Gospel text for Maundy Thursday, 14 April 2022

John 13:1-17, 31b-35        Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Reflection        Knowing that his time on earth is coming to an end, Jesus does what many of us might do, host a dinner party with our closest friends because we love them, even to the end, even those ones who have disappointed or betrayed us.  The odd thing is, at dinner parties generally the host takes the place of honor and perhaps Jesus does while serving barley bread, goat cheese, olives, dried fruit and wine. But on this night Jesus also does something extraordinarily unconventional. 

Jesus steps away from his place of honor as host and teacher. He gets up “from the table, takes off his outer robe, ties a towel around himself…” pours water into a basin then kneels in front of each guest, washing their feet and drying them with a towel.” We commiserate when Peter blurts out precisely what we are all thinking, “I am not comfortable with this. I do not want you to wash my feet!”

Here is a bit of context about the tradition of foot washing during Jesus time. Temple priests were not permitted to minister unless they washed their own feet twice. (Zeb 17b) In ancient Israel as a sign of hospitality a host would offer water to a guest and invite them to wash their own feet. (Gen. 18:4)  It is no wonder Peter is appalled when Jesus kneels to wash his feet.  A good host will offer their guests water to wash their own feet. Even temple priests wash their own feet. For a friend, a teacher to wash your feet, this is unheard of.

Which of course begs the question. Why in the world would Jesus do such an outrageous thing? And why on earth do Christians across the globe on this night get on their knees to wash the feet of friends and strangers?

I believe that at some unspeakably deep level we understand that love is more than an interior experience of excitement and attraction. Love is what we actually do to express our care and desire for the good of other people. Jesus puts it this way, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15.13)  I would add, love means setting aside our pride and preoccupation with our self. Love is about making our selves less and elevating the other.

Still, we protest.   “Let’s shake hands or have a polite hug, but  I don’t want you to see my gnarly toes and touch them. And Jesus, I do not want to wash your dusty feet either.”

And Jesus says, “I have seen you. I have heard your. I have felt you. I have touched you. I have cared for you as your servant. I have held nothing back from you because I love you as God the Creator loves me. I love you as God the Redeemer loves me. I love you as God the Source of all being loves me. Now, do likewise.” 

Jesus is showing the disciples and us what love really looks like. It is passing on God’s care and loving kindness.  Later in John’s gospel Jesus says, “I have loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love… this is my commandment. Love one another the way I have loved you. This is the very best way to love, put your life on the line for your friends.” (John 15.9,10,12)

Let me be crystal clear. Jesus is not promoting masochism nor being a doormat. He is showing us the way of extravagant love that holds nothing back. Extravagant love for the good of others, love poured out without measure for the good of friends and strangers. Whose feet do you need to wash? Who will you let wash your feet? Amen. 

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Gospel text for Sunday 6 March 2022

 Luke 4:1-13        After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.’"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord  your God, and serve only him.’"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’ and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Reflection        If ever we needed to pause and ponder who we are and how we want to be in the midst of the current geopolitical crisis, now is the time. Now is the time to be brutally honest with ourselves and with each other, to hold ourselves to account for the ways we have individually and collectively succumbed to the devilish temptation to revere power as our principle motive for life. For as long as power is our passion and persuasion there will be no lasting peace. 

Mahatma Gandhi writes, “The day the power of love overrules the love of power the world will know peace.” For far too long, far too many of us have been seduced by the devil’s temptations to chase, accumulate and misuse power. Today we see the consequence erupting around the globe. What are we to do?

Immediately following his baptism, Jesus was praying, and “the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ (Luke 3.22) Jesus is praying when he experiences the Spirit coming upon him and a voice assuring him he is the beloved of God, he is chosen. This sets the stage for Jesus’ temptations.

This is an experience that could make some one like me be full of my self, feel powerful and chosen. I can imagine myself saying, “You will not believe what just happened. I heard God tell me, ’You are my beloved daughter. With you I am pleased!’” I must be very special.” There is little doubt that I would be tempted to think rather highly of myself, to fancy myself in some elevated position of power, prestige or spirit and if not that, then to second guess the experience. “Alright God, if that is really you would you please give me a sign to prove it?” 

