Seems to be the theme since Palm Sunday - emptiness.
First, there was Jesus' emptying of self. In that act, Jesus showed to humanity the fullness and depth of God's love. It's a love meant not only for humanity, but for all creation. God will stop at nothing to bring creation to a place of beauty, justice, mercy, compassion, love.
Then, on Maundy Thursday, we heard Jesus' command to "love one another, as I have loved you..." In so loving, Jesus stooped to wash the feet of his disciples. That, too, is our call as Jesus' disciples - to serve one another in love. Emptying becomes our call as followers of the one who emptied himself of all power and authority. In humbleness, we stoop before the world to love and serve.
Holy Friday's emptiness comes in abandonment: abandonment of Jesus himself as he cries out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"; abandonment of the followers of Jesus as he dies, leaving them empty of leadership; abandonment for us today, as we experience it in so many places and so many ways in daily life - of self, of friends, of loved ones.
Finally, the Great Easter Vigil shows us the final emptiness: the empty tomb. There we find hope for daily life - the little deaths of each day bring life in other places. The emptiness of the tomb reminds us of the disappearance of the seed planted in the ground, only to rise as a tree; it reminds us of the emptied womb with the birth of a child; the empty tomb gives hope that death need be no longer feared.
Today, we celebrate the hope of resurrection that is all around us!
Peace,
Pr Tim
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Father, forgive...
Those words, from the Gospel according to Luke, ring loud and clear for me every Holy Friday. This year, however, there is something different about them. Usually, I think of forgiveness as me gaining some power back from an offending person; in forgiveness, I release that person's grip on me as well as my need to be held by that oppressive power. Today, however, there is a bit of a deepening in that understanding.
Here's the scene: Jesus is on the cross; he has been unjustly judged and beaten by Roman authorities, so say all the gospels. According to John's Gospel, Jesus' own religious leaders have even turned on him. These same religious leaders had seen Jesus perform miracles, heal people, even cavort with people of questionable backgrounds. The last straw for these authorities, according to John, is Jesus' final miracle - raising Lazarus from the dead. In that final act before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus proved his power over death itself. Fear struck the authorities: "We have to kill him or the people will start to believe in him."
Luke has Jesus say from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing..." Even there, perhaps especially there, one sees Jesus as one who eats with sinners. On the cross, Jesus renounces all of the forces of evil that have paved the way to his death. He has seen how dark the human heart can become, and in their final act, humanity even tries to kill the Divine itself. Forgiveness halts the powers of sinfulness and death in the moment when Jesus cries out, "Forgive".
Forgiveness, it has been said by a professor in seminary, is the only the thing the Church has to offer. Perhaps that is right. From forgiveness itself flows a host of other emotions/virtues: compassion, humility, love, acceptance. Forgiveness is about the offended one, but, in some mysterious way, it also unleashes the powers that turn the hearts of humanity. In the name of religion, so much has been said and done against nations and peoples, against one another. Religion has for too long propagated what is called "sacred violence". We see it in the crusades and holy wars of all ages; we see it even in the rhetoric of political leaders of modern times. In Jesus, however, we encounter the Christ, the anointed one of God, who changes all violent realities. No longer is violence in any form legitimate, because God says from the cross, "Forgive."
It's almost like a command: "God forgive them! Release them! As these powerful words are spoken, make it happen that humanity would see the travesty in the violences they commit against one another." When Jesus cries, "Father, forgive," he means that all of the sacred violence that has been condoned since time immemorial is now no longer valid and humanity is released to act in a new way - the way of the Christ.
Blessed Holy Friday,
Tim
Here's the scene: Jesus is on the cross; he has been unjustly judged and beaten by Roman authorities, so say all the gospels. According to John's Gospel, Jesus' own religious leaders have even turned on him. These same religious leaders had seen Jesus perform miracles, heal people, even cavort with people of questionable backgrounds. The last straw for these authorities, according to John, is Jesus' final miracle - raising Lazarus from the dead. In that final act before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus proved his power over death itself. Fear struck the authorities: "We have to kill him or the people will start to believe in him."
Luke has Jesus say from the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing..." Even there, perhaps especially there, one sees Jesus as one who eats with sinners. On the cross, Jesus renounces all of the forces of evil that have paved the way to his death. He has seen how dark the human heart can become, and in their final act, humanity even tries to kill the Divine itself. Forgiveness halts the powers of sinfulness and death in the moment when Jesus cries out, "Forgive".
