Second Sunday in Lent 2012, Year B

By Raphael Ra (Flickr: Bluford 20 Steller's Jay)
[CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Today's gospel reading is Mark 8:31-38.  In light of the content of Saturday morning's post, you might imagine how hard this reading hit me.

I read Sunday's readings on Saturday night, after writing my earlier post about neglecting Bible study.

My first reaction, to Mark 8:31-38, was what a horror it would be to have Jesus ashamed of you.  Right on the heals of that realization, was the thundering awareness that verse 38 implies that one cannot separate Him from his words, and that, on some level, being ashamed of Him and his words might just be what I had written about shortly before. Not directly, not overtly, but in terms of neglect.

The General Confession in The Book of Common Prayer includes admission of sins committed by "what we have done, and by what we have left undone".  I love that. It doesn't let you off the hook.  It requires true examination of conscience, and confrontation of responsibilities.

So then, as usual, I have some amending to do this Lenten season.

With joyful gratitude for the grace of Christ which washes us clean through faith, I pray you have a blessed Sabbath day.

Pax Christi,
~Michelle

This is Part two of a series.
Part 1 is here.
Part 3 is here.

~~~~~~~

The remainder of today's readings are here (RCL), here (Catholic), and here (Greek Orthodox).

The General Confession, Rite II, Book of Common Prayer, 1979 {PD}:
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Lest we forget the absolution:

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all your sins 
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all 
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us 
in eternal life. Amen.

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NOBH
and

Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth? ~ Reflections on this Sunday''s Reading (Anglican Lectionary)

Second Sunday after Epiphany, Year B
You'll find this week's gospel reading at the end of this post.
                    ~~~~~
"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"...

It gets me every time, that line. Popular prejudices almost diverted one as good hearted as Nathaniel, from recognizing the Messiah.

How much more am I predisposed to judgment and blindness?

Nazareth was not a well regarded place.  Surely nothing good, honorable, valuable,...holy...could come from there.

Living in California, we are surrounded by a multitude of cultures and socio-economic groups. Prejudices abound.  I suppose that it is true that every prejudice comes from somewhere...but every prejudice is not validly apply to every member... or perhaps, even most members...of the group against which it is levied.

What good things am I, ...are we, missing by allowing prejudices and assumptions to cloud our vision?

I'm not going to pretend that it is not true that sometimes, generalizations are protective.  There are parts of Los Angeles that I had best not travel in when we head down in that direction, and that is just the truth.  Gang style clothing means something.  It is a dangerous world in which we live, and, egalitarianism is all well and good, when there are not children to protect. But, automatically applying prejudice to individuals without thought, is also a great danger.

I am commanded to love.  Jesus did not spend his time with the upper echelon of society.  He extended his love and service to the lowest of its members.  It's a constant tightrope for me, making safe choices...shielding my daughter from people who will not make the best associates for her...but fulfilling the commandment to love one another.

I suppose part of the answer is that, while Nathaniel made an assumption, he then opened his mind, and found a treasure.  When he discovered that his assumption had been incorrect, he dropped it...and gained the whole world.  So, one had best not drop her assumptions indiscriminately, but, still, drop them hard and fast, after careful analysis, when they need dropping.

The reading this week focuses on the calling of the disciples.  Jesus has been born, he has been revealed to the world, and now he gets to work.  The time is short, and he has much to do.  He calls the chosen to follow him.  He calls...us, to follow him.  It is up to us to drop our preconceived notions...about ourselves, about others, about what it is that we ought to be about...and respond to that call.  There is much to be done friends...let's keep walking!

~~~~~~~~~~

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." ~ John 1:43-51

Pax Christi,
~Michelle

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Reflection on Sunday's Reading: What's With all the Bowing?

Some Christians, especially Roman Catholics and Anglicans, bow their heads briefly every time they hear the name of Jesus.  Did you know that?

Photo: Public domain, click for license

Here is why:

Philippians 2: 9-11:

Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bend, in Heaven, and on Earth, and under the Earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.

