Matthew 21:25-6 - "The baptism of John, was it from heaven or from man?" And [the chief priests and elders] talked among themselves, saying, "If we were to say from heaven, he will ask why then did we not believe? But if we say from man, we are afraid of the crowd, for they hold him to be a prophet."
Scheming. Jesus asks their professional assessment about the origin of John's baptism. They are so morally bankrupt, they immediately discuss which answer will be best for them. It's not about what they think, it's about looking good and maintaining power. Of course, Jesus knows neither answer makes them look good, which was the point.
What a horrible way to live. Always having to check your words, always having to look behind you, always having to please the occupying Roman forces; never being able for even one moment to rest and relax for oneself. Everything they do is calculated to enhance their own reputation and power. Thus, they have pushed God out of their hearts and hardened them, leaving no room for love to enter or leave. A living hell, really.
Wait. Am I still talking about the chief priests and elders? Yes, and the Republican senators, congresspeople, judges, not to mention 45 himself. They, too, are morally bankrupt. They, too, are focused on policing others rather than helping the least of these (doing their job!). They, too, echo the talking points they think will keep them in power and enhance their reputation. They, too, are so consumed with rage and greed there's no room to love. Hell, indeed.
It's important to remember this. It may sound trite but hurt people really do hurt people. No one who is happy is going to try to harm others or look the other way when injustice is done. Somewhere in their past, these Republicans faced an obstacle that made trying to create their fantasy world preferable to living in the real one. I think we can all relate to that. I know I can. Yet, such a course leads to death of our spirits. We cannot flourish ourselves or help others flourish by trying to live in such a fantasy world.
Jesus knows this. He also knows his question offers the chief priests and the elders a momentary glimpse in their moral mirror. They tell themselves and us who they are in their discussion, "We're afraid of both God and the people." They're in a quandary. Getting out of this quandary will lead them either to life or death depending on their answer. It is their choice. Just as Republicans choose daily life or death. In fact, we all choose daily whether or not we will follow Jesus. Jesus does us the same favor he's doing for the temple rulers in this story; he offers us a glimpse in our own moral mirror. We always have the choice to do better.
Jesus commanded that we love our enemies, that we pray for their flourishing. That is tough to do. Yet, when we find common ground in our shared humanity, it becomes a little easier. We must continue to push back against unjust policies and actions, of course. Yet, like Jesus, we can do so with love (to the best of our ability).
What do I see in my moral mirror? Do I have the courage to accept it? Do I deny it or look away? What is God asking me to choose today? Can I recognize my shared humanity with my "enemies?"
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Critical Thinking
Matthew 21:24 - Jesus answered them and said, "I will also ask you one question, if you answer me, I will also tell you by what authority I am doing these things."
Jesus is no dummy. He has the street smarts of someone who has grown up in an occupied country. He has learned to spot that look in someone's eyes that tells him they're up to something. And the chief priests and the elders are always up to something. The "ivory tower" academic term for street smarts is critical thinking. As Jesus put it to his followers,"be wise as serpents, innocent as doves." We, too, need to learn to recognize when someone is up to something. We need to learn to live in reality.
To be wise as a serpent includes assessing a situation correctly. To be innocent as doves means we're honest and authentic, as well as giving others the benefit of the doubt. Not forever, though. Maya Angelou has said it best, "When someone tells you who they are, believe them." We really lack this basic skill in America. Too many (white) people could not see who 45 really is. Anyone with even a smidgen of street smarts could tell he is a conman. They tried to make him out to be some sort of super genius. No, he's just a conman and so many of us saw it and tried to tell our senators and representatives. But very few people were willing to speak out against him at first.
This is the area where we have let our children down. Critical thinking is not always taught in school as it should be. I don't remember learning it until my 40s. Yet, it is necessary in order to have a well-functioning democracy that we educate ourselves and others. As citizens it is our job to acquire this skill and to use it in assessing the fitness of candidates for public office. Too many people vote on emotions rather than common sense - I guess that's another word for critical thinking. Too many people voted their own interests - racist and greedy as they were - rather than considering the consequences of their actions for other people.
Considering the consequences of our actions is an essential piece of critical thinking. Remaining in reality instead of trying to create our own - as 45 and the Republicans have been trying to do for decades - is essential. Only by allying ourselves with reality will we be able to see clearly the consequences of the horrific policies the Republicans are enacting. We will be able to spot their lies and challenge them. Only by education and speaking out will we be able to overcome their money-grubbing and cynical policies.
Critical thinking skills can inoculate us from falling for conspiracy theories, which are useful for blaming others - non-white people - for our problems and are another way to check out of reality. Operating in reality reveals the truth that when we take care of "the least of these," we are taking care of ourselves. This is what Jesus was doing by challenging the chief priests and the elders; taking care of the least of these (including the chief priests and the elders themselves) as well as himself. Critical thinking, being wise as serpents is not just for "ivory tower academic" people. It is a necessary skill for all of us.
In what sense are we wise as serpents? Do we believe everything we read or everything that a particular news source or person tells us? What would happen if we questioned that source?
Jesus is no dummy. He has the street smarts of someone who has grown up in an occupied country. He has learned to spot that look in someone's eyes that tells him they're up to something. And the chief priests and the elders are always up to something. The "ivory tower" academic term for street smarts is critical thinking. As Jesus put it to his followers,"be wise as serpents, innocent as doves." We, too, need to learn to recognize when someone is up to something. We need to learn to live in reality.
To be wise as a serpent includes assessing a situation correctly. To be innocent as doves means we're honest and authentic, as well as giving others the benefit of the doubt. Not forever, though. Maya Angelou has said it best, "When someone tells you who they are, believe them." We really lack this basic skill in America. Too many (white) people could not see who 45 really is. Anyone with even a smidgen of street smarts could tell he is a conman. They tried to make him out to be some sort of super genius. No, he's just a conman and so many of us saw it and tried to tell our senators and representatives. But very few people were willing to speak out against him at first.
This is the area where we have let our children down. Critical thinking is not always taught in school as it should be. I don't remember learning it until my 40s. Yet, it is necessary in order to have a well-functioning democracy that we educate ourselves and others. As citizens it is our job to acquire this skill and to use it in assessing the fitness of candidates for public office. Too many people vote on emotions rather than common sense - I guess that's another word for critical thinking. Too many people voted their own interests - racist and greedy as they were - rather than considering the consequences of their actions for other people.
Considering the consequences of our actions is an essential piece of critical thinking. Remaining in reality instead of trying to create our own - as 45 and the Republicans have been trying to do for decades - is essential. Only by allying ourselves with reality will we be able to see clearly the consequences of the horrific policies the Republicans are enacting. We will be able to spot their lies and challenge them. Only by education and speaking out will we be able to overcome their money-grubbing and cynical policies.
Critical thinking skills can inoculate us from falling for conspiracy theories, which are useful for blaming others - non-white people - for our problems and are another way to check out of reality. Operating in reality reveals the truth that when we take care of "the least of these," we are taking care of ourselves. This is what Jesus was doing by challenging the chief priests and the elders; taking care of the least of these (including the chief priests and the elders themselves) as well as himself. Critical thinking, being wise as serpents is not just for "ivory tower academic" people. It is a necessary skill for all of us.
In what sense are we wise as serpents? Do we believe everything we read or everything that a particular news source or person tells us? What would happen if we questioned that source?
Monday, January 29, 2018
Authority
Matthew 21:23 - He entered the temple and was teaching when the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you that authority?"
There's that focus on authority again. The chief priests and the elders are fearful for their own authority. They are unable to do the things Jesus has been doing and are concerned the people will no longer follow them, but follow Jesus instead. They fear they're about to be replaced. Much like white men in America now. Both groups fear losing their power, because there's only so much power to go around, right? They cannot open their hearts and minds to the idea that power and authority are not zero sum commodities because then they would no longer feel special or catered to by the rest of us. And they like being catered to.
Both groups have questionable sources for their authority. The chief priests and the elders are authorized by the occupying Romans; white men by the oppression of other groups. So, in order to keep their authority and assuage their fear - they demonize other groups who dare to question or ignore them. We see this happening with the sexual harassment revelations and Republicans in congress. For them, making America great again means returning the power to white men and kicking out the others. Republicans' authority comes from even more questionable sources: gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a little help from Putin. They, therefore question others' authority in order to keep us from questioning theirs and keeping them accountable.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Why is it that laws created by congresspeople and senators who got elected by dubious means still get to stand? Why is it that even though we know that several Republicans were gerrymandered into office, they still get to enact legislation that is then never questioned. The GOP tax law for example. What would it look like to erase the votes of such people - retroactively. Would the GOP stop their voter suppression and gerrymandering or would they ramp it up? Would they question where this authority comes from?
Yet, I think the chief priests and elders here have a point. We know Jesus' authority comes from God. But do we know where the authority of our leaders comes from? Are they serving their constituents or the Koch brothers? This is a vital question. We should always ask our leaders where their authority comes from. We should be aware of these things and we should be holding them accountable with actual consequences.
Where do you and I get our authority? Are we serving God? Have we accepted our ordination? Or are we serving earthly masters?
There's that focus on authority again. The chief priests and the elders are fearful for their own authority. They are unable to do the things Jesus has been doing and are concerned the people will no longer follow them, but follow Jesus instead. They fear they're about to be replaced. Much like white men in America now. Both groups fear losing their power, because there's only so much power to go around, right? They cannot open their hearts and minds to the idea that power and authority are not zero sum commodities because then they would no longer feel special or catered to by the rest of us. And they like being catered to.
Both groups have questionable sources for their authority. The chief priests and the elders are authorized by the occupying Romans; white men by the oppression of other groups. So, in order to keep their authority and assuage their fear - they demonize other groups who dare to question or ignore them. We see this happening with the sexual harassment revelations and Republicans in congress. For them, making America great again means returning the power to white men and kicking out the others. Republicans' authority comes from even more questionable sources: gerrymandering, voter suppression, and a little help from Putin. They, therefore question others' authority in order to keep us from questioning theirs and keeping them accountable.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Why is it that laws created by congresspeople and senators who got elected by dubious means still get to stand? Why is it that even though we know that several Republicans were gerrymandered into office, they still get to enact legislation that is then never questioned. The GOP tax law for example. What would it look like to erase the votes of such people - retroactively. Would the GOP stop their voter suppression and gerrymandering or would they ramp it up? Would they question where this authority comes from?
Yet, I think the chief priests and elders here have a point. We know Jesus' authority comes from God. But do we know where the authority of our leaders comes from? Are they serving their constituents or the Koch brothers? This is a vital question. We should always ask our leaders where their authority comes from. We should be aware of these things and we should be holding them accountable with actual consequences.
Where do you and I get our authority? Are we serving God? Have we accepted our ordination? Or are we serving earthly masters?
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Faith
Matthew 21:22 - "Whatever you ask for in prayer, you will receive if you have faith."
So here is a text with which I struggle, because the world does not work that way. I suspect we've all prayed for something we did not get. Many people get around this by assuming that we must pray for something good and worthwhile. 1> That's not what he said and he just finished telling them they could move mountains with faith. 2> Bruce Almighty. Remember that film? Remember the scene in which he's trying to answer prayers through the computer and there are so many he just can't keep up so he answers them all with yes? Then chaos ensues because some of those prayers directly contradict each other. So, that's probably not the best explanation.
I've heard the idea that if you have faith, then your desires will align perfectly with God's will. That is a dangerous idea. We already have a tendency to make God in our image, which leads to harmful things being done in God's name. Yet, with a lot of prayer and working to get our own ego out of the way, with the help of spiritual directors, we might come closer to God's will. Even so, our prayers will not always be answered, "yes."
I've heard the rationale that maybe you don't have (enough) faith if you don't get what you pray for. This, of course, is the phrase turned around. Yet, how many of us have prayed for someone to live. What about the slaves who prayed for freedom and never saw it? More slaves died than were freed. Since many of them were in fact Christians before they were kidnapped and brought here, it's not fair to say they didn't have faith. I think all three of these ideas are ways to get around what Jesus said rather than try to struggle with what he meant.
