Consequential (Cornelius- Part One)

Acts 10:1-8 

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” He stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” He answered, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

Reflection

      He strikes me as a consequential man, one who was respected for his goodness and ethical leading. Cornelius was important, with power and influence. The life story of Cornelius is an interesting case study in what happens when someone that does not possess faith does good works that would typically point to a sound faith. Or, you might say, the angle of the Letter of James in a different direction. What does it look like when works lead to faith? When someone does good things like loving and caring for others (not just for appearances) and praying for peace and harmony, it seems that God notices. God, then draws you in further. His steps in discerning and discovery would likely have an influence on the early Christian church in Italy. Works don't save you, but they are clearly desired by God. This emphasis undoubtedly had an influence on other believers. More on that in the later parts next week (Monday and Tuesday).

     I never tire of recognizing how one thing that God directs me to can lead to another. Sometimes the smallest thing that someone says can be a part of God giving guidance. Of course, I prefer the words and clear pointing in the midst of prayer. (Even better, would be a dazzling angel with directions.) God loves to network us together. We need to be sure we are listening very carefully. consequences can be negative and positive. Followers of Christ work to be positive and helpful, never tiring of doing good for others. This is how we show the four letter emotion that displays God's activity and character so well. Don't just spell it out, let it show the consequence of your faith.

Great God of all people,
You are the source and the ending.

Let our actions speak your holy unspeakable tetragrammaton.

May we more fully be like you and yours.

Show us those who need us.

We lift all our hearts to you for healing and wholeness.

In Christ, we pray. Amen

The Meek Don't Drive Tanks

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 New Revised Standard Version

 Do not fret because of the wicked;

do not be envious of wrongdoers,

 for they will soon fade like the grass,

and wither like the green herb.

 Trust in the Lord, and do good;

so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.

 Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him, and he will act.

 He will make your vindication shine like the light,

and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;

do not fret over those who prosper in their way,

over those who carry out evil devices.

 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.

Do not fret—it leads only to evil.

 For the wicked shall be cut off,

but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;

though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.

 But the meek shall inherit the land,

and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

he is their refuge in the time of trouble.

 The Lord helps them and rescues them;

he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,

because they take refuge in him.

Reflection 

     This beautiful Psalm illustrates the very important insight that Jesus did not reinvent or supersede
the wisdom of the Hebrew Bible. The connections with the Beatitudes, that are currently the Gospel texts for last Sunday and this coming Sunday, are obvious. These passages even serve as a helpful expansion of what Jesus means. The feeling of refuge for the downtrodden and weak is clear. Things will not stay the way they are, hope in God is not put to shame.

     We have to remember and live out this attitude of patience for God to act. It is in our faithful waiting that we can participate in the necessary change. If we aren't pushing ahead and doing our own thing, we can see what God is doing and follow in line. We don't go first. The wicked and greedy push ahead and push over. They drive tanks and conquer. The meek inherit the land. This means that the meek don't drive tanks and also that the wicked are done for. (You only inherit when the previous "owner" is dead.) Being meek means that we submit to God's plan and God's ways. We follow God's rules of loving everyone. It is not weakness, but quiet and contentment.

God of all,

We find it hard, most days, to be anything resembling meek. Teach us to be comfortable and rest in your action. Guide us to work for justice inside of your peace and with a gentleness that shows your loving respect for all life. This day, help me to listen and wait for you. In Name of the Great Shepherd, I pray. Amen. 

The Base of the Trunk

Psalm 1 (NRSV)
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Reflection

     If you have ever gone tubing or kayaking, one of the most beautiful and interesting things to see are the trees planted by the water. Large structures form at the base of the trunk where wide roots fill on the plentiful water. The leaves above are flourishing and spreading out into a thick canopy. Here is where the image we know contrasts with the image of the Psalm. The leaves don't fall off! What a comforting image in dry times when the trees shed their leaves in stress or in cold places where deciduous trees stand as bare stick skeletons (right here, right now!). What a delight, indeed, to think and dream in hope for not only the warm days ahead seasonally, but also the eternal aliveness of those who follow in the Way of the Lord.

     This Psalm connects so easily with the power that we all know in water. From turbine-turning flow to the majority of our body makeup, present in the lush rainforest and scarce in the desert, our favorite drink to the ice we might slip on. Splashed or dunked in the rebirth of baptism, answering Nicodemus's question of "how can this be?" The Spirit makes it happen through water. It is above and below, anew and a fresh start. Easily discoverable and yet it is precious.

     We are drawn up in the spiritual scoop of our maker, dripping and overflowing with the love that makes us ebb and crest. We know that is song, this image is for us to recognize the danger and dryness of disobedience and the fragility of the windswept dusty place where we try to go at it all alone. The teachings of Jesus are our watery lifeblood that hold us down and root us in the right place.

Prayer

Let us be, O Lord, a beautiful planting, displaying your presence and showing your goodness at work in us. Enable us to inspire others to live more fully within your Way. May we show the path to the water. May we, in the spreading of your love, peace, and forgiveness quench this thirsty world. Grow us up to be evergreen stewards of your Creation in all seasons and times so that we can turn this climate crisis around. In the ever-living Name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

     

Go deeper:

[Check out this musical version of Psalm 1]

Reflection by Bishop James Hazelwood

Stealth Mode

Acts 9:19b-25
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.  At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

Reflection

     In the picture for today, Belle is in stealth mode. If you look carefully, you can find her. Yes, she is known to hide for naps. This was taken after she popped her head up. Before that, she was almost entirely invisible. She is also really good at playing  the second role of hide-and-seek. Belle, of course, can cheat and use her nose. 

     Today's portion of Saul/Paul's story involves a dramatic switch from power mode to stealth mode. Was the opening in the wall a known window or opening like many artistic representations, or was is a secret? I can't help but think about the crafty goodness of people along the Underground Railroad. Yes, this is surely when the rebellious part of our nature makes God smirk and feel a sense of pride at our persistent ability to subvert evil, rescue and escape to fight another day. Sure, when we are organized and together, we can take on darkness and evil head on, but oftentimes we need to be sneaky and careful. In fact, I wonder if we do not take Jesus' words enough to heart ("Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves"). We should be sure that we have stealth mode or preaching mode at the ready to outsmart the greedy and the wicked, the corrupt and the hypocrites.

Prayer

God of our living days, 

Bring us peace in truly knowing you, passion in faithfully serving you, and contentment in diligently following your Way. Teach us to love our enemies and increase in us wisdom to live, work and play in ways that perpetuate your goodness. Empower us to advocate for those who are oppressed and betrayed by injustice. Give us grace to work hard and ethically for the betterment of your Reign. Show us ways to be better stewards of Creation. In the Name of Jesus, your Son, our Lord, we pray. Amen.