On Conventions

CONVENTIONS

So conventional

Gathering powers to
confirm the intentional

Conventions for discourse
for institutions episcopal
clergy and laity
debating
inaugurating
singing and praying
often delaying
ultimately
waylaying
shalom

Conventions of power
for government leaders
politicians and  laborers
right and left wingers
a few radical singers
with awful one line zingers
void of WHOLE truth
all speak with one purpose
to sway the opinion
of Ms and Mr Minion

Only the anarchists
seem opposed to
conventions
which
might
herald
shalom

Lord in your Dominion
send forth your Spirit
Open the heavens
and pour out you
wisdom.


Come Wild Goose, Come.

Instead of conventions
of Human intentions 
Lead us
headlong
Into

Holy
Conferencing

That
sounds
much more
promising

Going Public

I'm launching into a new form of of public ministry.


Here is the introduction:

The discipline of ministry as a preacher requires time... lots of time... to read... mark... and inwardly digest the texts for the preacher first, as they speak to the preacher. Only then can the preacher continue to the next level and ask what the Spirit might be saying to others through the text.

Once I accepted the call to a public ministry of preaching which God extended to me, I fell in love with the whole process. During the four years that I served as solo pastor of a congregation I never tired of the preparation which included much time in prayer, and reflection. The joy in offering encouragement, food for thought, and a Word which others felt spoke directly to them never faded.

After nearly three years without a location demanding weekly preparation on my part, I have begun to fear I would loose the ability to think beyond the first level of personal application. With that also, is my fear of failing to employ the gift God entrusted to me, not for my benefit alone, but to bring healing, and hope to Gods' beloved people...You, whoever you may be.

This blog is written thinking of anyone who has been thinking that maybe there is something missing in their life, and that the thing that is missing can be found through the reading of the Scriptures of Christianity. I'm not intending to write sermons, nor am I writing to help other preachers. I'm writing for the inquiring hearts and minds of people looking for inspiration and authentic reflection on the texts that are used week by week around the world by churches that use the Revised Common Lectionary.

Whether you where once a member of a church or never even once have visited any Christian worship service but might want to do so now this will be a place for you to "hear" how a progressive Christian, an Episcopalian with a Wesleyan bent, reflects and finds relevance in scripture today.

It could only be enhanced if you and I met face to face from time to time. Only because the spiritual life as Jesus lived it was always a communion of friends, at table, at prayer, in the countryside and at the temple.

The Christian life is a life lived fully in community.

So find me every week at my new blog

Feast of the Holy Name

Sometimes I think we take it all too casually, but names really matter.  We have names that were given to us shortly after our birth, and we like it when people remember our name. Sometimes we get irritated when people give us nicknames, or don’t call us by the right name.

There are rituals for giving names. The details and variety are fascinating; too many to elaborate this morning.

Having a name gives a child a place in the community. A name gives identity. In some societies the name indicates the expected future course of events for the one being named, as it did in the ancient days of Jesus’ birth.

The name a child is given will be carried with him or her for their entire life. The name could inspire and bring life and hope or it could bring shame, sorrow or stigma throughout their life.

Do you know the story behind how you were named?

Is there some special story connected with your name in your family history?

Several years ago, I learned that my great grandfather’s family had a naming tradition which dated back to the revolutionary war. It seems that during the war Ethan Allen had occasion to stay in the home of my ancestors, and later he became a regular visitor in the home during his lifetime. The tradition was that the name the first born son would include the name Ethan. If the first born was a girl the child’s name would include a feminine version, Ethie.

My grandmother was Ruth Ethie Wilson. But sometimes people reject longstanding traditions. It seems that this was a tradition my grandmother had no interest in carrying on. It stopped with her. My uncle was named Richard Berkeley, and my Aunt was Barbara Eloise. I wonder if my grandmother pulled a sly one on her father when she named my aunt, only using the initial E?

I was named after my mother’s sister, my aunt Barbara, and my mother’s best friend in high school. When I was young, I was called BJ, until one day I began demanding that family use my given name. “No more nicknames! Don’t call me Barbie, I’m not a doll. Don’t call me barb, that’s my aunt”

I never took the time to learn about Saint Barbara, even though we lived in Santa Barbara for a period of time growing up. Not until one of my brother’s gifted Tim and I with a pair of Icons, one of St. Timothy and one of St. Barbara.

The other day I was once again reading the hagiography of Saint Barbara. Such a magnitude of martyrdom was contained within the short story I could scarcely imagine myself in the same place.