The name of Jesus is powerful.

I suppose that Christians who do not follow these types of practices may feel that they are “man made” or “religious posturing”.  It is my experience, though, that these types of practices are consistently rooted in the word of God.  They can bless the life of a Christian, if used authentically and meaningfully.

By bowing our heads at his name, we are pledging ourselves to him; we are declaring that he is Lord.

Bowing one’s head at the name of Jesus has a rather pragmatic effect; it fosters paying attention.  It also draws one in to the hearing of the Word in a “full body” way.  We actually insert ourselves, body and soul, into the hearing.

Tipping one’s chin toward one’s chest is all that is needed.  Traditionally, men removed their hats and tipped their heads.  Oh that one might witness that today, but alas, we live in a different age.

Today we celebrate The Feast of The Holy Name of Jesus.  Being eight days after Christmas, it is the day of circumcision, on which a name was given.  That’s why Philippians 2: 9-11 is the epistle reading for today. 

Photo: Jastrow, click for license

In the Middle Ages, the name of Jesus was written: IHESUS….so, the emblem of the Holy Name is: IHS.  I have often heard people mistakenly identify this emblem as meaning, “In His Service”…which is not a bad thing to have an emblem for, but…IHS is not it.

It's one of the primary things that draws us together as Christians, isn't it...calling upon his name, calling him Lord?  Therefore, let us reflect upon his name on this day, the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.  He is Lord.

Wishing you a marvelous week!

Thursday is Twelfth Night; Friday we enter the season of Epiphany.

Pax Christi,

Michelle

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Reflection on Sunday's Reading, Advent 3B : What are We Waiting For?

Image: {{PD-1923}}-published before 1923 and therefore public domain in the US

John 1: 


"There was a man sent by God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and the world did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become the children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.


And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (v. 6-14) "

John the Baptist again. We can’t shake him can we? He is a persistent Advent visitor... 
Let's keep listening in on St. John's the Evangelist's tale, shall we?...

"John testified to him and cried out, This was he of whom I said ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me’. From his fullness we all have received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (v. 15-16)….


 …'I am the voice crying out in the wilderness; make straight the way of the Lord.'(v.23)…


 …'I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.' (v.26)"

 ~~~~~ 

Among you. 


Did you catch that?

Among you…stands one whom you do not know.

Can you imagine it?

Almighty God. Creator of the Universe. The very one who fashioned the human cell. The one through whom quarks came into being. The one who envisioned waterfalls and coral reefs and ….daisies. And made them happen.

Among his creation.
Standing there, in flesh and blood.

Photo: Nick G., click for license

Like us.

Born of a woman, to work for his dinner and sweat and laugh and…hit his thumb with a hammer, maybe.

And touch countless people with hope and healing and...life,... through his earthly ministry.

And take upon himself the sins of the world, in a rather gruesome fashion.

For us. His creation.

It’s remarkable; have you thought about it?

Really…it’s remarkable. We stand in awe, don’t we?...When we really think about it.

~~~~~

He’s almost here…He’s already been here…He is here….
He’s coming again.
We really ought to sweep off the doorstep and polish the mantle…of our souls…. And think about what a wondrous gift it is… What a wondrous gift He is. Don’t you think?

That’s what Advent is all about. 

Preparation…and… Wonder.

Frantic, formidable….

Majestic Wonder.

He stands among us. Do we know him?