Jesus is still talking to them as a group rather than individually, but I'm not sure this helps. Yet, it points to a truth that is missing if he's talking to them as individuals. When Jesus calls us to follow, he's calling us to service, to work with him. I want to share a joke that illustrates this point. A person wanted to win the lottery and prayed every day, "God, please let me win the lottery." Week after week they prayed, and week after week, nothing. Finally, God spoke, "Do me a favor. Buy a ticket." We are called to do our part. Prayer is important and so is action. Jesus called his church to work with him to end injustice, free the prisoners, and ensure human flourishing. The church did, and does, fall short of that ideal. Individually and collectively, we need to repent and repair the damage. Those would be faithful actions!
It's easy to think that there isn't anything we as individuals can do. We think our meager contribution will not make a difference. Perhaps because we are not trusting the Spirit. Such trust is hard, yet if Jesus has called us, he'll find a way - once we begin to put one step in front of the other. Will we dare to follow?
So here is a text with which I struggle, because the world does not work that way. I suspect we've all prayed for something we did not get. Many people get around this by assuming that we must pray for something good and worthwhile. 1> That's not what he said and he just finished telling them they could move mountains with faith. 2> Bruce Almighty. Remember that film? Remember the scene in which he's trying to answer prayers through the computer and there are so many he just can't keep up so he answers them all with yes? Then chaos ensues because some of those prayers directly contradict each other. So, that's probably not the best explanation.
I've heard the idea that if you have faith, then your desires will align perfectly with God's will. That is a dangerous idea. We already have a tendency to make God in our image, which leads to harmful things being done in God's name. Yet, with a lot of prayer and working to get our own ego out of the way, with the help of spiritual directors, we might come closer to God's will. Even so, our prayers will not always be answered, "yes."
I've heard the rationale that maybe you don't have (enough) faith if you don't get what you pray for. This, of course, is the phrase turned around. Yet, how many of us have prayed for someone to live. What about the slaves who prayed for freedom and never saw it? More slaves died than were freed. Since many of them were in fact Christians before they were kidnapped and brought here, it's not fair to say they didn't have faith. I think all three of these ideas are ways to get around what Jesus said rather than try to struggle with what he meant.
Jesus is still talking to them as a group rather than individually, but I'm not sure this helps. Yet, it points to a truth that is missing if he's talking to them as individuals. When Jesus calls us to follow, he's calling us to service, to work with him. I want to share a joke that illustrates this point. A person wanted to win the lottery and prayed every day, "God, please let me win the lottery." Week after week they prayed, and week after week, nothing. Finally, God spoke, "Do me a favor. Buy a ticket." We are called to do our part. Prayer is important and so is action. Jesus called his church to work with him to end injustice, free the prisoners, and ensure human flourishing. The church did, and does, fall short of that ideal. Individually and collectively, we need to repent and repair the damage. Those would be faithful actions!
It's easy to think that there isn't anything we as individuals can do. We think our meager contribution will not make a difference. Perhaps because we are not trusting the Spirit. Such trust is hard, yet if Jesus has called us, he'll find a way - once we begin to put one step in front of the other. Will we dare to follow?
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Faith and Doubt
Matthew 21:21 - Jesus answered them, "Truly I tell you, if you (plural) have faith and do not doubt, you (plural) will not only do the same to the fig tree, but even if you (plural) say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' it will be done."
Imagine you're one of the disciples still trying to make sense of what happened to the fig tree and hearing this answer! I would be very tempted to protest that my faith is not that great. And I would be missing an important point. Jesus was not talking to them only as individuals; the word 'you' is plural in the Greek as I indicated above. Jesus is addressing them together, as a community. If they (plural, together, as a community) have faith and do not doubt, they will be able to move mountains.
This is important because Christianity is not a solitary religion. It has always been community-oriented. The community of faith is central and mirrors the community of the Trinity. Together, we can move mountains. Singly? Not so much. This is the idea behind community organizing; a group of people with little or no power banding together has power.
Jesus, however, was not talking about political power, but the power of the faith community coming together to accomplish their goal. The Night Ministry in Chicago is a great example of this. Five churches in the Uptown neighborhood got together and ordained a minister to go to the bars and other places along Wilson Avenue where people experiencing homelessness hung out. He talked with them, heard their stories, helped them with what he could, and established trust. There are still people experiencing homelessness in Chicago and The Night Ministry is still using its resources to find them and support them; to keep them alive, physically and spiritually, until they can get housing or other needed help.
Recognizing the plurality of Jesus's audience is important when we think about doubt as well. One person can doubt and it will be more difficult to accomplish their goal. With a group of people, individual doubt will not affect the group to the same degree. I once told a professor that I doubted I could do something. They responded, "That's okay. I have confidence in you." That gave me courage to continue. When we support each other through our doubts, we can all get to our goal.
It's okay to doubt and struggle; in fact, it's necessary for faith. Without struggle, our faith is built on sand. Recognizing that the Bible contradicts itself and has some pretty dubious stories is the beginning of the struggle. A good example is the sacrifice of Isaac. Many Christians interpret this story as an example of Abraham's great faith. They might be surprised to discover that among Jews an alternate interpretation is that Abraham failed the test. Or maybe we should recognize that God doesn't come across so great in this story? It's not black and white.
So when we read the Bible and come across a passage such as the sacrifice of Isaac that is confusing or that goes against current social norms (a pro-slavery passage, for example) we need to struggle; keeping in mind that if several interpretations seem plausible, the most loving interpretation might be the best. Jesus read his scriptures and condensed everything to "Love God with all your heart, and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." If your interpretation leads to actions that harm others or yourself, consider trying a different interpretation.
Where have I experienced doubt? Did it get resolved? What do I struggle with today?
Imagine you're one of the disciples still trying to make sense of what happened to the fig tree and hearing this answer! I would be very tempted to protest that my faith is not that great. And I would be missing an important point. Jesus was not talking to them only as individuals; the word 'you' is plural in the Greek as I indicated above. Jesus is addressing them together, as a community. If they (plural, together, as a community) have faith and do not doubt, they will be able to move mountains.
This is important because Christianity is not a solitary religion. It has always been community-oriented. The community of faith is central and mirrors the community of the Trinity. Together, we can move mountains. Singly? Not so much. This is the idea behind community organizing; a group of people with little or no power banding together has power.
Jesus, however, was not talking about political power, but the power of the faith community coming together to accomplish their goal. The Night Ministry in Chicago is a great example of this. Five churches in the Uptown neighborhood got together and ordained a minister to go to the bars and other places along Wilson Avenue where people experiencing homelessness hung out. He talked with them, heard their stories, helped them with what he could, and established trust. There are still people experiencing homelessness in Chicago and The Night Ministry is still using its resources to find them and support them; to keep them alive, physically and spiritually, until they can get housing or other needed help.
Recognizing the plurality of Jesus's audience is important when we think about doubt as well. One person can doubt and it will be more difficult to accomplish their goal. With a group of people, individual doubt will not affect the group to the same degree. I once told a professor that I doubted I could do something. They responded, "That's okay. I have confidence in you." That gave me courage to continue. When we support each other through our doubts, we can all get to our goal.
It's okay to doubt and struggle; in fact, it's necessary for faith. Without struggle, our faith is built on sand. Recognizing that the Bible contradicts itself and has some pretty dubious stories is the beginning of the struggle. A good example is the sacrifice of Isaac. Many Christians interpret this story as an example of Abraham's great faith. They might be surprised to discover that among Jews an alternate interpretation is that Abraham failed the test. Or maybe we should recognize that God doesn't come across so great in this story? It's not black and white.
So when we read the Bible and come across a passage such as the sacrifice of Isaac that is confusing or that goes against current social norms (a pro-slavery passage, for example) we need to struggle; keeping in mind that if several interpretations seem plausible, the most loving interpretation might be the best. Jesus read his scriptures and condensed everything to "Love God with all your heart, and soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." If your interpretation leads to actions that harm others or yourself, consider trying a different interpretation.
Where have I experienced doubt? Did it get resolved? What do I struggle with today?
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Wonder
Matthew 21:20 - And seeing it, the disciples marveled, "How did the fig tree wither at once?"
Have you ever been in a hospital room with an older person or even someone so medicated they do not recognize where they are or even why? It is extremely uncomfortable and sad to see someone so withered who used to be so full of life and health. If we live long enough, we will probably one day be that person. It is a natural consequence of aging in human beings and plants, too.
This, of course, is why the disciples are amazed. They ask how could it happen so fast. Jesus was constantly surprising them with miraculous healings (and cursings) and wondrous teachings that often left the disciples dumbfounded. They really struggled to keep up - at least according to Matthew.
We marvel too. We ask the same question they did and more. We want to know whether this really happened. That is often the wrong question to ask of the Bible stories. In asking it, we focus on the historicity and forget about the wonder; not only in this story, but in all the others as well. We read the first creation story in Genesis and we see that God called everything created 'good,' including this fig tree. Perhaps we should expand our wonder to include both Jesus's power and the miracle of the fig tree itself.
Many of us have so many responsibilities that it's hard to let them go for even a few minutes to look around and wonder. Wonder at God's good creation. Trees, birds, animals, grass, flowers and human beings in all our variety. We are all different, yet we are all alike. The creation stories show us how intimately connected we all are to each other. We are so intimately connected that what we do for ourselves, we do for others and what we do for others, we do for ourselves.
That to me is wondrous.
Have you ever been in a hospital room with an older person or even someone so medicated they do not recognize where they are or even why? It is extremely uncomfortable and sad to see someone so withered who used to be so full of life and health. If we live long enough, we will probably one day be that person. It is a natural consequence of aging in human beings and plants, too.
This, of course, is why the disciples are amazed. They ask how could it happen so fast. Jesus was constantly surprising them with miraculous healings (and cursings) and wondrous teachings that often left the disciples dumbfounded. They really struggled to keep up - at least according to Matthew.
We marvel too. We ask the same question they did and more. We want to know whether this really happened. That is often the wrong question to ask of the Bible stories. In asking it, we focus on the historicity and forget about the wonder; not only in this story, but in all the others as well. We read the first creation story in Genesis and we see that God called everything created 'good,' including this fig tree. Perhaps we should expand our wonder to include both Jesus's power and the miracle of the fig tree itself.
Many of us have so many responsibilities that it's hard to let them go for even a few minutes to look around and wonder. Wonder at God's good creation. Trees, birds, animals, grass, flowers and human beings in all our variety. We are all different, yet we are all alike. The creation stories show us how intimately connected we all are to each other. We are so intimately connected that what we do for ourselves, we do for others and what we do for others, we do for ourselves.
That to me is wondrous.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Fully Human
Matthew 21:18-19 - In the morning, while returning to the city, Jesus became hungry. Seeing a lone fig tree by the side of the road, he went over to it and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, "May no one ever find fruit on you again" and the tree withered at once.
This is one of those WTF stories in the Bible, of which there are many. Why was Jesus so angry? Hangry? It seems out of character for "meek and mild" Jesus. Yet, Jesus was just seen at the temple overturning tables and causing a commotion. Maybe he wasn't so meek and mild as we like to think. Even so, it just seems petty to curse a tree because it has no fruit on it.
It also seems very human. At our worst, we are likely to do much worse than curse a fig tree. I know I don't have to think very hard to come up with my own entries in that category. Yet, we like to think of ourselves as rational when the evidence proves the truth that we are often irrational. We often act out of our emotions without stopping to think. Seeing Jesus do this is jarring. Isn't he supposed to be sinless? Is cursing a tree a sin? Is being angry?
Personally, I like the idea of imperfect Jesus. It makes him much more relatable to me, but more importantly, I feel more understood by imperfect Jesus than perfect Jesus. Imperfect Jesus knows what it's like to feel guilty; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus knows from experience that there's a gigantic learning curve for us to get from where he finds us to where he wants us to be; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus knows how uncomfortable shame, horror, fear, and embarrassment feel; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus knows what it is to be flawed; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus is fully human because he has experienced not only temptation, but also what it feels like to succumb to temptation.
Imperfect Jesus reminds us that as human beings we have emotions and we're not perfect at controlling them; nor should we be. We're not meant to be conformist robots; we're meant to be human beings with all the flaws that entails. We're meant to be ourselves. Jesus was human and had a bad day. We all do. That's what the words "I'm sorry" are for. That's what forgiveness is for. No, Jesus doesn't want robots. When we die, according to Dr. Braxton (and I agree), God is not going to ask how well we followed some arbitrary religious norms (designed only to control the congregation) or about whether we did enough to merit entry into heaven. God is going to ask, "Were you you?" Did you try to be someone else or did you embrace yourself as God's gift to the world? Dr. Braxton ends that sermon with a challenge: I dare you to be you.
