The lectionary has been leading us to reflect on the various aspects of faith, and the ways in which God and the life of faith can take us by surprise. The consistent call of these texts is to look back on what God has done and to move forward trusting that God continues to be at work.
Although things have moved slowly for Reconciler over the summer things are starting to pick up again. This past week we completed and ratified Reconciler's constitution. On Monday Tripp Jane and I met the Ecumenical Officer of the Diocese of Chicago, Cynthia Hallas, to talk about how we might proceed in our relationship to the diocese. She had some thoughts and is going to be talking with Bishop Persell about Reconciler and what courses of action should be taking place. On Tuesday we heard from Immanuel Lutheran Church: they are renting us their side chapel, we will begin worship services there on September 11th.
Slowly things move forward, God continues to be at work, we wait to see what he has for us in the coming months.
May God continue to bless us and keep us open to his guidance.
The Pastoral Team
Wednesday, August 31
Wednesday, August 24
Almost Weekly Update
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;Larry's sermon from many weeks ago suggested that the ten commandments exist because we do the things it states we should not. Perhaps this word from Paul in this upcoming Sunday's lectionary serves the same function. Perhaps this can be a guide to us all as our country continues to wrestle about the war, as individuals and families lose loved ones to violence...whether in France, Iraq or in Chicago. Facing such impossible challenges can sometimes undermine our faith. Let us pray for and with one another always that we might remain strong, firm in the love of Jesus. Let us heap coals of love upon one another.
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This will be a busy week for us all. Following this Sunday's service, we will all meet to discuss the current draft of the Reconciler constitution. Please e-mail Larry if you need a copy.
Also, we are still waiting to hear final word, but keep your eyes peeled nonetheless for news about a possible move for Reconciler. Immanuel Lutheran Church on Elmdale has met with the Reconciler pastoral staff about using their side chapel for worship! As much as we have enjoyed the intimacy of worshiping in the chapel at the Community of the Holy Trinity, a more public venue will serve our needs much better. We will keep you up to date with the wheeling and dealing. If all goes well, we will be worshiping at Immanuel in September.
As some may have noticed, Tripp has been posting some of the words of Brother Roger this week. Let us continue in prayer for the Taize community and all who have lost loved ones this week.
God of ages, we praise you for all your servants who, having witnessed to you on earth, now live with you in heaven, remembering especially before you Brother Roger of Taize. Keep us in fellowship with them until we meet with all the faithful in the joy of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-The Pastoral Team
Your aspiration is to follow the Risen Christ. By what sign can you recognize that you have encountered him? When, as you come closer to him, your inner combats do not harden you but lead you closer to the very wellspring of his love.
In this inner revolution, all that could have broken the fibers of the soul, feelings of uselessness, lonliness, no longer block the path. And a way forward takes shape: it always leads from worries toward trusting in God.
-Brother Roger of Taize
Monday, August 22
Sermon, Sunday August 20, 2005
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
So, as many of you know, I play in a folk band named "One of the Girls." It is a lot of fun. I enjoy playing with those three guys.
Not surprisingly, at every gig that we play, someone will ask how we got our name. There on stage stand four men calling themselves "One of the Girls." Not a single woman stands among them. This apparent misnomer does not escape people's attention.
It would seem that names can be descriptive. So, when there is an apparent disconnection between the name and the named, people ask questions.
And, as is sometimes the case, the story does not live up to the hype...if there is all that much hype to begin with! This story is no different.
Tom, our lead singer, was in a show with Trish. Somehow the women in that particular production with Tom felt as if he was one of them. Sometimes they would be sharing stories with one another, perhaps speaking of boyfriends or other things they might normally hesitate to discuss in the presense of a man. So, there they would sit and talk...and then all of a sudden someone would realize that Tom was still in the room with them. "It's okay." They would say, "Tom is one of the girls!"
I cannt remember why Trish shared this with me. I think we were standing in our kitchen speaking of Tom - we both have a great affection for him - perhaps we were discussing the idea of putting together a small ensemble for St. Patrick's Day that year. Whatever the context, the descriptive phrase "one of the girls" was used in reference to Tom. And, according to Trish, Tom reminds her a little of me. It seems, I too am one of the girls.
Sean, our guitarist, is one of the girsl but in a different way. He has three older sisters. This reality of birth order suggests all kinds of possibilities in understanding who Sean is as a person and it is a different way of being one of the girls. But Sean is, no less than Tom and I, one of the girls.
Roger our bassist is certainly in th eband. He is devoted and encouraging...and in that way, by association, he has become one of the girls. But he is still trying to discover what it means to him. He is not always so ready to claim his status as the others of us seem to be. But his gradual discovery is slowly changing how the rest of us understand what it means to be one of the girls.
And that is the story. Like I said, it may not live up to the hype...but there is a story and an connection.
Another story about naming I like is the one about how Trish and I ended up keeping our given names after we were married to one another. It is not so much a story as it is an explanation, really, but I am partial.
