As I was meditating on these passages, I was trying to find a link between them.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is clear about who he is….as he says… “I and the Father are One”. And… “When you see me, you see the father”….
That’s called a high Christology. It is beginning of the basis of the Trinity…God in 3 persons…Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
The culminating line…Jesus says: “I am the Way, the Truth & the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me”.
A definitive word that is both a powerful foundation and a massive stumbling block.
Foundation for countless Christians through the ages. A stumbling block to many thinking people who find it exclusionary & narrow.
Not only is it drawing a distinction from other faith groups…particularly Jews. But also all of the other religions of the NearEast
And, on top of that. Many feel it is drawing a disctinction with other early Christian groups.
It is clear & direct. Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the Foundation. Jesus is Divine.
God-Made-Flesh.
In 1 Peter, we get a similar feel. Let me read it again…
4Come 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. 9But 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 marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
So, what are we to say? I think the answer is clear: “Jesus is Lord!”
Jesus is the Way…for me.
And perhaps that last bit is vital. I don’t doubt many other people and paths have some kind of relations with God and connect to Spiritual Energy & Vitality.
But, I simply say… “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. And I invite you to say the same…
There is much we don’t understand, but let us with simple mind and heart…affirm Jesus as Lord.
Let him be for us our Spiritual Foundation.
Let him be for us the “Living Stone” of our lives.
There is much worse we could do. Faith in Jesus…lead us into paths of righteousness. Leads us into truth, wisdom, virtue, compassion. A life of faith in the Rock, will give us an anchor in every storm.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran pastor, theologian & writer was martyred in WW 11. He wrote: "Faith means the finding and holding fast of this foundation: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It means casting anchor upon it and being held fast by it. Faith means founding my life upon a foundation which is outside myself, upon an eternal and holy foundation, upon Christ."
In Baptism, we affirm this faith. Not just the family of the one being baptized, but all of us
Jesus is our Rock, our Fortress, our Guide.
And because of our faith, we become new people. We have a new ethic…An ethic of Love. An ethic of Grace. An ethic of Forgiveness.
I end with these two thoughts…
Around 125 A.D. Aristides, the philosopher, described the early Christian community to the Roman Emperor Hadrian like this:
“They love one another. They never fail to help widows; they save orphans from those who hurt them. If they have something, they give freely to the person who has nothing; if they see a stranger, they take him home as a brother or sister in the spirit, the Spirit of God.”
That’s who we are--or at least, that’s who we’ve been called to be.
If Jesus is the Foundation of our life, maybe we too would live like that.
Finally…A young Christian was returning from a retreat. Waiting for him was his boss who was always criticizing & belittling him. “Out skiving again,” the boss cuttingly greeted, “and in spite of all your costly retreats you still look no different to me.” The young Christian paused, smiled and murmured, ‘Ah, maybe; but you look different to me.”
When Jesus comes into our Hearts & is the foundation of our lives, all looks different to us! Amen.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Though & Through .."Though" in Despair, I can get "Through" it!
In American Sign Language, "r" is made by crossing the middle finger over the index finger. But crossed fingers have a history as sign language that far pre--dates ASL.
In the first centuries of the Church, when Christianity was wholly illegal and Christians were vigorously persecuted, believers found ways to communicate their faith in subtle ways.
Accompanying a greeting or farewell, crossed fingers were a code sign, identifying Christians to one another as "people of the cross."
They used Fish sign in dirt as well.
One would draw on swoop of the fish as the first part of the password. The other person…the other swoop.
But today, I’m talking about the “R”.
The “R” sign…as the sign for “People of the cross”. In this sense it stands for Jesus as the Christ.
In culture and society today, the crossed finger is meant in other terms…
If I cross my fingers like this and hold it behind my back…it sorta means it negates what I say.
If I am hoping for something really desperately,
I might cross both sets of fingers in a deep hope of a positive outcome.
But for our community… perhaps we can re-discover the ancient meaning.
Crossed fingers…is Jesus as the Christ.
