“One small step in a journey with Christ”

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Fifth Sunday of Lent (John 12:20-33)  03/25/2012

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Last weekend we were blessed to have The Rev. Minka Sprague lead us in a wonderful Lenten Quiet Day. During the course of our time together Minka provided us with several insightful images of the grace of God, as shown in the lives of King David, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostle Paul, and St. Francis of Assisi. We were treated to a thoughtful day of reflection and prayer on the grace and love of God made manifest through these four people. Throughout this past week I have been particularly mindful of the reflections of Francis of Assisi, the one person of the group not mentioned in Holy Scripture. And although the life of Francis may appear quite extraordinary, there is quite a bit of his story that we might easily connect with our own story. Continue reading →

“Will Our Children Have Faith?”

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Will our children have faith? An interesting question, and the title of an informative and insightful book by John Westerhoff, III. Although first published in 1976 and revised in 2000, the book is just as relevant as the first day it was printed. And you might wonder, is it important that our children have faith…is this aspect of our lives important to us, both individually and collectively? The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life published a study in December 2009 entitled “How Religious is your State?” – the results varied, but the national averages showed that slightly more than half of those surveyed thought weekly worship attendance and daily prayer were important, while about 70% were certain of the existence of God. So, at least in some degree (and definitions vary widely, of course) faith in God still has significance in our society. This begs the question, if something is important, what are we doing about it? Westerhoff opens his book with the following words: “It is a truism that Christian faith and education are inevitable companions. Wherever living faith exists, there is a community endeavoring to know, understand, live, and witness to that faith.”[i] Again, what are we actually doing about the development of our faith; how are we “endeavoring to know, understand, live, and witness to that faith.” Certainly there are many wonderful programs alive and well throughout the country, but there are also many disturbing trends that appear to be going unnoticed. Continue reading →

“A dog, a flat tire, and the season of Lent”

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All diagnoses were uncertain and any relief based upon medical science appeared to be temporary, at best. My personal attachment to “man’s best friend” comes in the form of an eight year old chocolate lab. Since her earliest days she has endured recurring bouts with bladder infections. As a young pup and for her first few years these bouts were annual events. As the years added up, the frequency of the infections increased as well. She would be in discomfort only during the period of the infection itself and she responded very well to medication – nothing to worry about; maybe scratch your head and wonder why, but nothing to worry about until recently. The frequency passed semi-annual a while ago and was now heading toward a frequency greater than bi-monthly. After exhausting all non-invasive, medicine only, options and considering that she likely has several years of quality life remaining (the good LORD willing), we opted for the surgical option that promised to provide clearer answers and hopefully cure things once and for all…that was a few weeks ago and all is going very well. However, a significant portion of her bladder was removed (which will grow back) and until she has fully recuperated we take her outside every two hours or so, regardless of the time of day. My kids are now adults and I never thought I would have a small baby to care for again, but I certainly have one now…and I am very tired. Yesterday I was finishing a rather busy day and thinking about my dog’s doctor visit today (her re-check appointment). As I headed home from my meeting at the church a bit after 9pm I was thinking of the things I must do in the days ahead and only after driving a few minutes did I notice my car was pulling to the right. Fortunately I did not hear anything out of the ordinary and my drive home is short; when I arrived home my front tire was flat! Continue reading →

“Prophetic voices in our modern world: where have they gone?”

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Brueggemann (On Being)

“In those days the word of the LORD was rare; prophecy was not widespread” (1 Samuel 3:1b, TANAKH translation)

In a recently released interview (12/22/2011) by Krista Tippett (“On Being,” by APM), Walter Brueggemann (Biblical scholar and well-known author) discussed the poetry and imagination of the Old Testament prophets. His interview was thoughtful, insightful and compelling, but this is what I have come to expect of him nearly every time I have read one of his books or listened to him discuss a wide array of topics. Brueggemann’s wisdom is not limited to the Old Testament. (For more information on his interview with Krista Tippett, please follow the link: <here>) One of the most profound and striking sections of his interview came when questioned about the preacher’s ability to prophetically speak to a frenzied and hurting world; a world that is so accustomed to the “idealogy of consumer capitalism”; especially when the preacher is part of that world and shares the language and the culture of those whom are listening for the prophetic word to be spoken. Brueggemann responded: Continue reading →

“Covenant partners with God: what you do does matter!”