Forgiveness, it has been said by a professor in seminary, is the only the thing the Church has to offer. Perhaps that is right. From forgiveness itself flows a host of other emotions/virtues: compassion, humility, love, acceptance. Forgiveness is about the offended one, but, in some mysterious way, it also unleashes the powers that turn the hearts of humanity. In the name of religion, so much has been said and done against nations and peoples, against one another. Religion has for too long propagated what is called "sacred violence". We see it in the crusades and holy wars of all ages; we see it even in the rhetoric of political leaders of modern times. In Jesus, however, we encounter the Christ, the anointed one of God, who changes all violent realities. No longer is violence in any form legitimate, because God says from the cross, "Forgive."
It's almost like a command: "God forgive them! Release them! As these powerful words are spoken, make it happen that humanity would see the travesty in the violences they commit against one another." When Jesus cries, "Father, forgive," he means that all of the sacred violence that has been condoned since time immemorial is now no longer valid and humanity is released to act in a new way - the way of the Christ.
Blessed Holy Friday,
Tim
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Arvo Part: Passio
I have a personal tradition: during the Triduum, I like to listen to music for the Passion. Some years I listen to Bach's Passion or Beethoven's Passion. This year I am listening to my all time favorite composer: Arvo Part (last name pronounced like "pear" with a "t" on the end). He is Estonian, a 20th Century composer who does a lot of work based on minimalist and Eastern Orthodox works.
Part's music holds a sense of mystery and openness - it's hard to explain unless you listen to him. So, give him a try.
In our house, we usually color eggs on Holy Friday. Don't know why, it's just a tradition. I really get tired of eating boiled eggs...
Those are my traditions for Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday and Holy Saturday. What traditions do you have?
Peace,
Pr Tim
Part's music holds a sense of mystery and openness - it's hard to explain unless you listen to him. So, give him a try.
In our house, we usually color eggs on Holy Friday. Don't know why, it's just a tradition. I really get tired of eating boiled eggs...
Those are my traditions for Maundy Thursday, Holy Friday and Holy Saturday. What traditions do you have?
Peace,
Pr Tim
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
"Crood" or fearful: How do You Choose to Live?
Annie and I, Luke and Sophie took a day off to the movies on Monday, 25 March. I recommend seeing "The Croods" in 3-D. Not only is the animation great, the movie has a good theme: how one deals with change concerns more than inconvenience - whether we change is a question of life and death.
Epha, one of the main characters refuses to live a life of sameness, of caution - a life based on fear. She exclaims at a pivotal moment that living in fear is "not living, it's just not dying!"
It makes me think about my life. How often am I content with "just not dying" because I am afraid to live? It's not just a matter of answering the right question, though.
How many friends and influential people in my life keep me thinking that "just not dying" is normal? You see, to live is to change. Life always involves change; every moment of every day is change. You are not the same person you were when you began reading this blog post just seconds ago.
Epha, one individual in a prehistoric cave dwelling family, realizes that change is inevitable. As a matter of fact, she show us a deep human reality: when you and I choose to live in fear, the oldest, least developed part of our brain takes over. You and I, in reality, become those cave dwelling Neanderthals who could not see any further than the mouth of their cave.
That's a difficult truth to accept, but look around at what is happening around us. Is everything remaining stagnant, or is the world dynamic? If we are honest, the call to change seems fear-filled, but it takes a lot more energy to make sure our little corner of the world remains the same.
Remember when Jesus called us to "take up our cross", and remember when he reminded that his message "brings a sword" that divides? What does he prepare us for but change? It's inevitable, it's a natural step in the right direction. The only question now is: Which fears can we release in order to help us go forward?
Peace,
Pr Tim
Epha, one of the main characters refuses to live a life of sameness, of caution - a life based on fear. She exclaims at a pivotal moment that living in fear is "not living, it's just not dying!"
It makes me think about my life. How often am I content with "just not dying" because I am afraid to live? It's not just a matter of answering the right question, though.
How many friends and influential people in my life keep me thinking that "just not dying" is normal? You see, to live is to change. Life always involves change; every moment of every day is change. You are not the same person you were when you began reading this blog post just seconds ago.
