Ascension Sunday

Our readings for Ascension Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 1: 1-11
2. Psalms 43: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9
3. Ephesians 1: 17-12
4. John 24: 46-53

• Waiting on, and for, the Lord
• One of the struggles of the early Church revolved around the time table for Jesus' return.  If He was coming right back, there's no point in buying green bananas.  On the other hand, if it is going to be years, decades, millennia before He comes again, that's a horse of a very different color.
•  If you knew that Jesus was returning tomorrow, what would change in your life?
• How about in a year?
• Or five?
• Maybe fifty (for you younger disciples)?
• Why does it make a difference?
• Should it?
  

• The Light of Christ
• Power.  Apart from the understanding of that term in physics, we are conditioned to never seek power.  Perhaps that is because power is so often abused by us and among us.  But what if that didn't have to be the case?  What if power could be used for the good?
• What sort of power do you think it is that Jesus wants to confer on us as His disciples, His community, His Church?
• What are some examples of power that you have seen in your life?
• Do you feel that any of that power came from God?
• What should we, as His people, be doing with the power that we have?
• How do we find what that power is?
  

• A joyful noise
• Not all of us are talented.  Some may find it hard to bring anything offer God in worship.
• We tell the gathered assembly that they don't have to sound ethereally beautiful in order to properly worship the Lord in congregational singing.  If the sound isn't the point, what is?
• Conversely, is it possible for a soloist, or even an entire choir to sound glorious, and not be properly worshiping the Lord?
• What is that proper worship that God is looking for?
• How can we foster such worship in our hearts and the hearts of the gathered assembly?
  

• Go, you are sent
• Sacramentally, we believe that the Holy Spirit falls on us a Confirmation.  Fair enough.  But then what?
• Is the anointing of the Spirit a one time event, a process, perhaps a sequence of anointings?
• How do you tell that you have been anointed?
• Once that Spirit has come upon you, then what?  How do we find what to do next?
• Is that "finding what to do next" an event or a process?
• How do we know when we have it right?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Are you ready for Jesus to return?  If not today, when?
• Where might God be inviting you to offer the less than perfect parts of you?
• Where might God want you to better use the power that He has given you?
• Where is God sending you? 

 A Power Like No Other

Once upon a time, in a remote village in the northern foothills,
There was a an old brother named Matthias.

He had seen many years, dozens of kings.
Famines plagues, wars come and go.

And now, in the sunset of his life,
He fashioned poetry in the clay.

Fired in a hearth of his own making.
A few pieces at a time, but enough, just enough.

Matthias' needs were simple,
All he needed was time and health enough to pray.

Occasionally, one or another of the villagers would seek Matthias out.
Looking for the meaning of their lives.

Especially after some calamity, or senseless tragedy.
Matthias would listen, softly ask questions.

Help them talk it out.  And eventually lead them to silence.
Not as much because they had run out of things to say.

But because his guests finally realized that they needed to listen.
And Matthias would help them hear more clearly, with greater boldness.

Once a mighty king came to town on foot.
Clad simply, with a single companion to keep him company.

The king had just one question:
Why am I here?

Matthias did not answer for the longest time.
While the king spilled his years of frustration and longing.

Finally Matthias said "you already know the answer.  You just don't know that you know."
The king replied "my people, in the end, I just want to help them find happiness in who they are."

Matthias said "and that, your majesty, is your power in these lands.
You see, we each have power we scarcely know.

And until we find the courage to use that power,
We are useless, weak, and weary."

"What then, is your power might I ask" queried the king.
"My power lies helping others wait for the clamor in their hearts to find inner peace.

That they may finally ask the real questions.
And learn why there are here, now, in this sacred space and time.

And how to honor that holy destiny
With their whole body soul and spirit."

Shalom!

6th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29
2. Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8
3. Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23
4. John 14: 23-29

• Discernment
• Discernment consists of seeking and finding God's will in a situation.  In a way, it is prophetic - searching for where the Spirit is leading right here, right now.
• When tough decisions have to get made in your home, how does that happen?
• What sort of preparation do you do (long term and short term) to ensure that everyone involved is able and willing to listen to God's still small voice?
• What about at the parish level?  How do you think decisions get made there?
• How can you contribute to that process?
• How would that make the outcomes better?
  

• All the nations
• The Good News has spread throughout the world.  But along the way, challenges regarding how that Good News is expressed, preached, celebrated, and appropriated to different peoples, different lands, different cultures have come up.
• How can we be more welcoming to those who come from different cultures?
• How do we do that without compromising the core of our lived message?
• Is that inculturation even necessary?
  

• Let your light shine
• Jesus is the light of the world.
• What does it really mean that Jesus is the Light?
• When we talk about the darkness of sin, why is it dark, impenetrable?
• How are we called to be that light in our part of the world?
• How have you learned to be more of a light lately?
  

