Readings for Easter 4C Sunday April 25 - posted late!

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:

O God of resurrection, rise up in our hearts. Lift us when we are too weak to live as disciples, lead us to living waters when we are thirsting for hope, welcome us into the abundance of your joy. Open your words to us, that we might be inspired, comforted, challenged and strengthened. For we live our lives in your name, Amen

This Sunday is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday”. Every year the psalm that is used is the 23rd Psalm “The Lord’s My Shepherd.”

Marcus Borg suggests there are different ways to approach scripture – One of these approaches, he calls Sacramental, a word we associate with baptism and communion. He is suggesting that sometimes scripture symbolizes much more than what the words actually contain… Think of a reading of the Christmas story, or Love is patient, love is kind... at a wedding, or the 23rd Psalm in a hospital room or at a memorial service. The reading directs our hearts and minds towards something BEYOND.

Question for Reflection: Can you think of a scripture passage that is “sacramental” for you?

The 23rd Psalm can be one of those readings… but it might depend on which version you know best! Contrast a "traditional" translation with one from the 20th century:

King James Version
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The Message:
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I am not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies;
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

The traditional reading may be “sacramental”, but a newer one might shed new light on your understanding.

The Good Shepherd image is popular but can be mystifying if we don’t understand shepherding. A good reference to check out is A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller, Zondervan Books, 1970.

In his notes about verse 2, Keller says that there are 4 things sheep need before they will lie down and get the rest they need: They need to be: free from fear; free from friction or conflict within the flock; free from pests, like flies or parasites; free from hunger.

In verse 3, Keller reflects how one source for clean water is the dew on the early morning grasses. The shepherd needs to be an early riser to get the sheep on their feet so that they can drink dew before it evaporates.

A “cast” sheep can not stand up after lying down and rolling over, it will suffocate if left lying down to long. The sheep needs constant attention in case it needs rescue, restoration - the good shepherd "restores my soul."

All the gospel readings for Easter 4 are taken from John 10. This year we READ John 10:22-30.

For John one of the dominant themes was proving that Jesus is the Messiah, so he uses imagery from the prophets and psalms to show Jesus “fulfilling” the hope of Israel through traditional Jewish festivals.

In verse 22, John refers to the "Festival of the Dedication", probably the annual re-dedication of the temple in celebration of the Maccabean victory in 164 BCE (what we call Hanukkah!) throughout the gospel, John mentions a series of Jewish festivals, giving them new meaning with Jesus’ actions. The focus shifts from God working through the temple, to God working through the Messiah. Clearly there is an anti-Jewish bias in John's gospel. We should be careful to note that John's conflict was not with all Jews, but with the powerful and corrupt temple authorities whom John felt had distorted God's truth.

In verses 25-6, Jesus' turns the the question about his authority back on his opponents. The real question is not who Jesus is, but whether they have faith.
All questions to Jesus about identity and authority are almost always answered by proving what he does – in this case, the proof is that what he does, he does in unity with God.

Question for Reflection: How do others see our “oneness” with God?

In Easter 4, the epistle reading always has some reference to shepherds

READ Revelation 7:9-17

Who is the multitude that is speaking?
Rev 7:1-8 shows 144,000 – twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This gathering is symbolic of the fulfilment of Israel’s eschatology. The “multitude”in v.9, however, seems much more general, “drawn from every nation”. John is suggesting that salvation is not only for Israel, but for faithful people of every nation. It probably refers to the martyrs “washed in the blood of the Lamb”.
Verse 14 mentions “the great persecution” or “ordeal”. This is probably not in reference to the official persecution of Rome under Nero, yet many at this time suffered for following Jesus.

Question for Reflection: How do we “bear witness” to our faith? What is persecution today and are we willing to witness in spite of it?

READ Acts 9:36-43
After Paul begins his leadership role in the church, Peter doesn’t just fade into background – his power increases as is seen in today’s story. Both Peter and Paul are necessary. Interpreters describe their relationship as the “warp” and the “weft” of the Christian faith.

Peter follows the lead of Jesus, and the prophets before him (Luke 5:17-26; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:19-37), establishing his authority by his deeds, and unity with God through Jesus.

Joppa is the modern Jaffa, in Isreal, its meaning is beautiful.
The harbor for the area has been ruled by Egyptians, Philistines, the tribe of Dan. Under Herod, it was a lesser port than Caesarea, and was known to be fiercely Jewish until the destruction of Jerusalem.

