. In fact, the local press urged an end to such festivities on Shrove Tuesday, as the English called it, saying that it had become “vulgar, tasteless, and spiritless.”(5)
While I grew up in New Orleans, I was actually born in Mobile, Alabama. I found it very interesting that six young men from Mobile, who had moved to New Orleans, were largely responsible for rescuing Mardi Gras from the chaos of the 1850s. They formed the first Mardi Gras Krewe, Comus, and set a pattern that saved the festivities from oblivion.
Even though Mardi Gras is not a worldwide, or even a national holiday, news of it reaches everywhere. As early as 1858, The London Illustrated News, carried pictures of the Mardi Gras of May 8, 1858.(6) There is something about Mardi Gras and the Lenten Season that follows that reaches deep within us. It may be that all of us at one time or another would like to be wildly free, to let everything hang out, so to speak. Correspondingly, we wonder if we actually did this, how guilty would we feel later? Is there a religious act potent enough to absolve all that we might do? Is there a rhythm to guilt and grace?
The answer is “Yes” to both of those latter two questions. Note the gracious act of Mary, how she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair; Judas trying to hide his guilt by questioning the wisdom of such an act; the intrigue of the chief priests; the gracious reception of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. All of these, and more, literary devices have been created by a gospel writer bent on moving us by the rhythm of guilt and grace and their salvific climax.
The only word Paul has for it is, “Faith.”
But look now, a parade is forming---down by the riverside. I hear music; sounds triumphant! Come, let us join them; let us cross over to the other side of the river and see, with eyes of faith, what is there.
______________
1 www.ojibwe.org:16080/home/about_anish_timeline.html
3 Lincoln's determination to end slavery was said to have started when, as a young man, he visited New Orleans for the first time.
4 The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1992, the Estate of Langston Hughes.
5 Historical data for Mardi Gras from Mardi Gras, A Pictorial History of Carnival in New Orleans, Leonard V. Huber, Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, LA, 1977.
6 ibid.
+++
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then highlight or underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
11Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. 3So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ 4But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ 5Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, 6after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ 8The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?’ 9Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. 10But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.’ 11After saying this, he told them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.’ 12The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.’ 13Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. 14Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. 15For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ 16Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ 17 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. 21Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.’ 23Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ 24Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ 25Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ 27She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’ 28 When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ 29And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. 34He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ 35Jesus began to weep. 36So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ 37But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’ 38 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ 40Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ‘Father, I thank you for having heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ 43When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
Romans 5:1-11
5Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
+++
REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection
Then write your own Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
The “list” of scripture passages that were evolving into what would ultimately become my New Testament Lectionary often took on added urgency and significance when I found myself in “deep waters.” In fact, some passages seemed to kick in the door to my soul and demand consideration. The Lazarus story from John 11 is one of them. It is not surprising to me that it became one of the New Testament passages that I preached on most often.
For me, the season of Lent, particularly as it nears Holy Week, has a lot to do with those times in our lives when we feel we are in deep waters, maybe even “in over our heads.” I am talking about those times when I have become aware that all I know and all I have become is not enough to see me through. I need help. A little grace would go a long way.
In his play, Sunrise at Campobello, Dore Schary writes, “God does not lead us into deep waters in order to drown us, but only to cleanse us." I have never taken that to be primarily about being cleansed from sin, though I can see that for some people that may be the best way to make sense of it. I think it has more to do with identity and clarification. “Deep waters” have helped me to be more at home with my mortality, to deepen my sense of purpose, and even to motivate me to rise to the challenge.
While it is not necessary for a vegetable to know what it means to be a vegetable in order to be one, it is of infinite importance for me to know what it means to be human in order to be one. Ironically, “deep waters” often lead us to deep places within ourselves that we would not otherwise discover.
Sunrise at Campobello is about a time in the life of Franklin Roosevelt when in August of 1921, at the age of 39, he contracted a serious case of poliomyelitis. A vigorous man, he had been swimming in the Bay of Fundy at Campobello, his summer home in New Brunswick. The disease, which was reaching epidemic proportions throughout the country, left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down.
In its aftermath, Roosevelt went through a perilous detour in his personal life. His sense of purpose had been seriously compromised. At the same time, over an extended period of discernment, he was able to take a heroic leap forward in his personal self-understanding. He not only survived those deep waters; he triumphed over them. For as long as I can remember, I have identified with Franklin Roosevelt.
The story of Lazarus and Paul’s message from Romans 5 are at the core of my personal spiritual formation. I think it entirely appropriate that these passages are placed in my lectionary at the final Sunday in Lent, immediately before Palm Sunday and Holy Week. Remember, though, both John and Romans was thought through and written down after the death and resurrection of Jesus. The authors were standing on the same side of the Empty Tomb as you and me.
Scholars call a passage like the one from John a pre-figuration story. Simply put, it is a mirror positioned so as to reflect a later passage that relates to it and greatly expands its depth and meaning. In this case, that other passage has to do with the last week in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, his death and resurrection.
Notice how closely the Lazarus story parallels the events of Jesus’ last week. The disciples warned Jesus that it would be dangerous for him to return to Bethany, just as he knew danger awaited him in Jerusalem. In both instances Jesus points out that something would happen to enable him to reveal some truth about himself. He tells Mary and Martha who he is, “I am the resurrection and the life…” just as at the Last Supper he tells the disciples who he is in the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine. As in Jesus’ own case, Lazarus was dead several days. And the stone in front of the tomb has to be rolled away before New Life is revealed. Talk about a pre-figuration!
At a critical time in my own spiritual formation, what I experienced the Lazarus story saying to me was that the same thing that happened after the death of Jesus of Nazareth is what will happen to me. I am Lazarus! I can trust the future. I do not need to know about the “furniture of heaven or the temperature of hell.” Something triumphant is taking place beyond the grave.
Has that not been the case again and again in the “little deaths” that all of us experience and how they somehow lead us to newness of life? The stone that blocks the New Beginning, by grace, is rolled away and something triumphant happens.
In the lectionary passages of Palm Sunday and Holy Week that are to follow, I will recall several of those “little deaths,” those deep waters that have been so defining in my own pathway toward spiritual formation. While none of us think of ourselves as “good” as Jesus, Lazarus does move us closer to understanding how these passages apply to our own lives.
In the end, though, it is Paul, who reminds us of the part that faith and grace play and how, at the right time, “God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners…” It is as though God in Christ is saying, “If it is necessary for me to die in order for you to live that is what I will do.”
Love like that makes me want to be a better person.
+++
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then highlight or underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
John 15:1-5
15‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. 2He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Romans 11:13-18
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry 14in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save some of them. 15For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! 16If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, 18do not vaunt yourselves over the branches. If you do vaunt yourselves, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you.
+++REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection
Then write your own Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
A part of my lectionary readings for the third and fourth Sundays in Lent will be repeated and expanded in the readings for the Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week, soon to come. To me, the “I am” sayings, as they are called, in the Gospel of John are his attempt to sear into the minds of early Christians the nature, the identity, if you will, of Jesus Christ. Indeed, that is the nature of much of the Gospel of John and one of the reasons it differs in sound and scope from the synoptic gospels.
John was written much later than any of the other gospels. People were asking questions by then that they were not asking earlier. For instance, where did Jesus really “go” after his death? Did he go in a “spiritual” form or a “physical” form or some form we know nothing about? Is he really going to come back again like leaders of the movement had been saying for a almost a century?
There were a variety of answers to those questions making the rounds by the time John was written. The Jews had some answers. The Gnostics had some answers. The so-called “mystery religions” had some answers. There were a variety of answers among the Christians, themselves, and soon their leaders would call together councils to debate them and create an orthodoxy. One thing is certain. All of the answers were ambiguous, as are all of the answers we come up with today to those questions.
In a situation like that we are best served, personally, by coming up with our own “I believe” statements or “I am” statements. That is what the author of the Gospel of John is doing, in an imaginative and metaphorical way. Strategically, the “I am” sayings are spread throughout the gospel. Their meaning is heightened all the more by the fact that their author stood on the same side of the Empty Tomb that you and I do. It is as though the author is saying, “Let us be clear about the one of whom we are bearing witness, Jesus.”
This Jesus is transparent. We see through him. What we see when we look through him is the clearest view we are ever going to get of God. Jesus is connected to God like a vine to a root. Whether we realize it or not, we are the branches.
If you are reading Paul’s Romans while you are reading John, you realize that it does not matter whether you are Jew or Gentile, male or female, you are still the branches. Before you can even say, “No, not me, I am different,” you are grafted onto the vine, with the rest of humanity. You may act as though that is not true, but if you do, before long, it is a withering experience.
Try as you may, you are not the root. You are the branches. It is universal and irreversible. Paul got it right, “…remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you.”
Now, I find that comforting. I know what it feels like to be grafted into something greater than myself. No one was more Roman Catholic than my Grandmother Sinatra. In one corner of her bedroom was a small, but lovely altar on which she would light candles each night. She would say her evening prayers there.
Her altar was hidden behind a giant armoire. She thought it ostentatious for it to be visible to everyone all the time. In the evening she would move the armoire aside to make room for herself, as she was a very ample person. There was an air of mystery to me about that corner. Sometimes a Catholic priest would come and say Mass right there.
I was only a child then and I did not understand much about what that was all about. It was different from anything “religious” I had ever seen before. What my Roman Catholic grandmother did not know was that my rebellious Catholic mother was sending me to the Presbyterian Sunday School when we were home in Mobile. Not only that, there were some neighbors who were Baptist who would take me with them to their Sunday School and church occasionally.
