Lent 5: Justice and Peace and Dignity

 In Lent we are looking at the many ways the Baptismal Covenant calls us to serve Christ in each other. Fellowship, prayer, repentance, evangelism, and service are all ways to show and share the love of God. Jesus told his disciples, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)

The final question in the Baptismal Covenant asks, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Striving is a word that we don’t hear much now. In fact, it often has the negative connotation of causing fights. The root of the word is from the French estriver and estri, meaning to quarrel. However, it also means endeavor or try really hard.

We are called to work for justice and peace. Sometimes that can seem like an overwhelming task. There seems to be so much injustice and violence in the world. Certainly, we are confronted by it daily in the news and social media. We know about the least little disturbing event in the farthest corner of the world almost immediately. Probably there aren’t more awful things happening than years and centuries ago, we just know about all of them. And we are bombarded by the various ‘spins’ that politicians and social media impose in an attempt to influence our minds. We have to be careful what we believe and who we follow.

When we are rooted in the promises of the Baptismal Covenant, we have a roadmap for Who to trust and how to respond and act. O Zion Haste (#539 in the Episcopal Hymnal) gathers much of the Baptismal Covenant into beautiful word. As the hymn suggests, when we are engaged in our mission of sharing the story of peace, redemption, release, and love we are in fact our “mission high fulfilling.” 

O [Christians], haste, your mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light,
that he who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.

The hymn ends with the stanza that calls us to Proclaim to ev'ry people, tongue, and nation/ that God, in whom they live and move, is love;/ tell how he stooped to save his lost creation/ and died on earth that they might live above. The refrain tells us how to do this proclaiming Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace,/ tidings of Jesus, redemption and release. We are to tell the Good News of God’s hope and love even, and especially, in the face of injustice, war, and dehumanization.

You can hear the words on YouTube, along with some lovely images:

The Christian church has not always done a good job of proclaiming glad tidings without driving rough-shod over those we are sharing the Good News with. Much evil has been done in the name of religion and continues to be done. We can repent that history and strive (that word again) to do better in our lives and work.

In the Gospel this Sunday (John 12:20-33) we hear of some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” These Gentile (non-Jews) want to know more about Jesus, just like much of our hurting world does. Jesus responds that the disciples must lose their life in order to live fully dedicated lives. He says, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Too often we don’t want to lose our life—to give up control of the result—in our work for and in God’s Beloved Community. We forget we are seeds being planted and may never see the fruit. The seed is changed and dies so that a new crop can sprout. It’s human to want to make the outcome the one we want, even in our work for justice and peace. However, not everyone has the same definition of justice or even of peace. My way may not be the best way to accomplish a birth of justice or peace. I may think I am respecting someone’s dignity, but due to cultural differences, I may accidentally be insulting them. All we do must be done in and for Love, nor for recognition or gain.

As Philip does in the Gospel, all we need to do is introduce people to the true loving God who, as we heard last week “so loved the world” that Jesus became incarnate and lived a human life. Next week is Palm Sunday, then Holy Week, when we hear of the triumph and tragedy of Jesus’ final days on earth. He kept love as the hallmark. We would do well to do the same.

Where am I being asked to die to control so that something new might be able to sprout?

How might I live so that God’s love is seen in my life as an invitation to see Jesus?

Prayers for Christmas Eve Weekend: Peace

 Advent 4 falls on Dec. 24, so today we have the Advent prayers, plus prayers for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Use this offering however you feel led. May you have a holy and joy-filled Christmas.

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

 Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

Blessed Jesus, born of our sister Mary, the first and most perfect disciple who fully accepted the will of God and acted upon it: Give us the faith to accept your will for us and the strength to carry it out, to the honor and glory of your name. Amen (Women’s Uncommon Prayers)

 Blessed are we, the fearful, though we long to be people of peace.

We can’t lie: we are afraid.
Afraid there won’t be enough—enough resources, enough time, enough memories.

Blessed are we who ask you for wisdom. Show us what to turn from, what to set aside.

Come, Lord, that we might see you, move with you, keep pace with you.

Blessed are we who ask that this Advent we might dwell together quietly in our homes.

Come, Lord, that we might be for others the peace they cannot find.

Blessed are we who look to you and say, God, truly, we are troubled and afraid. Come govern our hearts and calm our fears.