It was one of the first Christian communities outside Jerusalem, and the site of Peter’s dream about God's impartiality. Tabitha is specifically described as a disciple, with a feminine form of mathetes (disciple) - matheria.
She was devoted to good works, very valuable in the community, a lynch-pin. She may have been a widow herself, but clearly she stood up for widows, who were a very vulnerable population, dependent on their community' generosity.
As early church develops we have clear lines of leadership, based on a hierarchy of gifts.
But Tabitha's story reminds us that the church would not have survived if it were not for the workers who cared for others in the most basic way

The emphasis here is not just on Peter, but on the community that called on him – a community that believed in resurrection, and that reached out for hope even in the face of death
If a community has faith, even when we lose significant volunteers, new "tabithas" will always rise up out of the family of faith.

Question for Reflection: With church numbers declining (overall) where do we see Tabitha's spirit still rising in our midst?

Closing Prayer:
O God, help us rise up with life-giving acts:
We pray for all in need of healing, for those who need relief from illness or worry or fear, for comfort from past abuse, for good news for those who sorrow.
O God, help us rise up with life-giving acts:
We pray for the ordinary work of each day, for faith as we prepare meals, tend our homes, care for others, correspond with friends, employ our hands, hearts and minds.
O God, help us rise up with life-giving acts:
We pray for the fabric of this community, for all that holds us together and the thread of your grace woven into our lives and community. May we wrap the world with your loving ways. For we pray in the name of Jesus, who gives life to us, Amen.

Readings for May 2, 2010: Easter 5C

Acts 11:1-18 • Psalm 148 • Revelation 21:1-6 • John 13:31-35

A New Creation: This tapestry includes all the colours of the new heaven that are presented in Revelation 21. Take a moment to center yourself as you prepare to reflect on this week's Scripture.

Prayer: Alpha and Omega, First and Last, glory outshining all the lights of heaven: pour out upon us your Spirit of faithful love and abundant compassion,so that we may rejoice in the splendor of your workswhile we wait in expectation for the new heaven and the new earth you promisewhen Christ shall come again. Amen.

Acts 11:1-18

Peter has been in the coastal area northwest of Jerusalem, an area where there are already believers of Jewish origin. Up the coast, in Caesarea Philippi, Cornelius (an officer in the Roman army, a Gentile) has seen a vision in which a messenger from God has told him to send for Peter. As Peter has approached the town, he too has seen a vision: of “the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered”. In the sheet are “all kinds” of animals. A voice has said: “Get up, Peter; kill and eat” meaning eat of animals forbidden by Jewish law. At Cornelius’ house, he has told the assembled company (both Jews and Gentiles): “You ... know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone ... [ritually] unclean”He has summed up the good news, telling them that “God shows no partiality” The Holy Spirit has come on all who hear the word and many, including Gentiles, have been baptized.
Word of this event has reached Judea, where there are believers of Jewish origin (“circumcised believers") who ask why he has broken Jewish law by visiting and eating with Gentiles. Peter explains: not chronologically but from the viewpoint of God’s plan of salvation. (The word translated “brothers”, denotes close kinship, in the Christian community.) Just as the Holy Spirit came on the apostles at Pentecost (“at the beginning”, ) so it “fell upon them”, Cornelius’ household. In a post-resurrection appearance, Jesus predicted Pentecost . Peter defends his actions: God gave them the “same gift” when they believed as he gave us when we came to faith. Peter’s critics accept this explanation; God is working in a new way; even Gentiles who turn to God will receive eternal “life”.

Reflection: In this story, a huge barrier is set aside. The Book of Leviticus establishes the foods that the faithful can eat. But now these rules are set aside so that dietary laws will not hinder all people from embracing the gospel.

What people do we exclude from the gospel's embrace?

What rules or practices do we hold onto that may create a barrier, keeping people from God, from coming into our communion?

>I recently visited an Anglican Church in Toronto that was remarkably open. They were self identified as "queer friendly"; they had a rainbow triangle on thier sign; being in the heart of an urban center they were open to street people who came and went during the service, some sleeping through it all; the service was led by all kinds of people so that it waas hard to know who the clergy were; they provided lunch afterwards and the food was dairy free and gluten free... They had knocked down may barriers and yet in the homily they were challenged to see that some were outside their church because they were not flexible in how they did things...(!)

>Another story: Someone shared with me how, when their children were young, children never came into the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. This was in 1984. Today their grandchildren are in church each week. That's a big shift.

What do we do to include others? What have we changed? What still needs attention?

Revelation 21: 1-6

Revelation is the last book of the Bible and is in a way a summary of the whole of the Bible. It is an apocalypse, a vision which foretells the future and presents an understanding of the past. It tells of the struggle between good and evil, and the ultimate victory of Christ. Writing in symbolic language, its author urges Christians to keep faith in a period of persecution. It is hard to understand because we have to work to decode it, to understand the meaning of its symbols .