Thankfully this story is not about me. It is about how Jesus’ dazzling religious experience is made concrete and unyielding as he handily foils the devil’s temptations.

The first temptation. “Jesus, if you are the son of God, prove it. Use your power for personal gain.”  That is what the emperors Tiberius and Augustus did. That is what we see graphically happening today in Ukraine and a bit more like a snake in the grass happening in these United States today.  Turning to scripture to be guided by wisdom greater than himself.  Jesus recalls the story of his hungry ancestors, wandering in the desert for forty years, complaining about their grievous situation and mysteriously fed manna. With God life trumps exceeds power used for personal gain.

The second temptation. “Jesus, if you sell your soul to the devil you can have power over the kingdoms of the world.” Jesus is neither duped nor seduced because he understands real power is with God and not executed over people. Again referring to wisdom revealed in scripture, Jesus silences the devil declaring, God is the only One to be worshipped. Humility trumps ill begotten power.

The third temptation is an interesting twist. This time the devil uses  scripture, cherry picking verses to cajole Jesus into testing God which has an ironic effect. Instead of confounding the devil with scripture this time Jesus claims his own authority, “It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’" Jesus stands firmly in his authority grounded in his unshakable faith in God. Faith in God’s faithfulness trumps barbarian power. 

All three temptations address the issue of power; misusing power for personal gain, selling our souls for access to power over others and failing to put our faith in the incontrovertible power of God. Jesus shows us the way to foil the devil’s temptations and do our part to change our culture from a politics of power to a politics of love so that we may look forward to “The day the power of love overrules the love of power…. and we will know peace.”

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The Passion Narrative for Palm Sunday 28 March 2021

 Mark 15.1-39          As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. Then he answered them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate asked them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters); and they called together the whole cohort. And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.

It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.” And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

Reflection     Remembering the musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, I can almost hear Judas singing,

“Listen, Jesus, do you care for your race?

Don't you see we must keep in our place?

We are occupied; have you forgotten how put down we are?

I am frightened by the crowd.

For we are getting much too loud.

And they'll crush us if we go too far.

If they go too far....

Listen, Jesus, to the warning I give.

Please remember that I want us to live.

But it's sad to see our chances weakening with every hour.

All your followers are blind.

Too much heaven on their minds.”

When Jesus begins his ministry the Jews have long been waiting for a superstar to rescue them from their Roman oppressors.  Even though the homeless Jesus of Nazareth seems  to have no shortage of superpowers to heal, cast out demons and teach with authority, he fails when it comes to miraculously freeing the masses from their afflictions.  So it is not surprising that the same crowd that waves palms and sings “Hosannas” as Jesus enters Jerusalem a mere week later exchanges their praises for the piercing cries, “Crucify him. Crucify him.” 

It is the morning after his donkey ride into Jerusalem when Jesus enters the temple and immediately  “drive(s) out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturn(s) the tables of the moneychangers…” And then Jesus dares to declare, “Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 

Can you hear the people protest? “Jesus, what are you doing? You are making things worse for us? The Temple is the centre of our worship, commerce and national identity. Not only does it house our religious scripture but also the national literature. It is the meeting place of the highest court of Jewish law, the Sanhedrin. Jesus, you are upsetting the chief priests and scribes, making them afraid. Nothing good can come of this.”

Undeterred, the next day Jesus and his disciples return to the temple. Once again Jesus foils both religious and political officials when they plot to entrap him and then in a fate filled turn of tongue he hammers the proverbial nail into his cross when as he leaves the temple he says, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.” (Mk 13.2)  

And we hear CAIAPHAS singing.

“Tell the rabble to be quiet, we anticipate a riot. 

This common crowd, is much too loud. 

Tell the mob who sing your song that they are fools and they are wrong. 

They are a curse. They should disperse.”

Jesus is silent.

Realizing it is out of jealousy that the chief priests have handed Jesus over, Pilate asks the crowd, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” Meanwhile, hoping to secure their place of privilege with the Romans the chief priests stir up the crowd. Should such a thing happen today I suspect the instigators would  use social media to incite the crowd. But I digress.

