1 Lent

Thoughts toward a sermon:

Readings are here.

The theme of today's lessons as I read them is temptation. For the people of Israel it is the temptation to forget that all things come of God and to somehow think "we did it" ourselves. Our cleverness, our smarts, our possessions - we forget that they are gifts. The God of abundance provides and those who have supported us in life have made it possible to be in any sort of "promised land." For Paul the temptation is to believe that those who follow Jesus as Messiah are the only people God cares about. And for Jesus- the temptations are those things that focus on self and power over others rather than reliance on God and service to others.

The reading from Deuteronomy is written as a prediction - that when they come into the promised land they are not to forget. Most of the Old Testament was actually written down in a period when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah had been divided and conquered and the leaders were in exile. All scripture needs to be read from at least 3 levels - one when it happened, one when it was written and what was going on then, and one from our perspective reading it back from our time. The warning not to think they accomplished all this by themselves comes from believing that it was just this sort of hubris that brought them into exile. The people are trying to figure out how to get back into alignment with God.

Paul in Romans is struggling with how the Jews who don't follow Jesus and see his wonderfulness can still be the chosen people. Paul of course still considers himself a Jew but one who has had a further revelation of the Messiah - the one they had all been waiting for. Many do not believe this to be the case. For about 3 chapters of this letter he wrestles with his thoughts, what he has experienced and what he sees. We only have a short bit of it in our lesson today but it sets out what in the end he comes to believe. That yes Jesus is the Messiah and yes the Jews are still the chosen people. In many ways Paul reminds us that the experience of Jesus shows that God shows no partiality. The stories of Jesus' interactions with people is one of inclusion -women, Baal worshippers, disciples, rich, poor - all are welcome. So Paul in the end comes down on the side of mystery and letting judgement belong to God.

In the Gospel, Jesus is just beginning his ministry. The temptations to power, miracle and magic focusing on himself are very real. He can do all these things of the temptations. But always he returns to his call -- not a quick fix, not a magic trick, not a spectacular show - but the slow and steady living as God would have him live - showing God's love to the world. Love that takes him to the cross and life rather than an illusion of power and vengeance. Jesus resists the call to make bread out of stones to feed himself, to leap off the temple roof and test God, or to claim worldly power. He calls us to, Yes, feed the hungry, but also to look beyond to "why are people hungry?" A quick fix is to stop at providing a meal without the deeper reflection

If we are to follow Christ - these three readings have some ideas for us as well. Gratitude. Inclusion. Love. When we are tempted to believe the "self made man or woman" myth to remember that it took a village to raise us (as the saying goes) and that all creation is a gift of God. We can shape it and form it and use it but we cannot create it. Give thanks. When tempted to exclude someone or some sorts of people, to remember God's incredible love for us and to extend that love beyond ourselves. Be welcoming and affirming of others. When we are tempted to power and revenge and greed remember Jesus washing the feet of his followers - a leader who was not afraid to lose face. Whose sense of self was so perfect that he did not have to build it up by "looking good." Walking the talk as they say in AA. Believe that you are beloved of God and do not have to earn that status. Give that love back into the world.

Ash Wednesday

Readings are here.

The reading from Paul's 2nd Letter to the Corinthians excerpts a longer passage about our ministry as reconcilers. As Christ has reconciled the world to God in his life, death and resurrection - so we are to be about the ministry of reconciliation. In the catechism (BCP p. 855) we are asked what is the ministry of the laity (the baptized)?

The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take
their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.