Epha, one individual in a prehistoric cave dwelling family, realizes that change is inevitable. As a matter of fact, she show us a deep human reality: when you and I choose to live in fear, the oldest, least developed part of our brain takes over. You and I, in reality, become those cave dwelling Neanderthals who could not see any further than the mouth of their cave.
That's a difficult truth to accept, but look around at what is happening around us. Is everything remaining stagnant, or is the world dynamic? If we are honest, the call to change seems fear-filled, but it takes a lot more energy to make sure our little corner of the world remains the same.
Remember when Jesus called us to "take up our cross", and remember when he reminded that his message "brings a sword" that divides? What does he prepare us for but change? It's inevitable, it's a natural step in the right direction. The only question now is: Which fears can we release in order to help us go forward?
Peace,
Pr Tim
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Would Jesus Eat Mashed Potatoes and Noodles?
Culture is such a powerful motivator in everyone's life. As a matter of fact, it's so powerful that one often acts under its influence without even knowing it! For instance, do you like mashed potatoes topped with noodles and gravy? It's cultural. I would never have thought to do such a thing.
When I lived in South Carolina, I often ate chicken and dumplings - something we even eat in NW Ohio. But did you know that dumplings in the South are not made of biscuit dough! They are more like egg noodles! Yeah, I know, I was shocked, too, the first time I was served dumplings!
I say all of this to remind myself as much as you, that often what we pass off to others as "christian ways" or "the way things are done" our ways may be nothing more than cultural manifestations of beliefs. Is Jesus a tall white guy with a beard or did he look more like Arabs or Palestinians today? Why is it so important for us to believe the former while dismissing the latter? Is it because we want God in our own image?
The first book of the bible makes it clear for us: God was not created in our image, but we in the image of God were created. What difference does that make, you ask? Well, a big difference, thank you! The image of God must transcend gender or ethnicity. It goes beyond my personal or cultural beliefs, so that everyone can be included in God's "plan" (whatever that means). You see, I get nervous when someone claims to know some plan that God is supposed to have. Usually that person's knowledge of such a plan is based on nothing more than that person's small world. If I do not somehow fit into that world, I am outside of God. It seems to me that scripture - especially the Gospels - proclaim a God who is not bound by cultures or personal beliefs. Thanks be to God, because Jesus' message would just have been for the people of his time and place. Indeed, his message goes beyond all boundaries.
I guess the big question now is, "Would Jesus eat mashed potatoes and noodles?"
Peace,
Pr Tim
When I lived in South Carolina, I often ate chicken and dumplings - something we even eat in NW Ohio. But did you know that dumplings in the South are not made of biscuit dough! They are more like egg noodles! Yeah, I know, I was shocked, too, the first time I was served dumplings!
I say all of this to remind myself as much as you, that often what we pass off to others as "christian ways" or "the way things are done" our ways may be nothing more than cultural manifestations of beliefs. Is Jesus a tall white guy with a beard or did he look more like Arabs or Palestinians today? Why is it so important for us to believe the former while dismissing the latter? Is it because we want God in our own image?
The first book of the bible makes it clear for us: God was not created in our image, but we in the image of God were created. What difference does that make, you ask? Well, a big difference, thank you! The image of God must transcend gender or ethnicity. It goes beyond my personal or cultural beliefs, so that everyone can be included in God's "plan" (whatever that means). You see, I get nervous when someone claims to know some plan that God is supposed to have. Usually that person's knowledge of such a plan is based on nothing more than that person's small world. If I do not somehow fit into that world, I am outside of God. It seems to me that scripture - especially the Gospels - proclaim a God who is not bound by cultures or personal beliefs. Thanks be to God, because Jesus' message would just have been for the people of his time and place. Indeed, his message goes beyond all boundaries.
I guess the big question now is, "Would Jesus eat mashed potatoes and noodles?"
Peace,
Pr Tim
Friday, March 22, 2013
Family Changes Everything
Senator Rob Portman of Ohio changed his views on gay marriage recently when his son "came out" to him. No matter one's religious or moral beliefs, one has to respect Portman for not turning his back on his son. If he accepts and loves his son, wouldn't it be duplicitous of him not to change his political position?
