John 3:1-17
Time for Blockbuster month. In the summer months, movies are billed as "blockbusters" before their release, heightening anticipation that they will actually BE blockbusters upon release. Sometimes that occurs and sometimes it doesn't. So it is with life... sometimes the build up is such that it lessens the experience. And yet, that flick of the supernatural, the larger-than-life, the amazingness that the Spirit holds within each of us gives us the opportunity to actually live blockbuster, Spirit-led lives.
This week's lectionary text is from the gospel of John. John is explaining how Jesus has been sent into the world to save it. He is explaining how we must all be born from above. He speaks of the Spirit as a force like the wind that comes from unknown places and goes where it will.
I am reminded of the various versions of the blockbuster "Superman." He comes in from unknown places, and no one knows when he will appear. But the reason he was sent into Metropolis was to save it. He is sent to be a light for goodness and a counterpart to the evil that sometimes ensnares the city.
A comparison of the man Jesus who became the risen Christ to a fictional comic book hero is sure to lead to criticism of 'trivializing' the nature of Christ and his saving grace in our lives. But that is missing the point.
In every 'salvation' story, there is a noticeable figure who brings unbridled, unassuming, pure goodness to the destructive forces that lurk around us. It is a literary device, to be sure, but also, for us as Christian people, a very real experience that we have over and over again with Christ's saving grace that sees us through.
Clark Kent could not be more unassuming and less seeking of power or influence. He is the perfect figure to become a saving force like Superman. The weak shall be made strong, the meek shall inherit the earth....
What are your thoughts on Superman, from either the comic books or the movies? How does Metropolis mirror the chaos of the world you see? Who have been the 'saving graces' in your own life?
Email me or click comments below.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Break the Pinata
Acts 2:1-21
The story of Pentecost. When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
The story of Pentecost. When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
The image of Fire is common for Pentecost. As is the image of wind, and both words, both elements are used in this scripture. But the image I want to focus on this day is that image of the disciples being all together and something coming from heaven and filling up the place!
That is what i love about this Pentecost story. Last week, we had Jesus ascending and leaving the disciples a final time. They know they must stand on their own and get things done for God. He suggests that he will be with them in a different way. And this week, in this pouring out of the Spirit into the entire house, we have that realized. Jesus resides everywhere among them. Everywhere. But they still must tap into that Spirit to realize its potential in their lives.
It's like a pinata... that classic childhood game... you have a party decoration and you know inside of it there is something that will make the party even better... candy to shower down among the party goers, but you have to go through the process of accessing it. In the traditional game, you beat it with a stick. There are less violent pinatas available, where you each pull a tab and one of the tabs will release the goods... the point is, it takes everyone trying together to access what awaits.
That's how we are as a people of faith. We all can, and certainly have, accessed the Spirit on our own. In the lighting of a candle, in the walking along the shore... But there is something about the power of being together in one place that brings forth the Spirit in beautiful ways. All of us being together, working together, to access the Spirit. And feeling that pouring out of love and grace and peace... well, there's nothing like it. When it rains, it pours.
What ways have you sensed the Spirit with you when you are alone? When you are with others? What would you like to find in a pinata if you cracked it open?
Email me or click the orange comment link below.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Hide and Seek
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus has come to the end of his forty days among the disciples and followers after the Resurrection. He tells them that the power of the Holy Spirit will come to them and they will be his witnesses to the ends of the ends of the earth. And then, the scripture says, "a cloud took him out of their sight."
Then two men in white robes appeared and, seeing them gazing heavenward, the men say to the followers of Jesus, "Why do you stand looking toward heaven?"
Hide and Seek. Jesus is here. Then he is gone. Then he is here again. Then he is gone. This is the whiplash narrative of the first followers. A game of Messiah Hide and Seek. Where would they find or see Jesus next?
What he was trying to get them to see was that he would always be with them, in the power of the Holy Spirit. They need not look skyward, but rather keep their feet planted firmly on the ground and feel Jesus breathing his spirit into their lives, their regular work-a-day lives.
Hide and Seek is fun to play as kids. But it is a little nerve wracking. What happens when you count to ten and look up and are left all alone? It feels kind of scary, doesn't it? Everyone remembers being the counter and looking up and suddenly you are alone.
And yet, you know, lurking out there somewhere, are your friends, your playmates, the ones who entered into the game with you. So you seek. You search. You pick up cushions and open closet doors. You do improbable things like open the fridge door... surely no one is in there. But that's what Hide and Seek is about... turning over every stone in search of those you are in the game to find.
We know we are with others when we play Hide and Seek. Even though that moment of opening our eyes feels frightening, we know others are with us, ready to engage with us again. So it is with Jesus. We shouldn't think he is gone, whisked away in a cloud while we had our eyes closed.
Jesus is everywhere we look. And so are our communities, our friends, our commonwealth.
We should not allow everyone to remain hidden, rather we should seek out and find those who will help us build our community and keep it strong.
