Spoken Word: Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

 

Lord keep us steadfast in your word

word - a noun-
a. single. distinct. meaningful. element.  ... of speech. or writing. used with others (sometimes alone)
word upon word - this is how we communicate:
articulating thoughts, telling stories, expressing feelings, teaching truths, passing on what matters, sharing the Gospel   - sharing The Word.
The Word – with a capital ‘W’
The Word – as in the word of the Lord; the law, a command; truth – the text of scripture
The Word – as in the Word made flesh; the Word embodied; Jesus
Lord keep us steadfast in your word.
 
What does this mean for us?
Reformation Sunday is here and the Word swirls in a mass of alphabet soup– we hear that:
the law  -the word- SPEAKS
it is SILENCED
it is WITHIN
it is WRITTEN
it is DISCLOSED
it is TRUTH
Reformation Sunday is here and the Word swirls in a mass of contradictory words.
What does it mean for us that...
God’s word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever.
The Word in the hands of Reformers through the centuries:
has been Spoken, translated, silenced
English reformer, Bible translator, and theologian Wycliffe – persecuted in life, a heretic and excommunicated in death.
English Reformer, Bible translator, and theologian... Tyndale – executed.
German reformer, Bible Translator, and theologian... Luther – excommunicated.
Czech reformer, writer, and theologian... Hus – executed.
A word to the wise – translating the Word, the Bible, has led to excommunication and execution more than once, more than twice, more than three times.
Word has it that bearing the Word ... is dangerous!
Catherine of Alexandria, Joan of Arc, Manche Masemola- take their word for it;
All women whose vocalization of the gospel -their preaching and teaching about Jesus – the Word made flesh - ended in their death.
I am at a loss for words to comprehend the need to kill someone because of words...
 a. single. distinct. meaningful. element. ... of speech. or writing.
Unless
Unless we are not speaking, disclosing, writing about household words
The Word must have power that causes those in power to use four-letter words because –
The Word is alive. You can’t kill something inanimate or dead. One is not terrified of something inanimate or dead. The Word must be living.
It is not two-dimensional on a page but is written on hearts that are three dimensional and pumping, read in actions speaking louder than words.
 
But louder than words means nothing if one is not as good as their word.
One need only hear the rhetoric, the so called ‘truth,’ as words fly by -butting, antagonizing, bullying- to kill, to silence, to end relationships; or cover them with so many words that people are lost in an excess of words: printed, videoed, and tweeted.
Words of treaties -the covenant made between two peoples – fade because one side sets the words on a shelf; saying mums the word
Until
Until voices are raised; threatened by the power of words, that were thought to be locked away- so take to lighting fires to burn the Word.
Words hurt. Words have power.
Words heal – truth and reconciliation the telling and hearing of stories; digesting each others’ words. Words that are every bit alive as the experience itself. Word embodied.
 
Spoken word artists know this; they don’t mince words.  They don’t read poetry, they bring life to each word – poems on steroids;
 the speaker is invested because each word matters, each word is birthed;
 each word is a living word.
 
We have these words- the Word- living word.
Word is living.
We know when it isn’t – when it is silenced: stolen by stroke, held captive by dementia; bullied -truth in bondage to fear. Words reduced to ... idle tales, unlinked memories, severed connection; engulfed in frustration,  sadness, loneliness...
 
A word of advice -for all- including persons of few words
What does this mean for us?
 Reformation is living Word, transformation is embodied Word
every word matters – the Word matters-
To spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavour.
In times of great change where words are weapons, where words are blatant lies, where words have no context, where words have lost their meaning
Re-invigorate word – the Word- our word.
It can be done. Word can change, take on new meaning; truth and understanding changes:
Awesome, awful, terrific, nice, prestigious
The definitions of which are opposite to their meaning a century ago
The same with:
Villain, Bully, harlot, silly, garble, artificial, nervous – are now the opposite of what they once were.
In other words,  it is not too late to live the Word of the text for today –
through you let Word:
SPEAK, be SILENCED, be WITHIN, be WRITTEN, be DISCLOSED, be TRUTH!
May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart
Be your Word of mouth so compelling, so alive,
Embodied by Word – in the Word- be living Word.
To spread its light from age to age shall be our chief endeavour.
Healing Word. Reconciliation. Hope. Liberation. Freedom.
Every Word Matters.
Lord Keep us steadfast in your word –
so that when I come to the end of my chapters, the end of my words
Word has become actively lived:
That my words – heal more than they hurt
That word is embodied in action
That word spoken is truth - word that is not is silenced
That my prayer is beyond words
 
My legacy – when all that is left is a whisper of a voice,
A whisper – the Word breathed to those around me
The last breath of life given to the hearer
Received so that it might remain living word to once again be birthed...
may my last whisper, the last word be
‘I love you.’

Better Than Nothing

 Text:   1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10

 

As a school aged child, I had the pleasure of my grandparents living next door. After school my brother and I would walk home from the bus drop and would veer into grandma and grandpa’s house for cookies before reaching home.  Most days grandpa would ask, “What did you learn at school today?”  The general response was “nothing.”  When I graduated from my masters degree,  grandpa remarked at how impressive it was that one could achieve a degree having spent 20 years learning nothing.

