What are YOU looking at?

Acts 1:1-11
[Luke writes:] In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”


Reflection:

"What are YOU looking at?" --I am sure we have all heard this at least a few (hundred) times! It is so easy to be paying attention to the wrong thing. Sure it can be a bad thing or perhaps a bit embarrassing, but it is not something you want to hear from two men in white robes. If they can keep their robes so clean and white, you don't want to mess with them! Clearly they are also powerful because Ascension Day comes before Memorial Day, and they are daring to wear white! (Yes, 1930's, you can have your class based rule back.)

I wonder if the power and primacy of this passage and this day are too often missed. Distracted, confused, or just plain missing the point, don't we often stare off where God was? Yes, certainly it is understandable that they were watching Jesus float up into heaven with their incredulous looks and gaping mouths. BUT, Jesus had given a directive--"You will be my witnesses..." The words of mission and purpose to them carry through to us. "YOU will be a witness for Jesus." You, a disciple, go make disciples. No, it does nothing to keep looking on. Nothing is happening there any more. God is now working IN you. The body of Jesus left so that we wouldn't be lazily loving God's presence. God invites us to put our love and devotion to work, to the test, to the job at hand around us. We don't wait for God to act. We are in the part of our spiritual education where God has said, "There, now you do it."

As I write this, the mass shooting of a class of Fourth Graders and two school staff in Uvalde still weighs heavy on my heart. Clearly, we have not done enough to keep our children safe. How now do we, do YOU witness to keeping these little ones that Jesus entrusts into our care safe? I know they are not geographically near us, but it could just have easily happened here at Fairview, Fishing Creek, Hillside, Highland, Newberry, Red Mill, Rossmoyne, Washington Heights, or... Elementary Schools.

Leaders in the media that are calling for gun safety and help for troubled teens are both right. Mental health and gun safety are both areas of massive need! Volunteer and speak up. Give love and share kindness. 

It makes no sense to have more safety laws on cars than guns--cars are made to move people and dangerous things might happen. Guns are made to kill. Another big statistic not obvious in this school shooting is that guns are most commonly misused in suicide. I wonder if that wasn't the intended end for Salvador, "suicide by cop." 

Dear Jesus,

We lament with the families of Uvalde and all those affected by mas shootings. This grief and pain is sharp and it clings heavily and without end. We turn to you, our Risen and Ascended Lord, you defeated death and show us life and love. We are thankful for your embrace and your tears with us. We praise you for your eternal promise to catch, keep, and rescue that none are lost to you. We lift before you those who have died... We remember them in your love and trust in your promise to be reunited with them, looking forward to that day. Give us patience and peace in troubled times. Unite us in our concern for one another. Let the wisdom of careful logic and cooler heads prevail in longer term considerations. Teach us to better teach and share what it means to love and care for one another. Guide us to be a richer and more connected community for one another. In your precious Name, we pray. Amen.

The Good Ole Days and the Golden Era

Acts 15:36-41  New English Translation

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are doing.”  Barnabas wanted to bring John called Mark along with them too, but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. They had a sharp disagreement, so that they parted company. Barnabas took along Mark and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and set out, commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers and sisters. He passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Reflection

     The days of "The Acts of the Apostles" was such a great time in the church. Many believers might imagine that time longingly as the Golden Era when the church was its greatest. The Spirit moved through the church. All the sermons were fresh. The miracles were powerful and the forces of sin and death were falling left and right. The Saints and Martyrs were wonderful and perfect in every way. Haha. Yeah, that last sentence needs an edit. The Saints and Martyrs were a lot like us. They did good things, full of the Spirit. Sharing the Good News makes a huge difference in the lives of others. However, this passage should inspire us to see how sometimes even the best leaders among us need to work through their differences. We are all flawed and still beloved creatures of the Creator. They agreed to a separation. There was a personality
clash. For the sake of the Gospel, they decided it would be best to part ways. Please note also that they each needed to have a partner. This God stuff is not a solo venture.

     As much as we might like to think back to a time and label it as "the Good Ole Days," this does not apply to the church. The best time to be the church is now. We are able to use even more technology. We are able to connect, network, and use resources from all over the Creation. We are able to be inspired and learn from places where the church is growing (The Global South!). Europe and the Americas can learn more than just a thing or two. People still search for meaning and need to hear our understanding of  "Christ is Risen."

