Matthew 9:37-38 - Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is large and the laborers are few. We must ask the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers.
One idea - he makes no distinction between immigrant and native laborers. Maybe neither should we ...
Also, have I been harvesting to my full capacity? If not, maybe I should think about where I am being called and why I am not doing it.
Third - in regards to Eric - he needs some laborers on his side and I am not going to be one of them. I have explained my feelings clearly (with examples!) and if he doesn't understand, it is his job to find someone to help him.
I'm off to a new church today. I am excited as I need some worship!
B
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Compassion
Matthew 9:35-36 - And Jesus went to all the towns and villages teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every sickness and infirmity. Seeing the crowds, he felt compassion for them because they were harassed and troubled, like sheep without a shepherd.
Compassion. I could spend the rest of my life writing about compassion and how much I need to acquire it for others and I still wouldn't cover the topic. Having compassion is almost better than healing. Healing is great but not at the expense of the relationship. The relationship is important too! I need to like my doctors and those who help.
In particular, I am having trouble being compassionate toward Eric. He just failed so abominably that trying to explain the many ways he failed seems like a Herculean task. However, I am coming to terms with holding his hand. Well, for two hours. We'll see after that. Anyway, he has been homeless, I can try that example or the fact that he was so overwhelmed by the time Debbie got back. Hopefully, one of those situations will put him in a powerless mindset. Then perhaps I can ask how it felt if/when people ignored him while he was homeless. Or what if Debbie had just told him to suck it up and moved on to another topic of conversation? If those don't do it I have nothing... It's not possible to teach compassion. One only gets it by practicing it and Eric seems to be lacking it. At least, he doesn't see himself as one of us. He gives lectures rather than sermons. Preaching is teaching yet it differs from a lecture because it takes into account the lives of its recipients. Eric is stuck in his head. I've been thinking about requesting that he get a spiritual director - someone not involved in the church or his regular life to talk things over with. He would have benefited from doing so this time around.
I'm struggling to have compassion on my primary care doctor a well as my rheumatologist. Well, my primary care person can't help where she works. But Duby can be less judgmental! I just received registered letters checking up on my progress to get a colonoscopy and a mammogram. It's my life - leave me alone. Ugh. Fuck doctors and men.
B
Compassion. I could spend the rest of my life writing about compassion and how much I need to acquire it for others and I still wouldn't cover the topic. Having compassion is almost better than healing. Healing is great but not at the expense of the relationship. The relationship is important too! I need to like my doctors and those who help.
In particular, I am having trouble being compassionate toward Eric. He just failed so abominably that trying to explain the many ways he failed seems like a Herculean task. However, I am coming to terms with holding his hand. Well, for two hours. We'll see after that. Anyway, he has been homeless, I can try that example or the fact that he was so overwhelmed by the time Debbie got back. Hopefully, one of those situations will put him in a powerless mindset. Then perhaps I can ask how it felt if/when people ignored him while he was homeless. Or what if Debbie had just told him to suck it up and moved on to another topic of conversation? If those don't do it I have nothing... It's not possible to teach compassion. One only gets it by practicing it and Eric seems to be lacking it. At least, he doesn't see himself as one of us. He gives lectures rather than sermons. Preaching is teaching yet it differs from a lecture because it takes into account the lives of its recipients. Eric is stuck in his head. I've been thinking about requesting that he get a spiritual director - someone not involved in the church or his regular life to talk things over with. He would have benefited from doing so this time around.
I'm struggling to have compassion on my primary care doctor a well as my rheumatologist. Well, my primary care person can't help where she works. But Duby can be less judgmental! I just received registered letters checking up on my progress to get a colonoscopy and a mammogram. It's my life - leave me alone. Ugh. Fuck doctors and men.
B
Monday, August 17, 2015
Belief
Matthew 9:27-31 - And as he left that place, two blind men followed him crying and saying, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." And he entered the house and as they came in he said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith, may it be done for you." And their eyes were opened. He warned them sternly not to tell anyone. But they spread the story throughout the whole land.
So, not just action is required. We have seen in the past few days that action is required for Jesus/God to act. We need to move so God can guide us. God will not push. Yet, action is not enough. We need to believe that Jesus can do it. We need to believe that we/the situation can change. The two blind men believed and acted on that belief. According to their faith it was done for them.
This does not address what happens when we believe and it does not happen. I honestly am not sure how best to talk about that. Clearly, the answer to every prayer cannot be yes or no one would die and the planet would be pretty darn crowded. What does it mean when the thing we want to change doesn't? My aunt in Las Vegas is sick right now and is refusing treatment. I think that was a good decision. She is a strong woman and keeping her dignity is important. I know her children will give her a good death.
Parabolic hope. We make things as good as they can get and try to accept the things that won't change. But only as we work on changing those things we can. This is not an all-purpose excuse to sit on our butts! Things will not change if we do that. I think the discernment from yesterday comes in here. We need to be able to see where God might be leading and try to follow.