 

Of course, I had learned many things over the years. On most days, however, when asked I really couldn’t recall what I had learn; or it was too difficult to articulate.  I can look back over the years, now, and I could go on and on about what I learned. While at school there was no time for this sort of reflection and seriously at the time it really didn’t matter to me.

 

I suspect that for many of us church is similar to my school experience. Imagine going home from church today and a grandparent, or housemate, or dinner guest asking you, “what did you learn at church today?” What would your response be?  ...Nothing?  Now think of all the times you have been to church, if you were asked every time you left – what would be the general response?

 

We have learned more at church then we realize. And today I am going to make it easy for you by giving you an answer:  Today I went to church and learned to write a letter. I went to church and learned to read/hear a letter.

 

Somewhere over my years at school I learned to write a letter, in fact a wide variety of different kinds of letters and templates – with salutations, punctuation, bodies, and postscripts. This morning we heard the beginning of Thessalonians, a letter read over five weeks in the lectionary. The letter to the Thessalonians, in Paul’s hand, is unique in form and substance compared to what I learned at school.

Today’s text – the opening portion of Paul’s letter-  is in three parts, including: a salutation, thanksgiving, with an emphasis on the gospel’s effectiveness. 

 

We hear the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. My guess is that we hear it as positive – but have never taken the time to investigate further. We have failed to realize that there is some important information to ferret out of this sunny intro; more depth than niceties  – it is a letter that could be read again and again.

It reminds me of a friend who is digging through old letters of one of her ancestors.  She is gathering information from the letters, then taking the tidbits of information and investigating other historical documents, to piece together a fuller picture of the life and times of this ancestor. It is fascinating!

We can do the same with Paul’s letter.

For me it is Paul’s enthusiasm -read between the lines-  joy inspired by the Holy Spirit; that captures my attention. This is the oldest letter of Paul’s in the Bible, written around 50CE. This is early in his ministry – having had some difficulty at Philippi, Paul went to Thessalonica and established a congregation there. This letter was sent to one of the first communities who accepted Paul and Paul’s telling of the gospel. I am sure that Paul had a special place in his heart for them, and that their actions -their faithfulness and witness to the gospel- buoyed him on in his adventurous and dangerous travels.

 

The letter is an encouragement to the people to keep on keeping on, by living as models of the gospel and godly-living. They are to continue exemplifying faith, love, and hope for new Christian communities, particularly important in the times in which they find themselves, an antagonistic environment with harassment common, and persecution a potential reality.  When I hear the letter – I hear the words – and I translate the letter to speak to our current time. What congregation would not welcome such words? To hear that they were a model of Christian living – showing the gospels efficacy through faith, love, and hope?

Looking at the statements in the text, we learn how to be such a Christian community. The learning points from the opening chapter of the letter are:

*greet one another in blessing, peace, and grace

* pray for each other and give thanks to God

* show commitment through faith, love, and hope

* pass on the gospel to others; others will follow, and imitate the lives of faithful Jesus’ followers

* remember that persecution is a real possibility

* be welcoming and offer hospitality

* leave idols behind

* serve God

We have learned far more then we realize being in church week to week.

That is why the learning points from the letter to the Thessalonians sound familiar. We have heard them before in a multitude of variations – in the Ten Commandments, through the prophets, in the life of Jesus, in pillars of the faith, Christian teachers and mentors.

 

Today I am encouraging you to go into the world with the learning points from the letter to the Thessalonians and with the intention be a model of the gospel’s effectiveness.

Even though it might feel like you know nothing, you have everything you need.  You are able to greet others with blessing, peace, and grace. You can pray for each other and give thanks to God.  If you choose, your life can model faith, love, and hope. You can be welcoming and offer hospitality.  You can do these things as an individual, and with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, engage your congregation – your faith community- to exemplify the gospel, leaving idols behind and serving God.

 

As a challenge I invite you to write a letter. In these times of COVID; in times of trouble, uncertainty, and immense change Christian communities could use a little love and encouragement to keep on keeping on.  Consider writing the letter with other members of your faith community – choose a recipient:  a family, specific members in the congregation, the church council, your congregation as a whole, a neighbouring church, another Lutheran church in your Synod, maybe your Synod office, or the National Office.  In writing, imitate Paul’s letter. Offer a pastoral blessing and greeting, enthusiastically encourage the recipient; note specific examples of their faithfulness, love, and hope; give thanks for their continued commitment and effort to living the gospel. Speak of Jesus and the promises that come in trusting and following. Remind the reader of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.

 

What did you learn in church today? ...  Let me write you a letter. I will show you.

In Physical Distancing - Thanksgiving

 

 

🙇Before I begin this morning – I want to acknowledge that the sermon began with a thought from Anna, submitted for our Two-Bit Bible Study – where she reflected on the physical distancing of lepers in relation to Jesus through that healing story.

 

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming and Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”   (Lk. 11: 20-21)

These words, from the Gospel of Luke,  follow the story of the lepers being healed. The words provide a lens to help direct our reflection on the story.  God is not coming with things that can be observed ... in fact the kingdom of God is among you.

