COME!

 

Come.

No not like we think about it, as in come toward, come here, come this instance.

 

See I am coming soon (Rev. 22: 12)

Two thousand years later, where is this coming, when is this coming.  Soon?

 

Come – the Greek word is ERCHOMAI-

To come, to go, to arrive, to bring, to enter; to expect.

ERCHOMAI-  to give, to fall; to grow, to light, to turn.

ERCHOMAI – to start and to set out

Come – a movement without implying destination.

COME, ERCHOMAI an expansive invitation to journey in God’s time.

 

Jesus in calling the disciples said, “Come follow me.” (Luke 18: 22)

Jesus turned and saw John the Baptists’ disciples following and said to them … “Come and see.” (John 1: 38-9)

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” (Matt. 19: 14)

Jesus invited: Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. (Matt. 11: 28)

Even demons received an invitation – come –

Jesus said, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” (Mark 5:8)

 

COME – in its fullness is the centre of centuries of prayer.

Jesus taught the disciples to pray:  Your kingdom come. (Luke 11:2)

COME – listen carefully; this is mind blowing talk;

Fluid, evolutionary, revolutionary.

 

p-hoof with hand expression, exaggerated facial expression

 

The invitation to come – for God’s kindom to come-

Collapses, amplifies, resets, augments, redistributes time;

The human conception and perception of time.

God’s kindom come is moving but, isn’t moving towards us or away from us;

We are immersed in it.

It is here and not here and yet everywhere; the Alpha, Omega, the beginning and the end;

What was, what is, what is to be.

 

Once upon a time…

Coming out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descend like a dove on him. “You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1: 10-1)

As Jesus -come into himself- began in earnest; kindom come.

 

Nathanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

And he did; and we do.

towards the end of Jesus’ human existence Jesus specifically says

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (John 12: 23)

And here kindom came – yet, not;

Started not finished

Christ’s time – God’s time- starts with the invitation COME.

For centuries the kindom remains and has started over and over,

Come, come, come.

“We want to think that the kingdom is coming to us, like a bus on a route. And we want to think it is arriving soon, not that it is just starting out.”  (christswords.com)

 

We want deliverance now from a world gone mad.

We hope, we plead

Come soon

Before another school shooting; before another destructive life-taking windstorm; before more whales are found dead in our waters; before another deadly disease; before another terror attack, new war, or nuclear war;

Come soon

Come inoculate the human race - now –

 from the fast-spreading virus of anger, fear, and violence.

 

The invitation is offered new, COME, in each moment, with each reading, with each proclamation, with each sharing, with each telling, with each invitation to friends/family and others that we give:

 

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.” And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. (Rev. 22:17)

COME.

Friend COME with me – together let us go hand in hand and quench our thirst;

Enemy COME with me – together let us go hand in hand and lay down our burdens;

How many have been invited and started the journey by this word?

Come – and a group of disciples do

Come – and disciples of John do

Come – and demons do

Come – and children do

Come – and the heavy-laden do, the thirsty do, all those who hear do

Come – and the hosts of heaven, heaven and earth and all their creatures, the angels and arch-angels, the cherubim and seraphim, Mary Magdalene and Peter, and the great cloud of witnesses do;

Come – and we do, washed in the waters of baptism;

And in that moment the stepping into the invitation to come,

starts the journey of kindom with Christ in the community

Together carrying the burden of and quenching the fire of anger, fear, violence

And God’s time -the kindom- rings with resurrection and hope;

“Surely I am coming soon.” And a myriad of voices respond - Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22: 20)

 

As people of faith – those having COME – those who continue to come

Those who show up in daily life and live the best they can

Being apart of the ‘coming’ journey – part of the kindom;

Praying “your kindom come”

Responding “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

We COME.

 

We COME to be together as one; to hope together.

We COME to wash our robes.

At the call to COME we wash off the soot of the world, the residue of apathy, ashes of hopelessness, the grit of lawlessness, and any sediment of shame

We COME to fully participate in the journey of God’s time, God’s kindom, and Jesus’ prayer that all may be one.

 

 ERCHOMAI - COME

Hymn 955  - Come to the Water of Life, from “All Creation Sings,” Augsburg Fortress 2020

https://youtu.be/e9xxtE625KA

Soul Sisters: Compassion and Mercy

 John 5: 1-9

 

This morning I would like to introduce you to Jesus’ Soul Sisters.