Every week or so, Trish and I receive mail addressed to Mr and Mrs Hudgins. The name suggests all manner of interpretation: adherence to social conventions, a possible patriarchy, "right" Christian practice...But the reality for Trish and me is a little different...a little untraditional. Tirsh kept he birth name.She did this for several reasons...her middle name is the same as her father's. She is an actor. She has a professional stake in her name. And, to be honest, she likes her name. It holds a sense of history and who she is. Chaning her name to mine might actually be inauthentic to who she is.
We did consider, if only briefly, changing my name. But there again is personal history. I am George III...named fro my father who is named for his...being the third is what leads to my having the nickname "Tripp!" Changing my name creates all kinds of challenges. This, of course, says nothing about how certain members of my family felt about my changing my name. So, we keep what we have and find other creative ways of sharing who we are with one another.
Through our names, something of us is shared.
Through our names, something of us is revealed.
We can come to know the meaning of the name.
We can come to know the person named.
Perhaps we can come to know the one who names...a story or parent, a friend or community...and in come cases it is the One Who Names, God, whom we come to know.
In our gospel lesson this week, our friend Simon, son of Jonah (an interesting name for a fisherman), discivers first hand the tremendous power and responsibility that comes with a name.
"Who do people say that I am?"
John the Baptist is a good name...a tough one to live into.
Elijah is a very powerful name.
Jeremiah...also full of meaning and history.
Even simply being ranked as "one of the prophets" is no small matter.
But our friend Simon, son of Jonah speaks up, "The Messiah, Son of the living God."
Through Simon, God names Jesus. God reveals to Simon the truth about his Son...the person who Jesus is.
And in return, Jesus, who is God, reveals Simon's own name to him.
Simon. Son of Jonah. Your name is Peter, the rock...and them meaning of this name is revealed, God's purpose for Peter is revealed...and Simon is given purpose and incredible responsibility.
This week we learned of the death of Brother Roger of Taize. He is one of my heroes, one of the Christians who, even at a great geogrophical distance, has shaped who I am...he helped me articulate my call to contemplation...to ecumenical worship...my call to ecumenism itself and the work we do here at Reconciler.
Brother Roger of Taize is a name that has many meanings for me: peace, contemplation. Reconciliation, communion among all, courage, healing, hope...
For me, his is a name that allows for the protestant to stand beside the Catholic and Orthodox in worship, prayer and even communion. To me his ministry expressed the truth of the church in unity with itself as our brother Paul wrote to the Romans.
Brother Roger has another name: Shultz. He is a Reformed Christian from Switzerland. In 1940, he came to a little villiage in France named Taize. It was a bombed out wreck. But there he decided to work for peace. He took care of refugees from the war especially the Jews who were fleeing the Nazis. Taize is a name that may very well mean "refuge."
In 1949...there were seven protestant monastics.
In 1970...the first Council of Youth was held. Forty thousand youth came to pray and worship and to appeal to the nations for peace. The name, Taize, and Brother Roger came to mean a great deal to many. Even as much as Roger spoke of the community and not himself, of the Church and Jesus and not Taize, still these names carry great meaning and hope. Listen to this description of the vocation of Taize...
As God worked through this place....
As God worked through this community...
As God worked through an ecumenical monk, new names have been given, older named renewed.
Through the reconciling work of the Holy Trinity, all have a new name - even the troubled woman who has been nameless in the media has a name given to her by God...a new name, a renewed name...May God, the One Who Names, bless our naming, and bless those we name.
Let us pray.
Amen.
Hymns:
I Need Thee every Hour
All Hail the Power
The Church's One Foundation
Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
Breath of Christ's loving,
Holy Spirit,
within each person you sow faith,
faith which can only be
a very simple trust,
so simple that
everyone can receive it.
Known or unnkown,in our darkness
you kindle a fire
which never dies away.
So, as many of you know, I play in a folk band named "One of the Girls." It is a lot of fun. I enjoy playing with those three guys.
Not surprisingly, at every gig that we play, someone will ask how we got our name. There on stage stand four men calling themselves "One of the Girls." Not a single woman stands among them. This apparent misnomer does not escape people's attention.
It would seem that names can be descriptive. So, when there is an apparent disconnection between the name and the named, people ask questions.
"There are no girls. How can you be 'One of the Girls'?"So, of course, these people want to know the story. It seems to be an instinct of sorts to want to dig deeper to uncover the connection between the name of the band and the four of us in the band...there should be a connection (a logic?) between the named and the name.
And, as is sometimes the case, the story does not live up to the hype...if there is all that much hype to begin with! This story is no different.
Tom, our lead singer, was in a show with Trish. Somehow the women in that particular production with Tom felt as if he was one of them. Sometimes they would be sharing stories with one another, perhaps speaking of boyfriends or other things they might normally hesitate to discuss in the presense of a man. So, there they would sit and talk...and then all of a sudden someone would realize that Tom was still in the room with them. "It's okay." They would say, "Tom is one of the girls!"