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1st Sunday of Lent (Genesis 9:8-17)  02/26/2012

On this first Sunday of Lent, as we have now made our way through the first few days of our Lenten journey, my hope is that you have already set aside some time and have jumped in to this season by taking advantage of some of the many offerings at St. John’s Church or have decided on a few of your own. If not, I hope you have had the opportunity to at least consider something that you might like to try out during the days and weeks ahead. As for me, I have taken up an invitation from Jeffrey Lee, Bishop of Chicago, to read a book and follow Bishop Lee’s discussion questions and reflections. The book is entitled, A Practical Christianity: Meditations for the season of Lent, by Jane Shaw. The Rev. Shaw is the Dean of Grace Cathedral, located in San Francisco, CA. Her book is about the practices of Lent rather than the beliefs (or the theology and doctrines of Christianity) that we feel we must subscribe to. In the introduction to her book, Shaw writes, “For the earliest converts to Christianity, the question before they were baptized and joined the Christian community was not so much “What do you believe?” as “How has your life been transformed?”[i] I will be reading the book as a Lenten guide, so I have only read the introduction so far, but Shaw provides a wonderful overview and clearly outlines her intentions for the book. She makes the following points: Christians should not get wrapped up in difficult theologies and doctrines as they travel through their Lenten journey; more importantly, and consistent with the practices of the Early Church, is the notion that what we do is as important, if not more formative, than what we believe. Consistent with the Anglican understanding of “lex orandi, lex credendi: out of the law of praying comes the law of belief” or perhaps more practically, what you do becomes what you believe, and eventually this will form the shape of your life, your life with God and your life with your neighbor. Shaw’s book presents itself as an interesting guide to the journey of practical self-reflection toward one’s personal life, one’s relationship with God and relationship with others. Her book provides guidance on a journey that explores the many aspects of one’s relationships and it is a journey that I am looking forward to taking up throughout these forty days of Lent. Continue reading →

“Remove the obstacles that hold you back from Christ”

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Ash Wednesday (2 Cor 5:20-6:13)  2/22/2012

Welcome to the season of Lent. And if your lives are in any way fashioned around the academic calendar of the town school system, welcome back from a long weekend. A long weekend, formerly known as “Winter Recess,” but that was before the events of October came upon us all, in the form of “Storm Alfred.” A time that was unfortunately longer than a long weekend. As I reflected on this coming season of Lent and the Scripture readings that we heard today, I could not get the vivid images of that storm and the many days that followed out of my thoughts. I began to wonder if the Apostle Paul had in some way experienced some similar type of event; an event that required “great endurance, afflictions, hardships, calamities…and sleepless nights.” (2 Cor 6:4) Paul’s life, the life of a first-century apostle in foreign lands, was likely not isolated to one or two of these difficult events, but these challenges were familiar occasions throughout his days. Today, we hear Paul sharing his experiences with the community in Corinth; his highs and his lows, his fears and his hopes, and ultimately, his love for Christ and his confidence that the road of discipleship to Christ will vindicate all the challenges that he has endured. Continue reading →

“The Road to Calvary: Prepare to prepare”

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Lent is just a short week away and we need to get ready. Lent is the season of preparation for the coming of Easter; the coming of the day in which we celebrate our gift of eternal life – the death and resurrection of Christ and our reflection of what it means for us to participate in Christ’s death and resurrection. So you mean that Lent is a time of preparation and I have to prepare to prepare? Exactly. Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays, at least in most Western Christian traditions) and 40 days is not a lot of time. At least not enough time in our crazy time-constrained culture to begin wondering how we might effectively “reflect” and “open ourselves” to the possibilities of Christ in our lives if we begin our wondering some time after the second Sunday of Lent. So, why not be the first one on the block to have your Lenten practices decided? You can tell your friends that this weekend is to Lent what “Black Friday” is to holiday shopping…and you don’t even have to sleep in a tent in front of Best Buy!

What can you do; what should you do? ANYTHING. Just do anything, preferably something that you have never done before unless “that previous thing” was incredibly helpful to your spiritual life. If you have some time available for vacation and a retreat center is nearby (and nearly everyone has some type of retreat center nearby), go on a Lenten retreat. Read a book, read the Bible, follow the Daily Office using the Episcopal Prayer Book (or go online here if it’s easier). If you are incredibly busy (and who isn’t incredibly busy, unless you have recently retired and you haven’t told anyone yet, so they can’t ask you to do several things in your “free” time), then simply find a few spare moments to pray for those you love, those who love you, and especially for those you don’t love, and pray for the world while you are at it…the world could use a prayer or two. Just do anything throughout the 40 days of Lent, and do it consistently. Lent, after all, is a time for thoughtful and disciplined attention toward God so we are prepared to receive His gift of saving Grace on Easter morning.

