Advent: December 10

Psalm 27

Malachi 2:10-3:1

Luke 1:5-17

         Why then are we faithless to one another?

         Malachi goes there, finally, on the last day of the week examining peace. The bulk of Bible text serves two purposes: 1) telling us how to get along with one another and 2) telling us how to get along with God – which usually involves us getting along with one another.

         God made our differences just as he created us all in his image. The prophet’s plea rings as strong today as ever. Throngs take to the streets against injustice. Revolutions topple abusive, privileged dictators. Around the world violence rages as the people seek peace.

         We, the faithful, have our role in it all, but we also know that after the cleansing purge, peace follows.

Advent: December 9

Psalm 27

Isaiah 4:2-6

Acts 11:1-18

         Isaiah presents one of the various pictures in the Old Testament of the eternally restored Jerusalem, with the people resting in the shadow of God’s presence. There is no need, no distress, only one of the purest depictions of peace found in the Scriptures. But before that peace rules, it goes through a violent, fiery purge erasing all trace of wickedness ever in the land. No memorials remain, no landmarks to remind, only the ever-visible, sheltering presence of the Lord to keep His people at peace.

         Such a pretty picture – eventually.

         But why does God have to park Himself over even these, the best, the ones written in the book of life as the Great Chaperone in the Sky? How weak? How flawed are we that only His unfaltering presence keeps us from harming one another.

         Lord, help us know peace. A better peace. Help us become a better peace.

Advent - December 8

Psalm 27

Isaiah 26:7-15

Acts 2:37-42

         Dictionary definitions indicate that [i]peace is the normal state of affairs for nations and peoples. Headlines, social media, day-to-day live seem filled with disturbance. It may not be war, but it certainly is not peace. The call for justice from Isaiah rings especially true following events of the last few weeks. We too long for your justice to restore order to out land

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[i] peace. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/peace (accessed: December 08, 2014).

Peace Follows

Isaiah 40:1-11

2 Peter 3:8-15

Mark 1:1-8

         This week I have had very little [i]peace (D6) as I sought peace in the scripture passages for the week. Close examination was not getting me there, and neither was any word analysis. I finally figured it out. The passages this week have been leading to peace which is what happens after a restoration to a right relationship with God.

Peace follows.

         We prepare the roads and clear the paths for God’s arrival and then peace follows.

         We level some hills and fill some valleys and then peace follows.

         God does not demand that everything be right and perfect in our lives; no one is capable of meeting that standard. We need to provide the access point and then God follows.

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[i] peace. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/peace (accessed: December 07, 2014)

Advent: December 5

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Acts 11:19-26

         Jeremiah picks up where Hosea left off. Hosea reminded the people of the power of relationships and that God was calling them into a relationship with him. The opening of Jeremiah recounts his appointment as prophet by the Lord. The scene presents God in one of the most human-like encounters with the familiarity toward the prophet. The knowledge God shares from the earliest moments of Jeremiah’s existence, to the physical contact as He placed His words in His messenger’s mouth, to his assurance of protection; how can that not bring a sense of peace in the midst of turmoil.

         I frequently have to remind my students that their words have power. What they say and how they say it can wound another for years. Today’s passage reminds me that wounding is only part of what words can do. As God explains when he appoints Jeremiah. His words can be used in construction or for destruction. The verse points out both the good and the bad that can come through speech. In the case of the prophet, none of it is bad, it reflects different ways to get things done.

         Each time I read this passage from the prophets something different strikes me about it. Often I connect to God having a plan for Jeremiah from the beginning. This time though, the relationship between God and Jeremiah hit me as remarkably human. I am a bit jealous now, but I know that I have the same thing. If you want to know a definition of peace: that is it!

Advent: December 4

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

Hosea 6:1-6

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

         Today we begin to prepare for the second Sunday, Peace Sunday. By the nature of their job, often when we look in the prophets, we confront graphic violence and epic destruction. Yet, we still find peace because we come to realize that peace is more than the absence of conflict, it includes the presence of confidence.