I cannt remember why Trish shared this with me. I think we were standing in our kitchen speaking of Tom - we both have a great affection for him - perhaps we were discussing the idea of putting together a small ensemble for St. Patrick's Day that year. Whatever the context, the descriptive phrase "one of the girls" was used in reference to Tom. And, according to Trish, Tom reminds her a little of me. It seems, I too am one of the girls.
Sean, our guitarist, is one of the girsl but in a different way. He has three older sisters. This reality of birth order suggests all kinds of possibilities in understanding who Sean is as a person and it is a different way of being one of the girls. But Sean is, no less than Tom and I, one of the girls.
Roger our bassist is certainly in th eband. He is devoted and encouraging...and in that way, by association, he has become one of the girls. But he is still trying to discover what it means to him. He is not always so ready to claim his status as the others of us seem to be. But his gradual discovery is slowly changing how the rest of us understand what it means to be one of the girls.
And that is the story. Like I said, it may not live up to the hype...but there is a story and an connection.
Another story about naming I like is the one about how Trish and I ended up keeping our given names after we were married to one another. It is not so much a story as it is an explanation, really, but I am partial.
Every week or so, Trish and I receive mail addressed to Mr and Mrs Hudgins. The name suggests all manner of interpretation: adherence to social conventions, a possible patriarchy, "right" Christian practice...But the reality for Trish and me is a little different...a little untraditional. Tirsh kept he birth name.She did this for several reasons...her middle name is the same as her father's. She is an actor. She has a professional stake in her name. And, to be honest, she likes her name. It holds a sense of history and who she is. Chaning her name to mine might actually be inauthentic to who she is.
We did consider, if only briefly, changing my name. But there again is personal history. I am George III...named fro my father who is named for his...being the third is what leads to my having the nickname "Tripp!" Changing my name creates all kinds of challenges. This, of course, says nothing about how certain members of my family felt about my changing my name. So, we keep what we have and find other creative ways of sharing who we are with one another.
Through our names, something of us is shared.
Through our names, something of us is revealed.
We can come to know the meaning of the name.
We can come to know the person named.
Perhaps we can come to know the one who names...a story or parent, a friend or community...and in come cases it is the One Who Names, God, whom we come to know.
In our gospel lesson this week, our friend Simon, son of Jonah (an interesting name for a fisherman), discivers first hand the tremendous power and responsibility that comes with a name.
"Who do people say that I am?"
John the Baptist is a good name...a tough one to live into.
Elijah is a very powerful name.
Jeremiah...also full of meaning and history.
Even simply being ranked as "one of the prophets" is no small matter.
But our friend Simon, son of Jonah speaks up, "The Messiah, Son of the living God."
Through Simon, God names Jesus. God reveals to Simon the truth about his Son...the person who Jesus is.
And in return, Jesus, who is God, reveals Simon's own name to him.
Simon. Son of Jonah. Your name is Peter, the rock...and them meaning of this name is revealed, God's purpose for Peter is revealed...and Simon is given purpose and incredible responsibility.
This week we learned of the death of Brother Roger of Taize. He is one of my heroes, one of the Christians who, even at a great geogrophical distance, has shaped who I am...he helped me articulate my call to contemplation...to ecumenical worship...my call to ecumenism itself and the work we do here at Reconciler.
Brother Roger of Taize is a name that has many meanings for me: peace, contemplation. Reconciliation, communion among all, courage, healing, hope...
For me, his is a name that allows for the protestant to stand beside the Catholic and Orthodox in worship, prayer and even communion. To me his ministry expressed the truth of the church in unity with itself as our brother Paul wrote to the Romans.
Brother Roger has another name: Shultz. He is a Reformed Christian from Switzerland. In 1940, he came to a little villiage in France named Taize. It was a bombed out wreck. But there he decided to work for peace. He took care of refugees from the war especially the Jews who were fleeing the Nazis. Taize is a name that may very well mean "refuge."
In 1949...there were seven protestant monastics.
In 1970...the first Council of Youth was held. Forty thousand youth came to pray and worship and to appeal to the nations for peace. The name, Taize, and Brother Roger came to mean a great deal to many. Even as much as Roger spoke of the community and not himself, of the Church and Jesus and not Taize, still these names carry great meaning and hope. Listen to this description of the vocation of Taize...
Taize's vocation is to strive for communion among all. From its beginings, the community has worked for reconciliation among Christians split apart into different denominations. But the brothers do not view reconciliation among Christians as the end in itself: it concerns all of himanity, since it makes the Church a place of communion for all. - p. iv Music for Taize
As God worked through this place....
As God worked through this community...
As God worked through an ecumenical monk, new names have been given, older named renewed.
Through the reconciling work of the Holy Trinity, all have a new name - even the troubled woman who has been nameless in the media has a name given to her by God...a new name, a renewed name...May God, the One Who Names, bless our naming, and bless those we name.