I would add "flaws and all."
This is one of those WTF stories in the Bible, of which there are many. Why was Jesus so angry? Hangry? It seems out of character for "meek and mild" Jesus. Yet, Jesus was just seen at the temple overturning tables and causing a commotion. Maybe he wasn't so meek and mild as we like to think. Even so, it just seems petty to curse a tree because it has no fruit on it.
It also seems very human. At our worst, we are likely to do much worse than curse a fig tree. I know I don't have to think very hard to come up with my own entries in that category. Yet, we like to think of ourselves as rational when the evidence proves the truth that we are often irrational. We often act out of our emotions without stopping to think. Seeing Jesus do this is jarring. Isn't he supposed to be sinless? Is cursing a tree a sin? Is being angry?
Personally, I like the idea of imperfect Jesus. It makes him much more relatable to me, but more importantly, I feel more understood by imperfect Jesus than perfect Jesus. Imperfect Jesus knows what it's like to feel guilty; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus knows from experience that there's a gigantic learning curve for us to get from where he finds us to where he wants us to be; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus knows how uncomfortable shame, horror, fear, and embarrassment feel; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus knows what it is to be flawed; perfect Jesus cannot. Imperfect Jesus is fully human because he has experienced not only temptation, but also what it feels like to succumb to temptation.
Imperfect Jesus reminds us that as human beings we have emotions and we're not perfect at controlling them; nor should we be. We're not meant to be conformist robots; we're meant to be human beings with all the flaws that entails. We're meant to be ourselves. Jesus was human and had a bad day. We all do. That's what the words "I'm sorry" are for. That's what forgiveness is for. No, Jesus doesn't want robots. When we die, according to Dr. Braxton (and I agree), God is not going to ask how well we followed some arbitrary religious norms (designed only to control the congregation) or about whether we did enough to merit entry into heaven. God is going to ask, "Were you you?" Did you try to be someone else or did you embrace yourself as God's gift to the world? Dr. Braxton ends that sermon with a challenge: I dare you to be you.
I would add "flaws and all."
Monday, January 22, 2018
Lodging
Matthew 21:17 - And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.
First century equivalent of a mic drop? I'm surprised they let him go; maybe they were still processing what he said. At any rate, he leaves the temple and goes to Bethany and lodges at a friend's house most likely. Hopefully, they returned the donkey and the colt on the way. I wonder why he left, though. Was he preparing for his ordeal? was he hiding? enjoying time with friends and disciples? Maybe all of that - and more.
Getting away from activity is healthy and good, even when the activity itself is healthy and good! We all need time away, time to ourselves. Some of us more than others. Yet, lodging in those days wasn't as quite as amenable to self-reflection as a night in a good hotel. There were likely many people and maybe animals nearby; a lot of commotion. It would have been hard to have "alone time," which is why Jesus often went up mountains to pray. He advised his disciples as well to "go into your room and pray in secret."
In our busy world, we focus on productivity and action. As a society, America is not very self-reflective. Yet, it's the best way to hear God calling our name. I wrote last time that when God calls us, she ordains us. I was pleased, therefore, while watching a sermon on YouTube, to hear Dr. Brad Braxton - my preaching professor - equate baptism with ordination. "Do you remember your ordination day?" We are all called to ministry and have to be listening for that call; well, okay sometimes it comes out of the blue. Yet, being quiet increases our chances. We will have a hard time hearing it if we fill our days with action and purpose with no time to just be. Let's listen for God's call today.
Do I spend time with God every day? If not, what is keeping me from doing so? Is there a time during my day, no matter how short, that I can repurpose?
First century equivalent of a mic drop? I'm surprised they let him go; maybe they were still processing what he said. At any rate, he leaves the temple and goes to Bethany and lodges at a friend's house most likely. Hopefully, they returned the donkey and the colt on the way. I wonder why he left, though. Was he preparing for his ordeal? was he hiding? enjoying time with friends and disciples? Maybe all of that - and more.
Getting away from activity is healthy and good, even when the activity itself is healthy and good! We all need time away, time to ourselves. Some of us more than others. Yet, lodging in those days wasn't as quite as amenable to self-reflection as a night in a good hotel. There were likely many people and maybe animals nearby; a lot of commotion. It would have been hard to have "alone time," which is why Jesus often went up mountains to pray. He advised his disciples as well to "go into your room and pray in secret."
In our busy world, we focus on productivity and action. As a society, America is not very self-reflective. Yet, it's the best way to hear God calling our name. I wrote last time that when God calls us, she ordains us. I was pleased, therefore, while watching a sermon on YouTube, to hear Dr. Brad Braxton - my preaching professor - equate baptism with ordination. "Do you remember your ordination day?" We are all called to ministry and have to be listening for that call; well, okay sometimes it comes out of the blue. Yet, being quiet increases our chances. We will have a hard time hearing it if we fill our days with action and purpose with no time to just be. Let's listen for God's call today.
Do I spend time with God every day? If not, what is keeping me from doing so? Is there a time during my day, no matter how short, that I can repurpose?
Friday, January 19, 2018
Ordination
Matthew 21:15 - When the chief priests and scribes saw the wondrous things he did and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna, Son of David," they became indignant.
The chief priests and scribes - the temple authorities - are angry that Jesus is healing in the temple and that people are calling Jesus "Son of David" because he's horning in on their "territory." At least that's how they see things. Jesus is just another pilgrim with no right or authority to do these things in the temple. It would be like someone coming into your church and in the middle of the service began healing the congregants, who then loudly praised that person. On the one hand, people are being healed; on the other, decently and in order.
Keep in mind Jesus has been healing people who could not see and/or walk. These same people are now singing his praises and crying out for deliverance. Deliverance from the Roman occupation with whom the temple authorities are collaborating. Not only is Jesus horning in on their territory, but he's also making them look bad to their bosses. The chief priests and scribes have authority in the temple, but the ultimate authority in this situation is the Roman Empire. If they cannot control this fervor in the temple, the Romans will remove them from office (and power) and possibly crucify them.
The chief priests and scribes serve at the pleasure of Pilate. Therefore, in the face of Jesus's miraculous healings of people with disabilities, they can only think of themselves. There is no compassion or mercy or rejoicing in their hearts. They cling to their Roman-sanctioned authority by questioning Jesus's own, which comes from God. When God calls people, God simultaneously ordains them for their work. The moment we begin to follow God's call for justice, mercy and the flourishing of all life, the Greek zoe, we have been authorized and ordained by God. A beautiful description of this is in the beginning of Isaiah 6.
When I was doing Clinical Pastoral Education at The Night Ministry in Chicago, we wore clerical collars. People often asked whether I was a minister. I always answered, "Not ordained, yet." One day my supervisor asked, "Why haven't you ordained yourself?" In other words, God has ordained you, why haven't you accepted her ordination?" (Yes, I used her on purpose) I hadn't accepted it because I feared the "authorities." Ordination is in some ways like a wedding; both are a celebration of what is already reality. Tomorrow I will wear my clerical collar to the Women's March protesting the corruption of the current administration and congress while representing the God of mercy, justice, and the flourishing of all of his children.
What has the God of life called you to do? Have you accepted your ordination? Why or why not?
The chief priests and scribes - the temple authorities - are angry that Jesus is healing in the temple and that people are calling Jesus "Son of David" because he's horning in on their "territory." At least that's how they see things. Jesus is just another pilgrim with no right or authority to do these things in the temple. It would be like someone coming into your church and in the middle of the service began healing the congregants, who then loudly praised that person. On the one hand, people are being healed; on the other, decently and in order.
Keep in mind Jesus has been healing people who could not see and/or walk. These same people are now singing his praises and crying out for deliverance. Deliverance from the Roman occupation with whom the temple authorities are collaborating. Not only is Jesus horning in on their territory, but he's also making them look bad to their bosses. The chief priests and scribes have authority in the temple, but the ultimate authority in this situation is the Roman Empire. If they cannot control this fervor in the temple, the Romans will remove them from office (and power) and possibly crucify them.
The chief priests and scribes serve at the pleasure of Pilate. Therefore, in the face of Jesus's miraculous healings of people with disabilities, they can only think of themselves. There is no compassion or mercy or rejoicing in their hearts. They cling to their Roman-sanctioned authority by questioning Jesus's own, which comes from God. When God calls people, God simultaneously ordains them for their work. The moment we begin to follow God's call for justice, mercy and the flourishing of all life, the Greek zoe, we have been authorized and ordained by God. A beautiful description of this is in the beginning of Isaiah 6.
When I was doing Clinical Pastoral Education at The Night Ministry in Chicago, we wore clerical collars. People often asked whether I was a minister. I always answered, "Not ordained, yet." One day my supervisor asked, "Why haven't you ordained yourself?" In other words, God has ordained you, why haven't you accepted her ordination?" (Yes, I used her on purpose) I hadn't accepted it because I feared the "authorities." Ordination is in some ways like a wedding; both are a celebration of what is already reality. Tomorrow I will wear my clerical collar to the Women's March protesting the corruption of the current administration and congress while representing the God of mercy, justice, and the flourishing of all of his children.
What has the God of life called you to do? Have you accepted your ordination? Why or why not?
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Healing and Trust
Matthew 21:14 - And blind people and lame people came to him in the temple and he healed them.
Jesus is always, always, always about people. He's curious about them. His conversations make it clear that he cares. Even his confrontational conversations with the Pharisees and the Sadducees are as much about healing as his physical healing of blind people and lame people. Jesus is about restoring people to health, pushing people to go that one step further and telling people what they need to hear, that God loves them.
There are many Christians today who have a hard time believing this, who have a hard time trusting that God loves them. So they focus on law rather than people; acting the "right" way and saying and believing the "right" things. We see this in the reaction to 45s "shithole" comment. People who care about "law" and "right belief" are outraged, if they accept that he said it at all, that he said a "bad" word. Those who care about people are outraged at the vile racism that produced such a comment.
Trusting in God, giving all of our life to Jesus means caring more about flourishing of people than following a law. It is hard to trust God with one's whole life the way Jesus calls us to. Most of us don't do it. We give some parts to God and withhold other parts. Trusting in God means questioning whether any given law is unjust and protesting the unjust laws and actions of our government. It means speaking out on behalf of those most vulnerable. Especially Native Americans, whom I have neglected to name explicitly in my previous posts. It means doing that thing we're called to do no matter how we feel about it.
Most of us are like Moses in how we feel about it - "Can't you send someone else? I can't talk well, I have a lisp. Who am I that I should represent you?" And so on. We find it hard to trust because deep down we know that our lives would have to change. We'll be asked to do things we'd rather not. And God gives us the same reassurance he gave Moses that it is YHVH calling - when you bring the Israelites back here you will all worship on this mountain. In other words, we have to go out on a limb. We have to go on faith.
Yes, it's hard, but we cannot be healed without it. Our lives will stay stuck, our thinking will revolve in circles, and we'll be pushed and pulled by every whirlwind that comes along until we find our center, which I'm calling God. Trust and faith as part of belief can bring peace, positive movement in our lives and blessing we would not otherwise have. It brings risk, too. But as Senator Booker, Dr. King, and Rev. William Barber remind us, nothing is without risk. When we walk in faith we'll be able to see things more clearly and walk our Christian walk more steadily. As God intended.
Which part(s) of my life am I withholding from God? Why? What healing would happen if I give them over to God?
Jesus is always, always, always about people. He's curious about them. His conversations make it clear that he cares. Even his confrontational conversations with the Pharisees and the Sadducees are as much about healing as his physical healing of blind people and lame people. Jesus is about restoring people to health, pushing people to go that one step further and telling people what they need to hear, that God loves them.
There are many Christians today who have a hard time believing this, who have a hard time trusting that God loves them. So they focus on law rather than people; acting the "right" way and saying and believing the "right" things. We see this in the reaction to 45s "shithole" comment. People who care about "law" and "right belief" are outraged, if they accept that he said it at all, that he said a "bad" word. Those who care about people are outraged at the vile racism that produced such a comment.