Oh Prince of Peace, still our restless selves, calm our anxious hearts, quiet our busy minds. (The Lives we Actually Have/Kate Bowler)

 Shepherd of Israel, may Jesus, who is Emmanuel and son of Mary, be more than just a dream in our hearts. With the apostles, prophets, and saints, save us, restore us, and lead us in the way of grace and peace, that we may bear your promise into the world. Amen (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)

Christmas Eve

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

 Jesus, this is the great inversion I would not have known had you not appeared and made yourself small.

Jesus, I would have been satisfied with the God who moves mountains and whose breath imparts life but who never cried in his mother’s arms.

The world whispers to me about what must be done. About empires and war. About efficiency and strength, but there you are.
A refusal.

Your fragility, a witness.
Your dependence, an invitation.
Your cry, a reminder.
Our finitude is not an embarrassment, because neither was yours.

Blessed are we when we see love, at long last, in every small and tender thing, stealing into our world to change us all. (The Lives we Actually Have/Kate Bowler)

 Holy One, come this night.

Open my heart to the brightness of your love.
Release my fears and revive my hope,
that I may rest well and rise to share your love. (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)

 

Christmas Day

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born [this day] of a pure virgin: Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

 Most gracious God, for our salvation you were born and manifested in a human body: Help us see your likeness in women and men of all nations, races, and cultures, that we may rejoice in our diversity and live together as one; in the name of your Child, our Savior Jesus Christ, given to us this holy day. Amen (Women’s Uncommon Prayers)

 God, this is a kind of magic the way this day shines so strangely, how it sparkles beyond our understanding.

(Yes, it was a disaster the way the food turned out this year and how what’s-her-face said—I told her not to—what shouldn’t be repeated. Again, this year.)

But, somehow, this day never fails to awaken a longing to love well—or at least better—all those here with us, and those far away, and to remember with gratitude those now gone, gone, gone and missed.

What is this mystery?

Our God, who set the world spinning, should come down for this one reason:
to love us into newness.
Not for gain, nor our capitalist fantasies, but for the hope so freely, lavishly given that we might learn to see, feel, and live Christ’s love.
Thank you,
Christ the Giver and the Gift.

Amen (The Lives we Actually Have/Kate Bowler)

 Light of life, you came in flesh, born into human pain and joy, and gave us power to be your children: Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us, so that all creation may sing new songs of gladness and walk in the way of peace. Amen. (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)

 

Where Two or Three Are Gathered: Monthly Litany for Peace

All are invited to join in prayers for peace,
on the third Wed. of each month, starting Dec. 20 at 6:30PM
at the Cathedral of St. John (318 Silver SW, Albuquerque).

It will also be streamed on the Cathedral Facebook page (stjohnsabq). 

There is a potluck at 6PM, if you want to join in fellowship before the service.

This service is open to all who seek peace.
"Where two or three are gathered" God is present. 

 

Blessed are the Peacemakers

 We are nearing the end of the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. After looking at the poor in spirit, the mourning and meek, the merciful and pure in heart, we come to the line that says blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Peace can have many meanings. We can have a peaceful day or a peaceful view. We yearn for peace that is an end to war and division. As the image notes, we can offer peace to someone else by our caring. We want to have peace of mind and pray for the peace of God.

Jesus says that peacemakers will be called children of God. I am reminded of the old hymn They Cast their Nets in Galilee* by William Alexander Percy. The hymn notes that the “peace of God…filled their hearts brimful, and broke them too.” It ends by reminding us “The peace of God, it is no peace, But strife closed in the sod. Yet, brothers, pray for but one thing—The marvelous peace of God.”

Peacemaking requires action. It requires casting nets and sometimes leaving them for a new way of living. Peacemaking is heartbreaking work because it can require all our heart in order to make a different way. Peacemaking can be exhausting when there seems to be no peace to be found. In a world of pandemic, division, injustice, and threats; peacemaking isn’t easy. The good news is we aren’t alone.

Laurie Gudim in the February 7 edition of Episcopal Café notes, “We’re staring at empty nets after a long night of fruitless fishing. This Pandemic is really taking it out of us. We are weeping for lost loved ones. We are struggling against uncertainty and confusion, helpless to figure out what to do next…”

She continues, “into the middle of our exhaustion and our gloom, here comes that guy, that Christ – that uncomfortable splinter of holy perspective we have never been able to dig out of our hearts. “Do it again,” he says. “This time go out into the deep water. Cast your nets there…Do what you are good at, what calls you. Yes, cast out your nets. Again.”