Our reading is from John’s record of his vision of the end-times. He has told of the destruction of the old city, Babylon (code name for Rome) and of the old heaven and earth ;the ungodly have been driven off to punishment .Only the godly, a remnant, remain. Isaiah in Chapters 65 and 66 predict that all creation will be renewed, freed from imperfections and transformed by the glory of God.

Now John sees the new creation. The “sea” ,a symbol of turbulence, unrest and chaos, is no more. He sees “the new Jerusalem” ,probably not made with bricks and mortar, “holy”, of divine origin, beautiful and lovely as a “bride”. (Marriage is a symbol of the intimate union between the exalted Christ and the God's people. John hears “a loud voice” interpreting the words of verse 2 : God again comes to “dwell” (be present spiritually) with “his peoples”. Sorrow, death and pain - characteristics that made the old earth appear to be enslaved to sin – will disappear .God, “seated on the throne”, speaks in : God will do everything described in verse 1 to 4; God is sovereign over all that happens in human history. (“Alpha” and “Omega” are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, so God encompasses all.) God will give the gift of eternal life to all who seek it.

Reflection: This passage is often used at funerals. God with the people. Death and mourning and tears done. Alpha, and Omega, Beginning and End. All is well.

What do you think the kingdom of Heaven looks like? What do you hope for in the end? How do you feel when you think of God coming close to be with you?

John 13:31-35

Jesus is preparing his followers for his departure. After the Last Supper, he has washed the feet of his disciples, a symbol of servanthood. Peter has misunderstood Jesus’ action; Jesus has told him that to share in Christ requires that Jesus be his servant as well as his master. Peter will understand “later” (v. 7): when Jesus is on the cross. Jesus has said, “you are clean, though not all of you” (v. 10). Then, generalizing, he says that, per his example, each Christian is to be a servant to every other (v. 14). Jesus has predicted his betrayal (vv. 18, 21); he has shown Peter and the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (v. 23) who this will be. Judas (“he”, v. 31) has gone out into the “night” (v. 30) – a symbol of the dark deed he is about to commit.

The glorification (revelation of the essence of) the “Son of Man” (v. 31), the ideal human, Jesus, is already in progress; the Father is already being revealed in him. The Father has been revealed (“glorified”, v. 32) in Jesus, so Jesus is a way of seeing God now (“at once”). In John and 1 John, Jesus calls his faithful followers “little children” (v. 33). Jesus tells them that his time on earth with them is very soon to end. They cannot join him in heaven now, but he “will come again and will take you to myself” (14:3). Judaism required one to love one’s neighbour as oneself (Leviticus 19:18). Jesus’ commandment is “new” (v. 34) in that, in his self-offering, he is model of, motive for, and cause for, loving one another. Mutual love will show who follows Christ.

Reflection:

Where I am going, you cannot come." The Ascension, impending. But interesting words. Where can we go that Jesus goes? He wants us to follow him in most of the places he goes. Can we? Should we? Will we?

New commandment: Love one another. That's how people will know you are followers of Jesus. think of the old camp song "And They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love", from this text. I'm afraid that my life doesn't always confirm that. I think about ends and means. The end: our Christian identity is visible. The means: love. In this case, Jesus suggests we can't get the end we desire, to be known as disciples, except by the means of loving as he has loved. And how has he loved?

Readings for April 18, the Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) • Psalm 30 • Revelation 5:11-14 • John 21:1-19


A prayer to begin:
God of victory over death,your Son revealed himself again and again,and convinced his followers of his glorious resurrection.Grant that we may know his risen presence,in love obediently feed his sheep,and care for the lambs of his flock. Amen.

Acts 9:1-20
Luke has told us earlier in the book that in Jerusalem “Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.” Now we see his great transformation: from persecutor to evangelist. At the time, Jews often had two names: a Semitic one (Saul) and a Roman or Greek one (Paul). The Empire granted Jewish authorities the right to extradite their own from beyond Palestine. Those “who belonged to the Way” were Jewish Christians; they worshipped in synagogues. In the early days, Christianity was known as “the Way”. Paul later called the glory of God (or Christ) a “light” Verses 4 and 5 make it clear that in persecuting members of the Christian flock, Paul persecuted Christ.
In verse 7 the Greek suggests that Saul’s companions heard the sound of the voice but not what was said. God commands “Ananias” , a leader of the followers in Damascus, to seek out Saul to restore his sight. Naturally, Ananias is fearful, Saul being a known enemy of Christians. Through Ananias, God restores Paul’s sight; Paul receives the Holy Spirit and is baptised, thus becoming a member of the Church.

Reflection:

• "any who belonged to The Way" - The Greek is hodos, which means Way as in path or road, a highway. What does that say - our faith is the road we are on?!
  