Trusting in God, giving all of our life to Jesus means caring more about flourishing of people than following a law. It is hard to trust God with one's whole life the way Jesus calls us to. Most of us don't do it. We give some parts to God and withhold other parts. Trusting in God means questioning whether any given law is unjust and protesting the unjust laws and actions of our government. It means speaking out on behalf of those most vulnerable. Especially Native Americans, whom I have neglected to name explicitly in my previous posts. It means doing that thing we're called to do no matter how we feel about it.
Most of us are like Moses in how we feel about it - "Can't you send someone else? I can't talk well, I have a lisp. Who am I that I should represent you?" And so on. We find it hard to trust because deep down we know that our lives would have to change. We'll be asked to do things we'd rather not. And God gives us the same reassurance he gave Moses that it is YHVH calling - when you bring the Israelites back here you will all worship on this mountain. In other words, we have to go out on a limb. We have to go on faith.
Yes, it's hard, but we cannot be healed without it. Our lives will stay stuck, our thinking will revolve in circles, and we'll be pushed and pulled by every whirlwind that comes along until we find our center, which I'm calling God. Trust and faith as part of belief can bring peace, positive movement in our lives and blessing we would not otherwise have. It brings risk, too. But as Senator Booker, Dr. King, and Rev. William Barber remind us, nothing is without risk. When we walk in faith we'll be able to see things more clearly and walk our Christian walk more steadily. As God intended.
Which part(s) of my life am I withholding from God? Why? What healing would happen if I give them over to God?
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Means Become the Ends
Matthew 21:13 - He said to them, "It is written, 'my house shall be a house of prayer,' but you have made it into a den of thieves."
Christ is angry because the money-changers and the pigeon-sellers were, in fact, cheating the people. At first glance, this situation may not seem to apply to churches here in the United States. Yet, there are many churches in which the pastor is wealthy and the congregation is poor. This is a similar instance of making the church a den of thieves.
There are many ways to "create a den of thieves" that have very little to do with money - not sharing what was learned in seminary; having cliques as leaders rather than spreading the work out; preaching only on preferred texts rather than the entire Bible; preaching death-dealing sermons rather than the life-giving good news; not listening to the congregations concerns, hardships, or desires; letting predators get away with sexual harassment or other forms of bullying. So many ways to cheat the children of God.
In tolerating or perpetuating these things, the church is both in the world and of the world. In America's push to monetize every aspect of our lives and to view everything as a business - whether that makes sense or not, we are confusing price for value. We are forgetting that people and all of God's good creation have value apart from their productivity and cannot be monetized. We are forgetting that nature has value even when no human being is making use of it. People, too.
Being in the moment without being busy has value. Spending time with family and friends has value. Worshiping God has value, silence has value, resting has value. Your favorite hobby has value. None of these should necessarily be monetized, because contrary to popular belief, money is not meant to be a way to keep "score." Money, possessions, and businesses are all means (tools) to an end; money to purchase necessities (vacuum cleaners), possessions to enrich our lives (art on our walls), and businesses to supply such necessities and possessions.
American capitalism has corrupted the purpose of business, changing the "end" from supplying goods and services to increasing "shareholder value." They have confused the means for the end. Jesus is claiming that the Jewish authorities who set up this system, the money-changers, and the pigeon-sellers are guilty of the same thing in the temple. Of course, no group of people is perfect, but we can at least remember that Jesus's focus was always, always, always on the flourishing of people; not the accumulation of wealth, possessions, or "shareholder value." To the extent that these matter to us, we are of the world rather than of heaven.
How are we participating in the misguided notion that people must always be productive or they are worthless? What about disabled people? What about creation that is not productive according to our standards? When was the last time I took a walk or "wasted" time just because? Is there an area of my life in which I am confusing the means with the ends?
Christ is angry because the money-changers and the pigeon-sellers were, in fact, cheating the people. At first glance, this situation may not seem to apply to churches here in the United States. Yet, there are many churches in which the pastor is wealthy and the congregation is poor. This is a similar instance of making the church a den of thieves.
There are many ways to "create a den of thieves" that have very little to do with money - not sharing what was learned in seminary; having cliques as leaders rather than spreading the work out; preaching only on preferred texts rather than the entire Bible; preaching death-dealing sermons rather than the life-giving good news; not listening to the congregations concerns, hardships, or desires; letting predators get away with sexual harassment or other forms of bullying. So many ways to cheat the children of God.
In tolerating or perpetuating these things, the church is both in the world and of the world. In America's push to monetize every aspect of our lives and to view everything as a business - whether that makes sense or not, we are confusing price for value. We are forgetting that people and all of God's good creation have value apart from their productivity and cannot be monetized. We are forgetting that nature has value even when no human being is making use of it. People, too.
Being in the moment without being busy has value. Spending time with family and friends has value. Worshiping God has value, silence has value, resting has value. Your favorite hobby has value. None of these should necessarily be monetized, because contrary to popular belief, money is not meant to be a way to keep "score." Money, possessions, and businesses are all means (tools) to an end; money to purchase necessities (vacuum cleaners), possessions to enrich our lives (art on our walls), and businesses to supply such necessities and possessions.
American capitalism has corrupted the purpose of business, changing the "end" from supplying goods and services to increasing "shareholder value." They have confused the means for the end. Jesus is claiming that the Jewish authorities who set up this system, the money-changers, and the pigeon-sellers are guilty of the same thing in the temple. Of course, no group of people is perfect, but we can at least remember that Jesus's focus was always, always, always on the flourishing of people; not the accumulation of wealth, possessions, or "shareholder value." To the extent that these matter to us, we are of the world rather than of heaven.
How are we participating in the misguided notion that people must always be productive or they are worthless? What about disabled people? What about creation that is not productive according to our standards? When was the last time I took a walk or "wasted" time just because? Is there an area of my life in which I am confusing the means with the ends?
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Anger
Matthew 21:12 - And he entered the temple and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons,
Jesus is looking to get some attention from the authorities; first the triumph and now this violent overturning of tables and chairs. But why were the money-changers and the pigeon-sellers there in the first place? Temple tax and sacrifices. The temple tax had to be paid with a shekel, which was not a common coin. The pigeons were the required sacrifice for poor people. It was easier for them to buy the pigeons at the temple than to raise or catch them. These seem like good services being provided by people who needed them. Why was Jesus angry?
First, where did the rule come from that only shekels could be used to pay the tax? It is not listed anywhere in the Bible that I could find. My guess - and this is only a guess - is that the temple authorities - the Council of the Sanhedrin, who were collaborators with the Roman authorities - invented this rule. Therefore, people needed to exchange their coins for shekels. However, the money-changers were not exchanging coins solely out of the goodness of their hearts. They were making a nice living off those who came to the temple. They were likely cheating them as the pigeon-sellers were likely cheating the poor people.
Jesus is angry at the injustice being perpetrated right at the temple of God. Not only is he angry at these men for taking advantage of powerless people, he's also angry at the system set up by those with power that allows such treatment on top of the oppression of the Roman occupiers. Rather than taking care of the poor people as God commanded, they were oppressing them even further.
What about us? Do the unjust actions of Republicans in government that will cause harm to citizens make you angry? If not, why not? How would Jesus feel about people calling others "monkeys" or worse? How do you feel? Do you speak up when you hear someone say racist things? Do you speak up when you hear sexism directed against women, even if no women are present? Do you speak up when you hear people on welfare being called "moochers" or "lazy?" Do you speak up when you hear homophobic slurs? Slurs against immigrants? Slurs against Muslims? Mexican people? Jewish people? Do you speak up when you hear lies about others? What about disabled people? Do you speak up for them? What about climate change? Do you speak up on behalf of the earth? Does any of this make you angry? What do you do with that anger?
These attitudes are the flowers of white supremacy, blossoming from the seeds of superiority, disdain, greed, privilege, silence, irreverence, exploitation, and control. Let's all pray for the courage to push back against those who would perpetrate hate and oppression and to channel our anger toward positive action.
Jesus is looking to get some attention from the authorities; first the triumph and now this violent overturning of tables and chairs. But why were the money-changers and the pigeon-sellers there in the first place? Temple tax and sacrifices. The temple tax had to be paid with a shekel, which was not a common coin. The pigeons were the required sacrifice for poor people. It was easier for them to buy the pigeons at the temple than to raise or catch them. These seem like good services being provided by people who needed them. Why was Jesus angry?
First, where did the rule come from that only shekels could be used to pay the tax? It is not listed anywhere in the Bible that I could find. My guess - and this is only a guess - is that the temple authorities - the Council of the Sanhedrin, who were collaborators with the Roman authorities - invented this rule. Therefore, people needed to exchange their coins for shekels. However, the money-changers were not exchanging coins solely out of the goodness of their hearts. They were making a nice living off those who came to the temple. They were likely cheating them as the pigeon-sellers were likely cheating the poor people.
Jesus is angry at the injustice being perpetrated right at the temple of God. Not only is he angry at these men for taking advantage of powerless people, he's also angry at the system set up by those with power that allows such treatment on top of the oppression of the Roman occupiers. Rather than taking care of the poor people as God commanded, they were oppressing them even further.
What about us? Do the unjust actions of Republicans in government that will cause harm to citizens make you angry? If not, why not? How would Jesus feel about people calling others "monkeys" or worse? How do you feel? Do you speak up when you hear someone say racist things? Do you speak up when you hear sexism directed against women, even if no women are present? Do you speak up when you hear people on welfare being called "moochers" or "lazy?" Do you speak up when you hear homophobic slurs? Slurs against immigrants? Slurs against Muslims? Mexican people? Jewish people? Do you speak up when you hear lies about others? What about disabled people? Do you speak up for them? What about climate change? Do you speak up on behalf of the earth? Does any of this make you angry? What do you do with that anger?
These attitudes are the flowers of white supremacy, blossoming from the seeds of superiority, disdain, greed, privilege, silence, irreverence, exploitation, and control. Let's all pray for the courage to push back against those who would perpetrate hate and oppression and to channel our anger toward positive action.
Monday, January 15, 2018
Prophets
Matthew 21:11 - And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee."
I was once part of a Bible study in which we discussed prophets. What is a prophet? I'm not sure we came upon a definition that suited all of us because I suggested Al Gore, who has been sounding the alarm about climate change for almost half a century, and people were skeptical. My definition of a prophet is someone who -knowingly or not - speaks to people on behalf of God. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Many people regard him as a prophet. Many people will be writing blog posts, forwarding or writing facebook posts and essay about him. Rather than writing about him personally, I encourage you to seek out and read what African-Americans are writing about him and his legacy.
Instead, I'd like to lift up less well-known prophets, such as Jesus in this verse. He was well-known in some circles, but the people of Jerusalem, according to Matthew, did not know him. This includes all you preachers who don't hold back from speaking God's truth from the pulpit, calling out the sins of racism, sexism, greed, and privilege for what they are; and calling your congregations to action. This includes you who speak truth to power, wherever you can - from the pulpit, the classroom, the boardroom, the office, in church, within your families and anywhere else your voices carry weight. This includes those who walk with the oppressed and suffering in solidarity and use their voices to lift up their stories and advocate on their behalf. You are all prophets.
There are many prophetic voices speaking today. Dr. King may be gone, but his dream hasn't died. Many people have carried on his legacy. In particular, I'd like to lift up Rev. Dr. William Barber II, who is reigniting Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign. The fact that we need a poor people's campaign suggests there is a war against the poor. United, we can create change in this country. Divided, we will continue to lose the progress we have lost in this past year. Dr. Barber recognizes that this is a time in which everyone needs to choose where they stand and act. Don't be like Paul Ryan trying to stay neutral in order to keep his job. Neutrality only blesses and maintains the status quo. Now is the time, if you haven't already, to educate yourself and choose whose side you're on - the rich or the poor. As Rev. Barber says, "Silence is not an option."
Today, as we read about Dr. King and consider his work and the risks he took, I encourage us all to ask ourselves where God is calling us to act, gather our courage, get out of our comfort zone, and follow.
I was once part of a Bible study in which we discussed prophets. What is a prophet? I'm not sure we came upon a definition that suited all of us because I suggested Al Gore, who has been sounding the alarm about climate change for almost half a century, and people were skeptical. My definition of a prophet is someone who -knowingly or not - speaks to people on behalf of God. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Many people regard him as a prophet. Many people will be writing blog posts, forwarding or writing facebook posts and essay about him. Rather than writing about him personally, I encourage you to seek out and read what African-Americans are writing about him and his legacy.