Back in late March and early April, would the first words on our lips have been that the kingdom of God is among us?  I don’t think so.  I remember the early days of COVID as peculiar. Every day I went for a walk – an adventure – filled with new rules, navigating away from other people, moving to the road – watching for cars, choosing routes with less people, turning one’s head if one couldn’t distance, refraining from touching crosswalk buttons; being careful not to sneeze or cough, not greeting others to avoid contagion, being anxious or wary of who might be a virus carrier; wondering if the air was okay or if one had to distance from dogs or cats.  There was a whole mess of feelings -  walking was no longer a leisurely exercise, no longer a time to greet neighbours, and no longer a communion with creation.

Perhaps for the first time in my life, I have a sense of the mess of ‘feelings’ experienced in 1^st century Judea related to leprosy.  Lepers lived in colonies – communities outside of inhabited areas, in inhospitable places. They were sent away because leprosy was, is, contagious. Although still not known exactly how the disease is transmitted, until recently it was treated as a disease passed via physical touch. Those in leper colonies relied on friends, family, or others who would leave food or other items at the fringe of the encampment. From time to time lepers would leave the colony in  groups – like the ten we read of this morning- to gather alms and savage resources.  There are stories that lepers carried items with which to make noise, in some periods of history wearing bells, to warn people of their presence and to make people move away.  Physical distancing was the practice: lepers were not to approach the healthy, the healthy avoided contact with lepers.

In this story, we are told that the lepers approached Jesus, keeping their distance.  They called to Jesus and from a distance Jesus answered back ... no touching involved. Healing happened somewhere in the space between Jesus and the lepers -the kingdom came not in something observed. Jesus spoke words (words are not seen, but rather heard).  There was no outstretching of his arms in blessing or calling out to God or doves appearing in the sky.  No, just words spoken that said nothing about healing; “go show yourself to the priest” Jesus says. 

This is not an action easily done.  It is not just going and seeing a priest.  To see a priest would mean a ritual bath, admittance to the Temple grounds, an offering.  Before going -to be permitted in the crowds of the city of Jerusalem- would mean acquiring clothes to replace their leper rags. It would require the former lepers to integrate into societal ways of moving through the city streets to the Temple mount, acting in ways that many of them had not done for a long, long time. The lepers were use to avoiding, not touching, not communing with people – and now to maneuver through the narrow streets that went up to the Temple, unable to distance they would be touched and jostled in the bustle of the city--- how overwhelming. And to top it off, they could not return to their home, because their home was now off limits. They now had to physically distance from the people they had been living with, physical distancing from  all they had known perhaps for years, even decades.  

 I can’t imagine--- it is difficult just going for a walk now- where some people still distance, others do not, some wear masks outside, others push through or pass; can we touch; do we retain our bubbles, who is allowed in our homes, who is not; what church groups will start to meet face-to-face; with what are we comfortable, when are we not comfortable. ... some days such circumstances are overwhelming and exhausting.  Our current experience helps us understand a little more the story of the lepers, and former lepers.

Told to go show themselves to the priest, the lepers had a lot to prepare and to think about. There minds, I imagine, were overwhelmed by the tasks required to do as Jesus said. I wonder how far along the journey it was before the first leper noticed he was healed – this leper was one who would not be going to Jerusalem, as he was a Samaritan- the lepers had to walk past Samaria to get to Jerusalem.  Perhaps it is here on reaching what would be his place of reintegration into society that he noticed he was healed. Perhaps the others were still overwhelmed and preoccupied working out the to-dos of what would happen once reaching Jerusalem.  When the first leper noticed that he was healed he returned and fell at Jesus’ feet. This is certainly close proximity to another human being, and I imagine might have included touching Jesus’ feet – a sign of respect. That touch --- can you imagine reaching out to touch someone when you have not been allowed to touch another for a very long time? Those of us with parents or friends in nursing homes or hospitals, who have not had physical contact with their loved one, when once again you can touch – in small measure this is the leper’s experience. This action – the feeling of another so close- might cause one to weep, to grieve what has been, giving the broken heart a chance to heal; and a simultaneous rush of fear and gratitude. God is not coming with things that can be observed....the kingdom of God is among you.

Not coming in things observed. The kingdom of God is among you.

In physical distance – in words – in a returning of gratitude – in touch (well for us this year keeping in touch not actual touching). 

When I think of the physical distance between me and you, too often I fret about what we can not do. In doing so, I completely gloss over one of the messages in today’s gospel – the kingdom is among us, in the space between - healing happened despite physical distance and was accompanied by the sound of words. Kingdom was present in the relationship, lepers to Jesus, Jesus to the lepers.

This Thanksgiving I have a new found respect, joy, and gratitude, for those things which I can not see.

This is Thanksgiving Sunday and I am thankful that the gospel message is alive in our midst. The kingdom of God has been, is, and will continue to be among us.  With gratitude overflowing – I feel healing and experience relationship in that which can not be observed: in all the ways relationship has been fostered, grown, deepened; in words that travel via wifi from smart phone, to computer, to files saved in the cloud, the wonder of Facebook live, notes by email; in sharing the peace of Christ by looking into each others eyes, bowing, nodding, waving; in celebrating communion with you – shared in words here, repeated in our homes – eaten together yet physically distanced; in feeling God in moments of peace, in the heat of sunshine, in music that makes me cry, in poetry that sinks deep within, and in moments of a broken heart when I am in touch with the raw pain of others throughout the world. For the things which can not be observed...I give thanks for herein is the kingdom of God among us.