Shortly after my family moved from Mobile to New Orleans I started attending Catholic catechism classes, made my Junior Communion, was confirmed, and made my Senior Communion in the Roman church. Memories of my Grandmother’s “hidden altar” and her quiet persuasiveness played no small part in that evolution. By the time I went to a Methodist church I was in my teens. By then I had become a United Nations of denominations. At least, I was acquainted with several “branches.” Before long, in my early teens I was "lured" into the Methodist Church; not "pushed" from the Roman Church. It was a wonderful Methodist Youth Fellowship that was my passage-way. That was a charged period of my youth.
However, it was not until I went to seminary that I truly became a Christian. While my seminary experience “turned-me-inside-out,” challenging my every belief, it was not designed to graft me into a particular denomination, even though it was a Methodist seminary. For the first time, I began to understand the meaning of the Christian Gospel: that there is always something going on to liberate me from anything that limits me in my capacity to be fully alive, fully human.
Apart from that, not a whole lot makes sense. It was there, in seminary, that I, a Gentile, was grafted into the vine, not of any denomination or sect, but into the Christian movement . It was there that I claimed my spiritual roots.
+++
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then highlight or underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
John 14:1-7
14‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ 5Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ 6Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Romans 4:13-25
13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. 16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, 17as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’)—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become ‘the father of many nations’, according to what was said, ‘So numerous shall your descendants be.’ 19He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22Therefore his faith ‘was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ 23Now the words, ‘it was reckoned to him’, were written not for his sake alone, 24but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25who was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
+++
REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection
Then write your own Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
I love that line, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Indeed, they are words of love. We usually hear them at a funeral service, in the context of our ultimate enemy, Death. Those words mean more to me in day to day living. They are spoken to quell the clouds of anxiety. I have learned that when a non-anxious, or more accurately, a less-anxious person enters a room, everyone in the room gets better.
Somehow that seems integral to what John means when he has Jesus say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” “The Way” he is talking about has to do with “walk where he walks, stand where he stands.”
Another way Jesus could have put it is, “Stand where I stand and you will see The Way. Walk with me and you will know The Way.” It should be interjected that the language of faith is being employed here, which has been learned through the grace of God.
There are some key words in the Romans reading that help us with this, “For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace…” John Wesley might say that it takes some prevenient grace that enables a person, in faith, to make the first steps along The Way. Wesley thought of prevenient grace as something that happens deep inside us that prepares us to take a leap of faith in order to live the next moment to the fullest.
Paul, here in Romans, uses Abraham as an example of one who, having no map of The Way, took a leap of faith as though it was a part of his DNA, actually, as though he had a promise from the One who had given him life, that the leap would lead him to fullness of life. Abraham believed in the truthfulness of the promise. “Hoping against hope,” he took the leap of faith! And he found The Way, a Jesus moment in the Old Testament. Or, is this reading just as much an Abraham moment in the New Testament? Maybe both Abraham and Jesus are agreeing, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places…” It is the truth. It is the life. It is "The Way."
To be sure, we will still die; we won’t stop dying because Jesus rose from the dead. We just no longer have to fear death as a threat to life. We can see it as a New Beginning. We can trust the future. That makes The Way Jesus is talking about far more than a set of directions, a list of rules, a covey of legalisms.
The John, who has Jesus say, “I am the Way,” stands on the same side of the Empty Tomb that you and I stand on. The ultimate outcome has been decided. It is going to work out all right. Julian of Norwich got it, “All shall be well.” But first, there is the leap…
When we respond in faith and say, “Yes, I believe that the ultimate outcome of my life is going to be all right, then those battles that are yet to be fought will be fought in a different way than if we did not have faith. Is it any wonder that one of the earliest names for the Christian movement was, “The Way”?
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
+++
SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
John 8:12; 10:7-17
12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’
7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11 ‘I am the good shepherd. The
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’
+++
REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection
Then write your own Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
REFLECTION
On a warm summer day a college student was hiking in the country side. He noticed that clouds had begun to gather. It looked like a thunderstorm was on the way. Before long he was being drenched by rain. Through the rain he could see lightning in the distance. He heard a loud clap of thunder and shortly a crack of lightning struck nearby, scaring him. He fell to his knees and impulsively blurted,
“St. Anne, save me, I’ll become a monk.”*
What do you think happened? Did St. Anne save him? Did his religion work? I will come back to that in a moment. Within the first three months after my graduation from seminary I remember having a quaking sensation that my religion wasn’t going to work. I had done very well in seminary and I felt prepared for ministry---or so I thought.
The sensation came to me as I was driving across New Orleans from one of the two churches I was serving to the other, when a bulletin came over the car radio, announcing that a young man had been found shot to death in his car abandoned on the top of the Huey P. Long Bridge that connected the East and West banks of New Orleans.
The announcer gave the name of the young man. He was the president of the youth group of one of the churches I was serving! He had just graduated from High School earlier that week. That is when I had that quaking feeling that my religion wasn’t going to work. I was not going to have any words to say to that family. What could I do? My straight A’s in New Testament did not mean a thing at that moment. Nonetheless, I turned the car around and went straight to that home simply because I knew that was where I was supposed to be.
Let us return to the college student who petitioned St. Anne. The lightning did not strike him. He was saved. He did become a monk in his twenty-second year. And twelve years later, early one October morning, he strode across the town square and nailed ninety-five theses or propositions to his parish church door in Wittenberg, Germany. These were matters that concerned him that he wanted the Roman Catholic Church to look at more deeply. He was questioning his religion.
The young man, who impulsively prayed to St. Anne to help him, was repudiating the cult of saints in several of those theses. He, who vowed to become a monk, was later to renounce monasticism. He nailed those theses to his church door, because his religion was not working. In his head and in his heart he knew there was not anything wrong with God, there was something wrong with his religion. His name was Martin Luther, a loyal son of the Roman Catholic Church, who shattered the structure
of medieval Catholicism. A priest and Bible scholar, he became the leader of the Protestant Reformation.
In his Biblical study Luther had come to understand that faith was not simply an acknowledgment of certain propositions because they could be proven to be true. He knew that no matter how well we may memorize and how fervently we may say the Creed, “I believe in God the Father Almighty…,” that alone does not make us a faithful person. Faith is not belief in something because it can be proven to be true, but for some other reason.
When he opened his New Testament to the Book of Romans he knew what it said well enough to translate it from its original language to his native German. There was a passage he underlined, “The just shall live by faith.” Boldly, in the margin of his Bible he wrote an additional word, “ALONE.” “The just shall live by faith---ALONE.”
He recommended that we memorize the first eight chapters of the Book of Romans. Luther hammered home the distinctively New Testament understanding of the way life is built: We are able to live because God loves us, not in order to do the things that will convince God to love us. There is no bargain that we can strike with the One Who Gives Us Life. There is nothing we can give or buy or promise that will
obtain for us what God gives to us freely---our lives, our very selves. When we really believe that, it changes the way we face the next moment of our lives.
When I arrived at the home of the president of my youth group I did not say anything about Jesus being the Light of the world. Nor did I feel like the gate-keeper of heaven or the good shepherd. I do not remember what I said. Actually, I do not remember saying very much. I was just there.
Through the days that followed, the funeral service itself, being with the members of the family, dealing with the press---it went on for months, literally, because authorities could find no clues that would lead to the solution of this tragedy. Somehow we all got through it.
The family was incredible. They had more questions than answers and were in worth shape in regard to that than I was, and yet, they held steady. It was because they held so steady that I was able to hold steady. I wish it was the other way around, but it wasn’t. They held on and they won through and together we came to understand that there are some answers that can only come as we live through the experiences themselves.
+++
In an ancient book
I have read of innocents
being thrown into a lion’s den.
I have learned it is so,
But I have trusted.
One whom I believe has said,
“Rain falls on the just
as well as the unjust.”
I have learned it is so,
But I have trusted.
Now this has happened.
Still, I trust.
Yes, still I trust.
For it is in trusting
that I am alive to the utmost,
It is in loving
that I am most fulfilled,
It is in hoping
that I live to see a better day.**
+++
*HERE I STAND, Roland Bainton, page 21, Abingdon, 1950, New York, Nashville.
**FOR ALL SEASONS, John Winn, page 48, Preachers' Aid Society of New England,
Plymouth, MA 02361
+++
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
John 6:30-36
30So they said to him, "What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? 31Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” 32Then Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe."
Romans 1:8-12
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. 9For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, 10asking that by God’s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. 11For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
+++
REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection
Then write your own Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
Not only is there a radical shift from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday and Lent, there is also a radical shift, from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), to the Gospel of John. That is why I chose John as the gospel portion of the selections for Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Easter.
One only has to read a few chapters in John to see the difference between his work and the synoptics. There was upwards of a hundred years= distance between the Gospel of John and the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. The historical context had changed drastically. He is least interested in writing an historical account, but he is most interested in spelling-out the meaning of the Christ Event experienced in Jesus of Nazareth for the context in which he finds himself and for future contexts.
His writing has more of a theological, even philosphical dimension to it. John has had a longer time to digest the Christ Event and he begins to fashion the universal and eternal nature of its meaning into a theology to live by. One only has to read his opening words to be grasped by the radical shift his approach takes. Instead of a birth story we get,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the word was God…What has come into being in him was life, and the
life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not overcome it…And the Word became flesh and
lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a
father’s only son, full of grace and truth…The law indeed was given
through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one
has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the
Father’s heart, who has made him known.”