Living in the third century, Barbara was the daughter of a powerful and wealthy pagan man. The father loved his daughter so much he kept her locked in a tower to keep her safe from the dangers of the world. Her only contact with the outside community was through the tutors her father arranged for her as she grew to maturity. Eventually, however that protection worked against him. Barbara gained knowledge of the Christian religion through some of the tutors. While her father was away she managed to made contact with Ignatius and Valentine, as the story goes, by the providence of God. She accepted this new religion asking to be baptized in a pool on the premises of her father’s estate which he had built for her use, as well as giving instructions to workers altering her fathers original instructions to include a third window in the space, to honor the Holy Trinity.

Upon his return home, the discovery of some architectural changes were the first clues to her father that Barbara had converted to Christianity, and was set on a path of spiritual maturity.

His anger was so intense that after being beaten for her assertion of independence, she escaped to the wilds and took shelter in a cave in the region nearby. Her father did eventually regain custody of her. He demanded that the civil authorities issue a death decree for her paying cult to non-roman gods, even to the point of being her executioner. When her father regained possession of her, in spite of the love he professed which motivated his desire to protect her, in his rage he himself wielded the executioners axe which beheaded her and Julia, another convert to Christ, who sheltered and cared for Barbara while they hid in a cave. I am thankful for her life of faith, and more thankful that Jesus hasn’t called on me to pursue the life he called upon Barbara to endure.

It is more common now for parents in the US to either to choose a name of someone they hold in admiration or to go through lists of names looking for a name that  fits some specific criteria; does it sound good; is it unique; different; or resplendent with meaning;

Names resplendent with meaning, like the name announced by the Angels who appeared to Mary and Joseph, Jesus- the Romanized form of Yeshua, which means “Yahweh is salvation” where often given to children of the people of God’s covenant.

This morning’s gospel lesson brings to a close the Nativity narrative and fulfills all that was required of Mary and Joseph. We missed out on some of the best parts of the story the way the lectionary has started and stopped. We miss out on Simeon and Anna’s encounter with Mary and Joseph, following the circumcision and naming at the temple.

But we cannot miss the testimony of Joseph’s trust in God, demonstrated through his very public act of circumcision. Joseph could have performed the circumcision anywhere, but he made a point of doing the circumcision where the community would be able to see him. In this public act, any concern Mary may have had about what the future held between her and Joseph, was removed. By performing the two rituals in public Joseph made clear to onlookers that he accepted the child as his own. By naming him Jesus he also demonstrated his trust in and faithfulness to God.

Circumcision was a sign of belonging to the covenant people of God. God made the covenant with the people of Israel, not because they were best or worthy, but because God chose them.

Did you know that circumcision was not always conducted at infancy? Just as Isaac was circumcised as a teenager, this was an early tradition of God’s people. In fact, often the circumcision wasn’t performed until the time of Marriage, and it was performed by the father-in-law.

The Hebrew word for father-in-law literally means circumciser

But today’s gospel lesson makes an important point to the people in Judea, and to the listeners of the early church, as well as to us.

Luke tells us that in the case Jesus, he was circumcised at the time of his naming, and through this account we see the faith of parents demonstrated in through their fulfillment of what was instructed to them before the birth.

The emphasis on the use of the name confirms a spiritual truth, while the circumcision itself holds a social function. Commentators Richard Rohrbaugh and Bruce Malina, say that the circumcision could have been performed much later. Joseph’s performing the circumcision on the eighth day conveys a message of acceptance of the child before the baby can begin to demonstrate his character. Joseph unconditionally accepted the baby and followed the instructions of the angel.

For Mary, the concern about any stigma regarding the conception of her fist born has been nullified in the ritual. Together, Joseph and Mary respond to the Angelic instructions with obedience. While they are still within the Temple Precincts the parents receive not just one, but two prophetic announcements of assurance that Jesus will live into the name that has been bestowed upon the little boy child.

What is this holy name that has been placed on the child?  The Hebrew name meant Yahweh is savior.

Savior. What a heavy burden this little baby has been given to carry throughout his life.

The work of God’s coming to be among humanity began in the very common and usual ways any child would have lived in Judea. Only the name he was given at birth was a clue to the work that lie before him when he became a man.

Through our baptism we have each been given new names. We each bear the name of Christ as part of our identity; that special name; Christian. The identification as Christian reflects our being one with Jesus Christ, anointed and claimed by God as one of his own.