         Hosea embraced the confidence that he found in the relationship he had with God. He was able to hold that confidence because he recognized the power of relationship with God. As he and other prophets earlier and later delivered their message from God, the ultimate lesson reminded the people to keep and nurture their relationship with God and He would be happier than any rite could make Him.

         An all too common complaint from people is that there is too much conflict and not enough peace in their lives. The world is just so busy it lends itself to conflict. How easy though would it be to embrace the Person who wants more than anything to be in relationship with us?

Holy Wednesday

Isaiah 50:4-9

Psalm 70

Hebrews 12:1-3

John 13:21-32

The first days of Holy Week have given us examples of people responding according to their human nature.

Nothing to see here, folks. It’s just the way we are.

Or maybe there is something to see. Each Scripture today reflects a person responding to (often brutal) cruelty in exactly the opposite way our human nature would encourage. When threatened or attacked, our central brain judges the situation and gives us the option of fight or flight while prepping our muscles for an energetic burst. Christ called us to be different and each of today’s passages demonstrates the possibilities.

The writer in Isaiah proudly affirms that he gave his back for beating and held his face up so his tormentors could pluck his beard. The speaker gives no reason why he is being attacked, but confesses that because God is with him, all will be right in the end; there is no insult or injury that can overcome the blessing of God. His confidence in his right place overcame the base instincts to escape his situation.

In Hebrews the author steels his courage with the thought of all who have gone before. As surely as they were a force for encouragement, he quickly turns to Jesus, the first to  take the path. He recognizes Jesus’s willingness to adopt all of human frailty to overcome the barrier between God and humankind: sin. In those moments of ultimate humanity, Christ did not change the outcome to avoid embarrassment. If anything, that moment served to magnify the victory.

The passage in John recounts one of the latter scenes from the upper room where Jesus was completing the passover dinner with his apostles. When he announced that one of them would betray him, the passage makes it sound like the room was in stunned silence as they eye each other up and down suspiciously. Finally the fiery one, Simon Peter, asks the obvious question: who? Although Jesus answers him, it does not appear that he nor anyone in the room fully understood Jesus when he told how he would identify the traitor. Instead when he tells Judas to go, the others assume it is to get some necessity or do some task with the poor. Even if they had realized Judas was the one, they were not prepared for the degree of betrayal that was coming despite Jesus repeatedly telling them. Jesus, though, did know, but took no action to stop it.

The passages prior to today focused on those who were apart from Jesus reacting to the situation around them and doing a good job of reflecting our human nature. Today, the passages considered individuals in the right place to God. Rather than react to the situation, they handled they managed each incident with the calm assurance that comes from getting faith right.

Lenten Prayer - Peacemakers

Lord,

The cacophony of conflict surrounds us, drowning out the melodies of order we long to hear. The combatants’ volume keeps the attention focused on them, but present even there are the peacekeepers. We thank you, Lord, for those who seek the heart of the hostility when others flee any contact.

For the peacekeepers, whether they navigate fronts of wars or the fences of neighbors, we ask for their safety because every dispute carries risk. We ask that they also have clear hearing to know what each side says and the wisdom to discern what each side means. And Lord, we ask you to give them patience for they begin at a place where little or no hope is seen and lead those involved to a point where all find some reason to hope.

Though they so often go unrecognized, we recognize them and give thanks for peacemakers.

Amen

December 14 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Isaiah 12:2-6 Amos 8:4-12 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Today’s Reflection: “Imagine” by John Lennon Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people living for today Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people living life in peace   The passage from Amos brings us close to the world in John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Lennon, though, believed it would lead to a world of peace and prosperity for all involved. Unfortunately, history shows us something different. The Hebrews, for whom Amos prophesied, thrived on greed and manipulation of the most needy. They cheated with the weights and manipulated the currency to take advantage of those who did business with them. They cursed religious rules that forbid them to sell on religious holidays and on the Sabbath.   Beyond natural disasters, God promises a famine like no other: he will remove himself from the land revealing that such a famine would be worse than hunger or thirst. The absence of the word of God in the land removes all joy and hope. Those who seek such removal from God do not understand exactly what such a removal mean. God’s law, his presence, does much more than we imagine.   Whenever doing the right thing interferes with what we want to do, we may wish we did not have religious obligations standing in the way of what we want to do. However, we likely challenge the actions of others that impact us in a negative way. The absence of God does not accomplish our desires or bring the world closer to peace. Instead, were God to remove himself, we would find just the opposite. There will be no peace and no hope for joy.