In Augustinian terms, duplicity is the inconsistency between what one says and that which one does. For instance, if I say that I believe that cats are good luck and then mistreat everyone I find, my actions do not match with my beliefs; if I say that walking under a ladder is bad luck and then seek out ladders under which to walk, I am either crazy or duplicitous. Of course, for St Augustine, there is a deeper concern: when one's actions don't match one's speech, there is a hidden, twisted desire that is lurking about. Duplicity belies one's tendency toward sinfulness.
Sometimes we are duplicitous in order to save our own skin: "If I tell others what I really believe, if anyone knows what I truly desire, they won't like me." Or, in the case of Rob Portman - "they won't vote for me." Sometimes we are duplicitous because we willfully want to deceive someone: "I don't want so-and-so to pal around with my friend, so I will speak ill of my friend in the presence of the unwanted other." Sometimes we are even duplicitous in order to be "nice": "Oh, that dress looks great on you." In reality, the dress is the wrong color and definitely needs to be another size.
I respect Senator Portman for standing by his son and for standing firm on his position. He will, no doubt, suffer much criticism from his new-found position. It is unfortunate and in the utmost of bad taste, not to say, unchristian-like behavior, when someone attacks his son - as has been done in the news lately. Let us pray for the Portmans that their love for one another as a family will continue to grow. Let us not be caught up in the ad hominem attacks that do nothing but lead to more hatred and violence.
God's peace,
Pr Tim
In Augustinian terms, duplicity is the inconsistency between what one says and that which one does. For instance, if I say that I believe that cats are good luck and then mistreat everyone I find, my actions do not match with my beliefs; if I say that walking under a ladder is bad luck and then seek out ladders under which to walk, I am either crazy or duplicitous. Of course, for St Augustine, there is a deeper concern: when one's actions don't match one's speech, there is a hidden, twisted desire that is lurking about. Duplicity belies one's tendency toward sinfulness.
Sometimes we are duplicitous in order to save our own skin: "If I tell others what I really believe, if anyone knows what I truly desire, they won't like me." Or, in the case of Rob Portman - "they won't vote for me." Sometimes we are duplicitous because we willfully want to deceive someone: "I don't want so-and-so to pal around with my friend, so I will speak ill of my friend in the presence of the unwanted other." Sometimes we are even duplicitous in order to be "nice": "Oh, that dress looks great on you." In reality, the dress is the wrong color and definitely needs to be another size.
I respect Senator Portman for standing by his son and for standing firm on his position. He will, no doubt, suffer much criticism from his new-found position. It is unfortunate and in the utmost of bad taste, not to say, unchristian-like behavior, when someone attacks his son - as has been done in the news lately. Let us pray for the Portmans that their love for one another as a family will continue to grow. Let us not be caught up in the ad hominem attacks that do nothing but lead to more hatred and violence.
God's peace,
Pr Tim
Thursday, March 21, 2013
On the History Channel there is a new series on the Bible. Have you seen it? I have not. Life without cable or satellite is not without its drawbacks. I will have to wait for it to come on Netflix or on Hulu. If you have seen it, I would like to know your reaction. Did you like it? Did you not like it? What was done well or not so well?
I ask this question because I think it helps us to understand a little about how we view the Bible. Is it necessary to keep every word exactly the same and tell a story from it without any embellishment? Is it ok for a movie to take "poetic license" when retelling the story of the Bible? Our responses to this question may help us see what is most important to us as followers of Jesus when we hear, tell or discuss arguably the "greatest story ever told."
Take the question a step further. How many of us take the time to read the Bible daily? How many of us have actually read the entire Bible? What did you get from reading it entirely? Do you learn something different if you read it in small portions that may skip around or concentrate in certain areas? How can we discuss scripture if we do not answer these questions for ourselves?
Scripture, it seems to me, has a prominent place in our lives because it helps to inform us how God has acted in the past and can act in our lives today. Additionally, because it was written by a community of believers and because that community continues until today, it helps to form us into a specific people who follow after a specific God who has specifically chosen to be with us, to live, suffer, die and rise from the dead.
So, what do you think?
Pr Tim
I ask this question because I think it helps us to understand a little about how we view the Bible. Is it necessary to keep every word exactly the same and tell a story from it without any embellishment? Is it ok for a movie to take "poetic license" when retelling the story of the Bible? Our responses to this question may help us see what is most important to us as followers of Jesus when we hear, tell or discuss arguably the "greatest story ever told."
