True Belief ...

In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
[Ephesians 1:13-14 NRSV]
      I believe that these two verses from the first chapter of the Letter to the Ephesians are complex in their construction as a single sentence. I will attempt to break them down in this brief reflection. I am praying that I will not make any mistakes.
      First, it is my understanding that the essence of this complex sentence is that, "In Jesus each of us is ... marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." Each individual has a choice to make; we can accept Jesus, his teachings, and his examples or we can choose to ignore or disclaim them. If we choose to believe in both Jesus and his teachings; that is if we actually decide to live a life which is based on the teachings and the examples of Jesus, then we will become one who is marked "with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit." However, we should remember that our Creator has given us the most precious gift of all - Free Will.
      Second, it is also my belief that there is the implication within these words that we can also choose to not listen to "the word of truth, the gospel of (our) salvation". The implication here is that once again we have the freedom of choice; we can choose to believe that God has offered us a plan of true salvation, or we could seek another path that we believe will bring us greater happiness here upon this earth and even into the future of an unknown forever.
      Third, it would seem to me at this point that the author is once again pointing out that we need to make a choice. The reality is that we will make a choice; either we will choose to truly follow the teachings and examples of Jesus, or we will choose to turn our backs on these teachings and either follow some other plan or follow the teachings of the society we are living within in this present physical world. Of all of creation, humanity has been given the freedom of choice. We can choose to believe in the Creator and follow the teachings of Jesus, or we can choose some other path. The author is claiming that we will be recipients of "our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people"only if we are willing to faithfully follow the teachings and the examples of Jesus.

Three Simple Rules ...

  1 The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it,
      the world, and those who live in it;
  2 for he has founded it on the seas,
     and established it on the rivers.

  3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?
     And who shall stand in his holy place?
  4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
     who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
     and do not swear deceitfully.
  5 They will receive blessing from the LORD,
     and vindication from the God of their salvation.
  6 Such is the company of those who seek him,
     who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

  7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
     and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
     that the King of glory may come in.
  8 Who is the King of glory?
     The LORD, strong and mighty,
     the LORD, mighty in battle.
  9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
     and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
     that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
     The LORD of hosts,
     he is the King of glory.
[Psalm 24 NRSV]

      Who are the ones that have "clean hands and pure hearts"? We have been told that they are the ones who "do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully". I do believe this to be true, and yet there is also a caution to be observed here; for I also believe that we are being called to do more than just a living a life of "not doing wrong." I believe that we have been called by our Creator to also live a life of positive actions.
      Among the commandments that we have received, we find the basic admonitions that we should do no harm. Some might tell us that since we are not the individuals who have beaten an another individual and left them beside the path, that we are not the ones who have done the harm. However, Jesus would remind us that we are also called upon by the Creator to do as much good as possible.
      There would seem to be a common theme coming to us from many sources - the Hebrew Text, the teachings of Jesus, the sermons of John Wesley, and Bishop Rueben Job’s book "Three Simple Rules":
      1) Do not harm
      2) Do good
      3) Stay in love with God

Celebrating the presence of God

      They brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the LORD. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes. [2^nd Samuel 6:17-19 NRSV]

      Today’s reading from the second book of Samuel is about a single event in time. It is sharing with us a story of how gratitude overwhelmed a powerful man to the point that he was moved to do some very special things within his community. David, the King of Israel, had the Ark of the Covenant transported to his capital city. King David had set-up a special tent so that the LORD could be sheltered within his community. King David had made offerings before the LORD, and he had also presented offerings to all of the people of Israel - he made sure that each man and woman received bread, meat, and fruit. This was to be a day of true celebration for all of the people of Israel; for the LORD was to have a safe home within the city of King David.
      To say thank you to God does not genuinely require the wealth of a King. The reality is that it really only requires truth, understanding, and respect. Each one of us should spend a little time now and again in real contemplation about what it is that the LORD requires of us. I can remember that once my grandfather shared with me the idea that no one can ever "repay" God for all that they have received. He told me that the truth was that God expects each and everyone of us to share with all of our brothers and sisters. He also shared that the real challenge comes when we are asked to share with those who are "not like us."

      How often have we celebrated the presence of God within our own community? How often have we taken the time to thank God for all that we have been given? When was the last time that we made sure that everyone within our community had enough food to truly celebrate the presence of God? How are we being challenged to reach out to those who are "not like us"?

Steadfast Love Forever

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
Lord, hear my voice!
      Let your ears be attentive
      to the voice of my supplications!
If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
      Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with you,
      so that you may be revered.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
      and in [the LORD’s] word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
      more than those who watch for the morning,
      more than those who watch for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the LORD!
      For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
      and with [the LORD] is great power to redeem.
It is he who will redeem Israel
      from all its iniquities.
           [Psalm 130 NRSV]

      Most of us have warm memories of being deeply loved by either our grandparents or our mothers and fathers as very young children. However, for some of us as we grew up our parents may have become like the police who are constantly on watch for those who break the rules. If we did break one or more of their precious rules, then they would become the prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner all in one.
      Some individuals also have this same image of God. They do not believe in the loving and caring God who sent Jesus to teach us, guide us, and encourage each one of us to develop a truly deeper relationship with God and with each other. Some of them also do not believed that Jesus was willing to take on our punishment so that the "letter of the law" could be fulfilled and we could then be forgiven by God.
      The reality is that we either understand that there are those who do love us in spite of our short comings and failures, or we believe that no one is ever capable of loving another individual so much that they are truly capable of forgiving them. As for me, even when one of my grandchildren breaks a "rule" I’m more concerned about their safety that I ever am about weather they get punished. I truly do believe in God’s steadfast love, and I also believe that it is forever.

Compassionate Community

David intoned this lamentation over Saul and his son Jonathan. 