Now, I ask you, does this writer know the end of the story as well as the beginning? Clearly, John interprets the Jesus of history through the lens of the Christ of faith. He sees the Christ Event as the “hinge of history,” to borrow the title of Carl Michalson’s wonderful book that makes
this point emphatically.*
It seems only natural that the epistle readings correlating to John would be Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Paul, too, is interested in spelling-out the meaning of the Christ Event for the context in which he finds himself and for future contexts. His theology reaches its full fruition in Romans. Paul’s distinction between law and grace is not unlike that which we find in the Gospel of John. They are a good fit for each other.
But where to begin? Hardly had I asked myself that question than the “I Am” sayings of Jesus, found only in John, came readily to mind. They would be the gospel readings for the Sundays of Lent. It seems to me thatin all of the “I Am” sayings, John is attempting to deal with the question, “What is the nature of the risen Lord and what does that reveal to us about the nature of God?”
Interestingly, John chooses to put the first of these sayings immediately following the story of the feeding of the five thousand. This is his way of pointing out that he is really not concerned with fulfilling bodily appetites, though that is what impressed the people. Rather, there were ancient rabbinical sayings that when the messiah comes, he will give a sign that he is, indeed, the Messiah. Another saying has it that when the Messiah comes he will bring manna from heaven.
John is convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited Messiah, so it is no problem for him to tell the story of the feeding of the five thousand with manna that seems to be heaven-sent. But---there is more---this is not merely a “sign,” rather the very nature of the risen Christ is to be a sign, not to bring a sign, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Being trumps everything. It is the very nature of God, as revealed in the risen Christ, to come to us with the kind of fulfillment that exceeds our physical needs and makes it possible for us to face the next moment of our lives.That is the language of faith. And it is faith that Paul is talking about in his words from the first chapter of Romans. Faith is deepened, even kept alive, when we share our stories with each other, whenwe come together to be “mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both
yours and mine.” That is what happens when the church is really being the church and worship is really something that we do and not something that is done to us.
But first, you have to show up. Then you will hear, “Take this bread…Drink this cup…” It is the language of faith.
__________
*The Hinge of History: An Existential Approach to the Christian Faith, Carl Michalson, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1959
+++
+++ Remember to write your three handwriten Lenten pages +++
+++
ASH WEDNESDAY
Read and Ponder the passages. More than once.
Then underline those that seem to speak to you today.
Try not to let my choices get in your way. They are simply examples.
John 8:2-11
2Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. 3The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, 4they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ 6They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ 8And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus straightened up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ 11She said, ‘No one, sir.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.’
John 8:32
32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’
Romans 3:23-24
23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by God's grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…
Romans 8:31
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
REFLECTION
Thoughtfully read the Reflection.
Then write your Lenten Pages as explained above.
Three handwritten pages.
One could say that the unnamed woman in the eighth chapter of John was in need of an Ash Wednesday experience. Jesus took a look at the situation and came to the conclusion that those religious leaders, the scribes and Pharisees, needed an Ash Wednesday experience even more! They seemed far too self-righteous to be seriously in search of the truth. They saw Jesus as a potential rival, whose popularity was growing.
They pressed Jesus as to how he would judge her, testing him to see if he would break the Law, which stated she should be stoned. They hoped to bring some charge against him that would discredit and embarrass him. You know what Jesus said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone." It was a very dramatic moment.
Not a one of the accusers made a move. In case you missed the point, Paul would later write, "...all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." In the context in which Jesus found himself, seeing that none of them condemned the woman, Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you."
Now Jesus did not say that the woman did nothing wrong. Indeed, Jesus tells the woman, "Go and sin no more." He sensed, though, that those making the accusation were more interested in diverting examination from themselves than they were at getting at the truth. Ironically, in the same chapter we read, "You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free."
There are still highly religious groups who see pointing out the sinfulness of people as the main focus of the Bible. They like to shine the bright light of condemnation on S I N as though that will root out the wrong and make all of us better people. They mistakenly think that is what Ash Wednesday is about.
Indeed, in ancient times some people did think that by ripping off their clothes and covering themselves with sackcloth and ashes and other such self-punishment they could thereby cleanse themselves of sin. Centuries before Jesus, however, the prophet Joel takes a stand against such outlandish and unreasonable behavior by saying "...rend your hearts and not your clothing." He goes on to say, "Return to the Lord, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing." (from Joel 2:12-13) Of course, that is the reading for Ash Wednesday from all three cycles of the Common Lectionary.
Ash Wednesday and Lent may be primarily about recognition of our sin, but ultimately it is about a greater recognition---FORGIVENESS, the gift of a new possibility for living. Ash Wednesday and Lent are about RETURNING to the Lord, who is slow to convict, quick to acquit; who is a forgiving, loving God. Being honest before God is the first step toward repentance. "If God is for us who can be against us?"
In his incredible novel Trinity, Leon Uris has a very wise person, Daddo, say, "We live with a number of rooms inside us. The best room is open to the family and friends and we show our finest face in it. Another room is more private, the bedroom, and very few are allowed in. There is another room where we allow no one in...not even our wives and children, for it is a room of the most intimate thoughts we keep unshared."
Surprisingly, Daddo goes on, "There is one more room, so hidden away we don't even enter it ourselves. Within we lock all the mysteries we cannot solve and all the pains and sorrows we wish to forget."*
Jesus unlocks that room when he touches our hearts in ways no one else can.
Jesus unlocks that room every time we are liberated from something that has been holding us back as a person, some wrong, some pretense, some way that we have been pretending to be something that we are not.
Jesus unlocks that room whenever we know the forgiveness that comes with Broken Bread, symbolizing to us that any human life, no matter how broken or distorted it may become, can be made whole again.
Jesus unlocks that room each time the Cup is poured and we know deep within that any human life no matter how lonely or empty it can become, can be filled again.
Jesus unlocks that room when he heals our wounds in a way that exceeds all our physical needs and loves us with a love that is not dependent on anything we can do or say.
Jesus unlocks that room when the ashes are placed on our foreheads and we know deep within that we are accepted, just as we are.
It is in that room where we find the truth that sets us free.
Some scholars tell us that the story of this woman is not in the earliest versions of the Gospel of John. It must have been part of the oral tradition making the rounds that some later editor knew about and sensed that "this is too good to leave out." That editor was right. It is just like the Jesus I know.
__________
*Trinity, Leon Uris, page 52, Doubleday, Garden City, New York, 1976
+++
ADVENT-CHRISTMAS-EPIPHANY
This is an interactive discipline to enhance spiritual deepening by using John Winn's own Yale New Testament Lectionary as an alternative to the Common Lectionary. The discipline suggests a Lectio Divina process. If that is unfamiliar to you, simply Google "Lectio Divina" and you will get a multitude of examples.
The best way is "to find your own way." It is the discipline, itself, that really drives the process. My hope is that people who are moved to try this "spiritual practice" will do their own form of Lectio Divina; will sense what words and phrases shimmer off the pages for them and come up with their own prayers and "I Believe" statements. Mine are simply shared as an example. Try writing-out your own. You will be surprised the difference the writing makes. It helps to ponder awhile, too.
~+++~
AN ALTERNATIVE NEW TESTAMENT LECTIONARY
John Winn's Yale Lectionary
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 17:1-8
17Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured
before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became
dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking
with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here;
if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses,
and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud
overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the
Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples
heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus
came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when
they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
WORDS FROM MATTHEW 17:1-8 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
dazzling dwellings listen touched alone
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
"Dazzling," that is the word I am looking for today, O God, for it
reminds me of those times when Truth got through to me and it was a dazzling
experience. Indeed, I would like to erect some "safe houses," dwellings in
which I could keep those Events safely saved so as to return to them again
and again. I would like to re-live them over and over again. It does not
work that way, though. I know how quickly those dazzling moments get away
from me and I return to the day to day routine, unable to see or even
listen for or be touched by a word of Truth.
Let me be alone for a few minutes now, O Lord, not to turn back to past
events, but to seek a path forward toward the dazzling light of new Truths
that will make me deeper, in the name of that "Dazzler," Jesus, who has
become my Savior.
Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 17:1-8 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...listen to him..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 17:1-8
I BELIEVE something significant happened on that mountain.
I BELIEVE it was an Epiphany, an "Aha!" moment for Peter and James and John.
I BELIEVE I have had such moments and sometimes they seem scary.
I BELIEVE those moments enable me to see the truth about life, my own, and
the Mystery that all of Life contains.
THE EPISTLE READING: COLOSSIANS 1:11-23
11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious
power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while
joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the
inheritance of the saints in the light. 13He has rescued us from the power
of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15He is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16for in him all things
in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether
thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created
through him and for him. 17He himself is before all things, and in him all
things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first
place in everything. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to
dwell, 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his
cross. 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil
deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to
present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him— 23provided
that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without
shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has
been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant
of this gospel.
WORDS FROM COLOSSIANS 1:11-23 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
strong endure patience fullness hope
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Make me strong, O God, O yes, make me strong---in every way. There is much
to endure and where patience is involved I am my weakest. Make me strong.