Let us pray.
O Risen Christ, you go down
to the lowest depths
of our human condition,
and you burden yourself
with what burdens us.
Still more, you even go
to visit those who have died
without being able to know
you.
And even when within us
we can hear no refrain
of your presence,
you are there.
Through your Holy Spirit
you remain with us.
Amen.
Hymns:
I Need Thee every Hour
All Hail the Power
The Church's One Foundation
Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty
The words of Brother Roger
Every human being yearns to be loved as well as to love. It is not for nothing that the Gospel alerts us about not becoming locked up in isolation.
When we are listened to, obstacles created by frustrations of the heart and wounds from a recent or distant past fall away. Being listened to is the begining of a healing of the soul.
And the breath of a trust arises...and a gateway to freedom begins to open up.
When we are listened to, obstacles created by frustrations of the heart and wounds from a recent or distant past fall away. Being listened to is the begining of a healing of the soul.
And the breath of a trust arises...and a gateway to freedom begins to open up.
Monday, August 15
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
(Please note that I delivered this sermon out of my head, without anything written down beforehand; so what you see below is a reconstruction, and will be different than what the congregation heard. Fleshed out better in spots, maybe... anyway, this is the gist.)
Proper 15A
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
I will begin today with a confession: I've never been comfortable with the bit of scripture that is our Gospel today. It seems to stand in such stark contrast with so many of the other stories we read of Jesus' interaction with people. In other places, he's portayed as gentle, and compassionate, and approachable; eating with sinners, and healing...
Not here. To my 20th/21st century ears, he sounds harsh, and flatly rude in this story. First he ignores the woman's pleas; then he says his work is not intended for folks like her (non-Jews); then he equates her with dogs under the dinner table!
Now, I've heard several explanations for Jesus' behavior over the years. Some have said that he was responding out of the wholly human side of his nature. He was a good Jew, remember, and this was a woman from a pagan culture-- someone that pious Jews would have termed unclean. His comment in that context would have been taken as no more than a statement of fact; indeed, not nearly as insulting as others might have been.
Others hold that he was using this as an opportunity to teach the disciples a lesson about how to teach people. He responds first in the expected manner, and then turns the tables, showing them that faith is more important than pedigree.
Or maybe it's a case of not having all the information. We only read the text, after all-- we can't hear the tone of Jesus' voice, nor see his face as he speaks to her. Those factors can make all the difference.
All those, and others, are certainly liegitimate possibilities... but I find I'm not entirely satisfied with any of them. I still come back to those words, and I cringe. I just don't understand.
However, when I look at the woman's behavior in the story, there's much that I can understand in her. And I think there's a lesson to be learned in her behavior, and her response to the way she is treated.
She's a mother, with a daughter who is very ill-- by her description, posessed by a demon. I expect anyone with a loved one who has been really sick, or badly injured, can comprehend the way she behaves. She's willing to do anything in her power to make her daughter better, to heal the sickness and have her be healthy.
I heard a phrase this week that applies here. As you know, my family and I were on vacation for the last two weeks. We took a trip westward, through South Dakota and Wyoming, and into Montana. And while we were driving through Wyoming, I heard it over and over again: "Cowboy up." It's an expression that comes out of the rodeo circuit and ranching; it means to keep trying, to not give up. If you fall off the horse, get back on. If you get hurt, you tough it out. Don't quit.
And that's what the Canaanite woman was doing. She asked for help, and Jesus ignored her. She kept pleading, until the disciples were sick of her, and asked him to make her leave. He dismissed her, so she knelt right in front of him-- got right in his face. And even when he delivers that line comparing her to the dogs under the table, (that raises my hackles, and might well send me crawling away), she remains calm, and responds in a way that causes Jesus not only to praise her faith, but to give in and heal her daughter. Her persisistence-- her determination to "cowboy up" in the face of consistent denial-- was effective.
And there's the lesson, brothers and sisters. There's a lot about this world, and the work of God in it, that I don't understand. Sometimes I don't see God at work; and sometimes I wonder if God isn't making some mistakes in what I do see. I don't understand a violent, murderous rampage, or the idea of capitol punishment as a Christian response. I don't understand the actions of September 11, nor the war we are making in response. I don't understand how a loving savior could not only tolerate, but die for the millions of petty ways we mistreat one another, every day.
But here's the good news: I do believe, and this Gospel teaches, that we are not only permitted, but encouraged to "cowboy up." To not quit-- to go to God with our confusion, and misunderstanding, and anger, over, and over, and over again. Even when we don't hear an answer... and even when we don't like the answer we do hear. Maybe most especially then. God loves us enough to take all of it. And God will answer, in his own time, and own way, and out of a love that is beyond our understanding as well.
So we needn't hesitate, brothers and sisters. Cowboy up.