As Paul wrote to the Galatians “In the fullness of time, God sent his son.”  God sent his son to reveal the love the Heavenly Father has for us. From that mystery of incarnation we receive faith by faith; that we would experience the completeness of being in Christ. Each of us, have the capacity, by the grace of God, to be bearers of Christ into the world.

Sometimes the name we have been given isn’t good enough. It is incomplete in meaning or leaves the bearer feeling insignificant. In those cases it is for us to give a name and identity, a name that will fill the person with the awareness of God’s abiding love for them.

This is the work God invites us to share, in the example of Jesus as Healer. Our work is a work of reuniting God’s children with God. We can speak new life into being through the words of God. The work of including all people into God’s covenant people is work that removes the mark of insignificance and marginalization. This is our work, joining Joseph in naming and authenticating the children of God.

Today the significance of our feast is recognizing God’s profound love for humanity, that God is Salvation.

“Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: Plant in every heart we pray, the love of him who is the savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ: who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen (BCP)

 “So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.” Galatians 4:4-7

“After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” Luke 2:21

Preached January 1, 2012 for St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Apple Valley, CA

Advent 1 Sermon

Introduction: One of the most public actions I engage in is the act of proclamation of the Word. It is my privilege and honor to be allowed to serve at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church as a lay preacher. Since the summer of this year Fr. Paul Price has given me a regular place in the preaching rota, once every six weeks. 

Sermon preparation is one of the great joys, and challenges in my ministry. Each set of lessons brings new opportunity to learn more about the WORD alive in the text and at work in my life. The reward of preaching comes from the comments that follow. It amazes me that the messages which I am led to preach regularly draw confirming responses from the hearers. NOT EVERYONE every day, but enough each time I preach to confirm that God has been in the product. Even comments from people who feel afflicted by the message, disturbed or irritated with the direction the message took provide confirm of the rightness of my ministry.

Straight out of seminary I employed a strict pattern of manuscript preaching . I found over time, thanks to frank feedback from my most beloved and favorite pew sitter, my husband, that I needed to loosen up. Breaking away from the pulpit came first. But still, I found that the task of crafting a sermon, putting it into manuscript form, left me feeling so invested in the text itself that I wasn't allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to infuse the message of the day. Reading a book, The Jazz of Preaching helped me gain both self-confidence and faith in the work of the Holy Spirit as I engage in the ministry of preaching, from preparation to delivery. Since leaving my first full time pastoral call/appointment, I have increasingly moved away from intensive written preparation. 

This week was an exception. Although I prepared the sermon word for word, I then took the sermon and reduced it down to outline points, and trusted the delivery to the the Holy Spirit. Following preaching, I've made minor adjustments to the manuscript to reflect how the Holy Spirit worked in the moment.  

 Scripture Texts Here

Parousia

Here is one of those 25 thousand dollar words

Parousia

The common mans language in much of the early church was Greek. The educated men of the Roman Empire learned to read and write Greek. The Hebrew Bible was translated and used in Greek. The Apostle Paul most likely also had access to the Septuagint, and most certainly wrote to the Church in Corinth in Greek.  It is for this reason that Seminary education has included instruction in Greek, so that Biblical Scholarship can be pursued using the manuscripts of the early church.

Parousia denotes active presence. The parousia of the gods in the Hellenistic world denoted a helpful appearance. In Hellenistic Philosophy the word was used to indicate an invisible presence of the gods at sacrifices. According to The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, “The Hebrew linguistic world view is more concrete.” The Hebrew word refers to a long tradition of theophanies and judgment. It referred to the expectation of the arrival of the Messiah, God coming as World King. In the Hebrew Scripture God is experienced in sleep through dreams as well as while awake. Experiences of pillars of Fire, visitors to one’s abode, as well as dreams all are ways that the Hebrew scripture refers to the presence of God.

Our reading in Isaiah today speaks of this sense of the word parousia:

“When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.” Through the writing of Isaiah, the Word tells us of times in the lives of the people of Israel when God was experienced as presence, and then felt to be absent from them. They anticipated the perfection of God’s rule over the world.

The psalmist writes of the experience of God’s absence from the community and the feeling of separation from God, as he writes “you have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.” The image is a sharp contrast from our Eucharist of the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.  Even still, the psalmist asks for something better in the future. In the request there is a tone of hope as he asks “but let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom  you made strong for yourself. Then they will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name.”  In this we can hear the longing for the Messiah, the one we know to be the Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, Christ Jesus.

The continuing question of the perfection of God’s rule is the question that the disciples in Palestine were asking Jesus about. This is where chapter 13 in Mark begins. The disciples want to know when, and how will they know that the “the Day of the Lord,” in other words, the end time, has arrived.