Peacemaking means never giving up, continuing to cast our nets. Gudim states “he is calling us, and so we go…We just go because he has said to go, and we throw our nets into the sea one more time.” Perhaps this time the nets will find a harvest of peace, of understanding, of hope, of love. In fact, Gudim promises, “We are not alone, we are not lost, and we are overwhelmed with abundance….He has a job for us. There is no getting around it.”

Peacemakers cast their nets to encompass the good and holy dream where the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them (Isaiah 11:6). That often means confronting whatever it is that is preventing peace. Peacemakers, like prophets, name the evil and work to cure it. Only in the hard work of striving for peace and justice can we bring about "The dream of God is that all creation will live together in peace and harmony and fulfillment. All parts of creation.” (Verna Dozier)

Br. Woodrum, in the January 2021 meditation referenced last week, reminds us, “Jesus' gospel message was that we were all created in the image of God, with the capacity to mirror the same loving-kindness that is God’s essence, that is chesed. We show this by following his example: by being merciful, engaging each other with compassion, listening to each other intently, and when necesssary asking God for the courage to speak truth to power.

Shane Claiborne in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals says this: “Peace is not just about the absence of conflict; it’s also about the presence of justice…true peace does not exist until there is justice, restoration, forgiveness. Peacemaking doesn’t mean passivity. It is the act of interrupting injustice without mirroring injustice, the act of disarming evil without destroying the evildoer, the act of finding a third way that is neither fight nor flight but the careful, arduous pursuit of reconciliation and justice. It is about a revolution of love that is big enough to set both the oppressed and the oppressors free.”

We are called to move forward as bearers of peace and justice to bring the Kingdom of God more fully present each day. 

Can you ‘hand someone a bit of peace’ and ‘mirror’ God’s chesed’ today?

What part of the work of the Dream of God are you called to participate in?

Are you ready to join the ‘revolution of love’ Claiborne talks about?

Advent: Hope

 This Advent season we are looking at Kindness, Peace, Joy, Hope and Love as ways to make space and create ways to empower change that builds Beloved Community. We’ve seen that Kindness is a way we can create a space and offer understanding. Peace and Joy are linked to Gratitude and Vulnerability which are also ways that we can be open to change in our lives and in our relationships.

This week, we consider Hope as the core of how God relates to us. Walter Bruggemann says, “hope is the conviction, against a great deal of data, that God is tenacious and persistent in overcoming the deathliness of the world, that God intends joy and peace. Christians find compelling evidence, in the story of Jesus, that Jesus, with great persistence and great vulnerability, everywhere he went, turned the enmity of society toward a new possibility, turned the sadness of the world toward joy, introduced a new regime where the dead are raised, the lost are found, and the displaced are brought home again.”

Richard Rohr adds, “’Come, Lord Jesus’ is a leap into the kind of freedom and surrender that is rightly called the virtue of hope. Hope is the patient and trustful willingness to live without full closure, without resolution, and still be content and even happy because our satisfaction is now at another level, and our Source is beyond ourselves.”

It’s hard to live in a time of un-knowing, of wondering when the ‘other shoe might fall’, of not having an end in sight. This COVID-tide over the last two years has made us all live in that uncomfortable space. Yet, in the midst of the worrisome, crazy-making, and even fear inducing news we are bombarded with, we can find Hope. We can look at ways to as Bruggemann suggests, to ‘turn the sadness of the world toward joy, introduce a new regime where the dead are raised, the lost are found, and the displaced are brought home again.’

How do we do that? By small actions. By supporting local charities that minister to those in our midst who are lost and displaced and afraid. By reaching out to victims of disasters. By looking at the larger picture of root causes of hunger and homelessness and division. By being the Kindness, the Peace, the Joy, the Hope we are looking for.