Proper 15A
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
I will begin today with a confession: I've never been comfortable with the bit of scripture that is our Gospel today. It seems to stand in such stark contrast with so many of the other stories we read of Jesus' interaction with people. In other places, he's portayed as gentle, and compassionate, and approachable; eating with sinners, and healing...
Not here. To my 20th/21st century ears, he sounds harsh, and flatly rude in this story. First he ignores the woman's pleas; then he says his work is not intended for folks like her (non-Jews); then he equates her with dogs under the dinner table!
Now, I've heard several explanations for Jesus' behavior over the years. Some have said that he was responding out of the wholly human side of his nature. He was a good Jew, remember, and this was a woman from a pagan culture-- someone that pious Jews would have termed unclean. His comment in that context would have been taken as no more than a statement of fact; indeed, not nearly as insulting as others might have been.
Others hold that he was using this as an opportunity to teach the disciples a lesson about how to teach people. He responds first in the expected manner, and then turns the tables, showing them that faith is more important than pedigree.
Or maybe it's a case of not having all the information. We only read the text, after all-- we can't hear the tone of Jesus' voice, nor see his face as he speaks to her. Those factors can make all the difference.
All those, and others, are certainly liegitimate possibilities... but I find I'm not entirely satisfied with any of them. I still come back to those words, and I cringe. I just don't understand.
However, when I look at the woman's behavior in the story, there's much that I can understand in her. And I think there's a lesson to be learned in her behavior, and her response to the way she is treated.
She's a mother, with a daughter who is very ill-- by her description, posessed by a demon. I expect anyone with a loved one who has been really sick, or badly injured, can comprehend the way she behaves. She's willing to do anything in her power to make her daughter better, to heal the sickness and have her be healthy.
I heard a phrase this week that applies here. As you know, my family and I were on vacation for the last two weeks. We took a trip westward, through South Dakota and Wyoming, and into Montana. And while we were driving through Wyoming, I heard it over and over again: "Cowboy up." It's an expression that comes out of the rodeo circuit and ranching; it means to keep trying, to not give up. If you fall off the horse, get back on. If you get hurt, you tough it out. Don't quit.
And that's what the Canaanite woman was doing. She asked for help, and Jesus ignored her. She kept pleading, until the disciples were sick of her, and asked him to make her leave. He dismissed her, so she knelt right in front of him-- got right in his face. And even when he delivers that line comparing her to the dogs under the table, (that raises my hackles, and might well send me crawling away), she remains calm, and responds in a way that causes Jesus not only to praise her faith, but to give in and heal her daughter. Her persisistence-- her determination to "cowboy up" in the face of consistent denial-- was effective.
And there's the lesson, brothers and sisters. There's a lot about this world, and the work of God in it, that I don't understand. Sometimes I don't see God at work; and sometimes I wonder if God isn't making some mistakes in what I do see. I don't understand a violent, murderous rampage, or the idea of capitol punishment as a Christian response. I don't understand the actions of September 11, nor the war we are making in response. I don't understand how a loving savior could not only tolerate, but die for the millions of petty ways we mistreat one another, every day.
But here's the good news: I do believe, and this Gospel teaches, that we are not only permitted, but encouraged to "cowboy up." To not quit-- to go to God with our confusion, and misunderstanding, and anger, over, and over, and over again. Even when we don't hear an answer... and even when we don't like the answer we do hear. Maybe most especially then. God loves us enough to take all of it. And God will answer, in his own time, and own way, and out of a love that is beyond our understanding as well.
So we needn't hesitate, brothers and sisters. Cowboy up.
Thursday, August 11
The Labyrinth of Faith , Sermon August 7, 2005
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Psalm 105
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
This week two of the lectionary readings give us a sort of snap shot of particular points along the journey of faith. They are dark pictures. Frightening pictures if we simply dwell on the moments our readings describe. The disciples do as Jesus tells them, only to find themselves facing a terrible and life threatening storm. Then Jesus shows up in the most unnerving way, walking on water like an apparition. Peter shows his faith by walking to Jesus on the water only to findhimself falling into the water. Joseph being a good son and brother finds himself sold into slavery. Most of us know these stories and we know things work out. Peter and the disciples dont drown. Joseph ends up second only to Pharaoh in Egypt. But I wonder if our sense of the whole story distorts these dark snapshots, and thus keeps us from fully comprehending what the journey of faith is really like: its hard to see where faith is taking us at times. Following God in faith leads us into storms or into dark pits and being taken where we didnt plan to go. At times the path seems dark and overgrown, and the person of faith asks God did you really intend me to go this way? The straight and narrow sometimes seems crooked winding and confusing. Our goal seems just out of reach and yet we seem to be turned down a road that takes us further and not closer to where we thought God was taking us. Sometimes the journey of faith seems to be a labyrinth.
Labyrinths were set up in the floors of medieval cathedrals so that people who could not make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem could go on pilgrimage. They are then compact pilgrimages. They symbolized not only the pilgrimage to Jerusalem but the life and pilgrimage of faith. Like in a sense the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was itself a symbolic journey, the people of Gods journey towards the New Jerusalem.