I have known fullness of life, O God, and for that I am thankful. But there
is a fullness that often escapes me. In its place I find hope. Make me
strong there, too---in hope. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM COLOSSIANS 1:11-23 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...For in him [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and
through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT Colossians 1:11-23
I BELIEVE my inner strength is increased by being in community with people
who are, themselves, strong in body, mind, and spirit.
I BELIEVE that kind of inner strength is what Jesus passed on to his
Disciples and early followers.
I BELIEVE it was in danger of being diluted in the Early Church as years
passed.
I BELIEVE that danger still exists, both on a personal level and in the
Community of Faith.
I BELIEVE this passage of scripture is an effort to help people and the
church connect again to the source of our inner strength.
+++
Fifth SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 6:1-15; 7:1-5
MATTHEW 6:1-15
6‘Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them;
for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 ‘So whenever you
give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others.
Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your
alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; 'for they love to
stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners,so that they may
be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.
6But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray
to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will
reward you. 7 ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the
Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.
8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 ‘Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.
MATTHEW 7:1-5
7‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 2For with the judgement you
make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you
get. 3Why do you see the speck in your neighbour’s eye, but do not notice
the log in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your neighbour, “Let me
take the speck out of your eye”, while the log is in your own eye? 5You
hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see
clearly to take the speck out of your neighbour’s eye.
WORDS FROM MATTHEW 6:1-15; 7:1-5 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
practicing piety empty phrases hallowed daily judge
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, I find myself practicing too few things these days and piety
is not among them. Many of my phrases in prayer start out too empty of
the genuineness they deserve. On a daily basis you give me all the time
there is and you have hallowed my every attempt at prayer by the gift of
the prayer Jesus taught us long ago, but there never seems to be enough
time for prayer. O dear God, judge me not for shrinking from piety.
Help me to reclaim what is positive about that ancient word, the part
about being good and true to myself and others---and you, dear God. Help
me to cut-in on my tendency to drift from moment to moment and to practice
more in the secret realm of the sacred, as Jesus taught us. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 6:1-15; 7:1-5 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye,
but do not notice the log in your own eye?"
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 6:1-15; 7:1-5
I BELIEVE I need to tend more to my inner life than I do.
I BELIEVE it is that inner life, that "true self," that does more than
anyone or anything else in making me a better person.
I BELIEVE I need to remind myself that judging others is not something
I am good at; only God is good at it.
I BELIEVE I can use the energy I too often spend on judging others to
cast an honest eye on myself.
I BELIEVE there is, indeed, a "secret realm of the sacred" and it is there
where we most often come face to face with the One who gives us Life.
THE EPISTLE READING: JAMES 1:22-25; I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5
JAMES 1:22-25
22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.
23For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who
look at themselves in a mirror; 24for they look at themselves and, on going
away, immediately forget what they were like. 25But those who look into the
perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget,
but doers who act---they will be blessed in their doing.
I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5
4Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s
mysteries. 2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they should be found
trustworthy. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged
by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4I am not aware
of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord
who judges me. 5Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time,
before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in
darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will
receive commendation from God.
WORDS FROM JAMES 1:22-25; I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
doers hearers mirror stewards mysteries trustworthy judge
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Do I dare to look into a mirror, O God, and see myself as I really am?
Even though I am aware that I stand with the hearers of a word they
cannot unhear, I am also aware that I stand among those who have not been
doers of that word. I am one of them. Deep within, I yearn to be more of
a trustworthy steward of that word of love, that gift of love: hearing and
doing. Ultimately, I know, dear God, that you are the only judge who really
matters as to how good a steward I have been of the mysteries of faith and
action, but I do have to live in the Now, with what I know about myself.
Help me with that. Amen
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM JAMES 1:22-25; I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...being not hearers who forget, but doers who act..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT JAMES 1:22-25; I CORINTHIANS 4:1-5
I BELIEVE that I am capable of deceiving myself.
I BELIEVE that every time I deceive myself something important within me
is eroded.
I BELIEVE it is possible for me to arise from the ashes of deception and
learn something about myself that will make me a better person.
I BELIEVE my knowing that you know me better than I know myself and, yet,
you still have patience, mercy, and love for me is itself life-giving.
+++
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil. 2He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he
was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God,
command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ 4But he answered, ‘It is
written, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes
from the mouth of God.”’ 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and
placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, ‘If you are the
Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, “He will command his
angels concerning you,” and “On their hands they will bear you up,so that
you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’ 7Jesus said to him, ‘Again
it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ 8 Again, the
devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world and their splendour; 9and he said to him, ‘All these I will give
you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ 10Jesus said to him, ‘Away with
you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only
him.”’ 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
WORDS FROM MATTHEW MATTHEW 4:1-11 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
wilderness tempted bread test worship
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
How can I worship you, O God, when I feel alienated and alone,
wandering in a wilderness that seems to have no boundaries? I am tempted
to follow every inclination that comes to me as though it is You, helping
me to find my way out. How can I be certain? Would that an angel, a
heavenly messenger, would come to me with the bread of life that has
rejuvenated me before. I know, I know that would help me transform this
test into a challenge that itself would give me the inner strength to
survive---again. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 4:1-11 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 4:1-11
I BELIEVE the wilderness can take many forms.
I BELIEVE we make some of our most important decisions
in the wilderness.
I BELIEVE we are never led into a wilderness to be lost and abandoned,
but rather to be found and to find ourselves.
THE EPISTLE READING: HEBREWS 2:8b-18
8b Now in subjecting all things to humans, God left nothing outside their
control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them,
9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels,
now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 It was
fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing
many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect
through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified
all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them
brothers and sisters, 12saying,‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers
and sisters,in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ 13And
again,‘I will put my trust in him.’And again,‘Here am I and the children
whom God has given me.’ 14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and
blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death
he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of
death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the
descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and
sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins
of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is
able to help those who are being tested.
WORDS FROM HEBREWS 2:8b-18 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
control trust power death tested suffered
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
In my heart, O God, I know what a difference it makes to trust You. But
could you possibly give me a little more control over some things---like
my health, my security, my future, possibly even death itself? Grant me,
please, a cubic centimeter of power so that when I have suffered and been
tested by my limitations I will have strength to overcome. I am not wanting
more than Jesus had; I just want what he had. Help me to be content in
knowing that can only come through trust. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM HEBREWS 2:8b-18 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"Because he himself was tested by what he suffered,
he is able to help those who are being tested."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT HEBREWS 2:8b-18
I BELIEVE in Jesus of Nazareth I can see untold possibilities for my own life.
I BELIEVE I am most likely to realize those possibilities
not by copying Jesus, but by following him, standing where he stands,
standing in the same relationship to God in which he stood.
I BELIEVE it is as important for me to trust that I am a son of God
as it is to believe that Jesus is.
I BELIEVE Jesus allows himself to be "transparent" so through him
we can see all we will ever really need to see about God.
+++
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 3:13-17
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and
do you come to me?” 15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is
proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water,
suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
WORDS FROM MATTHEW 3:13-17 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
consented baptized suddenly beloved
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
How has it happened, O God, that throughout my life I have felt beloved?
How fortunate! My dear parents opened that particular door to my heart.
I am so thankful that, without stifling my own initiative and desire for
independence, they did things for me that I could not do for myself. I
have come to realize that is what they were doing for me when I was baptized
as an infant. You opened my heart to that understanding when later I
consented to take those vows upon myself. This realization did not come
suddenly for me, O God. It has taken a lifetime of growing self-awareness
as to how important it is to feel "beloved." Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 3:13-17 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"This is my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 3:13-17
I BELIEVE love is central to being able to live a full life.
I BELIEVE I brought my children as infants to be baptized
because I loved them.
I BELIEVE God, the One who gives us life,
loves them even more and meets us, spiritually, at the font.
I BELIEVE God's love is unconditional and never ends
and in baptism I am saying I want to stand, live,
and die with others who feel that way.
THE EPISTLE READING: I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26
23For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the
Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24and
when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way he took the cup
also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do
this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For as often as
you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until
he comes.
WORDS FROM I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
received handed remembrance new covenant
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
There is so much, dear God, that has simply been handed to me, a sacred
remembrance here, a valuable insight there. Sometimes I have received
them without even knowing how significant they would become. These
freely given trusts are my covenant with both the past and the future.
They are made new with each sacramental step I take toward the Bread
and the Cup, being handed to me again to remind me once more of
Love freely given, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"Do this in remembrance..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26
I BELIEVE what a covenant community preserves and passes
from generation to generation should be taken very seriously.
I BELIEVE memories that survive betrayal and even death
should be taken very seriously.
I BELIEVE outward and visible signs of an inward
and meaningful truth should be taken very seriously.
+++
EPIPHANY DAY, June 6
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 2:1-12
2In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, ‘Where is the child
who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,
and have come to pay him homage.’ 3When King Herod heard this, he was
frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief
priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah
was to be born. 5They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been
written by the prophet: 6 “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by
no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”’ 7 Then Herod secretly called for
the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had
appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently
for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also
go and pay him homage.’ 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and
there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until
it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star
had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they
saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.
Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return
to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
WORDS FROM MATTHEW 2:1-12 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
wise star frightened secretly overwhelmed
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, that is what I need to do more often: seek out the wise among us.