The Rev. Phil Hooper in the week’s Episcopal Church AdventStudy reminds us that Mary’s Magnificat was, and is, a song of Hope. He also notes that “Hope is the song of empty karaoke bars, of late nights and of last dances, of a husky voice crying out a melody to defy the encroaching night. It is the song one sings under the breath, an insistent memory, perhaps, or a reassurance on the lonely walk home. It is the warbling note that has no obvious splendor other than its defiant insistence to be heard. The hope-song is not elegant, but it is faithful. It is honest. It is the song one offers up when the song is all that’s left to offer.”

As this year, like last year, drags to a close with pandemic restrictions still in place, and new variants rising, we may feel that there is little way to find or give hope. Phil Hooper adds that we need to tell ourselves, “I will sing though I am weary, though I am frightened, because in the singing I place myself within a story, not just a circumstance. I sing a song of victory, not of victimhood. I am a teller of hard truths and I am the bearer of hard hope, the type that survives—it is my people’s hope, and my own.”

I am reminded of the hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow, here sung by the Georgia Mass Choir.

What song of hope and victory can you sing to challenge the powers that deny kindness, peace, joy, community, hope and love?

Hooper suggests writing your own Magnificat. You may want to try that. (Mine is here.) Or you may want to offer a bit of time, talent, or treasure to a ministry that offers hope in this time and year round.

In the well-known Thirteenth Chapter of 1 Corinthians St. Paul notes that Faith, Hope, Love remain and the greatest of these is love. Next week we’ll look at Love and how Love holds within all our kindness, peace, joy and hope.

Advent: Peace

 During Advent, we are looking at ways to empower one another to live lives of Kindness, Joy, Hope, Peace, Love as we prepare for Christmas. Last week we started with Kindness. This week we consider Peace.

Peace is a word often used around Advent and Christmas. Think of the hymn “Silent Night” where the Infant is invited to “sleep in heavenly peace” or the song “Let there be Peace on earth this Christmas” or…name your own favorite. We are told that the Holy Babe is the Prince of Peace.

What exactly is ‘peace’? The dictionary says it’s freedom from disturbance or a state where there is no war. Freedom from conflict of all kinds sounds nice, but is it enough?

The Letter to the Philippians offers another perspective. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

The peace of God is characterized by rejoicing, gentleness, thankfulness, and prayer. It is expressed in honorable, just, pure, and excellent living. As Micah 6:8 says it is To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

I don’t know about you, but I want that kind of peace. The Kingdom of God peace that is joyful and just, merciful and grateful. Sounds rather counter-cultural, especially when the secular creed for the pre-Christmas season is to want, acquire, spend, and maybe think about the less fortunate by donating some money or toys.

What might we do to promote God’s peace?  

The Rev. Lucy Strandlund, in this week’s sermon from the Episcopal Church Lent study Bible Study: Advent 2 (C) – December 5, 2021 – The Episcopal Church notes, “the prophets were encouraging people to return to God, to care for the vulnerable, to be restored in relationship with one another, there were surely then, as now, competing voices for the people’s attention—voices of power, greed, despair, or complacency that were louder than the prophets’ call.” She goes on to note “John [the Baptist], answers in Luke 3:10 when the crowds ask, “What then should we do?” by saying, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”...the crowds flocked to him, hushing as they approached and listening. In his words, they heard restoration, justice, and hope.”

How do our words and actions speak restoration, justice, hope?

Remember, the peace of God looks different than the world’s peace. The hymn which starts “They cast their nets in Galilee” (William Alexander Percy) ends by saying, The peace of God, it is no peace,/ but strife closed in the sod,/ Yet let us pray for but one thing—/ the marvelous peace of God.*

John, and other prophets who proclaimed the need for and way to the Peace of God were not always honored and were often killed. As Standlund reminds us, no matter who is proclaiming the peace and justice and mercy, “It is the voice of God who continually invites us all to return, to care for the vulnerable, to be in relationship with one another.”

Is there a way you can proclaim God’s way of Love and Peace this week? It may be that you (and I) need to first “Stop intentionally for an hour this week from the busyness and meditate on where you can find the voices of John and Jesus through the noise.”

One way to do that might be to sit with this image of the cross. Remember that the Prince of Peace born at Christmas died on a cross. What price, what cross might you be called to pay in order to offer and proclaim ‘Peace’?

Or sing (or read through) the hymn thinking of the cost to each of the men mentioned in it as they followed the Prince of Peace and proclaimed God’s Love.