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

 

December 12 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 126 Isaiah 35:3-7 Luke 7:18-30

Today’s Reflection: As we come to the conclusion of week two of Advent and the focus on peace, we return again to the topics of repentance and salvation through descriptions of the ministries of John and Jesus. Both topics disrupt and change our lives so drastically. Such disruptions usually cause anything but peace; however, in the case of repentance and salvation, both bring exactly that.   The repentance symbolized in the ministry of John removes a weight and burden from the person making the confession. Removing the secrecy of sin, minor or major, removes the guilt that comes from the knowledge of having done wrong. Whether to God or another person, admitting that I have done wrong allows me to move beyond that guilt and keep an inner peace.   The salvation that comes from the ministry of Jesus leads to the ultimate peace. Knowing that no matter what happens we have the Lord’s promise of salvation that leads to eternal peace. Regardless of the life changing effects that come with salvation, that feeling of peace pervades every situation.   In the ministry of John the Baptist, we see a cleansed living that provides a pathway to God. In the ministry of Jesus, we see a restoration to complete living through gifts from God. Repentance and salvation both guide us into the peace that God desires for all of us. We need to embrace the joy that comes from each.

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

 

December 11 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 126 Isaiah 19:18-25 2 Peter 1:2-15

Today’s Reflection: Yesterday, the passage in Isaiah prompted the question, “Who am I that God would know me?” The passage in 2 Peter today answers that question, or rather refines it to “Who should I be…?” and it adds perhaps a more important question, “How do others know who we are?”   2 Peter 1:5-7 outlines a series of personal qualities that define the believer. Faith. Goodness. Knowledge. Self-control. Endurance. Godliness. Mutual affection. Love. As important as these words are, the word that comes between magnifies their power. None of the qualities exists in isolation, but each connects to the others. The connecting “with” increases the effect of the others. We cannot reach faith without love.   These qualities answer both questions. God knows us through our faith and the world knows us through demonstration of the qualities that bring us to God. The more we live these qualities, the more we effectively and fruitfully accomplish the works God has set for us to do. God knows who I am through my faith. The world knows who I am through my actions.

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

 

December 10 - Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Psalm 126 Isaiah 40:1-11 Romans 8:22-25

Today’s Reflection: We receive the pathway to peace from by repentance leading toward salvation. Both create a connection to that which is bigger than us. The idea of being connected to that which is larger than we are continues through the passages today. Isaiah contrasts our weak, brittle, temporal existence to the forceful, strong, eternal existence of God.   The idea that “that which is bigger than us” remains so intimately connected to us mostly overwhelms me. Who am I that God cares? The unimaginable disparity between our natures forces me to pause and consider the Lord with each good thing that happens with me.   Peace comes when I realize that God has my back. Anyone who would be against me is just like me - grass that withers. God is as different from that person as God is different from me and his power over them is equally great.   Thanks be to God for having my back!

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

 

December 9 - Second Sunday in Advent

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Revised Common Lectionary Year C Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6