Instead, I'd like to lift up less well-known prophets, such as Jesus in this verse. He was well-known in some circles, but the people of Jerusalem, according to Matthew, did not know him. This includes all you preachers who don't hold back from speaking God's truth from the pulpit, calling out the sins of racism, sexism, greed, and privilege for what they are; and calling your congregations to action. This includes you who speak truth to power, wherever you can - from the pulpit, the classroom, the boardroom, the office, in church, within your families and anywhere else your voices carry weight. This includes those who walk with the oppressed and suffering in solidarity and use their voices to lift up their stories and advocate on their behalf. You are all prophets.
There are many prophetic voices speaking today. Dr. King may be gone, but his dream hasn't died. Many people have carried on his legacy. In particular, I'd like to lift up Rev. Dr. William Barber II, who is reigniting Dr. King's Poor People's Campaign. The fact that we need a poor people's campaign suggests there is a war against the poor. United, we can create change in this country. Divided, we will continue to lose the progress we have lost in this past year. Dr. Barber recognizes that this is a time in which everyone needs to choose where they stand and act. Don't be like Paul Ryan trying to stay neutral in order to keep his job. Neutrality only blesses and maintains the status quo. Now is the time, if you haven't already, to educate yourself and choose whose side you're on - the rich or the poor. As Rev. Barber says, "Silence is not an option."
Today, as we read about Dr. King and consider his work and the risks he took, I encourage us all to ask ourselves where God is calling us to act, gather our courage, get out of our comfort zone, and follow.
Saturday, January 13, 2018
Shaken, Not Stirred
Matthew 21:10 - And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, shaken, agitated, saying, "Who is this?"
The word translated stirred, shaken, agitated (because I couldn't choose) relates to fear rather than excitement. They, like Herod, were fearful seeing this parade because of the threat of violence. The people with Jesus are proclaiming him as their king - in direct opposition to Caesar. That is sedition. Roman soldiers patrolled the streets, especially since it's near a festival time. The threat of violence was real.
I can relate to this; every time I hear 45 speak or I hear about new policies he's endorsing. Most of them are cruel and unnecessary. Only meant to punish or overturn what President Obama accomplished. They are not life-giving, only death-dealing. I read a report this morning about the unconstitutional actions of our ICE and border patrol. Apparently, they are deporting people without asking why they're here, without asking about asylum (which they're legally required to do), without any mercy or compassion whatsoever. A significant number have been kidnapped for ransom or been killed.
I am shaken - and sickened - by the blatant hypocrisy of the GOP, their craven silence regarding 45, and their lack of action on behalf of anyone who is not a corporation or already rich and white.
I am sickened by the rise of white supremacy and the accompanying terrorism against peoples of color. A black lesbian was shot and thrown in the trunk of a car, which was then set on fire this past week.
I am sickened by the GOP's cavalier attitude regarding the harm they have caused and will cause, even death. I am sickened, too, by the realization that I have been privileged not to have to notice that this has been reality for many people - American citizens - for a long time. None of this is new. None of it. It's just more obvious because there are no consequences.
I am sickened by the idea that our President colluded with Russia - who is our enemy! They hacked our elections and will do so again. Collusion hasn't been definitively proven, but all the signs continue to point in that direction. Remember, the Russians hacked the RNC emails at the same time they hacked the DNC's emails. Those have not been released; perhaps because all the Republican senators and congresspeople have fallen in line?
I believe 45 has committed treason against the United States. And Republican senators and congresspeople are just as guilty for not calling him out or doing anything in their power to stop him. I can easily understand why Jerusalem would be shook up with fear from seeing Jesus' protest parade. Just as we are traumatized by Republicans' actions against fellow American citizens and those we've protected because they're vulnerable, so were the Jewish people traumatized by the brutality of the Roman occupation.
Please, let's all take care of ourselves and remember, the work doesn't stop when 45 goes away. We are still a long way away from equality for all people in the US and it's up to us, all of us to fix it. Just like President Obama continually reminded us.
The word translated stirred, shaken, agitated (because I couldn't choose) relates to fear rather than excitement. They, like Herod, were fearful seeing this parade because of the threat of violence. The people with Jesus are proclaiming him as their king - in direct opposition to Caesar. That is sedition. Roman soldiers patrolled the streets, especially since it's near a festival time. The threat of violence was real.
I can relate to this; every time I hear 45 speak or I hear about new policies he's endorsing. Most of them are cruel and unnecessary. Only meant to punish or overturn what President Obama accomplished. They are not life-giving, only death-dealing. I read a report this morning about the unconstitutional actions of our ICE and border patrol. Apparently, they are deporting people without asking why they're here, without asking about asylum (which they're legally required to do), without any mercy or compassion whatsoever. A significant number have been kidnapped for ransom or been killed.
I am shaken - and sickened - by the blatant hypocrisy of the GOP, their craven silence regarding 45, and their lack of action on behalf of anyone who is not a corporation or already rich and white.
I am sickened by the rise of white supremacy and the accompanying terrorism against peoples of color. A black lesbian was shot and thrown in the trunk of a car, which was then set on fire this past week.
I am sickened by the GOP's cavalier attitude regarding the harm they have caused and will cause, even death. I am sickened, too, by the realization that I have been privileged not to have to notice that this has been reality for many people - American citizens - for a long time. None of this is new. None of it. It's just more obvious because there are no consequences.
I am sickened by the idea that our President colluded with Russia - who is our enemy! They hacked our elections and will do so again. Collusion hasn't been definitively proven, but all the signs continue to point in that direction. Remember, the Russians hacked the RNC emails at the same time they hacked the DNC's emails. Those have not been released; perhaps because all the Republican senators and congresspeople have fallen in line?
I believe 45 has committed treason against the United States. And Republican senators and congresspeople are just as guilty for not calling him out or doing anything in their power to stop him. I can easily understand why Jerusalem would be shook up with fear from seeing Jesus' protest parade. Just as we are traumatized by Republicans' actions against fellow American citizens and those we've protected because they're vulnerable, so were the Jewish people traumatized by the brutality of the Roman occupation.
Please, let's all take care of ourselves and remember, the work doesn't stop when 45 goes away. We are still a long way away from equality for all people in the US and it's up to us, all of us to fix it. Just like President Obama continually reminded us.
Friday, January 12, 2018
Deliver Us
Matthew 21:9 - And the crowds going before him and those following after shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the Highest!"
Okay, so in verses 5-8 they got the donkey and the colt, covered them with their cloaks, and spread cloaks and tree branches (palm trees presumably) in preparation for the triumph. This verse then describes the procession and the crowds shouting, "Hosanna."
Hosanna. We say this phrase every Easter and sometimes during Communion. Yet it never occurred to me until this morning to look it up. Do you know what it means? It's a Hebrew expression meaning, "deliver us." Are you surprised? Me too. I had always thought it was a blessing of some sort. Yet, I couldn't find evidence that this is the case. So, they are shouting - according to me -
Deliver us, Son of David,
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,
Deliver us, Most High (God)
Whether I am correct or not, they are not only proclaiming Jesus king, they are proclaiming his divinity as well. And in doing so, they're expressing their trust and faith in Jesus to deliver them. Deliver us. It's a phrase only addressed to those who have the power to do so.
Deliver us. There are still too many people in the world who are crying out for deliverance. During my third Clinical Pastoral Education unit, our supervisor, a nun in the order of Sisters of Providence, gave us a prayer that speaks to this. Although not in the way you might think. I am quoting in part:
Deliver us from the violence of superiority and disdain. Grant us the desire, and the humility, to listen ...
Deliver us from the violence of greed and privilege. Grant us the desire, and the will, to live simply so others may have their just share ...
Deliver us from the silence that gives consent to abuse, war and evil. Grant us the desire, and the courage, to risk speaking and acting for the common good.
Deliver us from the violence of irreverence, exploitation and control. Grant us the desire, and the strength, to act responsibly ...
Superiority; disdain; greed; privilege; silence in the face of abuse, war and evil; irreverence; exploitation; control. The seeds of white supremacy. The attitudes that lead us to consider one country a "shithole" and others not. The attitudes that in fact created that "shithole." The actions of our government over the years has created the situations south of our borders. Don't take my word for this though, look it up. American and European wealth was built on the backs of slavery. When Haiti became independent, France demanded monetary recompense for the land. America loaned Haiti the money, which they paid back but it took a toll on their own economy. We have interfered in Mexico and Central and South American countries in order to take what we wanted, to depose their democratically elected ruler, or to run experiments on economic models. The "shithole" countries are the results of American white supremacy, perpetrated by rich, white, American men.
God, grant us the desire and the humility to hear their cry, "Deliver us."
Okay, so in verses 5-8 they got the donkey and the colt, covered them with their cloaks, and spread cloaks and tree branches (palm trees presumably) in preparation for the triumph. This verse then describes the procession and the crowds shouting, "Hosanna."
Hosanna. We say this phrase every Easter and sometimes during Communion. Yet it never occurred to me until this morning to look it up. Do you know what it means? It's a Hebrew expression meaning, "deliver us." Are you surprised? Me too. I had always thought it was a blessing of some sort. Yet, I couldn't find evidence that this is the case. So, they are shouting - according to me -
Deliver us, Son of David,
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,
Deliver us, Most High (God)
Whether I am correct or not, they are not only proclaiming Jesus king, they are proclaiming his divinity as well. And in doing so, they're expressing their trust and faith in Jesus to deliver them. Deliver us. It's a phrase only addressed to those who have the power to do so.
Deliver us. There are still too many people in the world who are crying out for deliverance. During my third Clinical Pastoral Education unit, our supervisor, a nun in the order of Sisters of Providence, gave us a prayer that speaks to this. Although not in the way you might think. I am quoting in part:
Deliver us from the violence of superiority and disdain. Grant us the desire, and the humility, to listen ...
Deliver us from the violence of greed and privilege. Grant us the desire, and the will, to live simply so others may have their just share ...
Deliver us from the silence that gives consent to abuse, war and evil. Grant us the desire, and the courage, to risk speaking and acting for the common good.
Deliver us from the violence of irreverence, exploitation and control. Grant us the desire, and the strength, to act responsibly ...
Superiority; disdain; greed; privilege; silence in the face of abuse, war and evil; irreverence; exploitation; control. The seeds of white supremacy. The attitudes that lead us to consider one country a "shithole" and others not. The attitudes that in fact created that "shithole." The actions of our government over the years has created the situations south of our borders. Don't take my word for this though, look it up. American and European wealth was built on the backs of slavery. When Haiti became independent, France demanded monetary recompense for the land. America loaned Haiti the money, which they paid back but it took a toll on their own economy. We have interfered in Mexico and Central and South American countries in order to take what we wanted, to depose their democratically elected ruler, or to run experiments on economic models. The "shithole" countries are the results of American white supremacy, perpetrated by rich, white, American men.
God, grant us the desire and the humility to hear their cry, "Deliver us."
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Questions
Matthew 21:5-8 - The disciples went and brought the donkey and colt as Jesus had directed them; they spread their cloaks over them and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their own cloaks on the road and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
As I said, this is a protest of the Roman Empire's injustices in the form of a Roman triumph. Jesus is playing the part of the king and is welcomed by all those throwing branches and cloaks on the ground. These are a sign that they recognize him as king.
After that, all I have is questions. Sometimes it goes that way when we read the Bible. For example, did Jesus plan this or is he just going along? Is this a spontaneous protest as those that followed the 2016 elections? He must have known or he wouldn't have known about the donkeys.
Also, is this the crowd that followed him from Jericho? Are they from Jerusalem? Or is it a mixture? How do they know what is going on? Did they have previous knowledge or are they going along? Did the authorities ever discover this parade?
But the biggest question I have is this: What did Jesus hope to accomplish?
As I said, this is a protest of the Roman Empire's injustices in the form of a Roman triumph. Jesus is playing the part of the king and is welcomed by all those throwing branches and cloaks on the ground. These are a sign that they recognize him as king.
After that, all I have is questions. Sometimes it goes that way when we read the Bible. For example, did Jesus plan this or is he just going along? Is this a spontaneous protest as those that followed the 2016 elections? He must have known or he wouldn't have known about the donkeys.