*They cast their nets in Galilee/ just off the hills of brown;
such happy, simple fisherfolk,/ before the Lord came down.
Contented, peaceful fishermen,/ before they ever knew
the peace of God that filled their hearts/ brimful, and broke them too.
Young John who trimmed the flapping sail,/homeless in Patmos died,
Peter, who hauled the teeming net,/ head-down was crucified.
The peace of God, it is no peace,/ but strife closed in the sod,
Yet let us pray for but one thing—/ the marvelous peace of God.

Next week we'll look at Joy. 

A Time for War; A Time for Peace

 Since Pentecost we’ve been looking at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. We traveled a long way, from birth and death to weeping and dancing to losing and being silent. Last week, we considered how love and hate both impact our lives, and how the greatest of these is love.

The final phrase speaks of a time for war and a time for peace. The Rt. Rev. Michael Hunn, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, stated before the election that politics and democracy are not supposed to be like a war. He said, “It’s not winner take all [like in the Super Bowl or World Series or battle].”    

In his acceptance speech, President-Elect Joe Biden quoted other leaders who said similar things. President Abraham ended his First Inaugural Address in 1861 by saying, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

History tells us that his words did not stop the bloody Civil War where brother fought brother, and left deep wounds that are still felt today. However, as the online Pulpit Commentary says, “The second clause [of Ecclesiastes 3:8] has to do with national concerns, and touches on the statesmanship which discovers the necessity or the opportuneness of war and peace, and acts accordingly…the lesson intended is this--that man is not independent; that under all circumstances and relations he is in the hand of a power mightier than himself, which frames time and seasons according to its own good pleasure. God holds the threads of human life…Koheleth [author of Ecclesiastes] never denies man's liberty, though he is very earnest in asserting God's sovereignty.”

We say that we believe God is ultimately in control. As Julian of Norwich’s famous quote from Revelations of Divine Love says, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” As humans we may sin by killing, tearing down relationships, sowing hate or causing grief. However, in the end, God promises that we can find peace in our hearts. God has the final say.

Wars have been fought for territory and for greed. They have been waged to gain or keep power. There have been conflicts because of conflicting ideology. There are even plenty of wars mentioned in the Old Testament. Divisions caused by differences can run deep-deep enough to cause rage and ultimately war. 

In contrast, both Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3 promise, God will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war.

This powerful image of the bronze sculpture "Let Us Beat Our Swords into Ploughshares" by Soviet artist Evgeny Vuchetich is in the North Garden of UN Headquarters. It was presented to the United Nations on December 4, 1959 by the USSR. The sculpture is meant to symbolize man's desire to put an end to war, and to convert the means of destruction into creative tools for the benefit of mankind.”

Psalm 46: 9-11 tells us God makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Our day-to-day lives are not meant to be lived at war with each other. We don’t need to fight over ideas or skin color or who is right. Instead, we should look to the God of love who makes wars to cease and commands us to love your neighbor as yourself.

The National Cathedral has been using the Prayer of St. Francis (make me an instrument of your peace) since early October. You may want to add this to your prayer time, too.

Where can you make peace today?

In what way can you listen to someone who has differing views?

Next week is Thanksgiving. Take time this week to consider some of the blessings of the past year. It’s been a wild ride in 2020, but there are bright spots. Look for those! 

Conflict resolution

Since June we’ve been looking at life in the early church as told in the Book of Acts. There has been persecution and imprisonment, even death of some of the apostles (Stephen and James). Paul, former persecutor of the church, has become a valiant evangelist and traveled all over Asia Minor with the Good News. Many Gentiles have been converted by his witness and most of the church rejoices. However, “certain individuals came down from Judea [to Antioch] and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” (Acts 15:1)


This demand creates dissension in the church. “Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.” The men travel to Jerusalem where they are welcomed and “all that God had done with them.” Then “some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.’” (Acts 15:4-5) These believers were upholding the ages-old Jewish tradition of circumcision as a sign of being a member of the saved. Wisely Peter and the other leaders met together.