This past week I visited North Park Seminary and I happened upon a labyrinth set up in one of the larger Classrooms. As I prepared to walk the labyrinth I found I could not by studying the pattern on the floor discern the path to the center of the labyrinth. Then as I walked the labyrinth the part of the labyrinth I had taken was clear but what was ahead still remained indiscernible. If I focused on the center a mild frustration emerged as I seemed to come close only to be taken away from the center. The path of the labyrinth took me several times nearly to the same point ias where I had begun. Lastly at the point that I was the furthest from the center of the labyrinth I was in fact nearly at the center.
Through our Genesis text and Gospel text today we find ourselves given a glimpse into two different journeys of faith. Yet for both these moments dont seem very promising. Dont we know these moments: moments that look dark and uncertain, moments that dont seem to be leading anywhere. Have you been in moments on your journey of faith that seem like they could spell the end.
The reading of the story of Genesis given by the common lectionary leaves out the reasons Josephs brothers were so jealous and enraged with him. Joseph is not only the favorite of his father which might be irritating enough to his older brothers but Joseph himself has the grandiose dreams . Joseph has been told in dreams that he will lead his brothers and that his families life would depend on him and his leadership. Josephs dreams are seemingly dashed as he sits at the bottom of a dry well and then is sold to slave traders and lead to Egypt. Surely, Joseph didnt see this set of events as part of the fulfillment of those dreams. Yet, we who know the whole story (and we get the end of the story next week), know that it is by being enslaved and then being faithful allowing God to be at work even when it seemed that God was absent that finally lead Joseph to interpret dreams God gave to Pharaoh concerning a massive famine that was to come and Joseph was set in charge of preparing for the famine from the several years of abundant harvest. And through this the whole people of God were saved from starvation as Josephs family comes to Joseph unwittingly for food.
Of course the Gospels are filled with the disciples following Jesus not knowing where they were going, frightful times like on the see of Galilee and glorious times like at the transfiguration in which they saw the Glory of Christ, amazing healings, feeding of countless people with just a few loaves and a few fish.
When Jesus called his disciples when people followed Jesus they did not know where it would lead them. Jesus call was to follow, and he didnt always say where he was going, and when he did it was not clear to those he told what Jesus meant.
I do not know where each of you are at in your journey of faith, but I am sure we have all experienced dark or confusingtimes. Perhaps you are there right now, perhaps not. But where ever you are at, know that the journey of faith is a labyrinth, at times it takes you back to the beginning, at times the path doesnt seem to be taking you where you thought you were calledto go. These moments are part of the life of faith. Peter recognized that as he stepped out of the boat to join Jesus on the water, as far as we can tell from the whole story of Joseph, Joseph new that his life was in the hands of God, and that though he could not see it Gods call and intent would not be thwarted, and so he kept hope even in the darkest moments of his life, a slave and then a prisoner.
The life of faith is after all labyrinthine
Psalm 105
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
This week two of the lectionary readings give us a sort of snap shot of particular points along the journey of faith. They are dark pictures. Frightening pictures if we simply dwell on the moments our readings describe. The disciples do as Jesus tells them, only to find themselves facing a terrible and life threatening storm. Then Jesus shows up in the most unnerving way, walking on water like an apparition. Peter shows his faith by walking to Jesus on the water only to findhimself falling into the water. Joseph being a good son and brother finds himself sold into slavery. Most of us know these stories and we know things work out. Peter and the disciples dont drown. Joseph ends up second only to Pharaoh in Egypt. But I wonder if our sense of the whole story distorts these dark snapshots, and thus keeps us from fully comprehending what the journey of faith is really like: its hard to see where faith is taking us at times. Following God in faith leads us into storms or into dark pits and being taken where we didnt plan to go. At times the path seems dark and overgrown, and the person of faith asks God did you really intend me to go this way? The straight and narrow sometimes seems crooked winding and confusing. Our goal seems just out of reach and yet we seem to be turned down a road that takes us further and not closer to where we thought God was taking us. Sometimes the journey of faith seems to be a labyrinth.
Labyrinths were set up in the floors of medieval cathedrals so that people who could not make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem could go on pilgrimage. They are then compact pilgrimages. They symbolized not only the pilgrimage to Jerusalem but the life and pilgrimage of faith. Like in a sense the pilgrimage to Jerusalem was itself a symbolic journey, the people of Gods journey towards the New Jerusalem.
This past week I visited North Park Seminary and I happened upon a labyrinth set up in one of the larger Classrooms. As I prepared to walk the labyrinth I found I could not by studying the pattern on the floor discern the path to the center of the labyrinth. Then as I walked the labyrinth the part of the labyrinth I had taken was clear but what was ahead still remained indiscernible. If I focused on the center a mild frustration emerged as I seemed to come close only to be taken away from the center. The path of the labyrinth took me several times nearly to the same point ias where I had begun. Lastly at the point that I was the furthest from the center of the labyrinth I was in fact nearly at the center.