And it makes sense…when we see it as the letter R
R…the letter R, is the only difference between two words…
Though & Through.
When we put R, or Christ into anything, it makes a huge difference.
It is that one letter that can turn your "though" into a "through."
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Though ….I have trouble on every side, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.Though ….I have failure, despair, rejection, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.
Here then, in many ways, is the secret to life!
Make the sign of the cross.
Worried about an outcome? About a stressful situation? Make the sign of the cross!
And things go from “Good Luck” to “I trust”. I trust Christ to get me “Through”
David, the innocent shepherd-boy, knew the truth behind that first word "though" -- there were dangers lurking around every corner.
In his case, there were “lions & tigers & bears, oh my”! There was flood and accident and starvation….truly living on the edge.
In the end though, he I believe he could say….
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
Can we say the same thing?
Every one of us has a valley. Some of us have a valley we've been given at birth -- a valley of poverty, or abuse, or disability.
"Though" none of us gets out of life without walking the valley, the psalmist makes it plain that God does not intend for us to sojourn there forever.
The valley of the shadow is something one goes through. Valleys are not resting places, but passageways.
We can walk through our problems. We can walk through our sorrows. We can walk through our pain. We can walk through our screwups.
What Psalm 23 promises us is that, in all these journeys, the Lord will walk through with us."Though" and "through" differ only by one small letter -- the letter "r."; For us, the sign of the cross
This is what the crossed fingers of the letter "r," can mean.
Though we may walk in the darkness of the valley of the shadow, we are not alone.
God is with us. Walking through the valley with us is the one who suffered and died for our sake: The Crucified One. So in the end, we can say…
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
In the first centuries of the Church, when Christianity was wholly illegal and Christians were vigorously persecuted, believers found ways to communicate their faith in subtle ways.
Accompanying a greeting or farewell, crossed fingers were a code sign, identifying Christians to one another as "people of the cross."
They used Fish sign in dirt as well.
One would draw on swoop of the fish as the first part of the password. The other person…the other swoop.
But today, I’m talking about the “R”.
The “R” sign…as the sign for “People of the cross”. In this sense it stands for Jesus as the Christ.
In culture and society today, the crossed finger is meant in other terms…
If I cross my fingers like this and hold it behind my back…it sorta means it negates what I say.
If I am hoping for something really desperately,
I might cross both sets of fingers in a deep hope of a positive outcome.
But for our community… perhaps we can re-discover the ancient meaning.
Crossed fingers…is Jesus as the Christ.
And it makes sense…when we see it as the letter R
R…the letter R, is the only difference between two words…
Though & Through.
When we put R, or Christ into anything, it makes a huge difference.
It is that one letter that can turn your "though" into a "through."
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Though ….I have trouble on every side, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.Though ….I have failure, despair, rejection, I can get through it,…… because Christ is with me.
Here then, in many ways, is the secret to life!
Make the sign of the cross.
Worried about an outcome? About a stressful situation? Make the sign of the cross!
And things go from “Good Luck” to “I trust”. I trust Christ to get me “Through”
David, the innocent shepherd-boy, knew the truth behind that first word "though" -- there were dangers lurking around every corner.
In his case, there were “lions & tigers & bears, oh my”! There was flood and accident and starvation….truly living on the edge.
In the end though, he I believe he could say….
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
Can we say the same thing?
Every one of us has a valley. Some of us have a valley we've been given at birth -- a valley of poverty, or abuse, or disability.
"Though" none of us gets out of life without walking the valley, the psalmist makes it plain that God does not intend for us to sojourn there forever.
The valley of the shadow is something one goes through. Valleys are not resting places, but passageways.
We can walk through our problems. We can walk through our sorrows. We can walk through our pain. We can walk through our screwups.
What Psalm 23 promises us is that, in all these journeys, the Lord will walk through with us."Though" and "through" differ only by one small letter -- the letter "r."; For us, the sign of the cross
This is what the crossed fingers of the letter "r," can mean.