These two sisters are present in most stories told in the Gospels.  The Soul Sisters go about their business, unnamed, yet, they are the catalyst, the power, and the strength; the agency in the Jesus’ stories.  As a pair they are courageous and bold. Their characters and essences arouse and coax resurrection living from those within whom they live.

 

Meet the Two Soul Sisters – Compassion and Mercy.

 

Compassion – dressed in shades of blue with a calm demeanor and an inviting smile, looks people in the eye and draws them into a confidence and trust.

Compassion has many skills on her CV:

She recognizes the suffering of others and takes action to help;

She feels another’s pain; what it is like to live in someone else’s shoes;

She has concern for the human spirit and desires to alleviate suffering;

She works from the knowledge that there can not be peace and joy for me, until there is peace and joy for you.

 

Mercy – dressed in beige and ivories accentuates and enhances her sister, Compassion; Mercy exudes a spirit that instantly makes people comfortable; sitting with anyone, everyone, and listening well.  She is comfortable in her own skin and shares this through gentle caring hands.

Mercy’s character includes:

A disposition to show kindness and practice forgiveness;

Actions that are a compassionate treatment for those in distress;

she works from the knowledge of her older sister, so her actions are the fruits of compassion.

Her general operational mode is clemency and leniency, setting aside a demand for punishment or harm. Her greatest joy is sharing compassion as a gift to those suffering and living without compassion.

 

Without the Soul Sisters – Compassion and Mercy – the story of Jesus healing the man by the pool of Bethzatha would not have happened.

 

Consider the man by the pool.

The man had been sick for 38 years.  When asked if he would like to be healed, his response was not ‘yes,’ rather it was a string of excuses as to why he was not already well. He blamed others who made it to the water first; and blamed others, who did not help him.

The man after being healed walked away – no conversation, no thanks, no acknowledgement of the event, no statement of faith. The man was caught by authorities carrying his mat on the sabbath, an offense. The man blamed the one who healed him, whom he didn’t know and couldn’t name. Later he recognized Jesus and reported him to the authorities; still no gratitude.

 

As a human being, my inclination is either to become calloused enough not to notice or to purposefully ignore and turn away from ‘the-man-at-the-pool.’

Enter into the story the Soul Sisters – Compassion and Mercy.

Jesus is walking in the portico surrounded by sick people who are resting in the shade, waiting to get to the pool for healing.  As he is walking, Compassion nudges Jesus, “This guy, approach this guy, and introduce me to him.”

 

Jesus listens and through him Compassion extends her inviting smile and looks directly into the eyes of the man. Mercy extends a gentle hand and raises her voice, “Would you like to be healed?” Jesus is hit with the man’s defensiveness, excuses, and uncharitable blame thrown about.

Hearing the reluctance of the man and wanting Jesus to not get discouraged, Compassion exudes calm to fill Jesus’ spirit and warm his heart. Mercy steps forward to lend a hand and raising her voice says, 'Arise.’

 

Compassion and Mercy – Soul Sisters-

Searched and found a man in bondage and desired to alleviate him from suffering.

It was their courageous energy and bold enthusiasm that released the man.

It was their faithful devotion and gracious love that resurrected wholeness and life.

Compassion and Mercy bore the dissuading nature and disheartening attributes of the sick man; forgiving the lack of faith, lack of willingness, lack of agency, lack of ownership and responsibility, lack of recognition, lack of gratitude. The Soul Sisters embodied their essence through Jesus and gifted wholeness to the world. Compassion and Mercy resurrected kindom in that moment.

This is Good News. This is resurrection.

 

I am taking a course on Emotional Intelligence. The instructors continually ask participants to reflect on the connection of one’s thoughts and emotions in relation to circumstances. The course offers resources to encourage using emotional intelligence to change one’s perception, reaction, and the outcome of circumstances.  Examples, like that of the man who was sick for 38 years, are given.  Do you want to be made well? Or is it easiest to continue in bondage? Is it easiest to remain sick? Probably.

After a period of time sickness or bondage of any kind, becomes normal and comfortable. One forgets what was and in the state of sickness knows what to expect and what is expected of them. If one doesn’t hope too much or expect too much, one is protecting themself from further hurt. Whatever the bondage is becomes the person’s identity.

Consider the immense amount of energy it would take to recreate oneself after 38 years. This man would have to find a job, a place to live, make new relationships, navigate society and being with other people, figure out the marketplace, make decisions, and the list goes on. The prospect of being resurrected – whole- is daunting.