Through our Genesis text and Gospel text today we find ourselves given a glimpse into two different journeys of faith. Yet for both these moments dont seem very promising. Dont we know these moments: moments that look dark and uncertain, moments that dont seem to be leading anywhere. Have you been in moments on your journey of faith that seem like they could spell the end.
The reading of the story of Genesis given by the common lectionary leaves out the reasons Josephs brothers were so jealous and enraged with him. Joseph is not only the favorite of his father which might be irritating enough to his older brothers but Joseph himself has the grandiose dreams . Joseph has been told in dreams that he will lead his brothers and that his families life would depend on him and his leadership. Josephs dreams are seemingly dashed as he sits at the bottom of a dry well and then is sold to slave traders and lead to Egypt. Surely, Joseph didnt see this set of events as part of the fulfillment of those dreams. Yet, we who know the whole story (and we get the end of the story next week), know that it is by being enslaved and then being faithful allowing God to be at work even when it seemed that God was absent that finally lead Joseph to interpret dreams God gave to Pharaoh concerning a massive famine that was to come and Joseph was set in charge of preparing for the famine from the several years of abundant harvest. And through this the whole people of God were saved from starvation as Josephs family comes to Joseph unwittingly for food.
Of course the Gospels are filled with the disciples following Jesus not knowing where they were going, frightful times like on the see of Galilee and glorious times like at the transfiguration in which they saw the Glory of Christ, amazing healings, feeding of countless people with just a few loaves and a few fish.
When Jesus called his disciples when people followed Jesus they did not know where it would lead them. Jesus call was to follow, and he didnt always say where he was going, and when he did it was not clear to those he told what Jesus meant.
I do not know where each of you are at in your journey of faith, but I am sure we have all experienced dark or confusingtimes. Perhaps you are there right now, perhaps not. But where ever you are at, know that the journey of faith is a labyrinth, at times it takes you back to the beginning, at times the path doesnt seem to be taking you where you thought you were calledto go. These moments are part of the life of faith. Peter recognized that as he stepped out of the boat to join Jesus on the water, as far as we can tell from the whole story of Joseph, Joseph new that his life was in the hands of God, and that though he could not see it Gods call and intent would not be thwarted, and so he kept hope even in the darkest moments of his life, a slave and then a prisoner.
The life of faith is after all labyrinthine
Wednesday, August 10
Weekly Update
I mentioned in my sermon on Sunday that I walked a labyrinth set up in a class room at North Park Theological Seminary. The more I reflect on my exprerience of walking the labyrinth the more I am conviced it is a helpful image for us. Like a labrynth our path of the last year has wound around and I know that I at least feel like we are beginning again. We are in August and have been meeting for worship at the apartment of the Community of the Holy Trinity, as we were last year at this time, looking for a place to meet. Yet, we are not simply at the beginning, for nearly six months we worshiped at Chase Cafe and we have two regular worshipers with us who we did not know a year ago. There are a number of other things that are different as well. I can not say what this year will hold but I do know we are called to walk by faith and to pray and listen to the leading of the Spirit.
Jane and Tripp are both on vacation this week, but will be back on Sunday. As we move toward's fall we have a number of things on the horizon. Our Constitution will be completed, we will be having a meeting to reveiw and aprove the final draft of the constitution at the end of August. We are also hoping to have some meetings with various denominational representatives to get a better idea of the nature of the process of seeking to afiliate with all three denominations and get a better idea of the length of time we are looking at and ensure we are following the appropriate proceedures.
We continue to be blessed with visitors we had a couple visit with us this past week
We are also having this Thursday at 7:00 PM our third artist gathering at Enuie Cafe here in Roger's Park at the corner of Sheridan Rd. and Lunt. It is a time for artist who are Christians or interested in the intersection of faith and art to gather and have a place to share experiences and talk about faith art and life.
Peace,
Larry
The Pastoral team
Jane and Tripp are both on vacation this week, but will be back on Sunday. As we move toward's fall we have a number of things on the horizon. Our Constitution will be completed, we will be having a meeting to reveiw and aprove the final draft of the constitution at the end of August. We are also hoping to have some meetings with various denominational representatives to get a better idea of the nature of the process of seeking to afiliate with all three denominations and get a better idea of the length of time we are looking at and ensure we are following the appropriate proceedures.
We continue to be blessed with visitors we had a couple visit with us this past week
We are also having this Thursday at 7:00 PM our third artist gathering at Enuie Cafe here in Roger's Park at the corner of Sheridan Rd. and Lunt. It is a time for artist who are Christians or interested in the intersection of faith and art to gather and have a place to share experiences and talk about faith art and life.