• "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Think of Matthew 25:31-45 - Jesus is the one who is impacted by our actions, be it positively or negatively. Do we really believe this - if we did would we would stop doing some of the atrocious things we do to one another.."
• "He is an instrument I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel." How hard it must have been for Ananias to trust God's plan in this case. But how comforting it should be, or challenging, to realize that God always picks the least likely, the least equipped, the least sensible to carry about God's plans.
• "something like scales fell from his eyes" - I think of the Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, where Eustace Scrubb is turned into a dragon, a symbol of his misdeeds. To become a human again, he has to get rid of the dragon skin - he tries to peel it off himself, but can't get deep enough. Aslan (read Jesus), has to tear deeply into Eustace's flesh to get all of the old scaly skin away...
  

Psalm 30
The psalmist clearly praises God for his recovery from grave illness, but this psalm may also be allegorical: its title says that it was sung at the dedication of the Temple, which was desecrated in 164 BC and rededicated in 161 BC. “Sheol”, “the Pit" in verse 3 was thought of as a place under the earth where the dead existed as mere shadows. In verses 4 and 5 the psalmist invites all present to join in giving thanks. In verses 6 to 10, he recounts what happened to him. He had felt perfectly secure and healthy but he fell from God’s favour (God “hid from him) – he became ill. Feeling near death, he prayed to God, pointing out that if allowed to go the Sheol, no one, not even God, could hear him. God did hear his prayer and restored him to health and favour: his sorrow was turned to joy, even to liturgical “dancing”. He will praise God for the rest of his life.

Reflection:

• How does the image of God in this psalm make you feel?- pleading with God to care and act, trying to convince God to act by appealing to God's desire to have more people to worship God ... The Psalmist in his despair creates a negative view of God
• "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning." A wonderfully evocative verse
• "You hid your face." - to think of God turning God's face from us. Devastating - like an eclipse darkening the earth. Does God turn from us or is this our perception when we turn from God? in other places in Scripture we are told that there is no where where we can run from God.
  
  Revelation 5:11-14
  This book is an inspired picture-book, intended to make a powerful appeal to the reader’s imagination. Using a literary genre known as apocalyptic, John gives us an insight into what will occur at the end of the current era. In his vision, he sees God’s throne and the heavenly scene around it and hears the praises sung there. He describes the glory of God in terms of precious gems .Around God’s throne are “twenty-four elders” (perhaps the twelve Old Testament patriarchs and the twelve apostles), so an image of the ideal Church. As in a Roman court, God’s counsellors are “seated”: they share in ruling and judging. “lightning” and “thunder” express God’s majesty. The “seven spirits” before the throne may be the seven angels of high rank, as in 1 Enoch, a non-biblical apocalyptic book. Tobit speaks of Raphael as “one of the seven angels who ... enter before ... the glory of the Lord”. The “sea of glass” a valuable commodity in John’s day, suggests the distance between humans and God, even in heaven. The “four living creatures” around the throne are angelic beings representing the whole of creation (Ezekiel 1); they are God’s agents who watch over all of nature and symbolize what is most splendid about animals: nobility (lion), strength (ox), wisdom (human), and oversight (eagle). Representing earthly beings, they continually praise God as ruler of history (or time). He will restore (or liberate) creation .They are joined by the “elders” (4:10), representing heavenly beings, who acknowledge God’s superior power by placing their crowns “before the throne” – that all power comes from God.
  Next a “scroll” is presented – a record of God’s plans for the end-time. No one is found worthy to open the scroll and reveal its contents , but finally, one is revealed, “a Lamb” , representing Christ.
  In a scene reminiscent of the honours given to a Roman emperor, large numbers sing of Christ’s worthiness to disclose God’s plans. There are seven honours he is worthy to receive : the first four (“power ... might”) concern his dominion; the others express the adoration of those present. The “Lamb” and the Creator (“the one” ) are equal in majesty. All creatures in heaven and on earth certify this to be true (“Amen” ).

Reflection:

• What does this passage say about God? About Jesus?
• Imagine being part of this scene. How do you feel?
• Are there any worship services or gatherings or concerts or events that this scene brings to mind?
  
  John 21:1-19
  Since his resurrection, Jesus has twice appeared to the disciples in the house where he hosted the Last Supper. Now he appears to six disciples near the Sea of Galilee (“Tiberias”). Led by Peter, they go fishing but catch nothing. When they return to the shore in the morning, Jesus is there. When he invites them to cast their net again, they catch many fish .One (probably John) recognizes him now ;the others do later. . In John Chapter 6, the Feeding of the Five Thousand, Jesus has blessed a meal of bread and fish. (The significance of “a hundred [and] fifty-three”, in verse 11 is unknown)
  Jesus asks Peter about his love for him.Peter avoids comparisons with “these”, the other disciples. Jesus asks three times – a reversal of Peter’s denial of him; each time Jesus tells him: feed/tend my lambs/sheep. Verse 18 begins with a proverbial saying: in old age, we lack the mobility and freedom of movement we had when young. But Peter’s life will be cut short: he will either be bound a prisoner, or be crucified (“stretch out ...”). In Chapter 13 Peter offers to follow Jesus even to laying down his life for him. Now Jesus says: “Follow me”. Tradition says that Peter was crucified too.