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming and Jesus answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.”   (Lk. 11: 20-21)

 

 

Thou Shalt Not Talk More than You Act (Pent 18A)

 

Home.

Still in my pajamas, I would come downstairs in the morning. Pour a cup of coffee. Turn on the electric fireplace. Sit on my couch, feet tucked up. Read a simple devotion. Then reflect--- in the comfort and safety of home.  ...that was in April

Dressed for the day, I would come downstairs. Prepare breakfast. Open the front door and take a seat on the porch. Watch the neighbours and their dogs out for their daily walks. Have tea and pray ----from the comfort and safety of home.  ...that was in June

I have a hundred similar examples of enjoying spaces throughout the parsonage – throughout home. These spaces -and the idea of comfort and safety of home- was a foundation for my coping with COVID and attached protocols.   #stayhome – for me was okay, because home is a sanctuary.

I realize this is not the experience of all. I am blessed, privileged to have a generous landowner, landlord: you.

Tents appeared this week: one in the little park across Windsor St., one under a tree on the land where St. Pat’s high school was. In the news, buried in back pages of newspapers, or in snippets that slip by in online news feeds, one reads of: landlords seeking ways to remove tenants unable to pay their rent; tenants refusing to move or destroying rentals before being locked out; proposals made for affordable housing and cities choosing not to change bylaws or zoning restrictions to make it happen; deferred mortgage payment plans coming to an end; year end rent increases too much  for some as they struggle to find affordable living arrangements. All this is current news. And it is local news.

Today’s parable is about tenants, landlords, and property owners. This is our kind of language; this is the kind of world we live in. Some of us are tenants. Some of us are property owners. Some of us are landlords.

The parable of the tenants is the final parable in Jesus’ conversation explaining -answering the question put to him -by whose authority are you doing these things? Preaching, teaching, healing?  As all good parables do, these parables speak in many layers. The writer of Matthew, a Jew, pointedly speaks to his Jewish audience -his community- to question whether as a people in covenant with God are they taking the responsibility of the Law seriously?  Earlier we heard a portion of the Law read: what we call ‘the Ten Commandments.’  The Gospel points out that responsibility for adhering to the Law is vital for God’s kingdom to be present.

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they realized that Jesus was speaking to them.

This morning I realize that Jesus is speaking to me – us.

Regularly, I hold in my heart and prayers, parishioners who make monthly choices between phone/heat/food, so that rent can be paid. The Pastor’s discretionary fund has been used to help with initial costs of those entering into a new lease agreement. I have stood as a buffer between  landlord and tenant – as tenants, who feel unsafe, prepare to move out. I have been a data collector and character witness for tenants taking legal action against slum landlords.  Many times I have talked with social workers and other agencies about finding adequate and affordable housing. I have sat in what seems like forgotten wings of hospitals with the elderly – waiting months in shared rooms for a nursing home bed. I hold in prayer a large segment of the congregation who are housed, so long as employment remains steady and no disability claims occur. I hold in prayer another large segment of the congregation who are housed, so long as rent does not increase beyond what one receives for pension.

This morning I realize that Jesus is speaking to me – us. What pricked my heart was the combination of hearing the Ten Commandments, the talk of landowner and tenants, along with the realization by the Pharisees that Jesus’ was speaking to them.

In the parable of the tenants, everything is a mess!  The landowner leaves the country – not involved, kind-of involved, derelict, a large company or conglomerate? The landowner has ‘slaves,’ perhaps more commonly in our time landlord, building supervisor, or property manager---who seem to have no relationship with the tenants and go only when told to.  Then there are the tenants who make their living by receiving a portion of the produce of the land; is the percentage their getting enough to more than just survive on? Do they trust they will receive their portion and not be cheated? Do the middle managers make their money by taking from the tenants – remember the landowner has gone away?

When I hear this parable from the perspective of  landowners/landlords/and tenants --- every snippet of housing issues that I have encountered through pastoral ministry ring loudly in my ears.

The chief priests and the Pharisees realized that Jesus was speaking to them.

The realization was that they – although purporting to adhere and keep the Law- were not loving God and loving neighbour. The rules and actions of this group of  1^st century religious sorts was a whole lot of talk; talk about Laws, showing off how ‘good’ one was, but, accomplishing nothing to further the covenant made with God; to love God and to love neighbour.

As it turns to election time – in HRM municipality, in the US, recent talk of election in Canada should the Throne speech not have been accepted; there was a whole lot of talk ... talk...

Humans are all very good at ‘talk.’ Maybe in hindsight, one of the Ten Commandments should have been, Thou shalt not talk more than you act.

I am guilty of ‘talking’ more about adequate and affordable housing than acting.

If I put the commandments into the ring with the parable of tenants/landlords/and landowner – I have sinned, by omission and lack of action through advocacy, partnering with housing agencies, pushing housing as an election issue.  

Consider –

Thou shalt not kill: how many have died in our country, particularly over the last 6 months of COVID, because they have had no place to shelter, to stay safe, to wash their hands?

Thou shalt not steal: how many have had the possibility of home stolen because of lack of work and systems that are inadequately positioned to help those who fall through the cracks? Or how many of us have withheld, hidden, or complained about paying taxes – stealing from the parts of systems that do help?

Thou shalt not bear false witness: how many people have we judged or down-talked , perhaps as lazy, or labeled those people, or believe it as their fault, that the jobs worked do not cover the cost of living and paying rent?

