Rich, strange, and wildness

The Revelation to John 4:1-11 (NET)
After these things I looked, and there was a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said: “Come up here so that I can show you what must happen after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit, and a throne was standing in heaven with someone seated on it! And the one seated on it was like jasper and carnelian in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emerald encircled the throne. In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white clothing and had golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaring and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God, were burning in front of the throne and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.

In the middle of the throne and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.  The first living creature was like a lion, the second creature like an ox, the third creature had a

face like a man’s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying. Each one of the four living creatures had six wings and was full of eyes all around and inside. They never rest day or night, saying:

“Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God, the All-Powerful,
Who was and who is, and who is still to come!”

And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the ground before the one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crowns before his throne, saying:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
since you created all things,
and because of your will they existed and were created!”

Reflection

     This weird, wonderful and wild book of Revelation gives us image after image that is difficult to process sterilely. Even the most imaginative art work usually comes up short from the specific otherness of the Sacred text. This wonderfully spiritual work is a tremendous vision or set of visions. Many people have tried to take the numbers, characters, and descriptions through a subjective detective work or reverse allegory into a meaning for today. Let's be real, though, how often have you had a dream or a vision and it is really hard to both describe or receive in full! The detail, the vividness and the mysterious contrasts all mean something. It is all relative to what it means for you, your family, and for us as a people in this point in time. Yet, this Revelation is timeless and written in a time.

     When I read this Word for today, the first thought that came to me was a question--why doesn't Christianity celebrate more of its rich, strange and wildness? Even the most charismatic worship service that I have ever seen or been a part of, pales to this small set of verses. Yes, Revelation makes up a lot of the liturgy. What I mean, rather, is that even "non-liturgical" worship has a rhythm and a pattern. And, what we do is once a week for about an hour. I thought, we are not ready. 24/7 worship of this level of richness is so far beyond where even the the most authentic church is at!

Lord, enliven us from our boring and static patterns. We who are witnesses of your amazing Resurrection from the dead, show us the vibrant Way of giving you glory, honor, and praise in all ways and in all days. Amen! 

What is Your Favorite...

Luke 24:13-35

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Reflection

     Many years ago, a close family friend shared a discussion that happened. Somehow they got on the question of "What is your favorite holiday?" The youngest son gave an unexpected answer. He was always adventurous and curious. With his age and appetite for fun, I think we all figured he would answer Christmas. Instead he responded that it was Easter. His mom asked for more details. He relayed that Christmas seemed to drag on for over a month. Easter on the other hand, seemed to be more his speed. Jesus arose from the dead with a big celebration all around and then,... you can move on. 

     Yes, we like to move on--particularly if it was something difficult or emotionally draining. We like to move on even if it was something good. Okay, what's next? The Road to Emmaus marks that tremendous time when the disciples were processing what it meant to move on from what they had experienced and what they had heard might have happened. The truth has always been something that you need to be a bit more patient in order to fully discover. Putting new truths into action requires the integrity to hold yourself into the change of accepting new information that is better and truer than what you knew before.

     So, Easter has always been a long season of celebrating and letting it sink in. No, it isn't culturally seen as 50 days of rejoicing, but it is. The highest and most significant of holy times doesn't pass in a moment, but demands that we consider what has died and grieve it. Then turn to fully realize the new life and the living hope that is abundantly piling up. Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

Great God, we praise you for the gift of Resurrection life that we know in Jesus. Thank you for coming into our time and bringing us an everlasting truth of your love that is always with us. All praise to you alone! In the Name of the Blessed Trinity, we pray. Amen.

Taken Aside for the Truth

 Luke 18:31-34

Then he took the twelve aside and said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Humanity by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be handed over to the Gentiles; and he will be mocked and insulted and spat upon. After they have flogged him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.” But they understood nothing about all these things; in fact, what he said was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Reflection

     I am sure we all have had one of those moments when a friend or loved one has to whisk us
off to share quiet words as an aside so that we don't make a foolish statement or highlight an embarrassing situation. Not for the purpose of gossip, but so that we are aware of the relational pot-hole and can avoid it. Of course, some of us frequently stick our foot in our mouth or realize too late that we have been more transparent than those standing close to us are comfortable with. Yes, somethings are better left unsaid. Some truths are too painful to talk about just yet. Consideration and kindness are very important. Judgy Christians do not help to spread the love and joy of our Christ Jesus.

     Yes, this yearly tour through the life, teachings, predictions, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus helps us because we have a bad memory. We quickly forget what we figured out, and we have a hard time understanding the deep but simple love of our God. How can God love us so much when we clearly don't deserve us? How can you be killed, Jesus, and still be with us?

We thank you God, that you don't require us to fully understand your magnificent ways. you know that on a good day we barely scratch the surface of your goodness. So much love runs deep and wide. There is enough for all and for all time. We praise you great God and we lift our concerns to you knowing that you listen and respond,... In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.