Reflection:

• Jesus eating is a suggestion of his physical resurrection, as opposed to spiritual resurrection. he is no ghost, not an apparition.
• Jesus once called some of his followers when they were fishing - then there nets were breaking, now they do not despite the large catch. Then he called them to follow him - here he does again, to Peter.He also shared the meal of bread and fish with them when he fed the 5000.
• They are again by the sea, on the water, where so much ministry has taken place, where so much meaning is attached.
• Another Chronicles of Narnia tie-in, also from Voyage of the Dawn Treader. At the very end of the book, when the gang is finally approaching the Eastern end of the world, they see a lamb who is cooking fish for them to eat, who turns into Aslan before their eyes, who is the Christ figure.
• "Do you love me more than these?" What these? The disciples?
• Some commentators suggests that Jesus asking Peter three times and Peters confirmation of love is a reversal of Peter's thrice denial of Christ before his crucifixion. He has come full circle - his shortcoming is turning into a strength - he can be the leader of the new church that Jesus needs him to be. "Follow me."

Preparing for Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010

Take a moment to centre yourself in prayer:

Holy God, you have opened our hearts to hear your Word, and our mouths to proclaim your truth. Open our eyes this day to see in the symbols of our faith the revelation of your love. Through Jesus the healer, the teacher, the savior, the crucified, may we truly become the body of Christ, in our world so full of crosses and broken hearts. We pray in his name, and in you, our Creator, and in the holy Spirit, who gives us the power of faith to overcome all obstacles, Amen.

********

The readings for Sunday skip past the realities of Good Friday, and parachute us right into the happy-ending Easter story. To appreciate what choices led Jesus to resurrection, we begin by focussing on some of the scripture readings and symbolism of Holy Week:

1) READ Luke 19:45-48

Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, ‘It is written,“My house shall be a house of prayer”; but you have made it a den of robbers.’
Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard.

Now imagine a bag of coins scattered on the temple floor...

How desireable money seems in the midst of everyday life, but how inappropriate to make profit our focus in the house of God. What is your focus in God’s house of prayer?
silent meditation

2) READ Luke 22:7-23, 31-34

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’ ‘Listen,’ he said to them, ‘when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him into the house he enters and say to the owner of the house, “The teacher asks you, ‘Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ ” He will show you a large room upstairs, already furnished. Make preparations for us there.’

So they went and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!’ Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. ‘

Now imagine a goblet and loaf of bread…

The original communion service was a celebration of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery. What is the liberation that Jesus offers us?
silent meditation

3) READ Luke 22:39-53

He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’ Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’

Now imagine a flowering branch from a garden…

It is in the most beautiful place that Jesus felt the abandonment of his friends and isolation even from God. Yet, even in that stark experience of aloneness, he did not turn away from his purpose. Where did he find his courage?
silent meditation

4) READ Luke 22:54-23:25

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, ‘Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly. Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ They kept heaping many other insults on him.
When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’ Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies. Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’ Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ (This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

Now imagine a crown of thorns…

It is one thing to have a crowd of strangers turn their coats and welcome Jesus at the beginning of the week, only to condemn him a few days later, but Peter, Jesus’ trusted companion? Should this lack of faith condemn Peter forever? What burdens of guilt do you still carry?
silent meditation

5) READ Luke 23:26-56

As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Now imagine a candle blowing out…

In moments of deepest despair, what is it that keeps us going?
silent meditation

Easter readings:

READ John 20:1-18

As we shift from the readings of Holy Week to Easter Sunday, it is good to begin with Mary’s story from the gospel of John. There is a good, long transition between grief and joy in this account of the resurrection.

Mary was alone when she came to the tomb, and it was still dark, still somber in the shadow of her grief. She found the stone rolled away, and the tomb empty.
- In the story where Lazarus was raised, the stone needed to be rolled away by human hands, but in this resurrection, the stone was already moved by unseen power.
- Lazarus’ gravecloths needed to be unwound, but Jesus’ cloths never left the tomb.

Question for Reflection: What are your experiences of cemeteries – do you find them peaceful, or unnerving? Does the Easter story influence your thoughts about death?

Mary feared the worst (graverobbers?), and sounded the alarm, bringing Peter and “the beloved disciple” to the tomb. John’s detailed description of who got there first, etc, and gives us an idea of the competition between followers of Peter and John in years to come. They witnessed the empty tomb and each drew their own conclusions.