Do we know him?

~~~~~

God Bless you in your Advent preparations.
May our Lord touch your heart and soul.
May you carry Him there.

Pax Christi,
~Michelle

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Graceful: Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday

Reflections on Sunday's Reading: Advent 2, Year B (2011)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the son of God, as it is written by Isaiah the prophet"

"I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way-

a voice of one calling in the wilderness;

'Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight paths for him'.

~Mark 1: 1-8

It’s Advent, week two…John’s week.  

Here we are, each year, resting in the peaceful glow of our first Advent candle…

                              

  ……pondering the delicacies of gold ribbons on evergreen, straw in mangers, and twinkling lights…

And he shows up. 

....With the locusts.  And the camel hair clothing.

Honestly.  It's a bit exasperating.

He doesn’t quite fit.

He’s like a low grade on a midterm exam.  Or a missed stitch in an afghan that was going swimmingly.  He butts into the bliss.  

‘This is serious stuff.  Not to be taken lightly’, says John.

HE is coming. 

…The Prince of Peace.  The Lord of Hosts.  YHWH. The son of God.  

The Christ.

Are we ready?

Do we hear him?  Do we hear John?

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:....

“Prepare the way of the Lord.  Make his paths straight.”

This is serious business.

Pax Christi,

~Michelle

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Deep Roots at Home

Image: {{PD-1923}}-published before 1923 and therefore public domain in the US

Sunday's Reading; Advent 1, Year B (2011)

Mark 13:24-37

Jesus said to his disciples, "In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see `the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

"But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake-- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.

~~~~~~~~~

I don’t know much about eschatology, ....or apocalyptic speculation (other than the fact that this passage advises us not to engage in it)…but, I do know that there is a lot to watch out for, in our generation.  I also know, firsthand, with a daughter on the precipice of adulthood, that our time with our children is short.

• Out-of-wedlock births in the United States have risen sharply, now accounting for 41% of  babies born last year.  (CDC, Atlanta 2011).   
• Forty-three percent of US children live without their father (US Department of Census).  
• An estimated 20.4 million people in the United States used some kind of illicit drug in the past 30 days, according to the latest government statistics.  
• 1.2 million babies were ripped from their mothers’ wombs in 2008 (Guttmacher Institute, 2011).
• Young people are expected, by a large segment of their peers, to engage in physical intimacy outside of the marriage covenant, and early in relationships, even when the “relationships” aren’t emotionally intimate....

~~~~~~

There is mistletoe in our oak tree.

Can you see it there?

We’ve known it was there…for years, actually.  It’s been weighing on us, in the backs of our minds.  But, removing it is such a hassle.  And, it’s not that bad.  And the tree is so enormous, that we’ll have to get a professional to get up there, so there is expense involved.  I’m sure, given more time, I could come up with more reasons to delay addressing the situation.

Despite its reputation for Christmas kisses, mistletoe is horrible stuff.  It can suck the life from a grand old tree.  It will, if you let it.  It starts small, and is hard to find, because it blends in.  The more you have of it, the more difficult it is to differentiate the parasite from the authentic tree.  Gradually, it spreads throughout the tree, until, it seems, you have more mistletoe than oak tree.  You can lose trees that way.  

~~~~~~~~~

Modern society is like that mistletoe.
Our children are emerging into a forest of choices. 
Many of them are dark and troubling.

The passage into, and through, adulthood will not be easy.  It is incumbent upon us to equip them for the journey. 

 We must teach them to “keep awake”. 


We must teach them to be on guard against a society that is not God honoring.  We must teach them to “watch” for associations that will not facilitate their growth in righteousness.  

Habits form early.  When children grow up in observant homes, they drink in what occurs around them.  Our hearts follow our actions.  We become what we do.  

“Lex orandi, lex credendi”

As we pray, so we believe.

There are no guarantees.  Our children have their own hearts and minds, but, by immersing them in a home filled with sensory experiences of prayer and worship, of the sacred, we give them patterns for living that will serve them well.  

So, keep your observances rooted in a relationship with God and his Word, but don’t be afraid to keep them.  Make sure that children experience the cycles of the Christian life.   Teach them all the ways in which the traditions and observances of the church are born of, and immersed in Scripture.  Make it meaningful.  Make it Christ-centered. What children see, smell, and hear stays with them, and informs their current, and future, thoughts and decisions.  Go ahead and light the candles, sing the hymns, bake the nativity cake with your children.

They’ll need a firm foundation.

They need all the pruning and bolstering they can get.
'Keep awake; the time is short.'

~~~~~~~

Pax Christi,

~Michelle