Also, is this the crowd that followed him from Jericho? Are they from Jerusalem? Or is it a mixture? How do they know what is going on? Did they have previous knowledge or are they going along? Did the authorities ever discover this parade?
But the biggest question I have is this: What did Jesus hope to accomplish?
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Riding on a donkey
Matthew 21:4-5 - This took place to fulfill the words of the prophet: Tell the daughter of Zion, "Look! Your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, the foal of a donkey."
Question: Was Jesus so weird that he would ride on a donkey and a foal at the same time? Who does that? It would be incredibly awkward. ... Okay, now that I'm done laughing, let me explain what is going on. Jesus may give strange instructions and teachings, but he is not going to try to ride two animals of differing heights at once. He is not a stunt man or a clown. Matthew is quoting the prophet Zechariah, which is written in Hebrew. In fact, it's Hebrew poetry. Matthew either didn't know or ignored one prominent fact about Hebrews and their poetry: they loved repeating themselves! Sometimes it's a repeat of the idea with different words; sometimes it's a repeat with an extension of the idea. For example, Psalm 5:3 -
O Lord, in the morning you hear my prayer,
In the morning, I plead my case to you.
It's the same idea using different words. No, Jesus did not ride two animals at once. The idea Zechariah was getting at was that Jesus wasn't even riding a donkey, but rather the foal of a donkey! Humble.
Biblical Hebrew lesson part 2: the daughter of Zion is a poetic expression for Jerusalem. So Jesus is riding into Jerusalem on a colt. But why? Yes, to fulfill the words of the prophet, but why ride? Why not walk? Because Matthew is describing a parody of a Roman triumph. A triumph was a Roman way of honoring soldiers after a victory. there would be a huge parade, the commander of the victorious army would ride into Rome wearing a crown of laurel leaves amid much pomp and circumstance. It was both a great honor for the general and a celebration of Roman might. As you may have guessed, it is the precursor to our own victory parades.
So, Jesus is staging a parody of a Roman triumph with himself as king. This was a subversive act; one that would have made the Pharisee leaders extremely nervous. As nervous as it would make 45 today. Jesus is proclaiming that he, not Caesar, is the rightful king, one that is humble rather than proud and arrogant. One that will serve the people rather than money, fame, or power. It was a protest of the injustices Israel suffered at the hands of the Roman emperor. It was sedition.
Question: Was Jesus so weird that he would ride on a donkey and a foal at the same time? Who does that? It would be incredibly awkward. ... Okay, now that I'm done laughing, let me explain what is going on. Jesus may give strange instructions and teachings, but he is not going to try to ride two animals of differing heights at once. He is not a stunt man or a clown. Matthew is quoting the prophet Zechariah, which is written in Hebrew. In fact, it's Hebrew poetry. Matthew either didn't know or ignored one prominent fact about Hebrews and their poetry: they loved repeating themselves! Sometimes it's a repeat of the idea with different words; sometimes it's a repeat with an extension of the idea. For example, Psalm 5:3 -
O Lord, in the morning you hear my prayer,
In the morning, I plead my case to you.
It's the same idea using different words. No, Jesus did not ride two animals at once. The idea Zechariah was getting at was that Jesus wasn't even riding a donkey, but rather the foal of a donkey! Humble.
Biblical Hebrew lesson part 2: the daughter of Zion is a poetic expression for Jerusalem. So Jesus is riding into Jerusalem on a colt. But why? Yes, to fulfill the words of the prophet, but why ride? Why not walk? Because Matthew is describing a parody of a Roman triumph. A triumph was a Roman way of honoring soldiers after a victory. there would be a huge parade, the commander of the victorious army would ride into Rome wearing a crown of laurel leaves amid much pomp and circumstance. It was both a great honor for the general and a celebration of Roman might. As you may have guessed, it is the precursor to our own victory parades.
So, Jesus is staging a parody of a Roman triumph with himself as king. This was a subversive act; one that would have made the Pharisee leaders extremely nervous. As nervous as it would make 45 today. Jesus is proclaiming that he, not Caesar, is the rightful king, one that is humble rather than proud and arrogant. One that will serve the people rather than money, fame, or power. It was a protest of the injustices Israel suffered at the hands of the Roman emperor. It was sedition.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Friends
Matthew 21:3 - And if anyone says anything to you, say to them, "The Lord needs them," and they will send them immediately.
One way to look at this verse is to assume that Jesus, as God, knows the donkey and the colt are there and the owner would be fine with the disciples taking them, because he's God, he knows everything, right? I think that interpretation ignores Jesus' humanity; specifically friendships. Jesus has many followers and his disciples, but the Bible doesn't say much about his friends. If he was fully human, he must have had friends, right? Interpreting this passage as a prearrangement with a friend in the town humanizes Jesus.
One thing about being a minister - or a Rabbi as Jesus was - is that we need others to keep us accountable and to be there for us when we need someone - just like any other person. Even Jesus, as a human being, would have needed such support from his fellow Rabbis and friends. Ministry is not easy! Not everyone who was sympathetic to Jesus followed him everywhere - someone needed to fish and plant and harvest and bake! Those are also ways of supporting ministry. Usually pawned off on women, but that's another topic altogether. It doesn't take anything away from Jesus' divinity to suggest that he needed friends outside of his disciples and followers; especially the way the disciples are represented. It is necessary that Jesus have friends if he is fully human. Otherwise, he missed a big part of the human experience.
In Matthew 11:19 Jesus refers to accusations of his being a friend to "tax collectors and sinners." Abraham is described as God's friend. Sometimes we are encouraged to think of God as a friend - probably to counter the idea that God is just waiting to send us to hell. I'm not sure how God could hug us when we need one other than to send someone over. But friendship with God is problematic in that there is a power difference. What does it mean to be friends with someone who holds power over you? Children of God captures the sense of the relationship better.
Without friends, we become lonely and loneliness is one of the biggest reasons we fall into addictions of all kinds. If we have no one to share our burdens and our joys with, we become despondent, even hopeless. That deep, intimate connection to another person is necessary for us. Having even one person consistently on our side is healing and encouraging. We cannot thrive or flourish without friends - even if they're also family.
Tomorrow we answer the question: why did Jesus arrange to have a donkey and her colt available to him?
What would my life look like without my friends? Have I told my friends lately that they're loved and what they mean to me? How am I a friend to others?
One way to look at this verse is to assume that Jesus, as God, knows the donkey and the colt are there and the owner would be fine with the disciples taking them, because he's God, he knows everything, right? I think that interpretation ignores Jesus' humanity; specifically friendships. Jesus has many followers and his disciples, but the Bible doesn't say much about his friends. If he was fully human, he must have had friends, right? Interpreting this passage as a prearrangement with a friend in the town humanizes Jesus.
One thing about being a minister - or a Rabbi as Jesus was - is that we need others to keep us accountable and to be there for us when we need someone - just like any other person. Even Jesus, as a human being, would have needed such support from his fellow Rabbis and friends. Ministry is not easy! Not everyone who was sympathetic to Jesus followed him everywhere - someone needed to fish and plant and harvest and bake! Those are also ways of supporting ministry. Usually pawned off on women, but that's another topic altogether. It doesn't take anything away from Jesus' divinity to suggest that he needed friends outside of his disciples and followers; especially the way the disciples are represented. It is necessary that Jesus have friends if he is fully human. Otherwise, he missed a big part of the human experience.
In Matthew 11:19 Jesus refers to accusations of his being a friend to "tax collectors and sinners." Abraham is described as God's friend. Sometimes we are encouraged to think of God as a friend - probably to counter the idea that God is just waiting to send us to hell. I'm not sure how God could hug us when we need one other than to send someone over. But friendship with God is problematic in that there is a power difference. What does it mean to be friends with someone who holds power over you? Children of God captures the sense of the relationship better.
Without friends, we become lonely and loneliness is one of the biggest reasons we fall into addictions of all kinds. If we have no one to share our burdens and our joys with, we become despondent, even hopeless. That deep, intimate connection to another person is necessary for us. Having even one person consistently on our side is healing and encouraging. We cannot thrive or flourish without friends - even if they're also family.
Tomorrow we answer the question: why did Jesus arrange to have a donkey and her colt available to him?
What would my life look like without my friends? Have I told my friends lately that they're loved and what they mean to me? How am I a friend to others?
Monday, January 8, 2018
Instructions
Matthew 21:1-2 - And when they were near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village in front of you and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me."
Jesus and the disciples are headed to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. He has told them three times that he will die there and they are having a difficult time accepting this. They have arrived at Bethphage from Jericho, where he gave sight to two blind men. Now, Jesus gives two of his disciples some strange instructions: Go into the village in front of you and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.
Sometimes, I wonder why anyone follows Jesus at all. He is full of strange instructions: go wash in the pool of Siloam, pray for your enemies, turn the other cheek, go do this dangerous thing (you fill in the blank), go be my minister. None of these appeal to us, right? I'm pretty sure praying for our enemies goes against every fiber of our being; at least at first. And I know that many people don't want to be ministers; at least ordained ministers. I know because many of us fought that call for years (sometimes decades!). Most of us are not like Mary, who said yes without hesitation. We're more like Moses or Isaiah - imperfect, unclean. We have a million justifications. As if God is not already aware of our circumstances.
I myself resisted with very good justifications - I have lupus and am extremely photosensitive; churches tend to be very brightly lit. My idea of ordained ministry was so narrow, I couldn't see a place for me. But God didn't let it go. So, finally, one day I made a deal. I said that if I could have independent corroboration, i.e. if someone else mentions it, then I'll consider it. I thought this would give me a few months or so. Nope. The very next day, I was talking with a friend about something and she interrupted me to ask if I'd ever considered being a minister. Let this be a lesson to you; be careful what you wish for.
I realize that the directions in today's text are not the same as a calling to ministry, but they, at this point in the story, are every bit as incomprehensible. They make no sense to our rational mind. No one ever said God was rational - to my knowledge. In fact, we usually call her mysterious. Mysterious as it may seem, if you are a Christian, God is calling you, too. God calls everyone to be a minister! All Christians are called to be ministers by serving others. There's a lot of work to be done; working with God to right the injustices in the world.
Have I heard God's call? Have I accepted? If not, what are my reasons? What would it take for me to follow Christ's strange instructions?
Jesus and the disciples are headed to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. He has told them three times that he will die there and they are having a difficult time accepting this. They have arrived at Bethphage from Jericho, where he gave sight to two blind men. Now, Jesus gives two of his disciples some strange instructions: Go into the village in front of you and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.
Sometimes, I wonder why anyone follows Jesus at all. He is full of strange instructions: go wash in the pool of Siloam, pray for your enemies, turn the other cheek, go do this dangerous thing (you fill in the blank), go be my minister. None of these appeal to us, right? I'm pretty sure praying for our enemies goes against every fiber of our being; at least at first. And I know that many people don't want to be ministers; at least ordained ministers. I know because many of us fought that call for years (sometimes decades!). Most of us are not like Mary, who said yes without hesitation. We're more like Moses or Isaiah - imperfect, unclean. We have a million justifications. As if God is not already aware of our circumstances.
I myself resisted with very good justifications - I have lupus and am extremely photosensitive; churches tend to be very brightly lit. My idea of ordained ministry was so narrow, I couldn't see a place for me. But God didn't let it go. So, finally, one day I made a deal. I said that if I could have independent corroboration, i.e. if someone else mentions it, then I'll consider it. I thought this would give me a few months or so. Nope. The very next day, I was talking with a friend about something and she interrupted me to ask if I'd ever considered being a minister. Let this be a lesson to you; be careful what you wish for.
I realize that the directions in today's text are not the same as a calling to ministry, but they, at this point in the story, are every bit as incomprehensible. They make no sense to our rational mind. No one ever said God was rational - to my knowledge. In fact, we usually call her mysterious. Mysterious as it may seem, if you are a Christian, God is calling you, too. God calls everyone to be a minister! All Christians are called to be ministers by serving others. There's a lot of work to be done; working with God to right the injustices in the world.
Have I heard God's call? Have I accepted? If not, what are my reasons? What would it take for me to follow Christ's strange instructions?
Friday, January 5, 2018
Christmas 2017 Day 12
John 11:25-26 - Jesus said to [Martha], "I am the resurrection and the life; the one believing in me, though they should die, will live. And all who live and believe in me WILL NOT DIE FOREVER." (sorry for shouting)
I spent an enjoyable morning with this passage. I first noticed the 'not die forever' construction in a seminary course on John and wrote my final paper on it. So, I feel somewhat qualified to share this information with you.