Truthfully, though, I am sometimes frightened by wisdom, too easily seduced
by shrewdness. Yet, I know that wisdom can lead me to the Truth and
shrewdness can lead me down a dead-end street. Shrewdness too often moves
about secretly. Wisdom aims to reveal more and more, reaching out to a star,
even, in its quest for Truth. So, dear God, help me to seek out the wise
among us more often, unafraid to be overwhelmed by the Truth to which
wisdom will lead me. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW MATTHEW 2:1-12 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...overwhelmed with joy."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 2:1-12
I BELIEVE Herod had reason to be frightened
as the shrewd have reason to be fearful of the wise.
I BELIEVE the Herods of this world do many things secretly
and their secrets clog the arteries of their souls.
I BELIEVE the alternative to shrewdness and secrecy
begins with the Honesty of Creation---that all of Life is a gift,
not to be distorted in any way that stunts its growth and deepening.
I BELIEVE my life is a gift to be valued as is everyone's life.
I BELIEVE that is what the birth of this baby, Jesus, is all about
and that I experience it best whenever
I make some part of who I am a gift to someone else.
THE EPISTLE READING: I PETER 2:4-10
4 Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and
precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built
into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture:
‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner’,
8and ‘A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.’
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own
people,in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called
you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
10 Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
WORDS FROM I PETER 2:4-10 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
living rejected precious chosen mercy
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Holy Mystery, these words of scripture are about the kind of living that
actually goes on day by day. It is true that we, that I, have often
rejected the good, the right, the beautiful, the Truth. Sometimes it is
unwitting, but, still, I do not ponder enough what is precious in your sight.
You count me, as you do all humanity, a chosen son, a chosen daughter, but
I do not always choose what you choose. Still, you have patience with my
stubborness; mercy on my bad decisions. I have felt it deep within, like a
summons to a better way, a newer life. At the same time, it seems, you lead
me again and again to that faithful Community of Love, where I find many
who have fathomed the Mystery better than I, and who nurture me as I step
into the deep waters. Gracie! Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM I PETER 2:4-10 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...chosen and precious in God’s sight...
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT I PETER 2:4-10
I BELIEVE what started with the birth of Jesus also gave birth of a faithful
Community of Love that has passed that memory from generation to generation.
I BELIEVE that community, especially in its institutional form, is
imperfect, but ever changing, ever moving toward what it is meant to be.
I BELIEVE I can play a part in a movement like that.
I BELIEVE a movement like that can make life better for all humanity.
+++
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 25:31-40
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,
then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be
gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a
shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep
at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34Then the king will say to
those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit
the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was
hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me
clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you
visited me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that
we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to
drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or
naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in
prison and visited you?’ 40And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me.’
WORDS FROM MATTHEW MATTHEW 25:31-40 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
gathered inherit least members family
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
O lover of us all, who loves even the least of us as much as any of us, we
have gathered from time to time to discern what it is that we inherit
from such magnanimous love. In our hearts we know. We have always known.
To act on it, though, seems to require more of me than I have to give. To
actually treat all members of your creation as members of my
own family is, indeed, a stretch. It makes clear how different I am from
You, O God. You do it by nature. I do it when I feel like it and sometimes
not even then. Press me until I know that my inheritance means that my
loving another is the same as my loving you, in the name of the one who is
Love. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 25:31-40 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least...'"
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 25:31-40
I BELIEVE there have been times when I, myself, have been hungry, thirsty,
a stranger, naked, sick, even imprisioned and someone has loved me.
I BELIEVE those are the moments in which I felt I had experienced God.
I BELIEVE that "Need," whether it be my own or another's, is a summons to
serve and in so doing we serve the One who gives us life.
THE EPISTLE READING: I JOHN 4:7-12; 16-21
7Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who
loves is born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know
God, for God is love. 9God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God
sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10In
this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son
to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Beloved, since God loved us so
much, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; if we
love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
16So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love,
and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17Love
has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day
of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear
in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment,
and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19We love because he
first loved us. 20Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or
sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they
have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 21The commandment we
have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters
also.
WORDS FROM I JOHN 4:7-12; 16-21 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
love Son boldness fear first
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
O God, help us, please, to keep it straight: first, you love us. We have
done little or nothing, even, to deserve that, but it is actually the
order of creation. First, you love us. That is what creation is about. To
make that infinitely clear to us you sent one whom we call your Son, your
own child so that we, in boldness and without fear would dare to love all
you love; not just some of what you love, but all that you love. In those
moments when I can do that, I become aware that I, I, am your child, too.
In the name of Jesus, who showed me the way it is. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM I JOHN 4:7-12; 16-21 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT I JOHN 4:7-12; 16-21
I BELIEVE loving in this radical way is very difficult for me.
I BELIEVE the One who gives me life knows that.
I BELIEVE that is what makes it worth doing.
I BELIEVE it is worth doing because it makes me
a better person each time I can actually do it.
I BELIEVE even when I try and fail,
something significant shifts within me that makes me
more honest and more aware of the presence of God.
+++
CHRISTMAS DAY
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 1:18-25
Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his
mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she
was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19Her husband Joseph, being
a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to
dismiss her quietly. 20But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of
the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not
be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from
the Holy Spirit. 21She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for
he will save his people from their sins.’ 22All this took place to fulfil
what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’ 24When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as
the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25but had
no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him
Jesus.
WORDS FROM MATTHEW 1:18-25 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
birth Mary Joseph Jesus save
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, the experience of Mary and Joseph in the birth of their child,
Jesus, defies ordinary historical analysis. It has stayed with us from
generation to generation. We save the mystery of it---and in some
mysterious and magnificent way, it saves us. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 1:18-25 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"'and they shall name him Emmanuel’,
which means, ‘God is with us.’"
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 1:18-25
I BELIEVE Joseph loved Mary very much.
I BELIEVE Joseph appreciated the deeper mystery of childbirth and trusted it.
I BELIEVE Mary and Joseph trusted that God was, indeed, with them
and the Early Church told the story in this way to give
the abundance of love and trust embodied in the relationship of
Mary and Joseph the dignity and significance it deserved.
THE EPISTLE READING: II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view;
even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no
longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:
everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18All this
is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us
the ministry of reconciliation; 19that is, in Christ God was reconciling
the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and
entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 20So we are ambassadors for
Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf
of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21For our sake he made him to be sin who
knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
WORDS FROM II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
new creation reconciling entrusting message
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, how precious a new thing is to me. I handle things that are new,
especially new gifts, with great care. The new is like a special part of
creation. The new sense of perception that has come to me in Jesus of
Nazareth has had a life-defining effect on me. It is a message transformed
into reality, into a person in such a way that I feel your reconciling tug,
making things right between us---seeing me as I am, but receiving me as your
very own. And further, O God, you are entrusting me with that message of
reconciliation, urging me and supporting me as I attempt to share it with
all humanity, not in words, but in the way I live my life. Thank you, O God,
for such trust, through Jesus, who has shown us the way. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their
trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT II CORINTHIANS 5:16-21
I BELIEVE God in Christ was fooling around with our sense of perception.
I BELIEVE the Christ Event gives us a new
"set of lenses," with which to understand Life.
I BELIEVE we are those creatures who are unable not to sin
and God does not hold that against us.
I BELIEVE in Christ, God is reaching out to us,
offering to make things right between us (reconciliation).
I BELIEVE it behooves us to reach out to each other
in the same way in every situation we can.
+++
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 11, 2011
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 9:16-17
No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch
pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new
wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine
is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh
wineskins, and so both are preserved.’
WORDS FROM THAT PASSAGE THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
patch old new worse fresh
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, how I like to patch things up! Too often, like putting on a
band-aid, when surgery is needed. Rationally, I know that sometimes I
can even make things worse by submitting to the temporary, when what can
last would be so much better. Emotionally, the old/new balance is an
ongoing challenge. What is best: The old, what is "tried and true" or
the new, what is fresh and vital? Sometimes I can only find out through
experience. Help me to look beyond simply my own experiences, though.
I do not like repeating the same train wreck over and over. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 9:16-17 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"...and so both are preserved."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 9:16-17
I BELIEVE I am attracted to the new, but hold much that is old sacred.
I BELIEVE some things that are old are worth preserving---like me, but I know
that sometimes I must change in order to live the fullest life possible.
I BELIEVE Jesus' talk about change made many people anxious, especially
those who did not want to lose any of their authority and dominance.
I BELIEVE that is still true.
THE EPISTLE READING: GALATIANS 5:1-6; 13-14
1For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not
submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that
if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
3Once again I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he
is obliged to obey the entire law. 4You who want to be justified by the law
have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5For
through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for
anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use
your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become
slaves to one another. 14For the whole law is summed up in a single
commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
WORDS FROM GLALATIANS 5:1-6; 13-14 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
freedom faith love self-indulgence neighbor
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, I have lived long enough to know that I can take even the best of
things and use them for my own self-indulgence. I am so important to me
that I can even take the blessed gift of freedom and use it to run all over
my neighbor. I can even take faith and turn it into power and love and
turn it into dependence. And all the while I know that is not what freedom,
faith, love, neighbor, is about. O God, save me from myself! Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM GALATIANS 5:1-6; 13-14 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use
your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT GALATIANS 5:1-6; 13-14
I BELIEVE God's gift of freedom is central
to our understanding of "how Life works."
I BELIEVE no puppets are created by God.
I BELIEVE all, ALL, of us are free; and not just people---natural life,
germs, viruses; freedom is the driving force of the cosmos.
