Accidental Alignment Alights Amen

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the other trees. When they sprout leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. So also you, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“But be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day close down upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”  

This reading is from the Gospel According to Luke, the 21st chapter. The words seemed to speak to me immediately. I started thinking about the first time I had a fresh fig.  I remembered the shopkeeper of the little market inviting us to try one, they are very different from the dried figs or jelly that we typically eat.  Fresh figs have a light and floral quality--very different from the dark and molasses leaning of their wrinkly later selves. We happened into the shop looking for something else. What a wonderful discovery. Figs don't keep real well in their fresh state, so you have to get them while they are ripe (or dry them!). Interestingly, I learned a little later that you can grow figs in this area. While I was thinking figs, I also remembered that the Tree of Knowledge probably grew figs rather than apples. (They did make their clothes with fig leaves and figs are much older than apples.)

I continued reading and heard Jesus caution against false anxiety and fear in a time that we might think is the end. They rang true and gave a strange comfort to my heart which has put on a bunch of pounds through this pandemic. Yes, Amen, Jesus. Your words live on forever. I need to hold on to what you say and not my fears about what others might prognosticate. You hold goodness and life for your siblings. 

We know it is now summer. The ripening figs, the date, and the weather tell us so. We know so many things. Yet, we are also so fearful of what might be. There is so much that we cannot control or even get a fingerhold of understanding.

Then, I went to copy and paste the Bible text for today and noticed that I was not reading the correct section. I had missed a digit. All my study and reflection started on the wrong paragraph! I read the "official" selection and didn't feel anything. Then I chuckled a little as I realized that it had already been revealed to me. The word apocalypse literally means revealing.

So often, God reveals to us in the midst of an alignment that we did not expect or predict. We make a "mistake" or think our timing is off. Then God shows us that being open to live in the light and the hope of now is the best and most fruitful way. Try this, when something goes a little off or seems wrong, look for meaning or another path that you should be on. It has been my experience that God gives us many such moments that light up the heart and mind. Then the truth becomes obvious enough to say the truth, the amen--"Yes, God, I see it now..."

The Emanuel Nine

Today is the commemoration of the Emanuel Nine, martyrs, 2015

I don't have any snappy words to relate to the depth and gravity of this day. I don't want to minimize the seriousness of their lives and the harshness of hatred that entangles white supremacy. It still haunts me that the perpetrator was a confirmed Lutheran. It bothers me that there is so much brokenness and separation. This event didn't happen here, but it could have.

Juneteenth is coming up. Let us celebrate the release from slavery and own up to the great amount of work that we have ahead. We cannot remain silent and we can not presume that our teens and children will appropriately choose love. We need to do a better job at teaching love and recognizing hidden pieces of systemic racism that can fester and boil. 

Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

Some went down to the sea in ships,
    doing business on the mighty waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
    his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
    which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
    their courage melted away in their calamity;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
    and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out from their distress;
29 he made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they had quiet,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to humankind.
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

Dear Lord,

Guide us in your Way of Love and forgiveness.

Teach us to teach your Way.

Help us to see the ways that we act or speak unfairly to those who are different from us.

Lead us all together into your path of justice, reconciliation, and peace. Give us the courage to do the hard work in ourselves.

In the Name of Christ, Amen.

Where is that, exactly?

Sometimes I like to check out the Moravian Daily Texts. They have a short set of readings for each day. Thank you sisters and brothers in Christ of the Moravian Church for today's set!

Friday, June 4 — Psalm 72:1–11
Proverbs 27; 2 Corinthians 8:10–21

The Lord said, “You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19:6 NIV

He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. Ephesians 1:4

Benevolent Ruler, help us to be conduits of your message of love to the world. May we never stand in your way or believe that we are meant to receive the praise that truly belongs to you. Amen.

     "The foundation of the world" struck me as an interesting phrase. I began to think, "What does that look like? Where is that, exactly?" I started to imagine deep molten caves and wondering what it looks like when a world is made. God only knows. The mystery of this beautiful Creation might seem at times like everything is known, but there is still a great deal that we don't know or are not able to yet know.

     Our picture for today comes from an article about "What's at the bottom of the deepest hole in the Earth?" in the Daily Star. 

     A number of years ago, we went into Penn's Cave. We have also been inside Indian Echo Caverns. Not terribly deep, but deep enough to wonder about deeper and darker places (unless you are claustrophobic!). The formations are beautiful and amazing. I don't care for the "tourist trap" aspects, but it is fun to go to places that we have not been before. When we find ourselves in remote places, there isn't any difference in God's presence. We might feel far from home or way out of safety's keep, but God is everywhere. 

     Space and time--God intended from before the first wisp of creating breath that we would be set apart for the purpose of being before God in love. I have a hard time understanding that kind of love. That might sound weird coming from a pastor, but it's the truth. I have been fortunate and blessed to know love, but a love that is planned soooo far in advance is beyond difficult to comprehend. All loves that I know are fairly short by comparison. What is 60 years alongside eons?!

     These texts also compel us to see again that the question of evolution versus Creation is an unhelpful inquiry. We learn little by such "either-or" posts for knowledge to rest or stand. Instead, we should consider, "What or who do we love? How long have you loved?" God proudly stands with a loving and knowing smile. I would imagine a playful wink, then the clear statement, "I have loved you so much longer!"

     Love is the way of God. The Way of Christ points others towards love. Our purpose is to draw attention to God's love. (We turn away from judging, hating, and all forms of prejudice that are not of God.) We seek the long view. We follow the one that knows what the deepest parts of this world look like, and the depths of each and every human heart.