But what is reconciliation? The Latin word implies bringing (back) into a circle, the Greek katalasso (as used by Paul) speaks of being changed/changing -- specifically changed from being opponents, adversaries, enemies to being friends,compañeros, sisters and brothers in one body. According to Paul, in Christ, God has been reconciling the world to God. And now this is the ministry of all who have been reconciled. (thanks to Paula Jackson)

We are called to enlarge the circle so all know they are within the arms of God - beloved sons and daughters, and to include all of creation. The ashes symbolize the fact that we all come from the same matter -- dust or stardust as I prefer - all of creation is one. In a circle there is no power differential - all are equal, no up/down, near/far, in/out. The circle gets broken with wars, abuse, poverty, prejudice but we are called to be menders and repairers of the fabric of life. The Greek word drives this point even further. How can we live into a world where adversaries, opponents, and enemies become friends, sisters and brothers? We start with those around us. We, as attributed to Gandhi - we become the change we want to see. Not becoming doormats - that is not what is required, but by understanding our own beloved worthiness -- and standing for that - not with violence but with love.

So receive the ashes and remember....

Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Notes towards a Last Epiphany sermon:

Lessons are here.

Transfiguration:

Jesus and disciples – off to pray as usual after being very busy, Peter, James and John see the same old Jesus – then everything changes. They see him as he really is - the fullness of his glory.

Seeing things that were always there.

1. Walking with children as we did this past week with our 4 y/o and 6 y/o - seeing things through their eyes.
Lent is a time to learn to see again for the first time

2. I know someone who is a SCUBA diver, he says: one of the simplest things I learned when I was a diver was that the things you can know about the ocean from the surface are only a fraction of what there is to know about the ocean.

During Lent we will have opportunities to learn how we might see more about God and our community.

Valentine’s Day on Thursday following Ash Wednesday. Lent can be a time to see those whom we love again for the first time? Deepen relationship. Remember we are beloved as well.

Seeing with with new eyes – what do we have to let go of? Take on?

Paul to Corinthians - about how we lose heart – and how we might gain new hearts for God and one another – living our faith openly. Allowing the fog to lift and seeing the sun/Son?

On Ash Wednesday we will remember that life is short and to rejoice in one another and being here today.
Remember you are stardust and to stardust you will return.

What’s happening for Lent at Grace?
This week Ash Wednesday – open all day! 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. services
Other Wednesdays – Soup, Sustenance, Taizé

We will also take time to tell our stories of being a part of Grace. We will be sending out an exercise for everyone this Lent in preparation for the arrival of the new rector – what are our core values?

And during this season I would encourage you to:

Fast from judgment, Feast on compassion
Fast from greed, Feast on sharing
Fast from scarcity, Feast on abundance
Fast from fear, Feast on peace
Fast from lies, Feast on truth
Fast from gossip, Feast on praise
Fast from anxiety, Feast on patience
Fast from evil, Feast on kindness
Fast from apathy, Feast on engagement
Fast from discontent, Feast on gratitude
Fast from noise, Feast on silence
Fast from discouragement, Feast on hope
Fast from hatred, Feast on love
What will be your fast? What will be your feast?

based on and explanded from PB Arthur Lichtenberg.

The exercise - Finding our Strengths

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Astoria OR
LENTEN EXERCISE
Finding our strengths

Name: ____________________________ Date joined Grace:__________

I. Tell about a time at Grace when you thought to yourself “yes, this is why I love being a part of this church.” Describe the event. (date:_____________)

II. Besides you who was there?

III. What did each one do to make it happen?

IV. What else made this possible (building, special circumstances, etc)

V. What did you bring to this event? What did you do to make it possible?

VI. What Core values of Grace are reflected in this event, in your opinion?

VII. If money and facilities were no problem – what is your dream for Grace?

Maurice Sendak: live your life

Epiphany

Epiphany is one of my favorite liturgical seasons -- its message is hope that all can find the Holy if they only follow the star. The Magi (3? or more as I like to think) were not of the "chosen" but they were seekers. The story touches something deep within us. The attempt of artists to include diversity in their depictions seems to be a response to that sense that all who seek will find.

I have recently re-heard T.S. Eliot reading his poem "Journey of the Magi" and was struck by the line that indicates they could never really return to their home. They returned geographically but the home of their hearts was always elsewhere.