Verse 9 suggests that neither one understood fully, for they did not know “the scripture”, John implying how Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets.

Mary was left alone at the graveside to witness the arrival of two “angels” who asked her a question, but she was too distraught to seek answers from them. Breaking away from their brightness, she turned away and encountered a very human figure – a gardener, she thought, who might know where Jesus’ body had been taken. When he spoke her name, she recognized him as “rabbouni”, her teacher.
- In John 10:14, Jesus taught that as the good shepherd, he knew his flock by name and that they would recognize his voice.

Rather than trying to hang on to him, Jesus told Mary to go and tell his “brothers” what she had seen. It was important for her to understand this was not the end of the story: he needed to ascend, and he needed ALL the disciples to continue the witness. The story of the resurrection is not just past history, but a commissioning to go forth faithfully into the unknown future.

Question for Reflection: In what ways do you “witness” to resurrection in your life?

READ Isaiah 65:17-25

A passage likely written after the Jews have left their exile in Babylon/Persia and returned to Jerusalem. It reflects their high expectations of what a “faithful people” could become as a nation. In this passage, clearly, God is at the root of the New Creation. This will transform not only the land and their circumstances but the people as well.

In this passage, as in the Easter story, there is a sense of optimism which we read cynically, knowing that their promise has not been fulfilled… yet! They are reminders to all of us that we are still God’s promise in the making.

Question for Reflection: How can we embody this new life in the midst of our day to day realities?

READ Acts 10: 34-43

The setting for this passage is Peter’s response to Cornelius, a Roman who had been convinced in a vision by an angel to speak to Peter and learn from him. Peter had had his own vision, one where God asked him to eat foods that were considered ritually unclean. Because of that vision, Peter has figured out that God did not create the boundaries between different groups that Peter has always observed as a Jew. He then goes on to testify to his understanding of Jesus Christ:
- God anointed Jesus with Spirit and power;
- Jesus healed the sick and exorcized demons;
- He was crucified by Rome;
- God raised him and showed him to some of his followers, even eating and drinking with them to prove it was a physical resurrection;
- They are now commissioned as witnesses;
- Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness through him.

The Christian gospel in a nutshell!

Question for Reflection: If you had to explain your faith to someone who had never heard of it before, what words or images would you use?

Closing Prayer:
based on Psalm 118 – a psalm used in Passover celebrations:

O God, we give you thanks, for you are good; your steadfast love endures forever.
You have always been our strength and our support; but now you have become our hope for all time. We sing glad songs in our homes and on our journeys, for your hand opens to us, and raises us to new life! You have not given us up to death, but open for us the gates of righteousness. We will enter and give thanks to God! For this is your doing, marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that our God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Amen

Palm and Passion Sunday: Part 2

Passion Readings:Isaiah 50:4-9a • Luke 22:14-23:56

We now consider some of the readings for the Passion.

Prayer: Life-giver, Pain-bearer, Love-maker,day by day you sustain the weary with your word and gently encourage us to place our trust in you.

Awaken us to the suffering of those around us;save us from hiding in denials or taunts that deepen the hurt;give us grace to share one an other's burdens in humble service. Amen.

Isaiah 50:4-9

• "The tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word." Sustaining the weary with a word. That's a gift; that's power. Who can accomplish this feat? Isaiah, apparently! Isn't this part of what we do in the Christian community, speaking the Word on Sunday, in readings, in sermon. With God's Word, we can sustain the weary. Have you ever been sustained by a word, a kind word , a hopeful word...?
  
• "I gave my back . . . and my cheeks . . . I did not hide the face." Let us not think that there is nothing of Jesus' 'turn the other cheek' teaching in the Old Testament, that the OT only speaks of 'an eye for an eye' - this passage show us its just not so.
  
• "I have set my face like flint." Jesus is said to have set his face like flint as he walks towards Jerusalem. Can you think of a time when you have done this, been determined, steadfast, resolute as you take on a challenge

Luke 22:14-23:56

I guess you have to ask: why is this huge, all encompassing text read on Palm Sunday when much of this material will be included later in Holy Week? The answer, on the practical side, is that is many in our congregations won't be back again until Easter Sunday - won't be at Maundy Thursday or Good Friday. They need to know how we get from Palm Sunday to Easter Morning. Imagine a Christianity that went from Palm celebrations to easter celebrations. What would be lost if we just skipped the betrayal and passion and cross?

And also, there is something profound in the contrast of starting a service with the joy of the Palms and then ending with the reality of the cross.

This text as a whole is almost too huge to comment on. It is to be read. reflected on. heard. Felt. Experienced. Try watching a movie version of this Biblical scene. I am partial to the the film: The Gospel of John - an excellent word for word film rendition of the gospel story.