Thou shalt not covet: how many times have we coveted what others have – bigger houses, stable jobs; or puffed ourselves up because we are fine—we have a roof over our head, why don’t you?

Although I could go on – you get the idea.  I have – we as a people- have talked more than we have acted. The gospel today calls us to quit our quarreling in the vineyard! Get your act together, whether tenant, landlord, or landowner –and be actively focused on the welfare of all parties involved. Be responsible by generously applying the Ten Commandments – doing everything in abundance that loves God and loves neighbour.

A number of years ago, Lutherans and Anglicans, participated in a joint assembly.  On the business docket for each National church body was a promise to address homelessness and precarious housing, to advocate for adequate and affordable housing across this country. In our hearts we have a vision of the kingdom where all are fed and housed. COVID has reminded us of our propensity to talk more than act, to quarrel in the vineyard, rather than getting to work on the problem ---not loving God and loving neighbour- This problem -not taking our responsibility for living and applying the Law – has us in a place of disarray; where not all have a place to call home.

And in times like these – home – is everything; a small piece of heaven.

 

Heavenly One, who although homeless at your birth, Made your home with us on earth, and thus marked each with divine dignity: imbue us with your mercy /inspire us to offer each of your children a safe home, that we may live on earth/as they do in heaven.  Amen.  

 ---Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian (for 2013 Joint Assembly, ELCIC/ACC)

 

Applying the Words of an Ancient Hymn (Pent 17A

 Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death --- even death on a cross.

The text from Philippians brought to mind two stories – one from long ago and one related to a news piece I read this week. I’ll share the stories and then take a moment to make the connection to Philippians chapter 2.

 

Many years ago I saw a documentary film – it began in a large living room where a dozen or so people were gathering to share in a community healing exercise. It is explained that those participating have been through significant events in their life and require some kind of healing; and that the exercise is a practice that has Indigenous roots.  The film continues in a series of vignettes. Focusing on one person at a time the film rewinds time to capture and tell a deeply personal experience about that individual – kind of like a journal entry on the theme of looking for and finding hope/peace/love/Spirit/God in a troubled time of their life.  After going through a dozen stories, the film returns to the large living room where the dozen people gather in a circle, each with an item in their hand.

Each person was invited to bring with them a gift to give away.  The gift -the item each person was holding in their hands-  was to be an item of great significance, a prized possession, and one of great worth to the person holding it. As the group formed a circle, the participants began by offering a moment of gratitude – for creation, for each other, for their experiences, for family, for new friends, for healing, for the food to be eaten after the gift exchange. Next, each person in turn, shared the story of the significant gift they brought and then would give it to the person beside them.

Those of us who watched the vignettes had an inside story on the gifts being given and their significance to the giver: The kayak that an individual had used everyday since their father died to cope with grief and find peace on the water; the eagle feather, the handmade handkerchief, that were tokens given to the givers by significant people in their lives – tokens that reminded them to be themselves, to fight demons of unworthiness pulling givers out of addiction, or abusive situations; and so on. The givers brought gifts that marked significant turning points in their lives – without the item, perhaps the person would not have come through the troubled time, or come to this circle of healing.

What was being given, was not so much the gift of the item, the gift was in having a circle of people attentively listen to one’s life changing experience. And to give someone the privilege and honour to be the bearer of the giver’s story of resurrection, restoration, resilience.

 

This past week Robert Graetz passed away at the age of 92. Robert was a Lutheran pastor in the United States. In the 1950s there was a shortage of Black pastors so Robert was asked in his career to serve majority-Black congregations: leaving seminary he went to Trinity Lutheran church in Montgomery, Alabama. Six months into being a pastor at Trinity, ministry went into full swing. He was the only white clergy person who supported the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus-Boycott, and actively contributed to plan it and make it work- driving 50 or more to work every day; engaging the congregation to participate whole heartedly. In the congregation, his ministry was embraced...outside not so much.

He -and his supportive wife; along with their children- were shunned by the majority of the white community, they endured vandalism and verbal harassment, they received notes suggesting their children be shot while playing outside. Their parents wanted them to send their children away to school to protect them. Graetz was harassed by police- taken to jail with trumped up driving infractions. His house was bombed, twice. His life’s passion was working on and speaking about civil rights issues right up to his death.

In a 1956 interview Graetz stated: “Some time ago I read that the first requisite of a successful missionary was that he become color blind. I figured that the same was true of my work here. I know that I shall be criticized for my stand. I may even suffer violence. But I cannot minister to souls alone. My people also have bodies.”

 

 

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul’s main concern was to appeal for unity in the community of faith. His persuasion begins with the passage we read earlier, likely words from a known hymn of Paul’s time, perhaps used as part of a baptismal liturgy. Being baptized into Christ means living lives that follow the example of Jesus.  The example of Jesus in the hymn is kenotic – a ‘self-emptying’ of Jesus’ own will and in so doing becoming entirely receptive to God’s divine will. The Oxford Annotated NRSV blip about Philippians commentates: a very good example as to why the discordant factions in the Philippian church should be willing to empty themselves of their opinions.

 Paul then continues by offering examples of Christ-living, people who have had their lives endangered, including imprisonment for the gospel: mentioning Timothy, Ephaphroditus, and Paul himself – all people who would have been known to the community hearing the letter.