Sometimes we are in bondage, meaning we are not whole. We hold on to the past, live in the past, give up on the future or put all our hope in a someday; we often miss living resurrected in the present moment because we fear it is too much work.

 

Today’s Easter text is clear, that resurrection can surprise us; be gifted to us; and it matters not our willingness, our attitude, our faith, our recognition, or our gratitude. The Soul Sisters come and lavishly give gifts of compassion and mercy, resurrecting God’s kindom, one person at a time.

 

American author and political activist Marianne Williamson wrote:

May we not succumb to thoughts of violence and revenge today, but rather to thoughts of mercy and compassion. We are to love our enemies that they might be returned to their right minds.

 

Oh that Compassion and Mercy would come among us, walk through this hurting world; 

that all might through love be returned to their right minds.

Whether we are in bondage, waiting for Compassion and Mercy to visit,

or striving to be a courageous Jesus’ follower – in whatever state of wholeness –

may we open ourselves to the presence and work of the Soul Sisters; Compassion and Mercy.

 In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Easter: Gloria in excelsis Deo

 

 

What is your response to these words?

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o’er the plains

And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains

 

Gloria in excelsis Deo / Gloria in excelsis Deo.

 

This week I have been reflecting on GLORY:

Five times glorify or glorified appear in the Gospel text. We have worked at re-writing the final statement of the Lord’s Prayer: For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Bible Book Club discussion on the letters of Peter, included: to Christ be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Pet. 3: 18)

 

Glory. Glory. Glory. - Not a concept Lutherans spend a lot of time reflecting on, or a word that is routinely part of our vocabulary; it is not a theological centre piece and is not used when expressing or describing God or faith to our neighbours. Flip through the hymnbooks and you will note only a hint of glory; quite different than browsing through a Baptist or Gospel hymnbook, or praise chorus compendiums, where there is lots of glory.

 

So, what is this all about?

In short, it comes down to Lutheran identity and more specifically our theological starting point. We are not a people who start our understanding of God in the season of Easter.

 

It was not Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus’ charisma, the working of miracles, the offering of rewards, the taking of political power, the demonstration of strength through military campaign against the Romans, or any other form of action that would receive glory, praise, or honour, that brought the kin-dom of God. The kin-dom of God was established through the un-glorious and dishonourable action of dying on a cross.

 

There are two kinds of theology: the theology of Glory and the theology of the cross:

 

A Theology of glory celebrates the glory of resurrection and victory over sin, death, and evil. The cross is simply a means to an end – victory is the starting point.

 In life, a theology of glory, focuses on defeating the enemy, a constant fight against the ills of society, minimizing difficult and painful things, avoiding reflection on pain and grief to work at overcoming, improving. Progress – one’s work on faith, prayer - is key – where God is not hidden in suffering but, appears in the triumph of health, wealth, power, personal salvation. The more faith, less hardship. And should circumstances be that Christians suffer persecution, glory comes at the end of time in crowns with jewels and pearly gates and highways paved with gold.   This is not where Lutheran theology starts.

 

Our understanding of God begins in Holy Week. We celebrate the Season of Easter because we have journeyed through Holy Week. We have been at the foot of the cross. The theology of the cross understands that it is the cross that reveals the fundamental nature of God and God’s involvement in the world.  Jesus could have sought glory – taken the kingdoms of the world, proceeded with a military campaign, stopped world hunger, walked off the cross or avoided it altogether – but Jesus in a divine love beyond our comprehension chose to suffer and die; demonstrating God’s hidden presence in the most despicable glory-less place.  Christ’s true strength was demonstrated in weakness and in so dying, imbued glory-less places with God’s presence.

In life, the theology of the cross, focuses one giving up one’s will to discern and follow God’s will, to boldly act trusting in God’s forgiveness if one is wrong, to be in solidarity with human pain, to dedicate service to human liberation admitting and addressing that humanity is on a cross – a cross of hunger, poverty, sickness, injustice, inequity, corrupt systems, merciless situations.  And to live in freedom to be human, weak, vulnerable – and in this state trust in God for daily bread, and that God will work through us to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry (ELW eucharist prayer).

 

Glory. Glory. Glory.

In my understanding, glory – when applied to God- isn’t connected to an idea of God achieving victory, winning a prize, or earning high renown. It’s not thrones and crowns or an earthly-style kingdom in the sky.