Your glory, O Israel, lies slain upon your high places!
      How the mighty have fallen!
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
      In life and in death they were not divided;
      they were swifter than eagles,
      they were stronger than lions.
O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
      who clothed you with crimson, in luxury,
      who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
  How the mighty have fallen
      in the midst of the battle!
  How the mighty have fallen,
      and the weapons of war perished!
  [2^nd Samuel 1:17, 19, 23-25, 27 NRSV]

      How do we respond when a loved one has "passed away"?   It is never the same for everyone.   Each lose of a loved one is different and somehow unique and special.  Sometimes it can be a true blessing when our loved one has finally received blessed relief after their long term suffering with a terminal illness.   However, most often it is the tremendous and overwhelm grief of an immeasurable lose during an unexpected time.
      But for some of us the most painful and saddest services of remembrance have been the passing of an individual who has been forcefully taken from their loved ones as a direct result of battlefield engagements.   Most individuals who have served their country in the military have been changed in many ways, but also most of them have survived while growing stronger.   Some individuals have not survived their experience in combat.  While we honor their valor and their fortitude, we deeply grieve their pain, their suffering and their lose.   We should also remember that while those that have passed are now at rest in the loving arms of their Creator, those who have been left behind are still with us.   They are grieving their lose, and they should be offered our care and our compassion.
      If we are truly a caring and compassionate community of faithful worshipers of God, then we should be reaching out to all of our sisters and brothers who have lost loved ones. When an individuals within our community has suffered lose, then we need to reach out to them with the same compassion, understanding, and love that we would want for ourselves when it is our turn to say goodbye to a loved one.

Big things from small seed

     He also said, "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come."
     He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
     With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34 he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
[Mark 4:26-34 NRV]

      The example that Jesus is using in this parable is noteworthy because the seed of the mustard plant is indeed very small when compared to the size of most other commonly massive plants. As a general rule the seed of almost any plant is excessively smaller than the full grown adult plant. But then we can be sure that Jesus is not really talking to the people about the art of growing crops or plants. So what do I see in this lesson?
      Most of our social and religious practices begin as a simple tiny idea; a thought. This is how human society is developed or how a culture is altered. Thoughts and ideas are expressed and the community will either cultivate them or they will be rooted out. In every collection of humans (a society) there will be those who are most comfortable with the way that the society was structured in the past. They will guard their societal structure from change to the point of ripping out those who will not conform to the established rules. For them "no change is acceptable."
      The illustration that Jesus used was not a wild vine that would overpower and chock to death the natural environment, but rather he was talking about a plant that would truly add value to the established community. However, there are always those who want their fields and lands to be free of all other plants and ideas. They feel that they have the right to guard "their world" from change of any kind. But the real truth is that this is God’s world, and we will only be here for a short time.
      What changes within our "community / world" are we being challenged with? Are we so sure that the changes are going to allow the others to establish a better relationship with each other and with God? And if it is true that "Each day God is doing something new," then why are we so afraid of change?

Open wide your hearts

As we work together with him,
we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.
For he says,
     "At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
       and on a day of salvation I have helped you."
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you.
There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours.
In return — I speak as to children — open wide your hearts also.
[2^nd Corinthians 6:1-2, 11-13 NRSV]


     What does it really mean when we are asked to open wide our hearts? I’m sure that the author is not speaking directly to encourage any one of us to have "open heart surgery." I’m rather certain that what the author is trying to encourage those who read these words to do is to embrace those individuals who are around us; those whose paths have crossed ours.
     It has always been far to easy for humanity to form exclusive families, clans, or even nations. Many individuals have even been encouraged to gather into exclusive racial or ethnic communities. But it is my belief that the author of these words is encouraging all readers to remember that we are all a part of God’s creation. Be careful here, for I am not saying that there is not a special bound to be found within families, and I’m certainly not claiming that it is inappropriate to form a deeper relationship with individuals who share special bonds with us. Rather what I have heard this author tell us is that we should be careful about judging others before we really have a chance to know them.
     The ones who are different from us may also be able to help us understand the true depth of our own beliefs. Sometimes we may even be blessed by the talents and skills of those who are different from us. I know that there are individuals who "rub me the wrong way," but then I remember that I should stop and consider how often I have rubbed others the wrong way.

The challenge of Goliath ...

     It seems strange to not be preparing Bulletins for this coming Sunday’s service of worship, but then I’m retired now. So I’ll have to get used to it. Still, I’d like to share a few thoughts about the reading this week from the Hebrew Text [1^st Samuel 17;57-18:5, 10-16] ... the story of David and Goliath.
     Tradition tells us that the Army of Israel has been stalled upon the battlefield. A giant of a warrior has challenged any Israelite warrior to personal combat. None of the Israelite warriors is able to challenge Goliath, and so the Israelite must wait until someone is willing to come forward to confront this massive foe.
     Sometimes within our own lives we find ourselves challenged to stand up to either an individual or a task which seems to be far beyond our ability to handle or over-come. How is it possible for us to face a bully; someone who is mean spirited and yet massive in size, abilities, or wealth? Is it even possible for us to risk our own future or safety for the sake of defending someone else? This are only some of the real questions which race through the thoughts of an individual who is either confronted by or witness to a bully in action.
     We also know that there have been down through history individuals who have raised up to met the challenges. Some have done so in defense of themselves, but the most noted ones are those who have discovered the courage to face such challenges in the defense of those who could not defend themselves. We call this individuals heros, but the reality is that they are the ones who have answered the challenge given to all of so long ago ... do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
     If we were being challenged ... if we were being oppressed ... if we were being threatened, wouldn’t we want someone to help us? That’s what God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is asking us to do. We are expected to help each other ... all of our sisters and brothers.