Pilate spoke to them again, “Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” So “Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd… handed Jesus over to be crucified.” 

Here it is tempting to reference the sociology of crowd behavior; how a combination of social conditions that cause people to be frustrated and angry (being occupied and oppressed by the ruling class), a distinctive precipitating event (someone or something is identified to blame, the superstar has failed to save them)  and a lack of social control (no fear of punishment or reprisal for acting out, the officials are actually inciting the crowd), are the ground from which protest and violent collective behavior arise. * 

Returning to our story we see Jesus nailed to a cross. All who pass by him, including the chief priests and scribes, mock him and demand that if indeed he “would destroy the temple and build it in three day,” he should use his superpowers to save himself.  And when Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” we are not surprised that other bystanders call for another superstar, Elijah, to intervene. 

What is surprising is this. A Roman centurion, no doubt the soldier responsible for Jesus’ execution, a man with neither connection nor affection for the Temple or the Jewish God, the centurion is the only person in the crowd who recognizes God in the presence of the crucified Jesus. The centurion is the first person to see, know and believe the paradox of the cross which he declares saying, “Truly this man was God’s son.”

I have no idea what awakened  the centurion. I wonder if it was the dignity with which Jesus faced his accusers. Perhaps Jesus’ courage and composure while enduring unspeakable humiliation broke something open inside him. However we explain this, in some way the soldier was profoundly present. With no personal stake in the outcome he was able to see beyond the chaos of the circumstance to the mysterious presence of God with the suffering Jesus.  

Another surprising thing about this story is the unlikely superstar; a homeless Jewish man who wanders the Judean countryside loving on people, preaching peace and praying, a superstar murdered by political and religious officials who are afraid of his superpower love, a superstar who consents to his life and his death without ever turning away from God. 

Therein hides the secret of  the superstar’s power.  He finds his superpower in God alone.  Which makes me wonder if as Jesus faced Herod, Pilate and all those who mocked, scorned and betrayed him, if he might have been silently singing the words of David’s Psalm? 

^“”For God alone my soul waits in silence… 

 God alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; 

I shall never be shaken.” (Ps 62.1-2) 

I wonder if in some mysterious way the centurion heard Jesus’ silent song. Do you?

*Smelser, N. J. (1963). Theory of collective behavior. New York, NY: Free Press.

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Gospel text for Christmas Eve 24 December 2019

Luke 2:1-14        In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-- I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven,

Have you ever seen a newborn or very young infant? There is something unspeakably fragile about them, something that breaks through the accumulated layers of our composure, lifts our eyebrows and the pitch of our voice and renders us rather ditzy dolts. Even three hundred pound men in grey flannel suits cannot resist a quick “koo chee koo chee koo.” And then, there is that other moment, when the weight of responsibility for this utterly vulnerable being dawns upon us. 

I will never forget that experience with my daughter Leela. She was ten days old and it was the first time I was alone in the house with her. I put her on her change table and then remembered I needed something on the other side of the room. As I turned to walk away I was overwhelmed with the realization, “If I walk away she could fall and die. Her very life depends on me. Oh no. What have I done?”

Before the nativity of Jesus we expect God to arrive with an army and break the ranks of our oppressors. We expect God to burst onto the scene and execute an apocalyptic event that destroys all that is evil and rescues all that is good. But God enters our human story as a vulnerable infant born into seriously compromised circumstances, evoking our wonder, compassion and love. 

Is that not apocalyptic? Awakening the wonder, compassion and love of humanity?  It certainly was for me. As a grievously self absorbed grad student, bent on completing my dissertation and playing hard ball with the boys in academia, Leela was born into seriously compromised circumstances. The realization that I was directly responsible for the life of this vulnerable being was like ten years worth of forth of July fireworks going off in my mind at one time. I was awestruck. I wept. I picked her up and looked at the light in her eyes and finally saw beyond my own self interest. I held her close to feel her breathing on my cheek, a breath I cherish more than my own. In hindsight I believe this is how compassion and love were born in me, and it was apocalyptic. It changed everything. This weak and dependent newborn broke through the accumulated layers of my composure, uprooted my evil (self absorption) and rescued my good.