The message -after so many examples- should be easy to understand.

As members of the Christian community, follow the example of Jesus, and if that is not plain enough, use Jesus’ followers as a standard for right living.

 

Specifically this text focuses on how to go about right-living. To participate in the reign of God on earth it requires humility and vulnerability; one can not empty one-self otherwise. And then, it is a bit of a paradox because in ‘emptying oneself,’ one is filled with divine grace, resulting in union with God. It is from the midst of this divine grace and union with God that one lives righteously.

 

In our everyday lives, I suspect we do not spend a lot of time pondering the righteousness of our actions, or the example or standard we are setting for right living. If someone were to ask you for an example of faithful -God oriented-living – who would it be?  This week, at the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we were reminded of people who give their whole lives; dedicated to fighting for the rights of others and changing unjust systems.  Such lives can make some of the rest of us feel inadequate – or at least not able to make such a huge difference.  This is one reason I shared with you the story of Pastor Gaetz, along with his supportive wife and children. Perhaps a closer to home example -with actions-that are doable (albeit with good dose of courage) for this community, doable for me, doable for you.

And if not that, surely the example set in the circle of healing is a model of action for the time in which we find ourselves.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are both drawing close – we have spent a lot of time in our homes, physically distanced from family and friends-  we have had a lot of time to be with our stuff, whether material or memory; we have many significant items and powerful accompanying stories ; gifts to give away.  What I am suggesting is that between now and Christmas we take time to be humble and vulnerable, sharing- gifting others: life changing moments, how we coped and made it through scary situations, deep aha moments, memories of mentors/guides/faithful people, times where one persevered and yet might not know how you made it through.  Wrap significant material item, along with a written note or phone call to tell the accompanying story to someone in your wider circle.  There is no better gift than to give yourself.

What I found so beautiful in the documentary film was the care people took in telling their story – and the sacrifice to give away an item that meant so much – only to find that in the giving they received back so much more. The fullness of healing came in the emptying of oneself -to be humble and vulnerable; to have someone else share in holding and experiencing their story, a little piece of who they are.  The story grew – as did hope for the future because the participants were united with each other in spirit. Once emptying oneself, one was also able to receive the precious story/item of the other, expanding one’s connection with another.

What better gift can you give – then to empty yourself – spilling the nature of who you are and in so doing sharing your experience of life, death, resurrection in the moments that have made life what it is. This is you --sharing the gospel applied to daily living, uniting on a deeper level with those in your wider circle. #forthehealingoftheworld

 

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death --- even death on a cross.

Unprecedented! (Pent 16A, COVID reopening)

the window at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection placed in memory of those who lost their lives in the Halifax Explosion, Dec.6, 1917.

On that particular Sunday it was a two-fold celebration.  In the morning the people were commended – praised with the words of Nehemiah 4:6: So we rebuilt the wall...for the people had a mind to work.

In the evening the people gathered to give praise to God with the words of Psalm 26: 8: O Lord, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

This was August 4^th, 1918. It had been 8 months since the congregation -the members of this church- had met in this space. 

On Dec. 6, 1917, two ships collided in the Halifax harbour, producing the most devastating human-made explosion in the pre-atomic age. Thousands died and were injured, sections of the city destroyed.  The church record book records that “among the killed were 17 Lutherans (this doesn’t include the Norwegian sailors on the SS IMO). The church property was also badly damaged.” ---damaged such that the church building closed, to reopen 8 months later (as the records state), with repairs fully made, the church reopened with appropriate services. 

It has been 6 months since we gathered in this space, in-person. We are greeted with the words:

..in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.

By no means have we forgotten the Lord our God over the past 6 months, by no means have we not been filled over the past 6 months; today feels different - fuller. Today is a celebration of weathering a storm, keeping faith in changing times, living through a time of drawing on Word rather than sacrament to fill the hungry heart and thirsting soul; today is about the abundance of God and praising God for our ability to bear witness to the Word through new expressions and practices, and finding ways to stay in community when face-to-face is not possible.

Today I feel like, we are returning to the Lord – you see, I was once again comfortable – church life was happening in a scheduled way: online services were working, Bible Study by email led to reflecting and articulating what we have read and sharing a diversity of thought; coffee conversation had deepened my own self-reflection and getting to know others; council was meeting, there was lots of music available for whatever mood I was in, hymns with words to feed the soul.  And now – with a little trepidation, our practices change yet again. Today we will have bread- sacrament; albeit in a different way, but we will have our fill of bread.

 I kind of picture myself in the wilderness -like the Israelites- full of fear, anticipation, lots of questions, wanting to ensure my basic human needs will be met, wanting a plan, wanting an end date for the journey.  I can see days of wondering about where to worship God in a strange place while on the move. I ponder the awkwardness of approaching God with how I feel...which very well might sound like a pile of complaints, but are only an expression of fear articulated in prayerful conversation.

Today standing here, in your midst – those here, those with us live on Facebook, those who are listening to this sermon via Youtube- we gather as a large community...and in our gathering we hear the word proclaimed:

I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day.

Over the past 6 months, have we not gathered enough for each day?Yes, we have.  And we are here today, changed through the experiences of engaging with God, faith, and community in alternative ways – we are here gathered together in an expanded form of community; in three ways and remaining one.