Peace,
Larry
The Pastoral team
Thursday, August 4
Almost Weekly Update
I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. - Romans 9:1-5
This was the epistle reading from last Sunday’s lectionary. Paul struggles with his feelings for his community and his call to follow Christ. Sometimes, in the midst of our trouble, we can find ourselves wrestling with who we are, as Paul did, and what God might desire of us. This has certainly been my personal struggle lately. My ministry at the hospital is coming to an end on August 31st. I know that I am called to the work that is Reconciler, but the struggle to trust God and to allow for the vocation to lead me has been occupying much of my thinking. It is no easy task. I find myself resonating with the tale of Jacob and the “man” that he wrestles until dawn in our tale from Genesis.
Alone in the dark, I wrestle with God. But, as they say, hope comes with the dawn and our gospel reading for this coming Sunday offers a word of salvation.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." - Matthew 14:27-33
I am often the one with “little faith.” I am not so sure that makes me all that unusual. It appears that I may be in very good company. Peter and the disciples struggle with their faith in Christ as he gently leads them into being his Church. Perhaps, for some of us, our work at Reconciler can feel this way. It is wrestling in the darkness. It can feel as plausible as walking on water. But this impossible task, we believe, is the work of the Spirit prompted by Christ’s pronouncement, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
It is with this in mind that I invite us to embark on the upcoming autumn. On August 16th, the Pastoral Team will be meeting with a group from Immanuel Lutheran Church on Elmdale to discuss the possibility of using their chapel for our liturgy. We will let you know what comes of that conversation. Also, St Gertrude Catholic Parish has expressed a willingness to explore hosting us. That conversation too is ongoing.
Pencil us in on Saturday, October 15 at noon at North Shore Baptist Church. All are invited to a discussion group that day. The Pastoral Team is organizing a gathering where pastors and theologians from the three representative traditions of Reconciler will help us further articulate the vision of our congregation. We are seeking clarity about how we will continue the formal affiliation processes and exploring ideas of how this congregation will grow.
Finally, as this is still the summer, vacations are taking their lovely toll upon us. Jane and I will be away this weekend on vacation…separately. Jane will be with her family driving westward to Montana. I will stay in Chicago with Trish. We are taking the week off to sit back and do little.
As August winds down, you will begin to see a more regular attendance from the Pastoral Team. The work on the constitution will come to a close and we will get a chance as a congregation to vote on it. Perhaps we will be worshiping at Immanuel or St. Gertrude’s by September and we will have an opportunity to meet with others to discuss our hopes and dreams for this church in October.
Make God grant us all peace and all good things!
This was the epistle reading from last Sunday’s lectionary. Paul struggles with his feelings for his community and his call to follow Christ. Sometimes, in the midst of our trouble, we can find ourselves wrestling with who we are, as Paul did, and what God might desire of us. This has certainly been my personal struggle lately. My ministry at the hospital is coming to an end on August 31st. I know that I am called to the work that is Reconciler, but the struggle to trust God and to allow for the vocation to lead me has been occupying much of my thinking. It is no easy task. I find myself resonating with the tale of Jacob and the “man” that he wrestles until dawn in our tale from Genesis.
Alone in the dark, I wrestle with God. But, as they say, hope comes with the dawn and our gospel reading for this coming Sunday offers a word of salvation.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." - Matthew 14:27-33
I am often the one with “little faith.” I am not so sure that makes me all that unusual. It appears that I may be in very good company. Peter and the disciples struggle with their faith in Christ as he gently leads them into being his Church. Perhaps, for some of us, our work at Reconciler can feel this way. It is wrestling in the darkness. It can feel as plausible as walking on water. But this impossible task, we believe, is the work of the Spirit prompted by Christ’s pronouncement, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
It is with this in mind that I invite us to embark on the upcoming autumn. On August 16th, the Pastoral Team will be meeting with a group from Immanuel Lutheran Church on Elmdale to discuss the possibility of using their chapel for our liturgy. We will let you know what comes of that conversation. Also, St Gertrude Catholic Parish has expressed a willingness to explore hosting us. That conversation too is ongoing.
Pencil us in on Saturday, October 15 at noon at North Shore Baptist Church. All are invited to a discussion group that day. The Pastoral Team is organizing a gathering where pastors and theologians from the three representative traditions of Reconciler will help us further articulate the vision of our congregation. We are seeking clarity about how we will continue the formal affiliation processes and exploring ideas of how this congregation will grow.
Finally, as this is still the summer, vacations are taking their lovely toll upon us. Jane and I will be away this weekend on vacation…separately. Jane will be with her family driving westward to Montana. I will stay in Chicago with Trish. We are taking the week off to sit back and do little.
As August winds down, you will begin to see a more regular attendance from the Pastoral Team. The work on the constitution will come to a close and we will get a chance as a congregation to vote on it. Perhaps we will be worshiping at Immanuel or St. Gertrude’s by September and we will have an opportunity to meet with others to discuss our hopes and dreams for this church in October.
Make God grant us all peace and all good things!
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