I am not saying that Leela is God, not any more or any less than any other child. I am saying, the nativity of Jesus changes our minds and our hearts about every single child that is born, which of course comes to be every living being. Every one of the more than seven and a half billion people on our planet today enters our human story as a vulnerable infant born into seriously compromised circumstances. Our lives depend on one another. Make no mistake, we are meant to respond to each and every human being with wonder, compassion and love. Thanks to the nativity of Jesus, God enters our human story and makes this possible. Emmanuel. God is with us! Merry Christmas!!

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Gospel Text for First Sunday in Lent 10 March 2019

Luke 4:1-13        After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.’"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’" Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,’and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Reflection        When have you been full of  the Spirit? When have you been swept into a moment of wonder and awe; a near death experience? feeling the substance of a newborn who an hour ago was not there? having a book fall off a shelf and open to the precise words you needed to hear? taking the risk to speak your truth and being well received?  When have you felt loved? When have you felt chosen? When have you “known” what you know that you know with not the least notion of how you know it? When have words spilled from your mouth, startled your eyes and made you wonder, “Wow, where did that come from?” 

I believe, like Jesus, we all are full of the Holy Spirit, which is to say, we all are full of God’s power in action. And, like Jesus, it is up to us to choose how we will put God’s power into action?  Do we choose to use the Spirit, the power of God, to  feed our ravenous appetites by making bread out of stone? feeding our addictions for food, alcohol, pain killers, money, travel, sex, anything in excess? Or, do we choose to find trustworthy sustenance in our with God life? Do we choose to use the Spirit, the power of God in action, to elevate ourselves at the expense of others? Or, do we choose to follow Jesus and be humble purveyors of God’s no strings attached love? Do we choose to put God to the test demanding, if you are God end my adversity and stop the torrent of tragedy that floods the world? Or, do we consent to the suffering inherent in our human condition and experience solace knowing God suffers with us?

Here is the thing, the Spirit that is God’s power in action is with us always. We do not have to go looking for it. It has already made its home in us. But rather than using all things in creation, from bread to sex, from the power to create and influence to the opportunity to receive blessing and perceive the greater good, we have learned to seize and squander the things of this earth. We have bought into the illusion that the world is an awful and evil place, full of anger, hatred and greed and not enough for everyone.  Our eyes have been blinded to the beauty, goodness and abundance of creation. Remember, God called all of creation good and called humankind very good? 

When we buy into the illusion that the world has gone to hell in a hand basket, guess what? That is what we see.  As people of God, filled with the Holy Spirit of God, we must refuse that illusion and choose instead to see the beauty, goodness and abundance of creation so that we can put God’s power into action persuasively. How shall we begin? 

By the grace of God we can change our glasses. To dismantle our illusion that the world is nothing but darkness and despair let me suggest we begin with prayer. Pick a time each day to express gratitude, thanking God for the beauty, goodness and abundance in our life, even if we can only find the smallest thing for which we are grateful. Then ask ourselves, “When we have had the opportunity to put God’s power into action, did we succumb to our addictions to dull our pain or bury our conscience? Or did we turn to God and ask for help? When have we used our resources, influence or power without regard for the effect on others? When have we embodied the Spirit of abundance and expressed unconditional love? Then noticing the times that we could do better, pray for the grace to do so. Finally, thanking God for the power of the Spirit with us, even if we have not felt it. 

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Hebrew and Gospel Texts for Sunday 2 September 2018

                                                  

Song of Solomon 2:8-13

The voice of my beloved!

Look, he comes,

leaping upon the mountains,

bounding over the hills.

My beloved is like a gazelle

or a young stag.

Look, there he stands

behind our wall,

gazing in at the windows,

looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks and says to me:

"Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away;

for now the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of singing has come,

and the voice of the turtledove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines are in blossom; 

they give forth fragrance.

Arise, my love, my fair one,

and come away.”

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 When the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me,

teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.”