     Also, if there is a parting of company that had to happen in your life, let this little bit of Good News help you come to a fuller reconciliation--forgiving yourself and the other so that you may all move on and be at peace. The gift of peace is the work of the Risen Jesus' Spirit. Take it in and let it move you to a new place of life and hope!

Risen Jesus, release us from all those memories that hold us back. Help us to see your scars and know that you still heal and you still know what it feels like to be where we are. We thank you that you are with us and that you lead us on. All praise to you and the Father, with the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Nessy, Crank it UP!

Psalm 148  New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the heavens!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
6 He established them forever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:

     According to a National Geographic article highlighting the latest scientific evidence, Nessy (The Loch Ness Monster) was likely a Plesiosaur. This marine dinosaur, though is not the only one being told by this Psalm to turn up the praise and celebration! All sea monsters are invited into giving glory to God! The Leviathan, whales, orcas, giant squid...all the creatures that our ancient siblings were terrified of, are asked to join in the singing and dancing! All of creation, all creatures, all made by the Creator are called up into the holy duty of joyful PRAISE!

     Did you imagine it. I did. What a funny image. Nessy strutting her long neck to the beat along with enormous tail flops by a blue whale came to mind. All creatures great and small, can you see it and hear it?

     The other day I was waiting in a parking lot for an order and a very loud bass beat kicked up and it wasn't hard to tell where it was coming from. A few people around a nearby car were dancing slowly to the monster boom dit boom datty boom. I saw a smile on the one woman's face. A little bit of joy on an ordinary day.

Great God, we lift up our hearts, minds, and  bodies to you. We praise you for your goodness. You are our God. Forever we will praise your great and holy Name! In that same author of love and life's Name we pray and praise! Amen and ALLELUIA!

Refreshingly Other

Revelation 5:1-10 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

     Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll written on the inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals, and I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
     Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered, with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne. When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to break its seals,
for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God
saints from every tribe and language and people and nation;
you have made them a kingdom and priests serving our God,
and they will reign on earth.”

Reflection

     You gotta give it to John of Patmos that when you need to have a moment of spiritual wonder, a devotional reading in Revelation is refreshingly other. It is like leaving this world into another. Daily struggles and to-do lists seem so far away when you are contemplating what the Holy Spirit is revealing to John (and thereby us). In this joyful Eastertide, it reads like zoom into a hopeful place that is beyond where we are and where we would like to be. Even if we aren't sure if we want to be too close to the terribly strange creatures, we can tell that it is not a horror story to be feared. It is a revelation of what will happen and what is happening.

Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Ghent

     It also continues to give anew. Even though we sing together in worship, "the Lamb who was
slain..." many Sundays, I was still struck again by the image of the standing and slaughtered Lamb. My mind at first imagined a rather gory and gross image. As I refocused, though, my mind realized that it was standing. This is not typical for a slaughtered animal. I have never seen a hunter or farmer's picture of an animal still standing after the kill. You also don't see someone who has been lynched come walking back into your dining room.

     Then there are the seven spirits. What are we to make of them? They are sent out into all the earth. They are also in a complicated description that links them with seven eyes and also possibly horns. I am pretty sure at one point I saw an artist depiction of eyes at the end of horns on the Lamb. I am not sure if it helps, but there is that definitively other worldly interpretation. The seven spirits before the throne of God are also mentioned in 1:4, 3:1, & 4:5. They connect to prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah 11, which Jesus claims as his own. They are the Spirit filling words proclaimed during the laying on of hands in Holy Baptism--The spirit of the Lord (1), the spirit of wisdom (2) and understanding (3),
the spirit of counsel (4) and might (5), the spirit of knowledge (6) and the fear of the Lord (7). Yet, there is one Holy Spirit. It also seems as though these seven spirits could be non-corporeal and yet angelic beings. Other worldly vision and imagination is required! Could this little verse explain why there are good things and good works done by others throughout the world, "outside" of what we see as the church.

Almighty God,

You are the source and the inspiration for all that is good and full of hope in this life. We give you honor and all the glory. Let all creation sing and cry along with us that you are our God. We fall down before you and await that day when we will fully and bodily join into the song circle around your throne! Alleluia and Amen!