As for me, I will be reading Jane Shaw’s new book, A Practical Christianity: Meditations for the Season of Lent. You can purchase the book online at Cokesbury bookstore by following the link here. I have not read the book, but am following Bishop Jeff Lee’s (Episcopal Bishop of Chicago) invitation to read the book throughout the season of Lent. I look forward to walking with you as we travel the road to Calvary to Easter morning. I invite you today to prepare for the season of preparation; to get ready for Lent so that your Lenten journey may be fruitful and you may hear God calling you in the unique manner that God speaks to all His children.

“You have been chosen and now you must choose!”

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6th Sunday after the Epiphany (Mark 1:40-45)  2/12/2012

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The leper said to Jesus, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” (Mark 1:40) “If you choose…” Every day we are all confronted with decisions that must be made; in the course of our lives we discover new opportunities that cause us to make choices. Two weeks ago today I had the opportunity to spend the morning education hour with the J2A Youth group, helping them prepare for their approaching confirmation at the Cathedral. Our discussion was based upon a lesson that was entitled, “Decisions, Decisions.” As young adults in the church, they are already becoming familiar with the idea that their decisions are more informed by their own choices than with the choices of their parents or their guardians. And they, like the rest of us, have some choices to make. The Sacrament of Confirmation, according to the Prayer Book, is a mature commitment to Christ; a choice to affirm and renew the vows taken at one’s Baptism. The lesson prepared and challenged these young folks to consider how they might react when confronted with choices, especially choices made under difficult circumstances.  Every Christian has choices to make and many of the choices we are confronted with are not easy choices; and they are not always choices that are obvious or popular to the society in which we live. Continue reading →

“Yes, you can ‘tebow’ too”

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“Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread the letters before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord.” (2 Kings 19:14-15) King Hezekiah began to reign over the kingdom of Judah at the age of 25; he began his reign around the year 700 BC. Hezekiah is held up as one of the most righteous kings before God, compared in esteem to King David for his accomplishments. The people under the rule of Hezekiah knew both good times and challenging times, even though their king was much beloved and did what was right in the sight of the Lord. (2 Kings 18:3)

Much has been made recently of another young man about the age of 25, Tim Tebow, and the electrifying victories he and his team, the Denver Broncos, have had in the past several weeks. The high point of the media frenzy came with the Broncos overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first week of the NFL playoffs. Tebow has attracted attention for many reasons, but the public display of his Christian faith has probably been at the center of all the attention. Gone are his “black eye paint” biblical passages (against NFL rules), but his one-kneed bow to God has remained a steadfast symbol of his devotion. As the Broncos continued to win, sometimes inexplicably it seemed, the public chatter was that Tim’s “tebowing” gave him a direct line to God. Even Saturday Night Live needed to weigh in with a few jokes…when SNL pokes fun at you, it’s safe to say you have arrived…at least for 15 minutes. With no ill feelings toward Tim Tebow or the rest of his teammates, there is at least a small part of me that was glad that Tom Brady and his team set the record straight when it comes to God: pray to God for a relationship with God and to deepen your spiritual growth and awareness…not to win at life. And this is not to say that Tim Tebow prays to win; it is very likely he prays to talk to God…and so can you.

If the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl this year, never would the American public be more confused about God and prayer since, well, since ever probably. You can, and should, “tebow” pray every day in order to become closer to the spiritual and mystical realities of the power and love of God. Win, lose or draw in life; you will win every day that you pray.

“The habit of being an intentional Christian”

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1st Sunday after Epiphany [The Baptism of our Lord] (Mark 1:4-11)  1/8/2012

Happy New Year! We are now one week into the New Year, and if you have made a resolution I pray that you are still holding on strong to your new habits. The New Year offers a new beginning and a time that some people choose to make a resolution. There are, of course, all types of resolutions that people make for themselves, but most resolutions involve some type of change: a change from one behavior to another; a change from one way of being to another way of being. The really hard part of successfully achieving the new way of life is actually making it stick – how is it that the resolution becomes a permanent habit; the new practice becomes the new way of living. According to many reports that I have recently read in the media success comes through diligent practice – repetition creates the permanent habit. I have read that 4 or 5 weeks of practice will make the newly desired habit “successful.” This is nice to imagine, but I have fallen off the “daily exercise” wagon enough times to wonder if this estimate is really accurate. Several weeks of practice will get you going in the right direction, but constant immersion in a community that supports and sustains the new habit is certainly best, whether your resolution is the mastery of a new language, adherence to a new diet, or any other manner of new living. No matter what the challenge might be in your life, those closest to us help us as we seek to live our lives in new ways. Continue reading →