Looking to Easter

     These comments can also be found in the Bible Study section.  In looking at Luke 4:14-15, we see that these two verses tell us about the beginning of Jesus' ministry.  He had a great sense of God's spirit and power as he returned to Galilee.  People started talking about him.  Jesus began teaching in the synagogues and Luke tells us that he was praised by everyone.

      A brief interlude before opposition began.  Jesus, of course, was always loved by more people than he was hated.  But those who disliked him had the power and the disposition to work for his death.  At this point, that is three years or so in the future. 

     As this is written, it is the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter.  It seems strange to look back in his ministry and see a time before controversy, before any talk of opposition and crucifixion. 

     In the musical, Jesus Christ, Superstar, there is a haunting song that Mary Magdalene and the disciples sing after his arrest.  They ask the question, 'could we start again, please?'  No doubt, as the slow weary day after the crucifixion passed, their thoughts did turn back to the time when the reports were all good.  They considered the excitement of getting to know this remarkable man.  How amazing to think he wanted them as disciples!  They thought that, now, it had all come to this...his agonizing death upon a cross.  Judas, who might have found forgiveness for his actions, could only despair and take his life.  The rest of them hid in fear, depression and grief.

      But as it turns out...the good beginning was outshone by the glory of Easter.

Lent

     The word, Lent, comes from an Old English word, lencten, which simply means spring.  Historically, Lent was a somber time, penitence and grief being emotional hallmarks.  For this reason, purple is the traditional color for church altars.  While people speak of 40 days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter is actually 46 days long.  The reason is because Sundays are not included in the count.  Lent is a somber time to focus upon the cross.  But Sundays have always had a celebratory nature--Christians never forgot that on the first day of the week, Jesus rose from death and lives eternally.  Every Sunday is, in a sense, an Easter. 
     Lent is a time of preparation.  In computer terms, we get a chance to check old files and try to clean them up.  We can hunt down viruses disrupting our functions.  We can explore aspects of our operating system that make our lives easier.  We don't have an undo button for our lives, but we can examine, offer the negatives up to God, and ask for help to start afresh (and God always speaks our language, is always available, and the number is local). 
     Blessings to you all.

Good Companions

     I was once told of a young woman who spent many hours screaming at construction workers starting a job with which she disagreed.  Afterwards she went in to nurse her baby and the child died.  It was the conviction of the person who told me the story that the woman's anger and hatred had somehow produced something toxic in her body, which affected her baby.  I don't know if that's possible, but I have seen hatred poison lives in other ways, and poison society as well. 
     Apathy isn't the answer.  Empathy, action, service and love point us in new directions with possible solutions.
      Paul wrote to the Philippians that if there is anything true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable...if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise, we should think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)    Perhaps in other words it could be said that if we're going to give anything rental space in our brains and our hearts - it ought to be something worthy of spending time there.  If we spend enough time with such valuable companions, our lives will reflect it also.
    

Summer Thoughts

     What kind of tree would you choose to be? 
     That's the question posed by a devotional I recently read.  When polled at one church, one person said an evergreen, to be green year round.  Another said an oak, to be strong and sturdy.  One young girl suggested she'd like to be an apple tree, so she could produce fruit.
     The question appealed to me.  I liked the idea of producing fruit.   I also liked the idea of being green year round.  So I considered orange trees.  One disadvantage is that they can only live in somewhat mild climates.  But they stay green.  They produce healthy fruit that will hold for a long time.  The orange peel is useful in making cleaning products and in naturally scented items.  And they have a lovely perfume when they bloom.  Those same blooms are used traditionally for happy occasions such as weddings to celebrate the commitment of two people to love and support each other through life. 
     Then I wondered...would I be a Valencia orange or a Navel.  The Valencia ripens in the summer and its juice can be stored refrigerated or frozen.  Navels are great for eating, but when juiced it has to be drunk quickly or it turns bitter.  Yet Navels come ripe in the winter, when other fruits are more scarce. 
      I liked the idea of bearing fruit in the winter...that is, being fruitful when the environment doesn't easily support being fruitful.  I don't like the idea of bitterness if held too long before consuming. 
      No one tree holds all the qualities I admire most. 
      Perhaps we can choose what qualities we appreciate in the trees around us...and seek to emulate them in our daily lives.  We won't do it perfectly, but there's value in aiming high and striving hard.

End of the World?

     So the end of the world comes today?...or the beginning of it anyway?  Haven't heard of any mysterious disappearances so far.  That's okay.  I'm satisfied to leave all that in God's hands, far better ones than mine.  In the meantime, Lord, what do you want me to do?  How do you want me to share your love?  What service do you want me to perform?  How can I and my fellow church members be builders of the kingdom? 
    Whether it be for five minutes or many years, may we each be found faithful at our task. 

Peace

     The biblical understanding of PEACE is not just about the cessation of violence.  It is a vision of wholeness.  We need peace, not just in the world but in our souls as well.  Where are our areas of brokenness?  Have we given God all the pieces?  How can we be harbors of peace for others?  How can we be builders of peace in the world?  Let us begin with prayer that includes both words and commitment to action. 

Beautiful Flowers

     Our Choir Director posted some incredibly beautiful pictures of his garden on his Facebook account.  Some of the flowers (Foxglove, if I'm remembering the name properly), he had planted also in the church garden - seedlings last year and they are beginning to bloom again.  In seeing something beautiful, there is a wonderment in the complexity God has created.  Colors, shapes, textures, and times, not only in plants, but in people as well. 
     Pass the word - GOD IS WONDERFUL!