B
So, not just action is required. We have seen in the past few days that action is required for Jesus/God to act. We need to move so God can guide us. God will not push. Yet, action is not enough. We need to believe that Jesus can do it. We need to believe that we/the situation can change. The two blind men believed and acted on that belief. According to their faith it was done for them.
This does not address what happens when we believe and it does not happen. I honestly am not sure how best to talk about that. Clearly, the answer to every prayer cannot be yes or no one would die and the planet would be pretty darn crowded. What does it mean when the thing we want to change doesn't? My aunt in Las Vegas is sick right now and is refusing treatment. I think that was a good decision. She is a strong woman and keeping her dignity is important. I know her children will give her a good death.
Parabolic hope. We make things as good as they can get and try to accept the things that won't change. But only as we work on changing those things we can. This is not an all-purpose excuse to sit on our butts! Things will not change if we do that. I think the discernment from yesterday comes in here. We need to be able to see where God might be leading and try to follow.
B
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Perspective and discernment
Matthew 9:23-26 - And going into the house of the ruler and seeing the flute player and mourners, he said, "Depart, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." They laughed at him. After casting them out he entered the room, grasped the girl by the hand and she rose up. And the report of that went through the whole district.
So, in thinking about this I focused on the perspective of Jesus and that of the crowd. Jesus/God sees as we do not. We see the material reality - much like Sarah - but God see the possibilities latent in all of us. That is why discernment is so important. There is not one way of seeing any situation. Jesus presents a different perspective and he is laughed at. How many times have we laughed at someone with a different perspective?
In thinking about my next move in ministry, I am realizing there is not one answer to where God is calling me. Discernment is necessary to see another perspective on my choices. God can work with any action we take or situation we find ourselves in. Today I choose to look for another perspective on things.
B
So, in thinking about this I focused on the perspective of Jesus and that of the crowd. Jesus/God sees as we do not. We see the material reality - much like Sarah - but God see the possibilities latent in all of us. That is why discernment is so important. There is not one way of seeing any situation. Jesus presents a different perspective and he is laughed at. How many times have we laughed at someone with a different perspective?
In thinking about my next move in ministry, I am realizing there is not one answer to where God is calling me. Discernment is necessary to see another perspective on my choices. God can work with any action we take or situation we find ourselves in. Today I choose to look for another perspective on things.
B
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Action
Matthew 9:20-22 - And look a woman who had been suffering for 12 years with a hemorrhage came up behind him and touched his robe. For she said to herself, "If I only touch the fringe of his garment, I will be made well." And Jesus turned and seeing her said, "Take courage, daughter, your faith has made you well."
This story is similar to yesterday's in that Jesus was willing to heal someone. In this case, it was a marginalized person - a woman who was unclean due to her bleeding. Jesus healed her AND made it possible for her to come back into community. Yet, he did not just walk by and heal her. She had to take some action on her own behalf. This is an important aspect of Jesus' healing. He doesn't just randomly heal people. They need to ask first. Or in this case, touch his robe. We, too, cannot just sit around and wait for healing to come. Trusting in God does not work like that. We need to give God something to work with. God with us works with us.
B
This story is similar to yesterday's in that Jesus was willing to heal someone. In this case, it was a marginalized person - a woman who was unclean due to her bleeding. Jesus healed her AND made it possible for her to come back into community. Yet, he did not just walk by and heal her. She had to take some action on her own behalf. This is an important aspect of Jesus' healing. He doesn't just randomly heal people. They need to ask first. Or in this case, touch his robe. We, too, cannot just sit around and wait for healing to come. Trusting in God does not work like that. We need to give God something to work with. God with us works with us.
B
Friday, August 14, 2015
Willingness
Matthew 9:18-19 - And while he was saying these things, look, a ruler came and knelt before him saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will be saved." And Jesus followed him with his disciples.
Two things: Jesus is willing to help all who ask. We might think we are unworthy, but Jesus does not. Case in point: the ruler here is the oppressor of the Jewish people. Yet, Jesus treats him better than the Pharisees and the scribes. Because the ruler is willing to be humble, to see that although he rules over these people, Jesus has something that he does not - the power to bring his daughter back to life. Thus he kneels before him. He recognizes that he is unworthy. The Pharisees and scribes are not able or willing to do so.
Today, I too am willing to kneel before Jesus and ask for healing, knowing I am worthy.
B
Two things: Jesus is willing to help all who ask. We might think we are unworthy, but Jesus does not. Case in point: the ruler here is the oppressor of the Jewish people. Yet, Jesus treats him better than the Pharisees and the scribes. Because the ruler is willing to be humble, to see that although he rules over these people, Jesus has something that he does not - the power to bring his daughter back to life. Thus he kneels before him. He recognizes that he is unworthy. The Pharisees and scribes are not able or willing to do so.
Today, I too am willing to kneel before Jesus and ask for healing, knowing I am worthy.
B
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Common sense
Matthew 9:16-17 - "No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment for the cloth will pull away and a worse tear will be made. Also, no one puts new wine into old wineskins lest the wine pour out and the wineskin is destroyed. Rather, new wine is put into new wineskns and both are preserved."