Today’s Reflection: The second Sunday in Advent focuses on peace. Today’s passages though, point us to the concepts of repentance and salvation. Both of those concepts challenge us at the core of our daily living – not very peaceful. Which of these do we most seek if a choice is to be made?   The early passage from Luke describes the father’s reaction at the birth of his son (John the Baptist). Zechariah reflects on the prophet’s promise that one would come before the Christ. His son fulfilled the destiny to bring the faithful to repentance before the savior came with the offer of salvation – a continuity of the relationship with God.   Repentance and salvation are historically connected. Accepting the gift of salvation takes a repentant heart recognizing that one can never do it by one’s own actions. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets called on the people to repent before God intervened to save the people from certain destruction by more powerful enemies threatening the holy land. When the people failed to repent, God failed to intervene. Only after we recognize our limitations are we able to accept God’s limitlessness.   Repentance and salvation both challenge our independent nature. They challenge the free-will that makes us in the image of God. Repenting before God forces us to own our imperfection. We have own that regardless of how hard we try, we are independently incapable of living up to God’s standards. Yet despite such failure, God still loves us and gives us the opportunity for salvation. Ultimately, the only thing God asks of us is to accept our place in relation to his place. The ten commandments pale compared to this one, “take your place” demand.   The second Sunday in Advent focuses on peace. Today’s passages though, point us to the concepts of repentance and salvation. Both of those concepts challenge us at the core of our daily living – not very peaceful. Yet, the more I reflect on my life, the more I learn I am at my most peaceful when I know who, what, and where I am. When God calls for repentance in return for salvation he guides us to know exactly who, what, and where we are. Repentance followed by salvation does not distress us; it assures us. Nothing is more peaceful than an assurance from God.

Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org

 

September 16 - Ordinary Time

Today’s Scriptures: Lectionary selections from the Book of Common Prayer Psalm 24, 29, 8, 84 Job 38:1, 18-41 Revelation 18:1-8 Matthew 5:21-26

Today’s Question: How do we respond to those who disagree with us and our beliefs?

Today’s Reflection: The attacks on United States embassies in Africa and the Middle East this week came about from factors both current and historic. One often cited reason behind the conflict between the Christian and Muslim world is intolerance. Both sides recite a litany of attacks on their belief by the other as justification for anger, frustration, and fear. The passages today allow us to focus on things we have in common.   God’s position in creation provides the centerpiece for many of the passages today. The Psalms praise God in his place in the heavens and identify connections between those who praise him. Psalm 24 and 84 concern the people who worship God and follow his directives. Psalm 29 makes reference to heavenly beings praising God, while Psalm 8 reminds us of our place in relationship to God. The Psalms encourage us to worship and follow God’s commands while reminding us of our special standing in creation.   In Job, God begins his response (defense) to the charges Job’s friends have made in their speeches to him. God’s response consists of questions that cover all of creation and God’s active involvement in it. The brief collection of questions in today’s selection gives an idea of the type of questions that methodically proceed through all parts of creation. Such questions as a teaching method come from the north African/Arabian tradition and are a common motif in literature from the region. It forces the listener (remember this comes out of an oral tradition) to reflect on what one has learned about God in creation. Connected to Psalm 8, the questions help us remember our place in creation when compared to the Creator.   The passage from Revelation foretells the (relatively soon) fall of Rome. Babylon served as the generic reference for power. The verses condemn all the leaders for their participation in evil deeds. When the author talks about leaders committing fornication, he includes the religious leaders’ infidelity to the Jewish tradition as a way to buy peace from the conquerors. Instead, he calls on the people of faith to leave the nation rather than join in the larger sin. The author describes a fall that will be twice what the nation did to other countries as it raided them. God offers the people an escape from the plagues that will come in the judgment removing themselves from the sin of the nation.   For a second week Jesus’s teaching from Matthew strikes at the heart of the law. For most of us, the command, “You shall not murder.” is easy to follow. Jesus redefines it as, “You shall not live in anger or insult.” He turns the law from a rare extreme to a common occurrence. Our conduct does not have to be extreme to violate the intent of the law – love your neighbor. We owe each other justice in every situation. We cannot be right with God if we are wrong with one another.   Today’s passages give us no place for intolerance and any such rhetoric or behavior runs contrary to the Bible. There is no verse that allows for vilification of those who believe differently than we do: as Christians, God commands us to share with them. We cannot control the world around us, but we can control us and become the difference that changes the world around us. Directing angry rhetoric toward those who believe differently than we do never succeeds in creating dialogue. Until there is dialogue, no change will take place. The Bible guides us to a united faith in God – not a war of words.

Today’s Prayer: Let us seek what we have in common as we seek to live the command to love one another.