I BELIEVE problems arise when freedoms collide:
your freedom and my freedom, this virus and my body.
I BELIEVE only God is powerful enough to allow for that much freedom.
I BELIEVE it takes a great deal of faith, spelled t-r-u-s-t, for you and
me to live the fullest life possible in the midst of that much freedom.
+++
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
December 4, 2011
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 21:33-42
33 ‘Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a
vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built
a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another
country. 34When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to
the tenants to collect his produce. 35But the tenants seized his
slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
36Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated
them in the same way. 37Finally he sent his son to them, saying,
“They will respect my son.” 38But when the tenants saw the son, they
said to themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get
his inheritance.” 39So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard,
and killed him. 40Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will
he do to those tenants?’ 41They said to him, ‘He will put those
wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants
who will give him the produce at the harvest time.’
42 Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is amazing in our eyes”?
WORDS FROM THAT PASSAGE THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
landowner tenants harvest son rejected cornerstone
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
O God, You are my Maker. I live in my Maker's world. You are the
landowner. I am but a tenant. You have sent prophets, saints,
mentors to help me harvest all that so freely grows around me and
within me. You even sent your son, who is the embodiment of all
I will ever need to know about you, the very cornerstone of your
world, and one who could lead me into the fullest life possible,
if I would but follow. Forgive me when I reject all that.
Teach me to follow. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 21:33-42 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"Finally, he sent his son to them..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 21:33-42
I BELIEVE Jesus of Nazareth reveals all I will ever need to know about God.
I BELIEVE I often resist or ignore what that revelation means.
I BELIEVE the One who gives me life keeps after me, continually confronts
me, and maintains the connection no matter what it takes.
I BELIEVE that is true for all humanity, ALL humanity.
+
THE EPISTLE READING: GALATIANS 3:23-4:7
23 Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law
until faith would be revealed. 24Therefore the law was our disciplinarian
until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. 25But now that
faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, 26for in
Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. 27As many of you
as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There
is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no
longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. 29And if
you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according
to the promise.
4My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than
slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; 2but they remain
under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. 3So with
us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of
the world. 4But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law, 5in order to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6And because
you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ 7So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if
a child then also an heir, through God.
WORDS FROM GALATIANS 3:23-4:7 THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
faith clothed one son justified
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, I need eyes of faith, ears of faith, a heart of faith. Indeed,
I need to be clothed in faith, so I can be, as near as possible, one with
your son; whose life, teachings, death, and resurrection have justified my
very being---guided by the ancient wisdom, but not imprisoned by it; learning
from all that is past, but not frozen in the past. In the name of the one
who opens the future for me. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM GALATIANS 3:23-4:7 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT MY ATTENTION
"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son,
born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were
under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT GALATIANS 3:23-4:7
I BELIEVE experiencing a Life is more vivid and transforming
than experiencing a Law.
I BELIEVE a healthy distinction between Faith and Law is essential to
understanding the meaning of the Christ Event.
I BELIEVE the Law, indeed, all ancient wisdom, are worthy teachers.
I BELIEVE if Law---and ancient wisdom, become my Master,
I will rationalize them to suit my own needs.
I BELIEVE coming to understand myself as a child of God
can only be done through faith.
+++
THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
November 27, 2011
THE GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 11:2-6
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing,
he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him,
‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’
4Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have
good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no
offence at me.’
WORDS FROM THAT PASSAGE THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO HOLD MY ATTENTION
prison blind lame lepers deaf dead poor
A CHALLENGE: WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Dear God, sometimes I find myself in a prison of my own making,
blind and deaf to One who has said throughout the ages, "Follow me,"
the "Jesus Words." In my bondage, I am surrounded by others, equally
lame and like a band of lepers, too poor in spirit to see, to hear,
to rise from the dead and respond to the invitation. Please,
dear God, make me continue to hear the "Jesus Words" until they
become the good news that sets me free. In his name, Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM MATTHEW 11:2-6 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO HOLD MY ATTENTION
"Are you the one..?"
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT MATTHEW 11:2-6
I BELIEVE "back then" and even now there are many
who would like to pass themselves off as the "Messiah."
I BELIEVE it takes courage to raise the question, "Are you the one...?"
I BELIEVE the answer comes in the quality of life lived,
the depth of love shared.
I BELIEVE we could all use more "Messianic Moments."
+
THE EPISTLE READING: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11
2If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation
from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy,
2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love,
being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfish
ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better
than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not to your own interests,
but to the interests of others. 5Let the same mind be in you
that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the
form of God,did not regard equality with God as something to be
exploited,7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness. And being found in human form,
8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.
WORDS FROM THAT PASSAGE THAT, TODAY,
LEAP-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEM TO HOLD MY ATTENTION
encouragement consolation humility exploited obedient
WRITE A PRAYER USING ALL THOSE WORDS
Too often, O God, I have exploited your love. I have taken for granted
those deep moments of consolation you constantly offer, those nudges of
encouragement. I have not been obedient to the truest thing I know. It
has taken a toll on my sense of humility. Help me start again, tomorrow,
with another clean slate. Amen.
A PHRASE OR SENTENCE FROM PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 THAT, TODAY,
LEAPS-OUT TO ME, THAT SEEMS TO HOLD MY ATTENTION
"...did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited..."
PERSONAL "I BELIEVE" STATEMENTS ABOUT PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11
I BELIEVE this is a description of the characteristics of
Jesus of Nazareth that made him singularly unique.
I BELIEVE Jesus made a personal choice to claim
his humanity and his sonship.
I BELIEVE we have the same choice to make.
I BELIEVE that if we follow Jesus down this path it
will lead us to the fullest life possible.
+++
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT,
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING ISAIAH 64:1-9
"O that you would tear open the heavens and come down..."
PSALM 80:1-7, 17-19
"...let your face shine, that we may be saved"
SECOND READING I CORINTHIANS 1:3-9
"...so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for
the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ"
GOSPEL MARK 13:24-37
"Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
ISAIAH 64:1-9
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE that in "tough times," like the People of Faith in Isaiah's time,
I yearn for some Ultimate Truth,
for someone who will lead me to a better day,
for the presence of God.
I BELIEVE that, at the least, I yearn for some kind
of assurance of protection from all that threatens me.
I BELIEVE in "tough times" I am prone to wonder
what I have done wrong that is causing the "tough times."
I BELIEVE it is up to me to find a way to Trust,
to be the clay and know God as a loving potter,
who will not only forgive, but who will bring into life,
someone like Jesus,
who will help me through the "tough times."
+++
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING EZEKIEL 34:11-16, 20-24
"I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed,
and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak..."
PSALM 100
"It is God who made us, and we belong to God;
we are the People of God, and the sheep of God's pasture."
SECOND READING EPHESIANS 1:15-23
"...so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened,
you may know what is the hope to which God in Christ has called you..."
GOSPEL MATTHEW 22:34-46
"'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
MATTHEW 22:34-46
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE human need is our call to service; the NEED is the CALL.
I BELIEVE we meet Jesus again each time we respond to someone in need.
I BELIEVE that was the Early Church's way of defining
the "Second Coming of Christ."
I BELIEVE that is how Christ comes again and again and again.
I BELIEVE it is in that way that "the eyes of my heart become enlightened"
and I know what I must do next.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE THIRTEENTH AND LAST SUNDAY IN MISSIONTIDE, 2011
GOSPEL READING MARK 12:13-17
"Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one;
for you do not regard people with partiality,
but teach the way of God in accordance with truth."
EPISTLE READING I CORINTHIANS 6:12, 10:23-24
"All things are lawful for me,
but not all things are beneficial.
All things are lawful for me,
but I will not be dominated by anything."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
MARK 12:12-17
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE that while the Pharisees and Herodians
were trying to make a point by being sarcastic with Jesus,
they also unintentionally emphasized his impartiality.
I BELIEVE Jesus overlooked the sarcasm and illustrated his impartiality.
I BELIEVE I can avoid many relational traps by
responding to the best in a situation and not to the least.
I BELIEVE I must make a distinction about
what I am responsible for regarding myself,
and what I am responsible for as a part of a covenant community.
I BELIEVE I can live the fullest life possible for me by
maintaining a creative balance between my personal
and my social sense of responsibility.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
19th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST,
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Deuteronomy 34:1-12
"The LORD said to him,
"This is the land of which I swore to
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying,
'I will give it to your descendants';
I have let you see it with your eyes,
but you shall not cross over there."
PSALM 90:1-6, 13-17
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations."
SECOND READING I Thessalonians 2:1-8
"...even so we speak, not to please men and women,
but to please God who tests our hearts."
GOSPEL READING Matthew 22:34-46
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
This is the greatest and first commandment.
And a second is like it:
'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE that Moses felt a deep degree of satisfaction
by what he saw from the top of Pisgah.
I BELIEVE Moses had a vision that was
more than geographic in nature.
I BELIEVE it was very painful for Moses
and the people he led for him not to
experience his vision more fully.
I BELIEVE Moses knew, however, that his ultimate
"dwelling place was with the Lord." (Psalm 90:1)
I BELIEVE that is the vision he passed on,
not only to the Psalmist, but to us.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE Ninth SUNDAY IN MISSIONTIDE
19th Sunday After Pentecost
GOSPEL READING Mark 9:33-42
"He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them,
‘Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.’
EPISTLE READING Hebrews 5:11-6:3
"Let us leave behind the elementary teaching about Christ
and go forward to adult understanding."