The two texts for today are one in their message to us this morning. They share a couple thoughts in common. First there is grumbling and complaining: the early workers came to the landowner expecting more than a days wage based on the generosity shown those who started late in the day – when they received just the daily wage – they grumbled.  The Israelites in the wilderness complained too – no water, no bread, no meat.

I am sure that over the past 6 months you have complained – grumbled – just because. Yet, as a community there has been an overwhelming articulation of gratitude: comments on FB, notes and emails coming to the church, spoken thanks when paths cross, the giving of tithes and offerings. This speaks loudly and clearly about how we embrace God’s word and practice it; the behaviour expected and experienced in this faith community. The truth is it is not about us – this expression of the commonwealth of God is rooted in the beginnings of this sacred space. 

For us, these are unprecedented times, however this sacred space in its 100 and some years of history has witnessed another ‘unprecedented times.’  Built in war time, a few years later being badly damaged and rebuilt (once again during the same war) in the chaos of the aftermath of the explosion, as well as dealing with ongoing spread of tuberculosis, and then the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 --- unprecedented times were filled with hope.  In troubled times, Resurrection lived into its name; resurrection, life. Living faithfully was literally building the Gospel in bricks and mortar, and sharing the abundance of God in a time when resources were rationed and scarce.

The second thought that the readings have in common is a challenge to conventional views- the stories are not about scarcity, but, rather, abundance. And the abundance is for everyone! not dependant on a person’s work, ability, position, tribe/race... In both stories, abundance -bread from heaven- is given and received in troubling times: the Israelites are a displaced people fleeing slavery (refugees), the labourers are the dispossessed in a broken society occupied by a foreign power.

This morning’s parable from Matthew ends with pointed questions: Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?

If we put God as the landowner and speaker of these words, God is then the giver of abundance – full wages- recognition, hope, bread, life; an invitation and welcome for all.  An unprecedented action! An unprecedented expenditure of abundance!

At any time, but more poignant in unprecedented times, people of faith have options: A people can complain about what is and compound the complaint by grieving about what is missing.  A people can be envious of what others have and what others are doing. Another option is to set to work to rebuild a wall, as the people did in Nehemiah’s time – rebuilding the house of the Lord – in other words build/grow the commonwealth of God.  This congregation, during WW1, chose to build the house of the Lord - twice. This congregation, during pandemic, chose -chooses- to build the commonwealth of God. We do that by building community and sacred space with the tools at hand. It is challenging, it is different, it is new creation, it is being faithful, it is sharing the Gospel with every means possible, it is bringing Christ to the world ... unprecedented times are not about death. Not in this place.  Unprecedented times through the abundance of the commonwealth of God is what our fore-bearers ingrained in this sacred space, and in our ethos, in our hearts...unprecedented times are about resurrection.

This is our name.  This is who we are.  This is who and what God expects us to be in this time and place. Resurrection.

This morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.

And with that bread -with hope and life and the abundance of God- we will go to make sacred places in our own homes,  and then set out to share God’s abundance with the world.

I am going to rain down bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. ... resurrection for unprecedented times. Thanks be to God.

 

Sabbath Rest and COVID Reflection

Those who follow this blog will note that I have not posted a sermon the past two weeks.  This will remain through to mid-September.  Lutheran Bishops and their assistants across Canada have taken turns to provide a sermon for each week.  The intent is to allow clerics to take some much needed rest/vacation time, and allow them to be filled by the Word. I am taking Friday and Saturdays as vacation days - so far a blessing.  For access to hearing the Word from the Bishops visit 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEaqcptLthDll5SjpDy9HUUl0RQKnGmkO

I am grateful for their gift!

As I enter a sabbath rest, I realize how much I have changed over the past three months.  I am in a schedule that is comfortable in a sense that it marks my days with a structure and purpose. I am enjoying how the church has adapted to the world in which we find ourselves. I have initiated practices (many of them only wishful thinking before COVID) that I hope to keep as life continues to change.

I practice being more efficient and 'less' productive/busy.

I practice quelling the need to do more, prove myself, do things because I feel I have to or should, do things because of perceived expectations.

I practice managing fear - my own and others.

I practice deepening discipleship - my own and with others.

I practice patience with myself and others.

I practice sharing tasks and asking for help.

I practice caution and sacrifice of wants for the common good.

I practice showing my real face, rather than masking feelings and 'being strong.'

I practice rest and calm while 'doing nothing.'

I practice saying 'no.'

I practice letting go.

I practice being comfortable with a lack of control.

I practice accepting an unknown future.

I practice gratitude!

I practice silence and listening to others.....

...until September.

Hugs and Son-shine

Deafening Silence

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, these three, the ever-lasting Trinity. Before all began, in the years of our time, and reaching to infinity.  Amen.      ---James M. Fitzpartrick O.M.I.

21 secs of silence

In an article for the BBC, Tom Stafford wrote: A "deafening silence" is a striking absence of noise, so profound that it seems to have its own quality.  Objectively it is impossible for one silence to be any different from another. But the way we use the phrase hints at a psychological truth.  The secret to a deafening silence is the period of intense noise that comes immediately before it.  When this ends, the lack of sound appears quieter than silence. This sensation, as your mind tries to figure out what your ears are reposting, is what leads us to call a silence deafening.  What is happening here is a result of a process called adaptation. 

