From the Common Lectionary:
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-17 (UMH 785)
2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Our lessons for today center around the theme of repentance (which in Greek is the word metanoia, a change of mind or heart.) Anyone who has ever struggled with a pernicious debilitating disease or addiction or sin knows that transformation cannot usually take place over night. We are all people who want what we want not just right now, but instead “yesterday.” And, God doesn’t work under our time tables. This calls for patience in us and perseverance, good friends to help us on our way and to guide us and correct us when we need it. And, we need to understand how sinful we are, and yet how much God really does love us. The symbol of our faith is a Cross! How paradoxical! In order to find eternal life, we need to die. And, the last time I checked (this morning, by the way) “the old man” as Paul calls our natural self, doesn’t die easily.
The emotionality of religious conversion experiences, such as Wesley’s at Aldersgate Street has been lifted up as a model for us. Wesley’s journal goes on to say that after Aldersgate he was always conqueror. But, if one reads the rest of his journal and journey, we know that that isn’t true. He bungled a lot of relationships, with the women to whom he related, with his brother Charles, and a good many others. He had a quick temper. He was barred from preaching in England’s Churches because of his critical nature, which was fueled by his idealism–wanting desperately to see the Church be what it was called to be. It took decades before John Wesley was permitted to preach in the pulpits of the Church of England. His preaching angered that many people in power. And power, has a way of stepping on folks who rock the boat.
So, here we are at Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of the oldest season of Christian worship, and at the very center of it, the suffering, death, and eventually resurrection of Jesus Christ. Joel’s lesson is about repentance after a locust swarm. Who wouldn’t fall on one’s knees and beg for God’s mercy after such devastation? Psalm 51 is about David’s fiasco with Bathsheba. There’s a lot of this in the news right now: Elliot Spitzer, John Edwards, Tiger Woods, David Letterman, etc., etc. Why is it when some of us are at the height of our “game,” we allow power or fame to corrupt us. And our hearts become insenstive and in the case of some men, we think with a minor part of our anatomy and not our hearts? David offered a broken spirit and contrite heart, but he still counseled Solomon to destroy all of his political enemies. And some believe that that is what led to the house of David’s downfall. Lord, have mercy! Paul speaks of Christ becoming sin for us so that we might become righteousness. The old man dies hard! And the gospel lesson reminds us that genuine piety is not for show. It is what lives in our hearts. It is about how we consistently live out what we believe, and its about how we live and act when no one is watching, not even the tabloids!
And, yet, none of us is 100% consistent. And each of us has integrity problems (if we’re honest). And honesty is hard to come by today. (Ever feel like Diogenes walking through Athens’ streets with that lantern looking for honesty? Maybe we need to let that light shine inside of us as a starting place.)
As we begin this journey into Lent and toward the Cross, how can we let the “waters of baptism” drown the old man, and permit the Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist draw us toward God’s grace?
The journey isn’t easy. And Jesus said the way was narrow. He was right. Lord, have mercy.
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Lectionary Texts for the Last Sunday After the Epiphany
Transfiguration of the Lord
Hebrew Bible: Exodus 34:29-35
Psalter: Psalm 99
Epistle Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Gospel Lesson: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43)
The transfiguration speaks to us about an “experience” of being in God’s Presence. Its not talk about God. Its not explaining what God requires. Its not a theological exploration. It is standing in the very Presence (Shekinah) of God. It is one of those moments when we are drawn out of ourselves, just as Moses was when he was in God’s Presence, leading to his face shining like the sun. Peter, James and John experienced this kind of “terror” and yet awesomeness. Standing on Holy Ground on the Holy Mountain, they, too, were lifted out of themselves into another state of being. Paul speaks of such a “nearness” because of Christ. It really is an “unveiling.” It reminds one of when Moses wanted to see God’s face and God replied that if a person looked upon his face, that person would die. Seeing Moses, Elijah, and Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, then hearing God’s voice, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen, listen to him,” must have been so overwhelming that in that moment, they, too, were “drawn out of themselves” into The Holy. As we find ourselves in the Presence of the Holy, we are transformed. When we speak of “transfiguration,” Jesus became so “pure” that no one could look upon him. Peter, James and John were on Holy Ground. This is what worship needs to be like for us! But, no one can “program” the Holy Spirit. We can, though, seek God with all of our hearts and in an expectant manner. That can go a long way in God’s transformation of each of us and all of us. Yet there is something more important in these lessons: And that is the Promise of God and the Word of God which once given stands forever. We cannot base our faith on mere feelings. Feelings are subject to change. But, the character of God is not capricious. It is, rather, steadfast. So, as we seek God with all of our hearts, let us also seek him with our minds trusting in God’s promises–based on God’s character. That is the solid ground upon which we build.
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Lectionary Texts for Sunday, February 7, 2010
The 5th Sunday after the Epiphany
Hebrew Bible: Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalter: Psalm 138
Epistle Lesson: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel Lesson: Luke 5:1-11
Almost all of us can remember times when in a brief instant, due to circumstances which seized us, we found ourselves entering brand new territory, sometimes with fear, sometimes with excitement, and usually nothing less than awestruck.
All of our lessons today have those elements in them. Each of the lessons relates to God’s/Christ’s “call” which has changed our lives forever. Isaiah’s call in chapter 6 is a classic, with a classic response: Isaiah stands before the altar of God in heaven and God speaks: “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” Whether the “us” is used in the royal sense, or in a collective sense, The Lord and all the host of heaven, doesn’t matter. God’s call to Isaiah was urgent. His response was brave and faithful. “Here am I. Send me.”
The plaintive request of King David in Psalm 138 carries a strong sense that God is with David in his calling as King. And furthermore, God will see David’s calling through. David knows that The Lord will “fulfill his purpose for him (me).” Psalm 138:8a. This tells us that we are not alone in our callings, but that if God has called us, God will see things through with us. There is a saying, “If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it!”
The lesson from 1 Corinthians 15 speaks of a faith which has been handed down by the witness of the living community of faith: 3″For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” Paul relates a piece of his calling, and the sense that he is “least of the apostles.” He had not walked with Jesus “in the flesh.” But, he knew the Lord and met him on the Damascus road.
Lastly, Luke’s gospel tells a very familiar story: the calling of the fishermen. Many of us have sat in church buildings in Sunday School, Bible School, or at church camp and sung the song: “I will make you fishers of men if you follow me,” complete with hand motions. One thing is certain, when Christ enters our lives, things are going to change! Peter, Andrew, James and John left their boats and nets. And their fishing business was lucrative. What caused them to make such a life changing decision? An encounter with Jesus drew them out of their life situations, and Jesus “shepherded” them into new lives as witnesses of the Resurrection and God’s love and power.
Would that we could see such life changing power in worship every Sunday! That kind of life changing power and witness is among us. We just have to connect people to those whose lives have been transformed, and then help those who are hearing God’s call to them in Christ respond with faith.
This is more than all of the church bazaars, barbecues, fish fries, softball games, and Superbowl Sundays in our churches. These things may help us build relationships with new folks and do help. But, someone must speak a word of witness. And when the witness comes out of a congregation, it is powerful. One call from God can and does change everything!
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