Todays’ Gospel lesson is the conclusion of the discourse of chapter 13. As usual, Jesus’ answer feels more like a riddle than anything concrete. Rather than revealing any clear answer of timetables, he concludes with a simple instruction; “Stay awake.” He gives no concrete answer for knowing when to expect or experience the parousia.

In our present age there are many who go around warning of the coming Judgment, the end of the age. Because parousia is a rich word, with multiple understandings, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that there is more than one way in the Church universal to interpret the significance of parousia. Those churches which don’t hold to the tradition of celebrating a season of Advent are more likely to look to the “Day of the Lord” as a fearful event. Their interpretations are based on scripture, but centered upon the Book of Revelation. They speak of the coming of Christ as a fearful event. They ascribe to a theology of Apocalyptic thinking which raises up images of horrible suffering. Some even engage in a form of death wish thinking. They personally have no fear of nuclear destruction because they see in it the end of the world and the end of the age, thus bringing in the time when Jesus reigns in Glory.

A picture, like this {Al Haring’s E=MC2}to these followers of Jesus is not read as a prophetic warning to change our warring ways. It troubles them not, but it is troubling to me that they look upon this something that they might actually desire to facilitate. For Christians with this mindset, tensions between Arabs and Jews in Palestine are something they would sit back and encourage rather than seek to encourage resolution and reconciliation.

How is teaching and expectation in the Episcopal Church different?

I believe that within the Anglican tradition this picture serves as a reminder of the human potential for sin and self-destruction. For myself, I see that it presents the risk of the ultimate failure to care for all creation, to honor the sacred value of every person and thing that has been placed in our care.

The Apostle Paul writes of the hope that he has in seeing the people of Corinth. Paul writes of their waiting for the parousia; “the revealing of our Lord Jesus.” In this passage he tells them that they are already in possession of real presence through the work of the Holy Spirit, in their being a part of the fellowship of God’s Son. It will continue to strengthen them so that they will be found blameless on “the day of the Lord.”

Jesus’ instructions to the disciples at the end are what we need to pay heed to; “Keep awake.”  This isn’t a literal command; it’s a spiritual command.

How do we keep awake? We set seasons in our calendar for preparation.

The season of Advent is preparation time.

It is a time to prepare our hearts by self-examination.

While the world says “buy, consume, spend,” we have options; one is the option to choose to ask for less or ask for nothing material.

While the world says “it’s all about having the best, newest, largest, (or smallest)” we have the option to say “I have enough, thank you. I need nothing, give a gift in my name elsewhere.” and then include gifts for people you’ve never met in person on your wish list. You could ask for a well, a flock of chickens, a house in Haiti, or a “net for life.”

We prepare for Christ’s coming in glory each week as we come to Holy Communion. We say: “Be present to us in the breaking of the bread.” And receive the instruction “feed on him in your hearts by faith.” 

We prepare for Christ’s coming in glory each week as we come to Holy Communion. We proclaim to the world our belief in Christ’s presence experienced through each of us as the corporate body of Christ. Through the myriad actions we engage in we prove or disprove the claim. Our work, our play, our charity, our acts of service and compassion, our political behavior, our shopping, our speaking, and our worship are all “presence of Christ”

Episcopal priests are fond of say that praying shapes believing. I suggest we need to be intentional to complete the cycle of faithful Christian living: praying shapes believing; believing shapes doing. Archdeacon reminded us last week that we have all received the “diakonia of all believers” at our baptism.

There is no doubt that stores and radios will flood the air this season with holiday songs. Not very many of the great hymns of Advent and only a few of the Carols and Hymns of Christmas will be given audition in the next four weeks.

The feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra as well as his tradition has become obscured by the greater popularity of Santa Claus and the elves which help fuel the consumer economy of the present age.

We can choose who we will use as our models for giving this year. We can choose the Three Kings who searched for Jesus & the Bishop of Myra who served Jesus giving to the needy. Through these choices we can bring Jesus Christ back to the center of our preparations and celebrations of Christmas.

Santa Claus can and does hold a place within the gift giving season as the almost transcendent and mysterious bearer of gifts. But we can choose to restore Gods’ position as the giver of all good gifts. God, transcendent and immanent; God made known through the revelation of the Son, Emmanuel, Jesus, Prince of Peace, King of Kings.