• Hanging on, or clinging?
• Once Jesus resurrected, got His disciples suitably revved up, it was time for Him to go.  I have to imagine that the disciples were in a near panic at that thought.  So much had changed in their lives in the course of following this Jesus, and now, just when they thought that they had seen everything, he's telling them that He's leaving.
• What are some good things that you had to leave behind in your life?
• How did you come to know that it was time to move on?
• How did you mourn that loss in your life?
• How do you know whether you are clinging to someone, something, some way of doing things just because that is comfortable, versus hanging onto what's truly eternal and transcendent?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Is God truly the Lord of my decision-making?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater openness to others?
• Where might God want me to publish something of His life in me to someone else?
• Where might God be calling me to shed something that was once important?
  

Shalom!

5th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 14: 21-27
2. Psalms 145: 8-9, 10-11, 12-13
3. Revelation 21: 1-5a
4. John 13: 31-33a, 34-35

• Getting it done
• I'm always fascinated by the accounts of the early Church.  I try to imagine what it must have been like back then.  One thing that I'm always struck by is how the early Church leaders emerged, were trained, and then sent on their way.
• What do you look for in a good leader?
• How do you think that we can/should develop such pastoral skills among us?
• Do you ever get to be too old to lead?
• How do we find such folks in the first place?
  

• God of all
• The psalmists have a world view that includes all of creation in the kingdom of God.  Every rock, tree, gazelle and rainstorm are all His, and each in its way glorifies Him.
• If that's the case, how ought we to treat the world around us?
• How ought we to treat each other?
• How ought we to treat ourselves?
  

• All things new
• Our God makes all things new, rather than all new things.  Often, we wonder why would God not just start with a clean slate.
• Have you ever been in a failed relationship?
• Did you just walk away, or did you try to repair, heal, transform that hurt?
• Why did you work so hard?
• Why do you think God has worked so hard on redeeming us, both corporately and individually?
• Do you think God shares your grief?
  

• Giving consolation, being consolation
•  Consolation is anything that draws (rather than pushes I might add) us towards God.  That could be a gorgeous spring morning bursting with life and pregnant with glory, the fond touch of a loved one just when you need it the most, or even a superb pastrami on rye if you are properly grateful for it.
• Who are some of those who are a consolation for you, in your life?
• How have they come to mean so much to you over the years?
• Did you ever think that they would be that important to you?
• What do you do to foster and nourish that relationship?
• What do you wish you were doing?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to be more welcoming?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater openness to others?
• Where might God have joy unexpected waiting for me where I least expect it?
• Where might God be calling me to deeper awareness of my place in the world?
  

 Building the Kingdom In Patience

Her name is Ezri.

She is a female black Labrador Retriever.

All of about fourteen pounds.

And very sure of what she wants, when she wants it.

 

Mary & I have raised puppies just like Ezri for over 20 years.

Every one of them with different personalities, foibles and quirks.

And a small handful of them have gone on to serve.

Furry ambassadors from our home to some other home.

 

They will never know of the countless trips to the back yard to relieve,

The time spent learning how to teach amazing things to that animal,

The times when we have had to take a deep breath in frustration,

And let it out in a laugh at the dog and ourselves.

 

The Kingdom of heaven is built of the little things.

What goes largely unnoticed in this world.

But has the power to transform the giver of such love,

And provide companionship and consolation to the receiver.

 

Each of us has our own puppies to care for and give away.

Sometimes, we just don't see them in that light.

But generous hearts send forth the love of God regardless,

And so are blessed in the giving.

Shalom!

4th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 13: 14, 43-52
2. Psalms 100: 1-2, 3, 5
3. Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17
4. John 10: 27-30

• Filled with joy
• The joy of the Gospel is not meant to be something that is exclusive to an elite few in God's service, but to all of us.  Trouble is, where do you find that joy?
• What is something that has given you joy in your walk with God that surprised you?
• How did you come to find joy in that person/ministry/work?
• What had to change within you before you were able to find that joy?
  

• God of all, even you, even me
• It seems as though there is a great deal of talk about inclusivity these days.  Makes you wonder how well that is aligned with the love of God for all of us, and just how we are to live in such all inclusive love.
• Who are some individuals, groups, peoples that you feel that you have little in common with?
• How are they different from you?
• How much do you think that matters in God's eyes?
• How can you cultivate the same view/attitude toward them that God has?
  

• Wiping away the tears
• Just making the pain go away might be what we think we want.  But is that really best?  Do we want to really forget all that contributed to that pain?  I still miss my father at unexpected times.  Do I want to stop missing him?  If not simple numbing of the pain, what do I really want instead?
• Think of a time of loss in your life.
• Do you think that you have been healed of that loss?
• What did that healing actually mean for you?
• Is it still going on?
• Do you think that this healing will ever be truly over?
• How much of that healing do you expect to take to heaven with you.
  

• I am known
• It is sometimes hard for us as humans to know why we respond/react the way that we do.  Sometimes it takes hard work to get to the root of why certain things affect us they way that they do.  Sometimes that process takes a really good friend.
• Has Jesus ever helped you to get to know yourself better?
• Have you ever thought to ask?
• Has He used other people in your life to help you discover yourself?
• How do you think that self-discovery could be better/deeper in the future?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to be more welcoming?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater openness to others?
• Where might God have joy unexpected waiting for me where I least expect it?
• Where might God be calling me to deeper awareness of my place in the world?
  

 

Shalom!