"I have come to call not the righteous but sinners ..." "When the bridegroom is gone from them they will fast ..." Verses 16 and 17 coming up on these last two sayings makes it clear that Jesus is talk about common sense. It is only common sense that the healer comes to those who need healing, the sick. It is only common sense that the bridegrooms friends will feast during the reception. Yes? The last two sayings make it clear that all four are grouped together under common sense.
But what is he contrasting common sense with? In the first case it is the marginalization of outcasts. Jesus sees in them something that no one even tries to see. He sees them as made in God's image, just like everyone else. Thus, we should not cast them out but bring them back into society. So he goes to them and talks and eats with them and figures out what they need that he can give. He then helps them back into society, into community with others. He heals them and in so doing he heals society.
Yet he also offers them - and others who see it - hope. Hope for them and for a better future.
In the second case, he is contrasting common sense with the fasting rule John has implemented. This I find a little more difficult. Why? John is usually not a target, but perhaps that is why John is not a disciple? Did they go their separate ways because of divisions like this? It is clear from the gospels that Jesus liked to party. He is often pictured having meals with people. Is there a way to link this to hope somehow? Giving others permission to be happy? Perhaps John is too serious? I know that can be a problem in the church today - I think Peter is sometimes too serious. But, really, without laughter and friends, we would all be lost. Because hope lies in communities of love and respect and empathy. That is really what Jesus offers, God's love and empathy.
B
"I have come to call not the righteous but sinners ..." "When the bridegroom is gone from them they will fast ..." Verses 16 and 17 coming up on these last two sayings makes it clear that Jesus is talk about common sense. It is only common sense that the healer comes to those who need healing, the sick. It is only common sense that the bridegrooms friends will feast during the reception. Yes? The last two sayings make it clear that all four are grouped together under common sense.
But what is he contrasting common sense with? In the first case it is the marginalization of outcasts. Jesus sees in them something that no one even tries to see. He sees them as made in God's image, just like everyone else. Thus, we should not cast them out but bring them back into society. So he goes to them and talks and eats with them and figures out what they need that he can give. He then helps them back into society, into community with others. He heals them and in so doing he heals society.
Yet he also offers them - and others who see it - hope. Hope for them and for a better future.
In the second case, he is contrasting common sense with the fasting rule John has implemented. This I find a little more difficult. Why? John is usually not a target, but perhaps that is why John is not a disciple? Did they go their separate ways because of divisions like this? It is clear from the gospels that Jesus liked to party. He is often pictured having meals with people. Is there a way to link this to hope somehow? Giving others permission to be happy? Perhaps John is too serious? I know that can be a problem in the church today - I think Peter is sometimes too serious. But, really, without laughter and friends, we would all be lost. Because hope lies in communities of love and respect and empathy. That is really what Jesus offers, God's love and empathy.
B
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Fasting pt II
Matthew 9:15 - The day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then they will fast.
This is true of all death, right. When someone we love dies, we do not even want to eat. We mourn. So, when the wedding is still going on, party on. When it is time to mourn, we mourn.
Thinking about this in the context of the world, we are both at a party and at a death ...
Thinking about this in my own life, I need to mourn the loss of RPPC as a home church. I need to find a way to move on. I think I am shrinking from going to church because I haven't yet mourned - it will make it real.
B
This is true of all death, right. When someone we love dies, we do not even want to eat. We mourn. So, when the wedding is still going on, party on. When it is time to mourn, we mourn.
Thinking about this in the context of the world, we are both at a party and at a death ...
Thinking about this in my own life, I need to mourn the loss of RPPC as a home church. I need to find a way to move on. I think I am shrinking from going to church because I haven't yet mourned - it will make it real.
B
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Fasting
Matthew 9:14-15 - And some disciples of John said to him, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast while you and your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus answered him, "The guests at the wedding cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them. But the day will come when the bridegroom will be taken away and then they will fast."
So, Jesus is a bridegroom and the disciples are the guests at his wedding. Who is the bride? Israel. I think Jesus is continuing the wedding imagery of the Old Testament, in which God is the bridegroom and Israel is the bride. If this is true, the hearers would interpret it as blasphemy. Jesus is calling himself God.
Also, why a wedding? I think maybe because it was the time that all the neighbors rejoiced - a new union would mean new babies and the continuation of life. They partied for seven days! Maybe we are to think of life as a wedding and enjoy the party. God is our bridegroom - don't take that too literally! - and all shall be well. We are to rejoice in God's care and concern for us and for all creation. A theology of life.
B
So, Jesus is a bridegroom and the disciples are the guests at his wedding. Who is the bride? Israel. I think Jesus is continuing the wedding imagery of the Old Testament, in which God is the bridegroom and Israel is the bride. If this is true, the hearers would interpret it as blasphemy. Jesus is calling himself God.
Also, why a wedding? I think maybe because it was the time that all the neighbors rejoiced - a new union would mean new babies and the continuation of life. They partied for seven days! Maybe we are to think of life as a wedding and enjoy the party. God is our bridegroom - don't take that too literally! - and all shall be well. We are to rejoice in God's care and concern for us and for all creation. A theology of life.
B
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