Jesus’ instructions to the disciples at the end of the passage are the critical message we need to pay heed to; “Keep awake.”  This isn’t a literal command to seek after insomnia. This is a spiritual command to remain alert to the world around us and consequently respond appropriately. It’s time for us to turn the messages of the world upside down.

I think it’s time to supplant the messages of the media.

What if we started singing songs like this?

You better watch out, you better not cry

You better not pout, I’m telling you why

Jesus Christ is coming to town.

He sees you when you’re waking

He knows when you’re asleep

He knows when you’re behaving

Like an onry stupid sheep.

You better watch out, you better not lie,

Always love your neighbor, this is why

Jesus says he’s present in them.

I want you to know there’s nothing to fear

Jesus loves you, he’s holding you dear.

Jesus Christ is present always.

We call upon our Father

in Heaven as we pray.

We ask him to pour blessings

On the bread and wine and us.

When we eat the bread, and take from the cup

Jesus Christ comes into our hearts

So trust in him and do your part.

I want you to know there’s nothing to fear

Jesus loves you, he’s staying quite near.

Watch for Jesus everyday.

“It’s okay to pout, it’s okay to cry
That is reason Jesus came to live and die.
Jesus Christ knows our fears and our pain.
Still, Jesus loves us with our frail ways.” ^

The season of Advent is preparation time.

It is a time to prepare our hearts by self-examination and response to the prodding of the Holy Spirit which is the regenerative force in our lives. It is the Holy Spirit which makes manifest the presence of Christ in the world today, and we can choose to reject or fulfill the advice of the Advocate which Jesus has sent to guide us in our daily life.

Preached 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM, November 27, 2011 – St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church
^ added December 22, 2011 

Small things

Do you sometimes wonder if small things make an impression?

Experience proved, once again, that people do connect actions and remember.

Our household has a special affinity for St. Francis of Assisi. We have quoted his admonition to a young monk often as a part of our work representing Habitat for Humanity to churches as we were seeking partners for the building projects in Apple Valley and Orange County, CA. Those words, “preach the gospel every day and if necessary use words” remind Tim and I that many times the only message that people hear are the messages of action.

A year and a half ago, when I began the work as director of outreach for St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, I was looking for information about the community. I went to the Town of Apple Valley website and checked out the community events. It just so happened that the Summer Concert Series was just kicking off. In 2010, it was possible for a community group to rent a venders space to be present at the event. We could distribute information about the work of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), hand out bottled water (a simple reminder of the relief work that was done in Haiti following their earthquake), and receive donations for ERD’s work. Our members had a good time coming out each week. We gave away about a case of water each night and sent in a small donation of about $45 at the end of the six weeks.

Fast forward thirteen months.

Recently Tim was in a conversation in Apple Valley at a public venue. His conversation was interrupted by someone who overheard him give the name of our church. This woman said “oh, that’s the church that gave out water at the summer concert last year isn’t it?” Tim’s reply, “well yes it is!”

Today’s gospel message about the judgment of the nations reminds us that every person is a vessel, and Christ considers each person served the same as if we served him. Living with this idea ever present is living out an incarnational theology.

You are always a public person.

Bear the light of Christ in all that you do.

Being a Wesleyan theologian

I have to say, with no regret, that The United Methodist Church was where I once belonged and learned new ways to serve, and responded to God’s call to serve as a pastor. Then I was moved to leave the United Methodist Church, returning to the denominational home of my youth, the Episcopal Church. 

I still rise to the defense of John and Charles Wesley, in an effort to maintain historical accuracy.

Every once in a while a statement will be made by someone that claims the work of John Wesley was something other that what the historical record indicates.

Most often two statements are made, both of which seriously misrepresent what the John and Charles Wesley, and the “Methodist movement” was all about.

1)      John Wesley “started Churches.”

2)      John Wesley “left the Church of England to start his own Church.”

The diaries and conference minutes of the movement called Methodists records that the Wesley’s were in fact involved in a movement to form “societies for spreading scriptural holiness.” The supervision of lay preachers was performed by Priests of the Church of England. The admonition to commune often was an admonition to attend worship and Eucharist in the parish churches of the Church of England or another House of worship, not a call to Eucharist in the Methodist Meeting Houses.

John Wesley never left the priesthood of the Church of England.

He did recognize however, that the only way for Methodists living in the colonies of North American to be supervised and maintain a Christian fellowship following the revolutionary war was to provide an independent structure complete with priests and Bishops. (True, he took it upon himself to appoint "superintendents" and those men went on to establish a new line of Bishops. The quality of the Apostolic succession might very well be in jeopardy because of that. I am not one to judge that issue.)