Though we may walk in the darkness of the valley of the shadow, we are not alone.
God is with us. Walking through the valley with us is the one who suffered and died for our sake: The Crucified One. So in the end, we can say…
“Through it all, Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.”
Sunday, April 6, 2008
"In our New Beginnings, Chirst Abides With Us"
“Truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.”
Emily Dickinson
The quote embodies out passage for today.
It is the classic story to “The Emmaus Road”.
Two disciples walking along the path…one named Cleopas, the other unnamed. Two that are dejected, afraid, in despair.
Their destination…Emmaus, a town about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
Along the path…a mysterious traveler joins up with them.
Here is where we see what Emily Dickenson said is right…Truth must dawn on us…not be too much at once.
The disciples are dazed & confused. They are sad, and wondering what to think.
Their beloved Lord..the one in whom they put all their trust and hope….had just died as a common criminal.
We can all probably relate to these folks. They are feeling depression & grief. We all know what it feels like to be sad after the death of a loved one.
This was compounded by despair because their Savior…had been killed. Leader of the movement.
Slowly, the new walking guide began to explain how these things had to happen.
Like a new day dawning, their understanding began to unfold and open up.
Then, just when it was almost dark they arrived at their destination.
They mysterious traveler was going to be going on…but as the text says…..they “constrained him to stay”.
So, he joined them for supper. In a scene perhaps like the Upper Room with Thomas….
They were eating a meal reminiscent of the Last Supper. They shared the cup & then the loaf.
And in doing so…suddenly their eyes were opened. The recognized Jesus as the one in their midst.
But, just as with Thomas, he vanished from their midst.
“Didn’t out hearts burn within us” they said when he was on the road…& in here, revealing to us his mystery.
Again…Emily Dickenson…“Truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.”
Jesus let the truth sink in gradually….and light was then revealed.
We can all related to this story, for it reminds us of our New Beginnings. That’s what was going on with the Disciples….
It was a new beginning for them. Jesus had died and they were facing the future now without their trusted companion & friend. Without leader & guide.
Think back to some of the New Beginnings you’ve had…
Perhaps in a new school. Or new job, new relationship. Perhaps it was starting over after a divorce or death.
New beginnings can be quite scary. We feel vulnerable and lost.
But perhaps we need to remember, like those early disciples, we are not left alone…but the Risen Christ is with us….don’t always see
David E. Leininger, wrote in East of Easter, the following about the famous hymn…Abide With Me..
In the King James Version of the Bible, the invitation of the two travelers reads, "Abide with me; for it is toward evening and the day is far spent," words which were the inspiration for that beloved hymn, "Abide with me/Fast falls the eventide." The hymn was written by Henry Francis Lyte, for 25 years the vicar of the parish at Devonshire, England. He was 54 years old, broken in health and saddened by dissensions in his congregation. On Sunday, September 4, 1847 he preached his farewell sermon and went home to rest. After tea in the afternoon, he retired to his study. In an hour or two, he rejoined his family, holding in his hand the manuscript of his immortal hymn.
Despite what most think, Lyte's "eventide" has nothing to do with the end of the natural day but rather the end of life. "Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day/Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away." The words are about the faith that face life and death fearlessly and triumphantly in the light of the cross and the empty tomb....East of Easter. Thus Lyte could conclude, "Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee/In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." Vicar Lyte died three months later.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend. Albert Camus
These words bring to mind lots of wonderful hymns of faith….
“What a friend we have in Jesus”…all our sins & griefs to bear”…..In Jesus, we have a companion, a friend, who is with us in all things. One who will never leave us or abandon us.
We also sing….
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”…time to remember and move on…
In faith we gather round the table, to taste and share what love has can do…
This day, we gather in a room as followers of Jesus. We too will break bread, share the cup.
Faithful followers accompanied by unknown guests…..
And as we break the bread & share the cup….may our eyes be opened too.
Opened to mystery. To Love. To God’s presence in our midst. For indeed, The Lord of Life…Abides With Us.