I am thinking about silence today for a number of reasons:

This is the last Sunday for a while that you will hear my words spoken for the sermon. For the next 12 weeks Synodical Bishops and Assistants will be providing the Word to be preached; across the country Lutherans will be united as one body as we hear a shared reflection of the Word. My voice –although preaching others’ words- will be silent. 

I am grateful for this gift, as an allowance for a few days off each week to account for vacation time, creative time, and for rejuvenation.  On the other hand, part of who I am is expressed through preaching, working out -aloud- theology and application of God’s word; this is my voice.  I find it difficult to trust that others will offer the words needed on any given Sunday for this context and community.  On Sundays, rather than attentively listening, I much prefer using my voice.

That is, until events of the world happen, as have happened over the past couple of weeks.

On racism, Black lives matter, protests, and government responses, I have lots to say and nothing to say. ... my sense is that the appropriate response -for the moment- is deafening silence.

For over 20 years, LARC, Lutheran Anglican Roman Catholic Interchurch Committee, -- a group of lay and clergy from churches in Southwestern ON—have met to organize events, retreats, and prepare shared resources with ecumenism as the focus; as scripture says: “that all may be one.” They share that one area of convergence is belief in the Trinity, with a common expression through the Creeds of the church across the centuries. The group acknowledges that “words are slippery things, changing meaning over time and space. The questions arise again in our time: What is this Trinity in which we believe? What difference does it make that God is Triune?

Part of celebrating Trinity Sunday is the continued wrestling with the who, where, what, why, and how of God; not that we will ever figure God out or be able to fully articulate our experience or experiences of God.  We catch only glimpses of the Trinity.  We work out our understanding of God based on the relationship between the ‘persons’ of the Trinity.

LARC writes: “We’re in much the same situation as Jesus was when he spoke about the Reign of God.  He told us it’s like a mustard seed; it’s like a pearl of great price; it’s like yeast in flour; it’s like a net catching fish.  Each of these word pictures or parables offers a glimpse.  But none explains or describes it fully.  As each of these word pictures, and others, proved inadequate, Jesus offered another.  And in the end, he showed us.  The Reign of God is experienced.”

Through the past few weeks, our responses, our feelings, our thoughts, our beliefs, our reflections, applications, interpretations, of “Black lives matter,” the right to protest, overt racism, systemic racism, are all rather complicated and confused. This is good! It means that we are wrestling with relationships. For those of us who are faithful Christians, wrestling with relationship also includes wrestling with our relationships in relation to God; and God with us. Where is God in this mess? What is God saying? What is God expecting of us? And are there – like on Pentecost in the giving of the Spirit- varying callings, based on context and relationship?

This week my Bible spoke volumes to me on silence  - the Trinity dancing in and around, through and between, amidst and beyond – human relationships and experiences. In silence, as I read blogs and posts from Lutheran clergy who do not identify as ‘white,’ hearing rather disturbing stories; there was a deafening silence. I was reminded – embarrassed in some ways- to acknowledge that I do not understand what racism feels like. I have no experiences that speak negatively to the colour of my skin. I can say I have felt left out, discriminated against for any number of reasons; but it is not the same.  I can only listen and say thank you for telling me your story. I read other blogs and posts this week that were embarrassing in a different way; people trying to articulate their thoughts to a point and in doing so just added fuel to a fire; breaking relationships, damaging others. And I had this prayer ---that all would just be silent.

This week my Bible spoke volumes – God’s relationship to deafening silence:

I was lead to ...

Hear the deafening silence as the Spirit hovered over the void, the waters, before the beginning.

Hear the deafening silence of the seventh day as God rested after a cacophony of creating.

Hear the deafening silence that followed an earthquake, a fire, wherein God whispers to a scared and hiding prophet Elijah.

Hear the deafening silence of the disciples after hearing God’s voice “This is my beloved Son, whom I have chosen.”

Hear the deafening silence that followed Jesus rebuking the wind; saying to the sea ‘Peace be still.’

Hear the deafening silence of the Saducees that followed Jesus arguing points of the Law and what resurrection is.

Hear the deafening silence that followed Pilate’s questions to Jesus to explain truth, to answer whether or not he is a King.

Hear the deafening silence that followed the mocking convict, “if you are the Son of God, save yourself and us.”

Hear the deafening silence that followed Jesus death.

Hear the deafening silence of a cold stone tomb.

Hear the deafening silence of 50 days, for God alone -waiting in silence; being still and knowing that God is God.

And then the Spirit came in the sound of wind and rush of flame. For the disciples, words from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 happen, A time to keep silent -turned to -adapts to- a time to speak.

In the end, all I have this morning is a pregnant pause. It is a deafening silence that pushes out the noise and rhetoric. The deafening silence holds my heart for a desire for right relationships; longs for racism to be a thing of the past. The deafening silence is seeing the Trinity dancing in Black lives matter, in protests, in the prayers made for world leaders (especially for those I don’t care for so much), in blogs as people tell their truth. This deafening silence is a figuring out what I have heard, and a waiting for my time to keep silent to adapt to a time to speak, to act ---#forthehealingofthewholeworld.  

 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, these three, the ever-lasting Trinity. Before all began, in the years of our time, and reaching to infinity. Amen.