"But all his acquaintances . . . stood at a distance, watching these things." I wonder what was going on in their minds as they watched. Horror? Shock? Helplessness? Overwhelmed? Giving up? Where would you be in that crowd? What would you be feeling?

From "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord" to "Crucify, crucify him." ...this speaks to the reality of who Jesus was and is, and particularly the reality of our struggle as humans to respond to him and his call to us.

Readings for Palm and Passion Sunday

Palm Readings : Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 • Luke 19:28-40


Passion Readings:Isaiah 50:4-9a • Psalm 31:9-16 • Philippians 2:5-11 • Luke 22:14-23:56 or Luke 23:1-49


Prayer for Holy Week
Compassionate God,your love finds full expression in the gift of Jesus Christ your Son,who willingly met betrayal and death to set us free.Give us courage to live faithfully in these days until we greet the glory of our risen Savior. Amen.






This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Let us look at the Palm Sunday readings first.



















Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
This is a Psalm of joy, of celebration and of thanksgiving. It is a song of entrance. Originally the psalm marks the entrance of someone, a king or a worshipper, as they enter the holy Temple in Jerusalem .


This Psalm presents a dialogue between someone who is on the inside and one who is entering. There is a reminder to the one coming in that all who enter need be righteous. This reflects the priestly understanding that all who approach the altar of God need to be pure.



Bind the festal procession with branches...These words reflect a liturgical rite. Branches are brought to the altar. In the feast of tabernacles, olive branches were used in worship


The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. These verses are frequently quoted in the New Testament, e.g. Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:7-8. They were very important for the early Church in their attempt to understand the rejection and execution of Jesus by his people.



Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. This is a priestly blessing extended to those who are entering...



This Psalm with it branches and it s celebration of the entrance of one who is righteous, reflects the mood of Palm Sunday; Jesus enters Jerusalem and is greeted with palm branches strewn on his way.


Reflections:

• "The stone that the builders reject has become the chief cornerstone." Such a powerful verse, used to describe Christ by the prophets. But good for us too: when others reject us, God accepts us. In God, we can become the cornerstone, not a rejected scrap. Hope!


• "This is the Lord's doing." Giving credit where credit is due. We're not so good at that many times. What do we need to remember is "the Lord's doing."


• "This is the day that the Lord has made." This is such a popular opening to worship. Why do we like this verse so much? It does a good job of reminding us of the fact that each day is God's precious gift to us.


• “Come on in and disturb our perfect lives. You are the Christ for us today.” These words are from Benedictine Joan Chichester; they reflect the welcome that is to be extended to anyone who comes to our gate, our doorway. The righteous are welcomed. The rejected too. As Christ enters Jerusalem, so many come through our church doors. How do we welcome them?

Luke 19:28-40

The triumphant palm procession, reenacted around the world on Palm Sunday.

Jesus intended a demonstration as he approached Jerusalem.Luke draws this out for the readers in echoing Zecheriah 9 9-10 and in his redaction of Psalm 118.26. This is the blessing pronounced on pilgrims coming up to the temple for a festival now changed to King or Lord to highlight the belief that we are to presume the disciples believe themselves to be taking part in a coronation procession for a Messiah – the donkey stressing the non- military – the passive authority that will establish the universal kingdom of peace.

• "Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there . . . " Not necessarily Jesus prophesying, as some have interpreted. Just Jesus telling them of the plans he has made ahead of time. We never seem satisfied with things just happening in the realm of the natural - we always seem to want to add a supernatural element to scripture, as if it is not powerful enough ...


• "began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power they had seen" I wonder why it is we praise God ? So why praise God? Because God is God!? Because God does things for us? Because we want to stay on God's good side?"


• saying, 'peace on earth'" Ironic that they would say these words what they really wanted was for Jesus to become a revolutionary leader, sword in hand. Peace for whom?
  

There is a dark backdrop to the celebrations of Palm Sunday. The readings for passion Sunday will be considered in the next post.

Lent 4 - readings for March 14, 2010

What emotion do you perceive in the father's eyes?

Take a moment as you centre yourself in prayer:

O God of outstretched arms, you welcome us to times of deeper reflection – that we might find once again our wholeness and our peace in you. Expand our hearts, O God, breathe into our thinking, that we might find in your word, the courage to shape the world around us. Amen

READ Luke 15:1-3

Today’s gospel reading is the last parable in a series of 3 (including the lost sheep, lost coin) which portray God as seeking the lost. These first three verses give us the background of Jesus’ explanation – they contrast his understanding of “right relationship” according to certain “Pharisees and scribes.”