What are your memories of Hide and Seek? Where was your favorite place to hide? What do you hide from now? What do you seek?
Email me your comments, or click the orange comments link below. I'd love to hear from you.
Jesus has come to the end of his forty days among the disciples and followers after the Resurrection. He tells them that the power of the Holy Spirit will come to them and they will be his witnesses to the ends of the ends of the earth. And then, the scripture says, "a cloud took him out of their sight."
Then two men in white robes appeared and, seeing them gazing heavenward, the men say to the followers of Jesus, "Why do you stand looking toward heaven?"
Hide and Seek. Jesus is here. Then he is gone. Then he is here again. Then he is gone. This is the whiplash narrative of the first followers. A game of Messiah Hide and Seek. Where would they find or see Jesus next?
What he was trying to get them to see was that he would always be with them, in the power of the Holy Spirit. They need not look skyward, but rather keep their feet planted firmly on the ground and feel Jesus breathing his spirit into their lives, their regular work-a-day lives.
Hide and Seek is fun to play as kids. But it is a little nerve wracking. What happens when you count to ten and look up and are left all alone? It feels kind of scary, doesn't it? Everyone remembers being the counter and looking up and suddenly you are alone.
And yet, you know, lurking out there somewhere, are your friends, your playmates, the ones who entered into the game with you. So you seek. You search. You pick up cushions and open closet doors. You do improbable things like open the fridge door... surely no one is in there. But that's what Hide and Seek is about... turning over every stone in search of those you are in the game to find.
We know we are with others when we play Hide and Seek. Even though that moment of opening our eyes feels frightening, we know others are with us, ready to engage with us again. So it is with Jesus. We shouldn't think he is gone, whisked away in a cloud while we had our eyes closed.
Jesus is everywhere we look. And so are our communities, our friends, our commonwealth.
We should not allow everyone to remain hidden, rather we should seek out and find those who will help us build our community and keep it strong.
What are your memories of Hide and Seek? Where was your favorite place to hide? What do you hide from now? What do you seek?
Email me your comments, or click the orange comments link below. I'd love to hear from you.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Mother, May I?
1 John 5: 1-6
This passage links us all together in God. Whoever loves the parent loves the child..by this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey God's commandments.
What are the commandments of God? We have the 10 commandments, and then we have what Jesus said is the greatest commandments, which, really is just a summary of the ten... The greatest commandment is that you love the lord God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. --from Luke 10
So, it sounds like the way we show that we love the children of God is simply to show love for God to yourself and your neighbor, and to feel love for God fully and completely. Why is that such a hard thing to do? Why is this such a hard society to live in?
As I write this blog, I have a news feed up on my computer screen and these are the headlines:
* Metro Denver homeless numbers up in annual count
* Man in critical, boy dead after both found shot
* Robbery at knife-point caught on camera
* No guarantee civil unions bill will get a final vote
* Homeless man shot while trying to sleep
Love is not the dominant feeling present in these news stories.
Perhaps what we need to do is remember that very polite game from childhood that we used to play. The one in which we cannot do anything without asking and being granted permission from our Parent. You know, Mother May I...
Hop on one foot. Mother May I? Yes you may. Put your hands on your head. Mother May I? Yes you may.
What if we thought about asking God, our Parent, for permission (or at least considering whether it fits the love commandment) before we do any action? What would God give us permission to do?
Mother May I is a game of commands, and then getting permission for the command. What, then, would God ask us to do? Think about it. If life were one big "Mother, May I" game what would be asked of us.
Would God say: Shoot that homeless man. Rob that store at knife point. Deny people equal rights. Ignore the plight of the homeless. Certainly not. That would never be a part of God's game.
But, God might indeed say: Help the homeless. Love those who struggle. Embrace those who are down on their luck. Love all people. May we seek to hear those commands from God.
Mother may I help the homeless, love those who struggle, embrace those who are down on their luck love all people?
And God said, "Yes you may."
Where in your own life do you fail to obey God's commandment to love? What makes it hard to love? Do you find it easy or difficult to ask God before you act? Why do you think the commandments of God are often considered punitive, rather than life-giving?
Email me or press the link that says 0 comments below. (This is also the place you can read others comments if there is a number besides 0 there.)
This passage links us all together in God. Whoever loves the parent loves the child..by this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey God's commandments.
What are the commandments of God? We have the 10 commandments, and then we have what Jesus said is the greatest commandments, which, really is just a summary of the ten... The greatest commandment is that you love the lord God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. --from Luke 10
So, it sounds like the way we show that we love the children of God is simply to show love for God to yourself and your neighbor, and to feel love for God fully and completely. Why is that such a hard thing to do? Why is this such a hard society to live in?
As I write this blog, I have a news feed up on my computer screen and these are the headlines:
* Metro Denver homeless numbers up in annual count
* Man in critical, boy dead after both found shot
* Robbery at knife-point caught on camera
* No guarantee civil unions bill will get a final vote
* Homeless man shot while trying to sleep
Love is not the dominant feeling present in these news stories.