Most English translations, of course, translate the phrase 'ou me apokthane eis ton aiona' as never. Probably because it was an idiom for never. However, there were two more common ways to say never, 'ou me' by itself or 'oudepote." And while most of the time the 'not [verb] forever' construction means never, there are some instances in which in context it has to mean 'not [verb] forever.' Why am I telling you this? To back up my argument that the phrase should not be translated 'never.' It is misleading and can lead to bad theology.
First, let's start with the word 'life.' There are 2 words in Biblical Greek for life: bios and zoe. Bios refers to the physical life that animals, humans, and plants share. Zoe on the other hand refers to something much richer and more profound; the life lived in complete trust and dependency on God. Or in this case, Jesus. Guess which word Jesus uses? If you said, zoe, you're correct.
Jesus, then, is not talking about our physical death, but rather about what we might call spiritual or soul death. A better translation might be 'life force,' the breath of God. A person can be alive and not have this life; a person's body can be alive, but they are dead inside. Dante describes an extreme example of this in the "Inferno." In hell, Dante meets someone who he knows is still living, yet their soul is already in hell. What Jesus offers us here is this renewed life of the spirit. We die to our old ways that lead to death, and live to ways that lead to flourishing of ourselves and others through trust and dependency on God.
The word life in English does not capture this sense at all. In fact, in Greek, the word was already flattening out in the 5th century CE. Augustin had to make the distinction between physical death and spiritual death in order to preserve the fullness of the concept. "Sin is the death of the soul." Restoration and resurrection are ours when we confess. Jean Calvin also made this distinction in the 16th century CE.
The significant difference between 'never' and 'not ... forever' lies in when this zoe will come to us. The Greek construction, especially coming after Jesus telling Martha that those who believe in him "though they should die, will live," tells us that we as Christians who trust in God already have this life. Though our bodies may die, we will never lose this life.
"Everyone who lives and believes in me will not die forever," signals both the richer meaning of zoe as opposed to bios as well as the resurrection hope that these verses encapsulate: the believers' new lives in Jesus, their zoe, begins now and lasts forever."
I spent an enjoyable morning with this passage. I first noticed the 'not die forever' construction in a seminary course on John and wrote my final paper on it. So, I feel somewhat qualified to share this information with you.
Most English translations, of course, translate the phrase 'ou me apokthane eis ton aiona' as never. Probably because it was an idiom for never. However, there were two more common ways to say never, 'ou me' by itself or 'oudepote." And while most of the time the 'not [verb] forever' construction means never, there are some instances in which in context it has to mean 'not [verb] forever.' Why am I telling you this? To back up my argument that the phrase should not be translated 'never.' It is misleading and can lead to bad theology.
First, let's start with the word 'life.' There are 2 words in Biblical Greek for life: bios and zoe. Bios refers to the physical life that animals, humans, and plants share. Zoe on the other hand refers to something much richer and more profound; the life lived in complete trust and dependency on God. Or in this case, Jesus. Guess which word Jesus uses? If you said, zoe, you're correct.
Jesus, then, is not talking about our physical death, but rather about what we might call spiritual or soul death. A better translation might be 'life force,' the breath of God. A person can be alive and not have this life; a person's body can be alive, but they are dead inside. Dante describes an extreme example of this in the "Inferno." In hell, Dante meets someone who he knows is still living, yet their soul is already in hell. What Jesus offers us here is this renewed life of the spirit. We die to our old ways that lead to death, and live to ways that lead to flourishing of ourselves and others through trust and dependency on God.
The word life in English does not capture this sense at all. In fact, in Greek, the word was already flattening out in the 5th century CE. Augustin had to make the distinction between physical death and spiritual death in order to preserve the fullness of the concept. "Sin is the death of the soul." Restoration and resurrection are ours when we confess. Jean Calvin also made this distinction in the 16th century CE.
The significant difference between 'never' and 'not ... forever' lies in when this zoe will come to us. The Greek construction, especially coming after Jesus telling Martha that those who believe in him "though they should die, will live," tells us that we as Christians who trust in God already have this life. Though our bodies may die, we will never lose this life.
"Everyone who lives and believes in me will not die forever," signals both the richer meaning of zoe as opposed to bios as well as the resurrection hope that these verses encapsulate: the believers' new lives in Jesus, their zoe, begins now and lasts forever."
Thursday, January 4, 2018
Christmas 2017 Day 11
John 9:39 - Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."
This quote comes near the end of the chapter. On a Sabbath, Jesus had healed a man born blind and who used to beg at the gates of the city. The Pharisees hear about it and proceed to question everyone involved; the man, the eyewitnesses, his neighbors and even his parents. No one wants to come out and say that Jesus is special in any way. They all hem and haw and refer them back to the man born blind. Even his parents! They fear upsetting the Pharisees and do not want to get kicked out of the synagogue.
The entire chapter explores various caves of blindness; physical blindness, spiritual blindness, and the willful blindness of those who do not see because it benefits them not to see. All of us are spiritually or willfully blind at one time or another, right? None of have perfect vision or theology. What is denial but willful blindness? Yet, choosing not to see what is right in front of us, leads to a life of lies, manipulations, secrets, and loneliness. Using others for gain, we no longer see them as human.
In this story, the Pharisees are those who choose blindness over vision. Perhaps because Jesus is turning their world upside-down and threatening their livelihood, their self-regard, and their power. The question everyone, not to discover what happened, but rather as an intimidation and smear tactic. If they can convince others that Jesus is a fraud and a sinner, the don't have to change or give up any power. Willful blindness is all about power.
Today in America, Republicans play this role; Ryan and McConnell in particular. They use 45 to get their agenda passed. They know and have known from the beginning that 45 is completely unfit for office. They choose willful blindness in order to steal from poor Americans to give to rich people and corporations. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is still without power - and it is those who could not afford to get to the mainland that are suffering. Nine million children may lose their insurance, and thus their healthcare, because the Republicans are so busy trying to take everyone's health insurance away, they failed to renew it in September and continue to do so. Dreamers fear being deported from the only home they've known because they have failed to take any action to help keep them here. They are not working for us, but rather against us. Jesus had something to say about that: It would be better for [them] if a millstone had been tied around their necks and they were drowned in the sea (paraphrase).
Jesus wasn't playing around and neither should we. This is the work of Christmas; there can be no peace, or joy, or hope without love demonstrated by justice for all. Silence is no longer an option.
Is there something I have been denying in my own life causing me or others harm? How can I get the courage to see and act on injustice? Am I speaking out? If not, why not?
This quote comes near the end of the chapter. On a Sabbath, Jesus had healed a man born blind and who used to beg at the gates of the city. The Pharisees hear about it and proceed to question everyone involved; the man, the eyewitnesses, his neighbors and even his parents. No one wants to come out and say that Jesus is special in any way. They all hem and haw and refer them back to the man born blind. Even his parents! They fear upsetting the Pharisees and do not want to get kicked out of the synagogue.
The entire chapter explores various caves of blindness; physical blindness, spiritual blindness, and the willful blindness of those who do not see because it benefits them not to see. All of us are spiritually or willfully blind at one time or another, right? None of have perfect vision or theology. What is denial but willful blindness? Yet, choosing not to see what is right in front of us, leads to a life of lies, manipulations, secrets, and loneliness. Using others for gain, we no longer see them as human.
In this story, the Pharisees are those who choose blindness over vision. Perhaps because Jesus is turning their world upside-down and threatening their livelihood, their self-regard, and their power. The question everyone, not to discover what happened, but rather as an intimidation and smear tactic. If they can convince others that Jesus is a fraud and a sinner, the don't have to change or give up any power. Willful blindness is all about power.
Today in America, Republicans play this role; Ryan and McConnell in particular. They use 45 to get their agenda passed. They know and have known from the beginning that 45 is completely unfit for office. They choose willful blindness in order to steal from poor Americans to give to rich people and corporations. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico is still without power - and it is those who could not afford to get to the mainland that are suffering. Nine million children may lose their insurance, and thus their healthcare, because the Republicans are so busy trying to take everyone's health insurance away, they failed to renew it in September and continue to do so. Dreamers fear being deported from the only home they've known because they have failed to take any action to help keep them here. They are not working for us, but rather against us. Jesus had something to say about that: It would be better for [them] if a millstone had been tied around their necks and they were drowned in the sea (paraphrase).
Jesus wasn't playing around and neither should we. This is the work of Christmas; there can be no peace, or joy, or hope without love demonstrated by justice for all. Silence is no longer an option.
Is there something I have been denying in my own life causing me or others harm? How can I get the courage to see and act on injustice? Am I speaking out? If not, why not?
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Christmas 2017 Day 10
Eph 4:22,24 - Put away your former conduct, your old nature, corrupted by its deceitful desires, ... and put on the new nature, created according to God's image for true justice and holiness.
Just before these verses, Paul has been discussing the corruption of Roman society. When we think of Rome, we don't always think about the corruption; we think of the buildings, the roads, the aqueducts, the statues. Yet Roman slavery was every bit as brutal as American slavery. Roman men were free to rape their slaves - men and women - and anyone else they could get away with, i.e. poor people with no recourse. There was no safety net and wealth inequality was just as bad if not worse than here in America. There was no OSHA. Elite women were freed from the dangers of childbirth after they bore him three children. Women were generally thought of as children and had very few rights. Not to mention the blood lust of the shows at the Colosseum.
This is what Paul is talking about when he urges us to put away our old nature corrupted by deceitful desires. This is our old nature, the one that runs to and fro after our deceitful desires. Deceitful because they do not satisfy and degrade ourselves or others. Paul did not just mean sexual desires but also lust for blood, violence, wealth, power, or entertainment. Our society is not that different from then because these are human traits. Sex is used to sell anything and everything. Entertainment is a daily goal for many and is available 24 hours a day on our TV sets. The conspicuous consumption of the wealthy highlights the deceitful lusts of their hearts. Powerful men are being called to account for their sexual harassment of women and men; but it is only a drop in the bucket. The biggest gang in some cities is the police force.
But Paul wanted, even demanded us to be better than that, he wanted Christ's church to be better - as Christ did. The new nature, the nature of Christ, is ours and we are not to corrupt it with petty desires and lusts that do not satisfy or may even harm us or others. No. We are to put on true justice. In this context, justice is not criminal or penal justice, but rather the justice that says all men and women are precious. All are to be treated fairly and humanely because all are equally valuable.
True justice is justice for African-Americans who are being killed by police and whose voting rights are being challenged all over the US. True justice is justice for women who have been sexually harassed. It's justice for LGBTQ people that they not be at risk of assault just for being who they are. It's justice for Dreamers, who are at risk of being deported from the only home they've ever known because 45 undid President Obama's executive order. It's justice for the 9 million children who may lose their health insurance because our senators and representatives were too busy trying to take away people's health insurance to reauthorize CHIP. True justice is justice for all those whose taxes will go up under this new bill in order to pay for the massive tax breaks for the very wealthy and corporations. It's justice for people experiencing homelessness that they be treated like people and helped to find housing. It's justice for people experiencing mental illness, that they be cared for rather than left to fend for themselves on meager government funds. True justice for Muslims who bear the brunt of white people's fear of terrorism. It's justice for Native Americans whose land was stolen by Europeans. True justice is justice for all those whom we oppress here in American and around the world.
We as Christians are called to work for that justice in every way we can. As the Rev. Dr. William Barber said in a recent sermon, "Silence is not an option." Well said, Dr. Barber, well said.
Just before these verses, Paul has been discussing the corruption of Roman society. When we think of Rome, we don't always think about the corruption; we think of the buildings, the roads, the aqueducts, the statues. Yet Roman slavery was every bit as brutal as American slavery. Roman men were free to rape their slaves - men and women - and anyone else they could get away with, i.e. poor people with no recourse. There was no safety net and wealth inequality was just as bad if not worse than here in America. There was no OSHA. Elite women were freed from the dangers of childbirth after they bore him three children. Women were generally thought of as children and had very few rights. Not to mention the blood lust of the shows at the Colosseum.