This is not an attack on all Jews – Amy Jill Levine writes that when Christians hear Pharisee, we think “evil, self-righteous, hypocrites” – that is Luke’s influence, not Jesus’. Luke rejected the Pharisees because they refused to follow Paul to Jesus.
- Jesus accepted their invitations to supper; and they warned him about Herod; so there was a certain collegiality between them.
- Jesus might have recognized they were good, holy people, and certainly did not condemn them personally, only an attitude of self-righteousness (in general)
- Amy Jill Levine even suggests that their over-abundance of faith overflowed and might even have helped the “sinners” that Luke shows them putting down.

Question for reflection:
Who would be our contemporary sinners and our contemporary Pharisees?

READ Luke 15:11b-24

What is the name usually given this parable? Prodigal Son. Yet the word prodigal means spending freely, even wastefully. So it could as well be called the parable of the Prodigal Father, who pours out his love in an abundant, wasteful way, like God.

Verse 11b: “There was a man who had two sons…” Think of similar stories of two brothers from Hebrew scripture and you will find family conflict: Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob – first century Jewish ears were primed for conflict to follow.

v. 12 – Inheritance was usually divided in 3 for 2 sons: 1 third of the estate for each son, the third part going to elder son as birthright after his father’s death. When the younger son leaves, and demands his inheritance liquidated, it is as if he is saying his father is dead to him. “Gimme” is the attitude we are supposed to grow out of, and yet “inheritance” can be interpreted as a sign of how much we are worth to that person. He demands proof that his father loves him.

v.13 – selling ancestral lands was shocking behavior, disrespectful to family and God.

v.14 Famine is a reversal of the usual formula, where Israel went looking for food in other nations. It would shock the audience and send the message this is not your usual parable.

v.15 A swine-keeper was not only lowly, but unclean in Jewish law.

v. 17 “But when he came to himself…” The words suggest he began to see himself as he really was, in the wrong place, but not completely worthless – he could still work in his father’s household, if not return as a son.

Question for Reflection:
Have you ever had one of those moments, where you “came to yourself?”

v.18 “I will go and say to my father…” he has his strategy worked out, knows his place. “I have sinned against heaven and you.” His wrongdoing not just personal but cosmic.

v.20 – Father runs, loses all decorum, makes plans to celebrate, honour him as a son, not hire him as a worker.

v. 23 A fatted calf was usually kept for a family celebration like a wedding. Was it the elder son’s wedding?

READ Luke 15:25-31

The elder son asks the question we are all wondering: What did my brother ever do to deserve this?

Father’s perspective: If we are to forgive, we are to forgive utterly and completely.

A story about giving love and being able to receive it in the right spirit – not because we deserve it, or it is our right.

Lenten season – prepares us for the story of Easter and the miracle of moving from death to new life; loss to reconciliation.

Question for Reflection: Who do you relate to? Why?

READ Joshua 5:9-12

An unusual passage without much context, chosen because it is a homecoming.

Preparations to take promised land: (1) affirm new leader, Joshua; (2) spies make alliance with Rahab; (3) ark of the covenant leads parade into promised land; (4) 12 stones set up as holy markers for 12 tribes; (5) all males circumcized

v.9 Gilgal means “rolled away” usually referring to circle of stones with holy significance. Play on words, YHWH “rolls away” the disgrace of Egypt.

v.10-12 The Israelites celebrate passover, old tradition. They also begin to rely on the food of the land, instead of manna from heaven, but it doesn’t change in significance, it is still God who is feeding them, new tradition. They are celebrating the familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.

Question for Reflection:
Rites of passage, like baptism, marriage, funerals, are constantly changing, and yet contain some elements that never change. How do you feel about them being changed, or never changing?

READ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

The great debate: “human point of view” vs. “God’s perspective”.
Not world, flesh vs psyche, soul, heaven – too simplistic. Instead it is, “humanity in the world, without God” vs “humanity in the world, with God”.

v.17 Relationship with Jesus is life-altering, changes our point of view.
We are invited to become truly who we are meant to be.

v.18 The death of Christ is holy, not tragic, because it teaches us about unconditional love, forgiving whole-heartedly, being reconciled.

Closing Reflection:

Psalm 32:1-7 by James Taylor Everyday Psalms, (Wood Lake Books, 1994) which he introduces this way:
A friend, a Roman Catholic, once said: You Protestants have no idea how good it feels to be able to confess something and get it off your chest!

Happy are those who have nothing to hide;
Even happier those whose slate has been wiped clean.
I used to lie awake, worrying about things I had done;
And during the day, about things I had not cdone.
My conscience tormented me, I couldn’t concentrate.
I was terrified of being exposed.
So I went to God and confessed.
I made no excuses for myself; I didn’t hide anything.
And God forgave me.

What a relief it is to share a gnawing secret!
Forgiveness is like a cool drink on a hot day,
Like a warm fire in a winter blizzard.
God’s grace renews my strength; it gives me a second chance.