For me the Magi represent all who wander this world seeking that which draws them to the very heart of all being bringing treasure beyond measure.

And reminds me of the saying -- "Not all those who wander are lost." JRR Tolkien.

It is the 17th anniversary of my ordination as a priest. The figure was made from a photo of the day I was ordained.

And here is Janet McKenzie's Epiphany --

Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

First Coming

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait

till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Madeleine L’Engle, from The Ordering of Love: The New and Collected Poems of Madeleine L’Engle.

What shall we do with the Christmas presents?

We stare and stare through the tears
at the presents hidden away for children
who will never open their gifts again

Only silence responds
the terrible silence

There are no words
to ease the pain
that will burn
every time
we set the table
for 5 where only 4 will sit

How will we live now?
Will our center hold?
Or shall we all fly off
into our own corners
of unanswerable grief?

Are we a brood of vipers?

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?"

In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. -Luke 3:7-18

"You brood of vipers" - John says this to all present and yet to come, to me. I may claim in my own way that "I have Abraham as my ancestor" - that is, I could never do the worst imaginable crimes. I say - I am not kin to the violent murderers of this world. But John calls me out on that and I know in my heart that I do participate in the killing. Wherever people die before attaining the fullness of life - I am complicit. I would not go into a classroom and kill children but what do I do about war, greed, hunger, poverty, lack of health care? All kill every day. It is impossible not to be complicit.

Still I go out to the desert to ask where is the hope? John gives me a simple answer. Turn away from the path of violence by receiving a message of "enough" - I do not need to have more than enough. Be satisfied with having just enough. That is his message of hope.

The Holy One IS coming with burn away the chaff that overloads us. We will be tossed about by life and in the process winnowed down to what we hope is good grain. Join the One who suffers and dies and comes again with the eternal hope of God in humankind's ability to make this a world of life for all.



And some realism from Digby

And more from Anne Lamott

Women as priests in early Christianity and now

Evidence of women as priests and bishops is strong in archeology and writings of the early days of Christianity. Victoria Rue's story of becoming a priest in our day.

Man in the moon

Neil Armstrong 1930-2012

From his family:
For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request. Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.

From stardust we come and to stardust we shall return

Sally Ride died peacefully on July 23rd, 2012 after a courageous 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, joy, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless.

Sally was a physicist, the first American woman to fly in space, a science writer, and the president and CEO of Sally Ride Science. She had the rare ability to understand the essence of things and to inspire those around her to join her pursuits.

Sally’s historic flight into space captured the nation’s imagination and made her a household name. She became a symbol of the ability of women to break barriers and a hero to generations of adventurous young girls. After retiring from NASA, Sally used her high profile to champion a cause she believed in passionately—inspiring young people, especially girls, to stick with their interest in science, to become scientifically literate, and to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering.

In addition to Tam O’Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years, Sally is survived by her mother, Joyce; her sister, Bear; her niece, Caitlin, and nephew, Whitney; her staff of 40 at Sally Ride Science; and many friends and colleagues around the country.

Ride on in glory - Sally Ride - you inspired us all to become seekers.

VII Pentecost

Readings are here.

Prospective Immigrants Please Note

Either you will go through this door
Or you will not go through.

If you go through
There is always the risk
Of remembering your name.

Things look at you doubly
And you must look back
And let them happen.

If you do not go through
It is possible to live worthily,

To maintain your attitudes,
To hold your position,
To die bravely.

But much will blind you,
Much will evade you,
At what cost who knows?

The door itself makes no promises.
It is only a door.

-Adrienne Rich 1929-2012
from Suzanne Guthrie's Edge of Enclosure


Blessing by Jan Richardson

May your life be a river.
May you flow with the purpose
of the One who created
and called you,
who directs your course
and turns you ever
toward home.

May your way shimmer
with the light of Christ
who goes with you
who bears you up
who calls you by name.

May you move
with the grace of the Spirit
who brooded over
the face of the waters
at the beginning
and who will gather you in
at the end.