His ministry was always under public scrutiny. He ruffled feathers and found himself dis-invited from the pulpit of many churches in the United Kingdom. That is the price he paid for caring intensely about the souls and bodies of the working class. He held fast to the motto "The world is my Parish" and that rallying mission statement has been taken on by many a man and woman, lay and ordained since his death.

Two years and two months ago, I began to discern a movement in my own life. The Holy Spirit had been working on me since July of 2007 when I participated in the Wesley Pilgrimage conducted under the leadership of General Board of Discipleship staff. For the most part I have remained pretty quiet about the sum total of reasons why returning to the Episcopal Church was where I felt the Spirit leading me. 

Outside of the intimacy of my Lay Discernment Committee and individual face to face conversations I have made no big public pronouncements about the return to my Anglican Heritage. Eventually, I will share more, but maybe that will remain one of those posthumous discoveries now only place within the covers of my journals. Perhaps some great something or other descendent will find the story, long after I have gone on to join the saints in glory. 

Today, I am eight days from the beginning of a course of study with I affectionately call finishing school, at Bloy House which really is called Anglican Studies.

So, now there are new questions to explore as I return to school, to undertake the Anglican Studies which will prepare me for priesthood in the Episcopal Church. I look forward to exploring many questions, some things publicly and some very privately. Will I remain influenced by the Wesleyan concerns? Will I be a "Wesleyan" Episcopal Priest (whatever that might actually mean)? Will the Holy Spirit open up new ways for me to understand God’s call for me to serve both parish and the world? 

The BIG QUESTION is:

Where will God's Spirit call me to serve as the hands, feet, ears and mouth of Christ in the ever expanding Kingdom of God when I complete the course of study?  

For now,  I am filled with a sense of peace and hope as I anticipate the rigors of theological education. I have been privileged to share the support of a great many people and am unable to avoid the responsibility which also leaves me open to the scrutiny of family, friends, and my faith community.

I depend as always, on the prayers and support of good friends in Christ for this leg of the journey. 

Shalom, 

Barbara

 **I attempted to jump the hoops of UMC ordination and learned that I was a star peg, trying to fit in a round hole. Too many points that seemed to protrude and irritate the gatekeepers along the way. 

Post Resurrection Doubt

In the aftermath of the single most important piece of world news, just one week into the Easter season it is a poignant echo of the ancient post resurrection story. If you don’t know the text or remember the story, allow me to paint the image.

Thomas, filled with grief following the death of Jesus, could not stand to be in the company of the other friends. Given the remarkable news that Jesus had been seen following that dark Friday, his response was disbelief. Men were executed by the Roman Empire with such frequency, the results were impressive. That Thomas doubted that any one who had been “hung on a tree” could be seen walking and talking three days later places him among the reasonable and rational of his time. If it were me in his place, I can’t say with certainty that I wouldn’t have been demanding to “feel the holes in his hands and feet” also. In fact, it seems to me that disbelief about the reported resurrection of his crucified teacher was a normal reaction. That, of course, has been the continuing challenge of faith for people of all ages. To suspend reason and logic and to allow the experience of the Holy Spirit to speak a witness to our heart is the very essence of the Christian journey.

The parallel to our world news is a collective case of doubt.

Ever since the news reports of the strategic forces operation and announcements of the death of Osama Bin Laden, people clamor and call for evidence. It isn’t enough that the government has reiterated the deliberations that led to President Obama’s authorization of the maneuvers. Around the nation, indeed, even around the globe, the reverberations of doubt continue to raise a call to see pictures. The report of conclusive evidence obtained by military leaders and attested to our Commander in Chief hasn’t proven satisfactory or sufficient.

“Do you not believe, Thomas?”

I can only wonder what emotions drive these calls for pictures. I fear that the basest of all emotions is driving many of these calls. Blood thirsty warmongering is infecting our ability to trust the testimony of our military. That we have paraded the remains of past high ranking enemies for photo opportunities is a shameful argument. I can only say shame on us.  Shame on us, that we need to resort to the tactics of the Roman Empire.  Shame on us, that we debase ourselves by needing to view the carnage and risk further inciting our enemies. Shame on us that we have sunk to the level of having no trust in our government’s leaders of both the military and executive branch to imply this motive of withholding the pictures is proof of collusion to manipulate future elections.

Let us merely breathe a sigh of relief and pray with all sincerity that with this successful mission accomplished we will begin to see a shift in the minds of extremists of all forms throughout our world, and that the reign of God on earth is increasing within our own time.