Jesus is with us…always by our side. Revealing mystery. Giving Hope. With us in our New Beginnings. Now & Always! Amen.
Emily Dickinson
The quote embodies out passage for today.
It is the classic story to “The Emmaus Road”.
Two disciples walking along the path…one named Cleopas, the other unnamed. Two that are dejected, afraid, in despair.
Their destination…Emmaus, a town about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
Along the path…a mysterious traveler joins up with them.
Here is where we see what Emily Dickenson said is right…Truth must dawn on us…not be too much at once.
The disciples are dazed & confused. They are sad, and wondering what to think.
Their beloved Lord..the one in whom they put all their trust and hope….had just died as a common criminal.
We can all probably relate to these folks. They are feeling depression & grief. We all know what it feels like to be sad after the death of a loved one.
This was compounded by despair because their Savior…had been killed. Leader of the movement.
Slowly, the new walking guide began to explain how these things had to happen.
Like a new day dawning, their understanding began to unfold and open up.
Then, just when it was almost dark they arrived at their destination.
They mysterious traveler was going to be going on…but as the text says…..they “constrained him to stay”.
So, he joined them for supper. In a scene perhaps like the Upper Room with Thomas….
They were eating a meal reminiscent of the Last Supper. They shared the cup & then the loaf.
And in doing so…suddenly their eyes were opened. The recognized Jesus as the one in their midst.
But, just as with Thomas, he vanished from their midst.
“Didn’t out hearts burn within us” they said when he was on the road…& in here, revealing to us his mystery.
Again…Emily Dickenson…“Truth must dazzle gradually, or every man be blind.”
Jesus let the truth sink in gradually….and light was then revealed.
We can all related to this story, for it reminds us of our New Beginnings. That’s what was going on with the Disciples….
It was a new beginning for them. Jesus had died and they were facing the future now without their trusted companion & friend. Without leader & guide.
Think back to some of the New Beginnings you’ve had…
Perhaps in a new school. Or new job, new relationship. Perhaps it was starting over after a divorce or death.
New beginnings can be quite scary. We feel vulnerable and lost.
But perhaps we need to remember, like those early disciples, we are not left alone…but the Risen Christ is with us….don’t always see
David E. Leininger, wrote in East of Easter, the following about the famous hymn…Abide With Me..
In the King James Version of the Bible, the invitation of the two travelers reads, "Abide with me; for it is toward evening and the day is far spent," words which were the inspiration for that beloved hymn, "Abide with me/Fast falls the eventide." The hymn was written by Henry Francis Lyte, for 25 years the vicar of the parish at Devonshire, England. He was 54 years old, broken in health and saddened by dissensions in his congregation. On Sunday, September 4, 1847 he preached his farewell sermon and went home to rest. After tea in the afternoon, he retired to his study. In an hour or two, he rejoined his family, holding in his hand the manuscript of his immortal hymn.
Despite what most think, Lyte's "eventide" has nothing to do with the end of the natural day but rather the end of life. "Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day/Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away." The words are about the faith that face life and death fearlessly and triumphantly in the light of the cross and the empty tomb....East of Easter. Thus Lyte could conclude, "Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee/In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me." Vicar Lyte died three months later.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Walk beside me and be my friend. Albert Camus
These words bring to mind lots of wonderful hymns of faith….
“What a friend we have in Jesus”…all our sins & griefs to bear”…..In Jesus, we have a companion, a friend, who is with us in all things. One who will never leave us or abandon us.
We also sing….
“This is a Day of New Beginnings”…time to remember and move on…
In faith we gather round the table, to taste and share what love has can do…
This day, we gather in a room as followers of Jesus. We too will break bread, share the cup.
Faithful followers accompanied by unknown guests…..
And as we break the bread & share the cup….may our eyes be opened too.
Opened to mystery. To Love. To God’s presence in our midst. For indeed, The Lord of Life…Abides With Us.
Jesus is with us…always by our side. Revealing mystery. Giving Hope. With us in our New Beginnings. Now & Always! Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