(J. B. Phillips Translation)
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Hebrews 5:11-6:3
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE all of us can become subject to a
"dumbing down" of the meaning of the Christian Gospel.
I BELIEVE now is the time for me to move beyond
my elementary understanding of the meaning of the Christ Event.
I BELIEVE I benefit when I reflect on how my thinking
about the Christian Faith has changed, deepened through the years.
I BELIEVE this process of personal growth
is one that will continue throughout my life.
I BELIEVE the spiritual dimension of my life
is an integral part of the process of maturation.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST,
Go to www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Exodus 14:19-31
"Thus the LORD saved Israel that day..."
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
"The LORD is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation..."
SECOND READING Romans 14:1-12
"If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord;
so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
GOSPEL: Matthew 18:21-35
"Then Peter came and said to him,
"Lord, if another member of the church sins against me,
how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?"
Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but,
I tell you, seventy-seven times."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Matthew 18:21-35
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE salvation means being able to live the fullest life possible to us.
I BELIEVE forgiveness is essential to salvation.
I BELIEVE that even "people of faith" can get it wrong---
receiving forgiveness on the one hand,
but not being able to offer it to others on the other.
I BELIEVE that can happen to nations, too,
when the "nationalist tale" wags the "salvation dog"
and blinds us to our self-centeredness.
I BELIEVE forgiveness is the gift
of a new possiblity for living.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
THE THIRD SUNDAY IN MISSIONTIDE
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
Gospel Reading Mark 3:13-19
"...Peter...James...John...Andrew...Philip...Bartholomew...Matthew...Thomas...
James son of Alphaeus...Thaddaeus...Simon...Judas..."
Epistle Reading Philippians 3:4b-14
"I leave the past behind and with hands outstretched
to whatever lies ahead I go straight for the goal---
my reward, the honor of being called by God in Christ."(JBP)
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Mark 3:13-19
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE after careful reflecton, my name, and yours,
is on that list of twelve.
I BELIEVE whatever "call" came to me came from some
metaphorical mountaintop "out there" somewhere or deep within me.
I BELIEVE the message I have to proclaim has to do with "Liberation;"
Liberation from all that limits me--us--in our quest to be fully alive.
I BELIEVE Liberation is what the Jesus Experience is all about,
even including that ultimate limitation, that ultimate demon: Death.
I BELIEVE Liberation and Love are soulmates
and when they reside together within my own soul
I can "cast out" all kinds of demons---and so can you.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST,
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Exodus 12:1-14
"This day shall be a day of remembrance for you.
You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD;
throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance."
PSALM 149
"Let them praise God's name with dancing,
making melody to God with tambourine and lyre."
SECOND READING Romans 13:8-14
"Owe no one anything, except to love one another;
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
GOSPEL: Matthew 18:15-20
"For where two or three are gathered in my name,
I am there among them."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Romans 13:8-14
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE love, unconditional, true love, is the greatest
and most significant event one can ever experience.
I BELIEVE that it can be experienced more than once
and that we are capable of expressing it more than once.
I BELIEVE love, unconditional, true love, is more important
than human principles, conventions, and "accepted behavior."
I BELIEVE, however, that it can become very complicated;
so much so that we (I) often back off from it out of fear that
it will bring about consequences over which we (I) have no control.
I BELIEVE that whatever one means by "salvation"
it cannot be experienced without loving and being loved.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN MISSIONTIDE
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
GOSPEL READING Mark 2:23-3:6
"Then Jesus said to them, ‘The sabbath was made for humankind,
and not humankind for the sabbath...'"(NRSV)
or "Then Jesus said, 'The Sabbath was made to serve us;
we weren't made to serve the Sabbath.'" (The Message, EHP)
Epistle Reading II Corinthians 3:2-6
"Not that we are competent of ourselves
to claim anything as coming from us;
our competence is from God,
who has made us competent
to be ministers of a New Covenant,
not in a written code but in the Spirit;
for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE LIVABLE PASSAGE, THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
II Corinthians 3:2-6
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE that the Me that is in my heart is the Me that really matters.
I BELIEVE that the Public Me,
that everyone sees is important,
but the Private Me, that is in my heart,
is the one I take to bed with me every night.
I BELIEVE it is wonderful when the Public Me
and the Private Me are on the same page,
but, in reality, that is not always possible.
I BELIEVE it is not always possible because "written codes,"
that govern the Public Me are inscribed on stone
and do not always reach inside my heart.
I BELIEVE what is in my heart
is what brings me to fullness of life,
is what truly saves me.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST,
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Genesis 45:1-15
"Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come closer to me.'"
PSALM 133
"How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!"
SECOND READING Romans 11:1-2a,29-32
"The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-33
"Just then a Canaanite woman from that region
came out and started shouting..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE, REACHABLE PASSAGE
Genesis 45:1-15
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE the story of Joseph in Genesis is not unlike your story and mine.
I BELIEVE that often it takes a long time before a wrong is righted,
before enmity can be transformed into friendship, even kinship.
I BELIEVE that self-centeredness not only blurs our perception
of the meaning of life's "little pictures,"
but is more likely to blind us to the
meaning of the "Big Picture."
I BELIEVE the desire for authority and power,
even over members of our own family,
can lead us into evil that is uncontrollable.
I BELIEVE it takes a unique person,
who rises above such evil
in an act of deeply experienced,
unconditional love to bring about lasting change;
one who says with one's whole being,
"Come closer to me."
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
Gospel Reading Luke 9:57-62
"No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back
is fit for the kingdom of God."
Epistle Reading Acts 16:1-10
"Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him;
and he took him and had him circumcised
because of the Jews who were in those places,
for they all knew that Timothy's father was a Greek."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE LIVABLE, PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Acts 16:1-10
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE that Paul understood the inclusivism of Jesus of Nazareth
better than any other Early Church leader.
I BELIEVE he also understood how sensitive
an issue this was for the people of his day.
I BELIEVE Paul personalized inclusivism for the Early Church (and for us)
in his selection of Timothy as a protege,
since Timothy's Mother was Jewish
and his Father, Gentile.
I BELIEVE as with the subject of inclusivism,
Paul realized there could be no turning back
from the invitation to Macedonia.
I BELIEVE that all of the above speaks to our own day
and there can be no turning back.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST,
Go to www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
"[Joseph's brothers said to one another,]
'Here comes this dreamer...'"
PSALM 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
"Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually."
SECOND READING Romans 10:5-15
"For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all
and is generous to all who call on him."
GOSPEL: Matthew 14:22-33
"So Peter got out of the boat,
started walking on the water,
and came toward Jesus.
But when he noticed the strong wind,
he became frightened, and beginning to sink,
he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'"
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE LIVABLE, PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Matthew 14:22-33
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE that, often, amazing acts of transformation
and faithfulness are lost on me.
I BELIEVE that if there were times when Jesus
needed time apart to ponder and pray, so do I.
I BELIEVE, though, that I am more like Peter,
wanting to do things "on my own,"
but crying for all the help I can get
when the wind blows strong.
I BELIEVE when I begin to sink
I need more faith than I, alone, possess
and need the faithfulness
of one who loves me enough to save me.
I BELIEVE those are the moments
when I am more capable of experiencing
amazing acts of transformation and faithfulness.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
THE EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
Gospel Reading Luke 7:1-10
"Jesus said, 'I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.'"
Epistle Reading Acts 15:1-11
"So Paul and Barnabas were sent on their way by the church,
and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria,
they reported the conversion of the Gentiles,
and brought great joy to all believers."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE LIVABLE, PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Acts 15:1-11
Personal "I BELIEVE" Statements About That Passage
I BELIEVE there has never been a day
in the life of the Christian movement
when everyone was on the same page.
I BELIEVE only we humans are surprised by that,
but the One who gives us life is not;
God is acquainted with the dark side of humanity.
I BELIEVE, in Christ, God is calling us
to be a different kind of human,
a different kind of person.
I BELIEVE that "different kind of person"
is not wrapped-up in any kind of exclusivism;
that "different kind of person"
does not let the world squeeze
him or her into its own mold.
I BELIEVE Jesus of Nazereth is the proto-type
of that "different kind of person,"
who does not say, "Copy me,"
but "Follow me."
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the
SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST,
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Genesis 32:22-31
"...limping because of his hip."
PSALM 17:1-7, 15
"If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me..."
SECOND READING Romans 9:1-5
"They are Israelites, to them belong the patriarchs,
and from them, according to the flesh,
comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever."
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
"And all ate and were filled; and they took up
what was left over of the broken pieces,
twelve baskets full."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Genesis 32:22-31
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that, like Jacob, I often find myself wrestling with
myself, with the Unknown, with God.
I Believe that when that happens my true self experiences
some kind of lasting change; a deepening.
I Believe that at some dimension of depth within me
my rhythm, my pace, my gait, even, reflects this deepening.
I Believe that all of these readings accurately suggest that
the earliest human experiences that we give
the name, "God," began with such encounters.
I Believe those experiences were first preserved for us
by the Israelites, who have enabled us to forever sense
symbolic meaning in the number, "12,"
as indicative of the presence of God.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Gospel Reading Luke 12:13-21
"Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;
for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."
Epistle Reading Acts 11:25-30
"The disciples determined that according to their ability,
each would send relief to the believers living in Judea."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Luke 12:13-21
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe I too easily, intellectually, affirm that
"my life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."