Take the question a step further. How many of us take the time to read the Bible daily? How many of us have actually read the entire Bible? What did you get from reading it entirely? Do you learn something different if you read it in small portions that may skip around or concentrate in certain areas? How can we discuss scripture if we do not answer these questions for ourselves?
Scripture, it seems to me, has a prominent place in our lives because it helps to inform us how God has acted in the past and can act in our lives today. Additionally, because it was written by a community of believers and because that community continues until today, it helps to form us into a specific people who follow after a specific God who has specifically chosen to be with us, to live, suffer, die and rise from the dead.
So, what do you think?
Pr Tim
Well, since my last blog post (too long ago, I must say) we have gotten a new website, updated the audio-visual system in the worship space and gone live on the internet with every worship service! Now, this blog, which was formerly a semi-private one has gone public on our congregational webpage! I need to explain a bit about the blog.
First, this blog was started as a tool of continual learning for a handful of people who attended a discipleship class on Sunday mornings after worship. I posted in the beginning things that directly related to things we had learned in the class together. Then, the posts evolved into other areas - emerging church, theology and personal reflections on scriptures.
Second, the blog was meant to be for a small group. When writing for a specific group, one usually knows the group well enough to know what to say and how to say it. The blog posts, then, have been pointed at deepening the learning of things we experienced together in the discipleship class.
Third, the blog was intended to make all of us in the group to think. Too often in modern society, we don't have to think because we can pick up a computer and know what to think by "googling" a question or struggle of the day. Those who followed the blog knew that the posts were not always easy to digest in one, quick reading; one had to ponder the reflections over coffee or even discuss them with others. These are not "be all - end all" answers to life's deepest, darkest questions. These posts are the thoughts and reflections of a fellow pilgrim in the midst of life's struggles.
Finally, my desire is now to change up the blog a bit. I want to expand the audience of this blog. I also want to blog more regularly and get anyone who decides to read the blog to respond to the posts. You have found you way to this point and I invite you to comment on the posts. We follow some simple rules:
1. All posts must be cordial in nature, no personal attacks on anyone. Any posts that do not reflect the nature of cordial discourse and discussion will be deleted.
2. We respond in a timely manner. Once a new reflection comes up, we end conversation on the previous one.
3. We do not monopolize the conversation. Sometimes it is good to sit back and listen to other comments. Usually, one comment per person is sufficient.
4. This blog is not about making sure that everyone who responds believes the right thing, nor is it my job to make sure to correct erroneous thoughts.
To that end, welcome to the pastor's blog "Expecting the Unexpected".
Peace,
Pr Tim
First, this blog was started as a tool of continual learning for a handful of people who attended a discipleship class on Sunday mornings after worship. I posted in the beginning things that directly related to things we had learned in the class together. Then, the posts evolved into other areas - emerging church, theology and personal reflections on scriptures.
Second, the blog was meant to be for a small group. When writing for a specific group, one usually knows the group well enough to know what to say and how to say it. The blog posts, then, have been pointed at deepening the learning of things we experienced together in the discipleship class.
Third, the blog was intended to make all of us in the group to think. Too often in modern society, we don't have to think because we can pick up a computer and know what to think by "googling" a question or struggle of the day. Those who followed the blog knew that the posts were not always easy to digest in one, quick reading; one had to ponder the reflections over coffee or even discuss them with others. These are not "be all - end all" answers to life's deepest, darkest questions. These posts are the thoughts and reflections of a fellow pilgrim in the midst of life's struggles.
Finally, my desire is now to change up the blog a bit. I want to expand the audience of this blog. I also want to blog more regularly and get anyone who decides to read the blog to respond to the posts. You have found you way to this point and I invite you to comment on the posts. We follow some simple rules:
1. All posts must be cordial in nature, no personal attacks on anyone. Any posts that do not reflect the nature of cordial discourse and discussion will be deleted.
2. We respond in a timely manner. Once a new reflection comes up, we end conversation on the previous one.
3. We do not monopolize the conversation. Sometimes it is good to sit back and listen to other comments. Usually, one comment per person is sufficient.
4. This blog is not about making sure that everyone who responds believes the right thing, nor is it my job to make sure to correct erroneous thoughts.
To that end, welcome to the pastor's blog "Expecting the Unexpected".
Peace,
Pr Tim
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