 

Glory – is the sound of whispering wings of angels spread across an evening sky, with their song of praise filling the void and speaking words of invitation from God directly into the heart of the lowly shepherds. Glory is good news that God-Emmanuel-God-with-us, in love and mercy becomes incarnate in the every day, ordinary, life of a broken world. Glory enters the weak, the lowly, the marginalized, the suffering, the dishonourable, the despicable, the glory-less and whispers ‘peace be with you,’ ‘God loves you,’ ‘rise with Christ,’ ‘Christ be glorified through you.’ And on hearing the invitation one’s heart fills with ‘glory’ as one returns the invitation with glorious song: Gloria in excelsis deo.

 

From Bible Book Club’s study of 1 Peter, we read a similar passage as that from the Gospel of John. The words are a good place to end our reflection on glory --- words for us to wind in our hearts with our song of glory, as we live a theology of the cross in the world

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Pet. 4: 8. “Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Pet. 4: 11

 

 

 

Fourth Sunday of Easter - Identity.

 Thanksgiving for Baptism - Sunday May 8th, 2022 - parsonage backyard Halifax

Identity.

 

Identity is important. One doesn’t have to look very far to see that identity matters; names matter. Identifying as a member of a community and being heard and valued and included matters.

 

Jesus responds to the crowd’s question of identity by saying, ‘he and the Father are one.’

Revelation identifies Christ as ‘lamb’ – the form of the word literally refers to the cute woolly cuddly baby lambs. In the Easter texts read from Revelation the image of Christ bobs between images of strength and weakness.

The Acts reading mentions several instances of people with double names: Tabitha or Dorcas, Peter also known as Simon. In the Easter narrative name changing gives an image of lived resurrection. People are changed by Jesus’ identity; by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

 

Identity matters.

 

This sermon was going in a different direction earlier this week and then life situations changed it --- well changed me.

 

For 24 years of ordained ministry, I have created and crafted an identity --- one I kind of like. I identify myself as put together, competent, organized, responsible, and strong. I strive to live as faithful, authentic, and engaged. I identify ministry and the ability to pastor as an expression of God’s grace.  I take care of myself spiritually, mentally, and physically. Of course, I am a rule follower with the expectation that following the rules gets me further ahead in the end and diminishes potential drama.

 

For the first time in 24 years, I am not presiding at in-person Sunday service due to illness.

The situation of reno-viction has come to my door via family. Pre-planning and following the rules did not stop drama and chaos; nor did it keep COVID from entering the household.

All of this plays on my mind and pokes fingers at my understanding of my identity. Poking fingers means the insertion of doubt into the identity I have so carefully constructed.

Are you really strong? Are you really engaged: if you had been more engaged drama could have been avoided? What about those ungracious thoughts over the past few days, less than put-together emotions, and the disappointment of ending a career goal of a record of ‘no-sick-Sundays.’ This is just a sampling of the barrage of questions: who do you think you are? Who are you?

Do not worry, I am okay. It has just been a difficult week and a half. Tomorrow none of this is going to matter as much; it probably won’t matter as much by the time I preach the words I am currently writing… and now sharing.

 

Who we think we are matters. Who we created ourselves to be matters. Who we are matters.

 

And this is where the scripture for today speaks to me – reflecting on Jesus’ identity allows me to be kinder to myself.

The image of Jesus presented in Revelation is not the strong guiding shepherd, who is the protector, rule-maker, the one responsible; no, Jesus is identified as the cuddly woolly lamb – beautiful in weakness and in its need.

In Acts the name changes remind me that -although my name didn’t change at baptism- I was named ‘child of God.’ I am reminded that identity can change and grow – be resurrected. It reminds me that I was named ‘child of God’ despite whatever identity develops over the years.

 

As a child the majority of people who knew me called me Kim; in grade 3 my homeroom teacher called me Kimmy – for the record I hated that; in the final year of high school, thanks to the insistence of boyfriend, friends called me Kimberlynn; at university our residence list went through the computer printer crooked and all that they had for me was Kimber – that is what I have been called since then. With each name change, my identity changed too – I was resurrected into a new me.  I have a 50^th birthday coming up and that too will change how I identify myself.

 

Today I am full of gratitude for being part of a community of faith, a community who welcomes people as people – with quirks, and quarks, weak and strong; a community where people are baptized and named ‘child of God;’ a community who identifies itself as an Easter people.  The church name even says it – there is no guessing – the community identity is Resurrection.

 

I hold on to this today; I will claim it as my current intention for creating and crafting my identity moving forward – resurrection -

May it be mine and yours and work through us, for the healing of the world.

 

Amen.