I Believe my actions and my checkbook all too often
betray my attempt at such veracity.
I Believe, with St. Benedict, that I should,
"Keep death before one's eyes daily,"
as it helps me clarify my values.
I Believe I should regularly review my "Bucket List"
to sense if it is luring me toward being "rich toward God."
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, Go To http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts.
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Genesis 29:15-28
"When morning came, it was Leah!"
PSALM 105:1-11, 45b
"God is mindful of his covenant forever..."
SECOND READING Romans 8:26-39
"...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
"Have you understood all this?"
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Romans 8:26-39
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that earnest, honest prayer often brings out emotions and insights
from within in me that have been touched by a spirit other than my own.
I Believe that "all things work together;" but to what end
I often need patience to discern.
I Believe, however, that there is an order
to the seeming dis-order of any given moment
and that order belongs to the One who gives us Life.
I Believe that our trust in an
"order that belongs to the One who gives us Life"
enables us to feel like "more than conquerors."
I Believe that whether I realize it in a given moment or not,
nothing can separate me from that order,
which I have come to know as the Love of God.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Gospel Reading Luke 10:25-37
"Go,and do likewise."
Epistle Reading Acts 10:1-35
"I truly understand that God shows no partiality..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Acts 10:1-35
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that one can be as devout as Peter and still have a "blind spot."
It has happened to me.
I Believe that complex relations experienced at a deeply emotional level
can be agonizingly puzzling.
I Believe that truth often breaks through to us metaphorically.
I Believe that only when we are willing to take the risk in faith,
as did Peter, the Jew, who moved toward Cornelius, the Gentile,
can we be led to even deeper dimensions of Love.
~+++~
The Third Sunday After Pentecost
This week is a departure from both Lectionaries.
This is a Proclamation for Independence Day.
THE PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
WE PLANT OUR FEET FIRMLY WITHIN THE FREEDOM THAT CHRIST HAS WON FOR US AND WILL NOT LET OURSELVES BE CAUGHT AGAIN IN THE SHACKLES OF SLAVERY.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT: THAT ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL; THAT ALL ARE CALLED TO FREEDOM; THAT ALL ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE; THAT LIBERTY DOES NOT PROVIDE AN OPENING FOR SELF-INDULGENCE.
WE ARE ALL ENDOWED WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS, AMONG WHICH ARE LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.
TO SECURE THESE RIGHTS GOVERNMENTS ARE INSTITUTED, DRAWING THEIR JUST POWERS FROM THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED.
HOWEVER, IF WE USE OUR FREEDOM TO BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER, LET US TAKE HEED THAT WE ARE NOT CONSUMED BY ONE ANOTHER.
WE HAVE BEEN MADE FREE IN ORDER TO SERVE EACH OTHER IN LOVE.
**
(A blending of Galatians 5 and the Declaration of Independence)
from FOR ALL SEASONS, John Winn, page 87, Preacher’s Aid Society/Rider Green, 2011
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for
ASCENSION DAY,
Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts.
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Acts 1:1-11
"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?"
PSALM 47
"God has gone up with a shout..."
SECOND READING Ephesians 1:15-23
"...immeasurable greatness..."
GOSPEL: Luke 24:44-53
"Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
John Luke 24:44-53
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that like many people, I sometimes have a selective memory,
remembering only what I choose to remember.
I Believe the real danger of that is that I can easily become "close-minded."
I Believe that there have been significant occasions when some event,
person, or life experience "opened my mind," gave me a "new set of lenses,"
and led me to a deeper place.
I Believe it is important for me to put myself in situations
where that can happen as often as possible.
I Believe that is what happened to the early Disciples,
especially on the day they said Goodbye to Jesus.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
ASCENSION DAY
Gospel Reading John 16:16-22
"So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."
Epistle Reading Romans 12:1-2
"...be transformed by the renewing of your minds..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Romans 12:1-2
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe the good news of the Gospel emotionally transformed the world-view of those early followers.
I Believe that while our contemporary world-view may be more "advanced,"
it still takes eyes of faith to "get" the Gospel message.
I Believe life experiences of a self-defining nature are an important step
toward that kind of transformation.
I Believe it takes courage "not to be conformed to this world,"
but that it is a necessary step toward a New Beginning.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING Acts 17:22-31
"...so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him..."
PSALM 66:8-20
"...who has kept us among the living..."
SECOND READING I Peter 3:13-22
"For it is better to suffer for doing good...than to suffer for doing evil."
GOSPEL: John 14:15-21
"Spirit of truth..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
John 14:15-21
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that the key phrase in this passage is "Spirit of truth."
I Believe that often truth is not something we believe in because it can be proven by facts, but for some other reason.
I Believe that "some-other-reason" has to do with Spirit, something we sense, rather than something we know intellectually.
I Believe that truth is lodged "between the lines" of Scripture, rather than in a literal interpretation.
I Believe that Spirit is indispensable to this kind of internalizing.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Gospel Reading John 3:1-17
"How can these things be?"
Epistle Reading Romans 13:7-12
"...owe no one anything, except to love one another..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
John 3:1-17
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that from time to time we all ask this question about the Christ Event.
I Believe it is a legitimate question seeking a rational answer.
I Believe that reason may become inarticulate in the face of the Christ Event.
I Believe that faith can take us places reason can never go.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING: Acts 7:55-60
"While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed..."
PSALM: 31:1-5, 15-16
"In you, O Lord, I seek refuge..."
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10
"...though rejected by mortals..."
GOSPEL: John 14:1-14
"...I go to prepare a place for you..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
John 14:1-14
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe, like Stephen, that there is a future beyond my imagination and it is a future I can trust.
I Believe that there is room for everyone in that future, without regard to status, race, religion, or nationality.
I Believe that what makes Jesus one with God is his revelation of the boundless nature of God's love.
I Believe that what we see in Jesus, we can expect in God.
I Believe that each person's "Christ Event" is unique to that particular person and is not limited to any single creed or religion; that while unique, it is also universal.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Gospel Reading: John 6:37-40
"...this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all he has given me..."
Epistle Reading: Romans 6:9-11
"...death no longer has dominion..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
John 6:37-40
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that God never turns anyone away.
I Believe that is what Jesus reveals to us.
I Believe that central to any understanding of the will of God is the realization that the One Who Gives Us Life never intends to take it away, but will always find a way to love us back to life.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, Go To lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING: Acts 2:42-47
"...Day by day..."
PSALM: 23
"You prepare a table before me..."
SECOND READING: I Peter 2:19-25
"entrusted himself to the one who judges justly..."
GOSPEL: John 10:1-10
"...that they may have life..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Acts 2:42-47
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that though this passage comes after Pentecost in Acts, it is still an example of the life together the Disciples and early followers of The Way shared as they pondered the meaning of what they had experienced.
I Believe that applying the Christian Gospel to day by day living is challenging enough that we will always be moved to ponder as they did.
I Believe that listening to each other plays a significant part in our day by day living, as does an openness to the awesome possiblity that there is a new and different way of perceiving things than we have ever known before.
I Believe that sharing with those in need opens us to the deeper meanings of the Gospel.
I Believe, perhaps most importantly, that spending time together makes true community possible, especially as we break bread and share the cup.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Gospel Reading: John 21:15-17
"...feed...tend...feed'"
Epistle Reading: Romans 7:15-25
"...another law at war with the law of my mind..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Romans 7:15-25
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe finding The Way is not always easy.
I Believe, like Peter, I would love to be able to reverse some of my previous actions; to be forgiven for them.
I Believe those "previous actions" are between God and me, alone.
I Believe the decision-making "battle" that goes on within me is a worthwhile one, because it deepens me.
I Believe that in Christ we see a way out of this human dilemma.
~+++~
For the Common Lectionary Readings for the THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, Go To www.lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu. and Follow Prompts
THINK: LECTIO DIVINA
FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
"...let this be known to you..."
PSALM: 116:1-4, 12-19
"I will lift up the cup of salvation..."
SECOND READING: I Peter 1:17-23
"Through him you have come to trust in God..."
GOSPEL: Luke 24:13-35
"Stay with us..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
Luke 24:13-35
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that the Truth, Jesus, comes to us incognito, not always immediately recognizable.
I Believe that there are times when I actually have difficulty accepting Truths preserved by earlier generations.
I Believe that there are times when the Truth about life exceeds what my fondest hopes had expected.
I Believe that something salvific happens, something mysterious, something that brings about a change within me, whenever I share in the breaking of the Bread and drinking the Cup in the Community of the Faithful.
+++
Readings from my personal New Testament Lectionary,
The Yale Lectionary
Go to www.bible.oremus.org and type in the text. It is easy.
THINK LECTIO DIVINA
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
Gospel Reading: John 21:1-13
"Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, 'Who are you...?'"
Epistle Reading: Romans 8:1-11
"...the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free..."
+++
THE PASSAGE THAT REACHES OUT AND GRABS ME,
THE PREACHABLE PASSAGE
John 21:1-13
Personal "I Believe" Statements About That Passage
I Believe that God in Christ has taken the initiative in connecting with us.
I Believe that encounter comes in unexpected ways.
I Believe that I do not always recognize it "in the moment."
I Believe revelation comes as we look back on an encounter and realize who and what we have really been dealing with.
I Believe in the mystery that is the Bread and the Fish.
~+++~
]]>