Eventually Peter says, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15:7-11)

After Paul and Barnabas tell of the conversion of many Gentiles, James offers his view. “Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.” (Acts 15:19-21)

The leaders write a letter that is delivered to the church in Antioch by Paul and Barnabas with representatives from the Jerusalem council, Judas and Silas. “When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. When its members read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believers to those who had sent them.” (Acts 15:30-35)

Soon Paul and Barnabas decide to “visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” (Acts 15:36) However, there is a disagreement between the partners over John Mark. “The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." (Acts 39-41)

We often think that the early church was always in agreement. This chapter shows that there was disagreement among the leadership and even the busiest evangelists. Through it all the Gospel was preached and the church grew. I recently learned that every September 21 is the International Day of Peace established by the United Nations in 1981. As citizens of the Kingdom of God and of the world, we should work for peace rather than dissension. Seeking to get along with one another at work and home may not seem to have much global impact, but each act of peace is an antidote to violence and anger.

In his Letter to the Romans, Paul counsels "Live in harmony...so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all." This is part of his chapter long appeal to the church at Rome to live as One Body. (Romans 12)

We can easily get distracted by the superficial disagreements between people in our churches. Someone wants to try doing something a different way and we become fearful and angry like the party of the Pharisees at the Jerusalem council. “That’s not the way it’s done,” we may fume. However, like Peter and James, we can also look at the change as a place and way God is acting.

Have you ever felt threatened when someone started a new ministry or changed the way an existing ministry is done? Did you refuse to participate or did you look for the presence of God in the change?

God is ever changing. I recently read a quote by Choan-seng Song. (Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Theology and Asian Cultures at the Pacific School of Religion and acting minister at the Formosan United Methodist Church in San Leandro, California) He said, “God moves in all directions: God moves forward, no doubt, but also sideways and even backwards. Perhaps God zigzags too … God goes anywhere a Redeeming Presence is called for. “ -. Perhaps we need to be willing, like the early church, to go in the direction God is going, even if it appears to be backward or in a zigzag route.

Next week, we’ll see what happened to Paul on his further journeys. When we join God's plan, your lives will not be dull.  

Christmas Eve--Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men

The story of the birth of Jesus didn’t end with his birth of course. God shared the news with others. The first to come were the humble and outcasts of society. Shepherds were among the least in the society of Israel. Even though the shepherds near Bethlehem raised the lambs for temple sacrifices, they were still on the fringe of society because of their job. The smell of the sheep and the long hours in the fields didn’t help.

Luke’s interview with Mary continues.

LUKE: Was it quiet after the Baby was born?

MARY: (smiles) For a while, then we had some unexpected visitors.

LUKE: Who besides the innkeeper knew where you were?

MARY: God knew and sent men to help us understand that this seemingly normal baby was really a Child who would change the world.

LUKE: What do you mean?
MARY: Well, it was such a normal birth and in a stable. All babies are miracles but Joseph and I both expected something more, I guess. Maybe we thought there would be trumpets or another appearance of angels. (pauses) We didn’t see angels but the shepherds around Bethlehem did.

LUKE: Shepherds?

MARY: You know that the fields near Bethlehem are where many of the lambs for the Temple sacrifices are raise, don’t you? Nearly year round the shepherds are out in the fields watching to be sure that no wild animal attacks the flock and making certain the sheep have grazing. Most people don’t like shepherds because they are smelly from being around the sheep all the time. Because they aren’t in town much, there are always rumors that shepherds are thieves, or murderers. It’s sad, really, because most of them are hard working men. Our ancestor David was a shepherd, after all.

LUKE: What happened?

MARY: I was dozing after Jesus fell asleep. Joseph was resting, too, on the hard packed dirt at the entrance to the cave. The murmur of many voices wakened me. At first I thought it was part of my dream until I saw Joseph barring the entrance with his staff gripped in his hands. I saw that he was ready to defend us. ‘What do you want?’ he challenged whoever was outside. I couldn’t hear the answer but I saw his head lift as if in surprise. He turned and looked at me. ‘Mary? Mary, are you awake? There are shepherds here with an amazing story.’

LUKE: What was their story?

MARY: It was the sign we were seeking. I told Joseph, ‘I am awake.’ A moment later the cave was crowded with roughly dressed men. I had to hold my breath for a second because the wave of sheep odor was very strong. They shocked me when every single one dropped to his knees and began to say things like ‘Praise the Holy One of Israel,’ ‘Glory be to God,’ ‘Alleluia,’ and ‘Hosanna.’

LUKE: That is extraordinary.