Then he called the crowd again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile.” For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Reflection        This morning I joined millions of people, physically and virtually, worshipping in thanksgiving for and celebration of the life of Senator John Sidney McCain III at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Family, friends and political figures representing every star and every stripe of humanity;  Orthodox Jew and Jesuit, Republican and Democrat, everyday human and president, all gathered to pay tribute to a man who “embodied the best in humanity.” 

The Democrat turned Independent Joseph Liberman described Republican McCain as a “defender of dignity of all human beings,” and declared, “the actions of man are the sources of hope for people.” The controversial elder statesman and former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger paid tribute to McCain as a man of honor, explaining, “Honor is an inward compulsion free of self interest,” and it was honor that compelled McCain to action intended to assure “decency and freedom for all.” 

Republican President George W. Bush characterized McCain as “a model of the combination of courage and decency.” Democratic President Barack Obama said, notwithstanding their myriad disagreements, McCain “embodied the best,” because, “McCain was committed to something bigger than himself.”

In the eulogy that began the service and perhaps should have been its capstone, McCain’s  daughter Meghan stated, “John McCain was not defined by prison, by the navy, by the Senate, by the Republican party or any one of the deeds in his life. John McCain was defined by love.”

As the heart felt tributes proceeded a distinct theme emerged, a theme captured in a quote from John McCain’s favorite book, Ernest Hemingway’s For Whom the Bell Tolls. “Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other days that ever come can depend on what you do today.” The theme is action. Everything depends on what we choose to do. Which brings us to our Biblical texts.

“Listen to me, all of you, and understand,” God wants our hearts. That’s what Jesus is telling the self-righteous keepers of the law who keep pestering him with divisive issues of who has proper eating habits who does not, who is worthy who is not, who is in who is out.

God desires us as individuals as well as a community and proposes that we come away from our habitual ways of fighting for security, safety, esteem, power and control.  Come away from our zero sum mentality that in order for you to have more I must have less. Come away from our inordinate desire to win.  Come away… to a new life committed to something more than ourselves, love of God and one another.

Like any proposal, ”Will you marry me? Will you apply for this position? Will you volunteer for this ministry? Will you seek dignity and decent lives for all people? Will you come away with me?” there are two parts; the invitation and the response. “Arise, my love, and come away….” In other words, don’t just sit there and wonder, “Is this real or true? Do I deserve it? How can little me possibly do this?”  Stand up and step away from your incarcerating thoughts and self defeating habits.  Act now and commit to something bigger than yourself because love is realized in actions.

By all accounts the late Senator John Sidney McCain III’s life was defined by love, love that compelled him to commit and act for something greater than himself. I believe John McCain accepted God’s proposal and “embodied the best in humanity.” His life and all of ours are better for it. Dare we choose to act likewise? 

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Gospel text for Sunday 15 July 2018

Mark 6:14-29        King Herod heard of Jesus and his disciples, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

      

Reflection      Here is an interesting twist. Both men in this story know truth. John knows Jewish law forbids a man from marrying his brother’s wife. Herod knows John is a righteous and holy man and even likes listening to him speak. What distinguishes John from Herod is not their access to truth but rather their willingness to act on it.

When we dig deep down to the bottom of our souls we know what is right, what it true, even though sometimes we must plow through dung and dross to get there. So the question is, “What does it take to stand up, speak and act on truth?” I believe it requires two things. First we put our faith in God with us rather than in ourselves. If I believed doing this life was up to me alone I would wrap myself in cotton and lock me in a closet. But thanks be to God I know, God is with me no matter what. Second, as people of God we acknowledge there are standards by which we measure our behavior. Does our behavior demonstrate love of God, our neighbor, our enemy? Do our words and our actions lead us toward greater or lesser good for all people? 

Speaking and acting on truth is not neutral. Regardless that social, political and religious  pundits proclaim we live in a “post-truth” context, not all perspectives, positions or actions proceed toward good. As Christians we understand truth is both deeply personal and broadly communal.  Deeply personal because the deepest truth of our self is not other than that of Divine Presence with us. AND  Broadly communal because we affirm the interconnected, interdependence of all creatures and creation. Life is about me and life is about more than me.