This is what Paul is talking about when he urges us to put away our old nature corrupted by deceitful desires. This is our old nature, the one that runs to and fro after our deceitful desires. Deceitful because they do not satisfy and degrade ourselves or others. Paul did not just mean sexual desires but also lust for blood, violence, wealth, power, or entertainment. Our society is not that different from then because these are human traits. Sex is used to sell anything and everything. Entertainment is a daily goal for many and is available 24 hours a day on our TV sets. The conspicuous consumption of the wealthy highlights the deceitful lusts of their hearts. Powerful men are being called to account for their sexual harassment of women and men; but it is only a drop in the bucket. The biggest gang in some cities is the police force.
But Paul wanted, even demanded us to be better than that, he wanted Christ's church to be better - as Christ did. The new nature, the nature of Christ, is ours and we are not to corrupt it with petty desires and lusts that do not satisfy or may even harm us or others. No. We are to put on true justice. In this context, justice is not criminal or penal justice, but rather the justice that says all men and women are precious. All are to be treated fairly and humanely because all are equally valuable.
True justice is justice for African-Americans who are being killed by police and whose voting rights are being challenged all over the US. True justice is justice for women who have been sexually harassed. It's justice for LGBTQ people that they not be at risk of assault just for being who they are. It's justice for Dreamers, who are at risk of being deported from the only home they've ever known because 45 undid President Obama's executive order. It's justice for the 9 million children who may lose their health insurance because our senators and representatives were too busy trying to take away people's health insurance to reauthorize CHIP. True justice is justice for all those whose taxes will go up under this new bill in order to pay for the massive tax breaks for the very wealthy and corporations. It's justice for people experiencing homelessness that they be treated like people and helped to find housing. It's justice for people experiencing mental illness, that they be cared for rather than left to fend for themselves on meager government funds. True justice for Muslims who bear the brunt of white people's fear of terrorism. It's justice for Native Americans whose land was stolen by Europeans. True justice is justice for all those whom we oppress here in American and around the world.
We as Christians are called to work for that justice in every way we can. As the Rev. Dr. William Barber said in a recent sermon, "Silence is not an option." Well said, Dr. Barber, well said.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
Christmas 2017 Day 9
Ephesians 4:11-12 - And [Christ] gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ.
Gifts. We all have different gifts, many more than are listed above. In seminary, there tends to be a lot of focus on our gifts for ministry and self-reflection regarding those gifts. I found it much easier to see the gifts of others than to see my own. Several things happened in seminary (and university) that made me reflect on gifts I had denied and am now able to (sort of) embrace.
1> I've been told all my life that I'm smart by lots of different people in different contexts. Yet, because I've made some atrocious decisions, it was easy for me to minimize this gift. I wasn't willing to take responsibility for it. One day, while I was sitting in class but before class started, I happened to joke to the prof that, "I wouldn't be as brilliant as I am without Google." (Right? Search engines make research so much easier!) The prof wasn't having any of that. They tapped the desk, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "I think you would," and walked away. Oof ...
Why did I deny it all those years? (I was 46 at the time.) Because I thought that admitting it would be bragging. Indeed, I had to do a psychological evaluation as part of the ordination process. I took a test of 150 T/F questions, many of which were along the lines of, "I was on the cover of 30 magazines this year." Easy and quick. I pinged on 6 questions, one of which was, "I am proud of my accomplishments." When he asked me about it I told him I had just graduated from NAU and was voted Outstanding Senior (professors vote). I worked hard, why shouldn't I be proud? That is why I denied it so long - who needs the grief?
2a> Same professor told me a paper I'd written needed to be turned into a book. b> As a senior, a colleague wrote me a note after a presentation I'd given that I still have saying, "I like your writing. Again, I'd always minimized this gift. Even after I won 2nd place (and $1,000) in a writing contest at NAU. Even after one of the judges in that contest sent me a card saying how much she'd enjoyed my essay and encouraging me to keep writing. It's a huge upheaval when we see ourselves one way and the world suddenly begins to tell us all the ways we're wrong. So, yes, I have a gift for writing. (And let me tell you it makes listening to poorly written sermons hard. Yes, I'm a little arrogant, too.)
The point of all this is to say that when I minimized my gifts, it did nothing but distort and diminish my own view of myself. Everyone else could see these things. Women especially are encouraged not to talk about our good qualities, lest we come across as bragging or arrogant. Look at all the grief Hillary Clinton got just for raising her voice; she was called strident and screechy. Of course, men can raise their voices; that's powerful. Men can be proud of their accomplishments; that's just healthy self-esteem. That is a ridiculous double standard that needs to die a quick death. Because it keeps too many women trapped in lives they'd rather not be living or lives that are dangerous to them. We need to begin to listen to women and encourage their healthy self-esteem the way we do men.
What gifts are you minimizing in your life. How can you begin to admit those gifts into your life and the lives of those around you? What can we all do to push back against and break down the double standards for women and men?
Gifts. We all have different gifts, many more than are listed above. In seminary, there tends to be a lot of focus on our gifts for ministry and self-reflection regarding those gifts. I found it much easier to see the gifts of others than to see my own. Several things happened in seminary (and university) that made me reflect on gifts I had denied and am now able to (sort of) embrace.
1> I've been told all my life that I'm smart by lots of different people in different contexts. Yet, because I've made some atrocious decisions, it was easy for me to minimize this gift. I wasn't willing to take responsibility for it. One day, while I was sitting in class but before class started, I happened to joke to the prof that, "I wouldn't be as brilliant as I am without Google." (Right? Search engines make research so much easier!) The prof wasn't having any of that. They tapped the desk, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "I think you would," and walked away. Oof ...
Why did I deny it all those years? (I was 46 at the time.) Because I thought that admitting it would be bragging. Indeed, I had to do a psychological evaluation as part of the ordination process. I took a test of 150 T/F questions, many of which were along the lines of, "I was on the cover of 30 magazines this year." Easy and quick. I pinged on 6 questions, one of which was, "I am proud of my accomplishments." When he asked me about it I told him I had just graduated from NAU and was voted Outstanding Senior (professors vote). I worked hard, why shouldn't I be proud? That is why I denied it so long - who needs the grief?
2a> Same professor told me a paper I'd written needed to be turned into a book. b> As a senior, a colleague wrote me a note after a presentation I'd given that I still have saying, "I like your writing. Again, I'd always minimized this gift. Even after I won 2nd place (and $1,000) in a writing contest at NAU. Even after one of the judges in that contest sent me a card saying how much she'd enjoyed my essay and encouraging me to keep writing. It's a huge upheaval when we see ourselves one way and the world suddenly begins to tell us all the ways we're wrong. So, yes, I have a gift for writing. (And let me tell you it makes listening to poorly written sermons hard. Yes, I'm a little arrogant, too.)
The point of all this is to say that when I minimized my gifts, it did nothing but distort and diminish my own view of myself. Everyone else could see these things. Women especially are encouraged not to talk about our good qualities, lest we come across as bragging or arrogant. Look at all the grief Hillary Clinton got just for raising her voice; she was called strident and screechy. Of course, men can raise their voices; that's powerful. Men can be proud of their accomplishments; that's just healthy self-esteem. That is a ridiculous double standard that needs to die a quick death. Because it keeps too many women trapped in lives they'd rather not be living or lives that are dangerous to them. We need to begin to listen to women and encourage their healthy self-esteem the way we do men.
What gifts are you minimizing in your life. How can you begin to admit those gifts into your life and the lives of those around you? What can we all do to push back against and break down the double standards for women and men?
Monday, January 1, 2018
Christmas 2017 Day 8
Psalm 8:4-5 - When I behold your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortal people that you have taken note of them?
"When I behold your heavens." Ever look at the night sky for a while? Did it make you feel small? It makes me feel small just trying to imagine the great distances involved. Just to get to the closest star (excepting the sun) - Alpha Centauri - would take a little over four years - at the speed of light, which is roughly 186,000 miles per SECOND. Even the closest star is unimaginably far away. I feel small when I look at the night sky.
Here in Cleveland and definitely in Chicago the night sky is hard to see because of light pollution. Flagstaff on the other hand, is an international dark sky city. From most places, the stars are clearly visible. Yet, I remember growing up in Los Alamos and the number of stars we could see was vastly higher. The world is turning away from the night sky in favor of lighting up the night. Cities are beautiful at night when their buildings are lit up. Yet, at what cost?
As I write this it is -2 F in Cleveland at 10 am and it is supposed to dip down again several times this week. A new normal. Everywhere it's colder than usual this winter due to climate change. The earth overall is getting warmer because of our abuse of fossil fuels, among other activities. Genesis states that God gave us the earth to care for in God's name. We are made in God's image, which in Biblical Hebrew means that we are God's representatives on earth and are accountable for how well we care for it.
We're doing a terrible job. This is a justice issue every bit as important as bigotry and greed because it is the most vulnerable who will suffer the most. Especially, people experiencing homelessness will bear the brunt of the heat and the cold. Animals, too, will suffer because their ecosystems are being disrupted. The icecaps are melting, which is killing off polar bears. The fires in SoCal are due to climate change. The computer I'm writing this on and the one you're reading it on are part of the problem. Human beings are the driving force behind this massive injustice to God's creation. While we should resolve to use our resources more wisely, individual action alone will not solve this problem; because it's our societal attitude toward the land that is the problem.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's white people's attitude toward the land that is the problem. We have so divorced ourselves from the land that we no longer see it as home, but rather as a resource to be exploited. Exhibit A: Bears Ears National Monument. Trump cut the size to open up the land for mining. We have lost sight of what is really important in order to get more, more, more things and money.
There is a movement in my denomination to take a stand against this destruction of earth; Fossil Free PC(USA). They are now part of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, because this is an issue of justice and without justice there can be no peace. In the spirit of Calvin's attitude to the ten commandments, I suggest that in addition to not destroying our environment, we also work toward its restoration, its flourishing. This, too, is the work of Christmas.
How is God calling us to respond? Do we have the courage to contact our congresspeople to share our opinion? What other steps can we take to address this issue.
"When I behold your heavens." Ever look at the night sky for a while? Did it make you feel small? It makes me feel small just trying to imagine the great distances involved. Just to get to the closest star (excepting the sun) - Alpha Centauri - would take a little over four years - at the speed of light, which is roughly 186,000 miles per SECOND. Even the closest star is unimaginably far away. I feel small when I look at the night sky.
Here in Cleveland and definitely in Chicago the night sky is hard to see because of light pollution. Flagstaff on the other hand, is an international dark sky city. From most places, the stars are clearly visible. Yet, I remember growing up in Los Alamos and the number of stars we could see was vastly higher. The world is turning away from the night sky in favor of lighting up the night. Cities are beautiful at night when their buildings are lit up. Yet, at what cost?
As I write this it is -2 F in Cleveland at 10 am and it is supposed to dip down again several times this week. A new normal. Everywhere it's colder than usual this winter due to climate change. The earth overall is getting warmer because of our abuse of fossil fuels, among other activities. Genesis states that God gave us the earth to care for in God's name. We are made in God's image, which in Biblical Hebrew means that we are God's representatives on earth and are accountable for how well we care for it.
We're doing a terrible job. This is a justice issue every bit as important as bigotry and greed because it is the most vulnerable who will suffer the most. Especially, people experiencing homelessness will bear the brunt of the heat and the cold. Animals, too, will suffer because their ecosystems are being disrupted. The icecaps are melting, which is killing off polar bears. The fires in SoCal are due to climate change. The computer I'm writing this on and the one you're reading it on are part of the problem. Human beings are the driving force behind this massive injustice to God's creation. While we should resolve to use our resources more wisely, individual action alone will not solve this problem; because it's our societal attitude toward the land that is the problem.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's white people's attitude toward the land that is the problem. We have so divorced ourselves from the land that we no longer see it as home, but rather as a resource to be exploited. Exhibit A: Bears Ears National Monument. Trump cut the size to open up the land for mining. We have lost sight of what is really important in order to get more, more, more things and money.
There is a movement in my denomination to take a stand against this destruction of earth; Fossil Free PC(USA). They are now part of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, because this is an issue of justice and without justice there can be no peace. In the spirit of Calvin's attitude to the ten commandments, I suggest that in addition to not destroying our environment, we also work toward its restoration, its flourishing. This, too, is the work of Christmas.
How is God calling us to respond? Do we have the courage to contact our congresspeople to share our opinion? What other steps can we take to address this issue.
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