Perhaps what we need to do is remember that very polite game from childhood that we used to play. The one in which we cannot do anything without asking and being granted permission from our Parent. You know, Mother May I...
Hop on one foot. Mother May I? Yes you may. Put your hands on your head. Mother May I? Yes you may.
What if we thought about asking God, our Parent, for permission (or at least considering whether it fits the love commandment) before we do any action? What would God give us permission to do?
Mother May I is a game of commands, and then getting permission for the command. What, then, would God ask us to do? Think about it. If life were one big "Mother, May I" game what would be asked of us.
Would God say: Shoot that homeless man. Rob that store at knife point. Deny people equal rights. Ignore the plight of the homeless. Certainly not. That would never be a part of God's game.
But, God might indeed say: Help the homeless. Love those who struggle. Embrace those who are down on their luck. Love all people. May we seek to hear those commands from God.
Mother may I help the homeless, love those who struggle, embrace those who are down on their luck love all people?
And God said, "Yes you may."
Where in your own life do you fail to obey God's commandment to love? What makes it hard to love? Do you find it easy or difficult to ask God before you act? Why do you think the commandments of God are often considered punitive, rather than life-giving?
Email me or press the link that says 0 comments below. (This is also the place you can read others comments if there is a number besides 0 there.)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Tag! You're It!
Acts 8:26-40
Someone recently told me that at Flatirons Athletic Club that have instituted a RECESS for grown-ups. The old childhood luxury of stopping your lessons and going outside at school to just play. The recess at Flatirons involves some playground games like kick ball and dodge ball... I also heard recently of a dodge ball tournament held at the Pepsi Center. What is it about those childhood games that sticks with us?
All month we are going to be looking at those classic childhood games and what we can learn from them about leading, about following, and about being in relationship with one another as we seek to bring about the reign of God.
This week's scripture reading is the story of Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch is reading from the prophet Isaiah and Philips asks him if he understands what he is reading. The eunuch replies, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And Philip then shares the gospel with him and the eunuch is so taken by it that he stops at a pool of water and asks Philip to baptize him. Then the eunuch, too, began to spread the good news, because Philip, according to the scripture, "was snatched away."
Just like tag... someone is "IT." Someone is chosen as "the one." And it is that person's responsibility to go tag another. Then that person becomes it. Now, there are different kinds of tag... the traditional game is you don't want to be "IT" and you try your best to tag another person as soon as possible. There are versions though where you link arms with the person you tag and you become a 'tag team' going in search of others to tag.
Spreading the good news is like tag. Someone has the news. They shouldn't keep it to themselves, but should go out and find someone to 'tag' with the news... so that they can go out and 'tag' someone... the message is supposed to be spread, the good news that the love of God is always here for us needs to be shared.
We receive God's grace all the time. We are more aware of it when we come for Holy Communion. As you come this week, know that you are called to "tag" someone else this week with the love and grace of God. Let's play tag on Sunday!
What are your memories of tag? Did you like recess? What are your thoughts on the story of Philip and the eunuch? Email me or click the comments link below.
Someone recently told me that at Flatirons Athletic Club that have instituted a RECESS for grown-ups. The old childhood luxury of stopping your lessons and going outside at school to just play. The recess at Flatirons involves some playground games like kick ball and dodge ball... I also heard recently of a dodge ball tournament held at the Pepsi Center. What is it about those childhood games that sticks with us?
All month we are going to be looking at those classic childhood games and what we can learn from them about leading, about following, and about being in relationship with one another as we seek to bring about the reign of God.
This week's scripture reading is the story of Philip and the eunuch. The eunuch is reading from the prophet Isaiah and Philips asks him if he understands what he is reading. The eunuch replies, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And Philip then shares the gospel with him and the eunuch is so taken by it that he stops at a pool of water and asks Philip to baptize him. Then the eunuch, too, began to spread the good news, because Philip, according to the scripture, "was snatched away."
Just like tag... someone is "IT." Someone is chosen as "the one." And it is that person's responsibility to go tag another. Then that person becomes it. Now, there are different kinds of tag... the traditional game is you don't want to be "IT" and you try your best to tag another person as soon as possible. There are versions though where you link arms with the person you tag and you become a 'tag team' going in search of others to tag.
Spreading the good news is like tag. Someone has the news. They shouldn't keep it to themselves, but should go out and find someone to 'tag' with the news... so that they can go out and 'tag' someone... the message is supposed to be spread, the good news that the love of God is always here for us needs to be shared.
We receive God's grace all the time. We are more aware of it when we come for Holy Communion. As you come this week, know that you are called to "tag" someone else this week with the love and grace of God. Let's play tag on Sunday!
What are your memories of tag? Did you like recess? What are your thoughts on the story of Philip and the eunuch? Email me or click the comments link below.
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