It take courage to change not only our minds, but also to act decisively to change the course of events. In a grandstanding moment Herod made a regrettable and ill conceived promise. Full of himself he failed to see his vulnerability to Herodias’ special interest.  Then refusing to appear handled, he chose to act against what he knew was true, and was “deeply grieved.” 

John the Baptizer also faced a choice. Would he keep his mouth shut about Herod’s adulterous relationship and thus protect himself or would he speak truth to power? John chose the latter and we know where it got him because acting on truth exposes human failings and upsets the status quo. 

We dare not get so cynical or news weary, discouraged or afraid that we exchange our standards of truth and right action for the handling and false promises of special interest groups or self-serving governors. It takes courage to speak and act on truth, courage to change the course of events because when we do there is every chance, we will be handed our heads on a platter. So act now!

If you found this post interesting you may want to attend 

“Moving Prayer into Action,”

a forum at Church of the Apostles, on Sunday July 15th at 10:45 am where we will hear stories of oppression, persecution and marginalization from our Muslim, Mexican, Sikh, and Holocaust Surviving neighbors and learn about ways we can put our prayers into action to change the course of events. 

All are welcome to attend. 12111 N La Cholla Blvd, Oro Valley, AZ 

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Hebrew Testament Text for Sunday 3 June 2018

Bishop Michael Curry, center, leads an interfaith march during a Reclaiming Jesus event in Washington on May 24, 2018. RNS photo by Jack Jenkins

 1 Samuel 3:1-20         Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.

At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. For I have told him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be expiated by sacrifice or offering forever.”

Samuel lay there until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” He said, “Here I am.” Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also, if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. Then he said, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him.”

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

Reflection      This is the story of God and God’s people. It is a story of call and response, and in order to respond we must first be listening which is why Eli counsels Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if (the Lord) calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ But listening is not enough. Like Samuel we must also transfer alliance from our worldly teachers and authorities to the presence of God with us, even when it means speaking hard truths out loud, even to our teachers and authorities as did Samuel with Eli.

Recently 1.9 billion people were blessed to listen to the call of a present day prophet, the Episcopal Church’s own Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who preached at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in what one news source described as “a moment of divine intervention.” 

The progressive Christian leader Jim Wallis wrote, “God used a royal wedding to have the gospel preached probably to the largest audience at one time.” Then speaking about his commitment to join with faith leaders to promote the Reclaiming Jesus Movement Bishop Curry explained, “My hope and prayer is that what we’re really doing is helping the average Christian person of faith find their voice. We’re trying to find a way to bring people together and the values that we share is our starting place for doing that. We don’t tell people how to vote,” Curry said. “We don’t tell people exactly what policies they must stand for. We identify what are the values that will guide you in your life. But the rest? That’s between you and God.”

What are those values? As the voice of today’s prophet Curry preaches,“Love the neighbor you like and the neighbor you don’t like. Love the neighbor you agree with and the neighbor you don’t agree with. Love your Democrat neighbor, your Republican neighbor, your black neighbor, your white neighbor, your Anglo neighbor, your Latino neighbor and your LGBTQ neighbor. Love your neighbor! That’s why we’re here!”*

He concludes, “In these incredibly polarizing and frankly demoralizing times we need a moral message that’s anchored in faith not ideology and politics.” Essentially Curry is counseling us to transfer our alliance from the voices of politicians, ideologues and the media to the interior voice of the Word God with us, a Word we hear from trustworthy prophets. 

Like Samuel I believe our Presiding Bishop is a trustworthy prophet and I pray that “none of his words will fall to the ground.” God is not silent, remote or uninterested even though we may look at our lives or the world in which we live and want to shout, “O God, where are you in this? “ It is time for us to stop listening to media campaigns and political posturing and transfer our alliance to the Word God with us and love our neighbors, especially the ones that are most difficult for us to love. 

When we lay down our politics and personal predilections to embody the values proclaimed by our prophets, we too will be trustworthy. 

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* https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/27/bishop-michael-curry-reclaiming-jesus-trump accessed 31 May 2018.