MARY: (smiles) It was what they told us that was really astonishing. ‘What is this?’ my husband demanded. One older man, probably the chief shepherd turned to him. ‘This is how the angel told us we would find Messiah.’ Joseph and I looked at each other. ‘Messiah,’ Joseph repeated softly. The old shepherd nodded solemnly. ‘We were sitting around the fire tonight, like we always do. The sheep were bedded down and we were almost dozing, too.’ Then all the others started trying to talk at once. I couldn’t understand anything except a few scattered words. ‘Angel…’ ‘baby…’ ‘glory…’ ‘Bethlehem…’ The baby started to cry from the noise and I picked him up from his manger cradle. My simple action silenced the men. ‘Please tell us what happened,’ I begged, ‘but one at a time.’ Again the old shepherd spoke. His eyes never left my son. (closes her eyes and remembers the scene)

LUKE: What did he say?

MARY: The old man knelt there at my feet staring at Jesus. In an awestruck tone he continued the story. ‘We were almost asleep and then there was a brilliant shaft of light in the sky nearby. The sheep weren’t frightened, but we were.’ He looked at his friends and they all nodded in agreement. ‘From the light we heard words.’ Another shepherd repeated the angel’s announcement. ‘We heard, in the air or in our hearts, I don’t know how really. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy for all people.” I looked around to see if I was the only one hearing the voice.’ Another man interrupted, ‘We were all staring at the light and hearing the words.’

LUKE: I can imagine that they were terrified.

MARY: I suppose so, but the men who came to the cave were no longer frightened. They were ecstatic. The old shepherd continued the saga, ‘This messenger told us, “To you is born in the city of David a Savior, Messiah has come. You will find the child wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” It was amazing news and we stared at each other in disbelief.’ A young shepherd added, ‘Then the sky seemed to burst open and there was music everywhere. I think all the stars of heaven were singing.’ His companion nudged him and insisted, ‘It was the hosts of God. They were singing…’ When his voice trailed off, several other shepherds began to recite the angels’ song, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those God favors!’

LUKE: What did you do?

MARY: I stared at these ordinary men, transformed by the vision of angels. ‘Thank you,’ I whispered. That God would send angels to these men was confirmation that the Child I held was indeed Messiah. I did not doubt again. Joseph asked the shepherds, ‘How did you know to come here, though?’ The old shepherd chuckled at the question. ‘When the angels were gone, we sat staring at each other. I think we were speechless for several minutes. Everything looked just as it had before the visitation, but we were different. Job there was the first to say what we were all thinking.’ The man indicated shrugged, ‘All I said was that we should go to Bethlehem and see what God showed us. There was a little discussion, but we were sure that if the Child was in a manger, it would be in these caves. So we came.’ All the shepherds nodded. The spokesman added, ‘It was just as we were told. Your Baby is no ordinary child. Messiah has come.’

LUKE: Did they stay there?

MARY: Yes, the men seemed to want to linger. When dawn was lightening the sky, they finally got to their feet and bowed to me and to Joseph. ‘We must tell everyone what we have seen and heard,’ the eldest shepherd told me. Then they left. Joseph and I were alone with our Son, who was really not ours, but God’s.

“Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.” During this holy season, I hope you have been able to take time to sit and ponder what the coming of Christ means to you. Like the shepherds, our duty as Christians is to tell others what we have seen and heard of our Lord. They met him as a Baby in a manger, we meet him daily in prayer, in good times, and in difficult times. The story of Jesus you tell is different for each of us, because it is the story of where and when God in Christ met and meets us. What can you tell of Jesus?

Sometimes the tragedies in our lives prove the seed to greater faith. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” despite sorrows in his life and the Civil War raging across the nation (the 4th and 5th verses allude to the war and are rarely sung now). He was married twice and both wives died tragically. His second wife, Frances Appleton Longfellow, died from burns and Longfellow himself was burned trying to put out the fire. His son was badly injured in the Civil War, which he alludes to in the rarely sung 3rd and 4th stanzas of his poem:.

Then from each black, accursed mouth

The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound the carols drowned

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

It was as if an earthquake rent

The hearthstones of a continent,

And made forlorn, the households born

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

However, like us, Longfellow knew that this was not the end or answer. He was able to proclaim his faith in the final stanza:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With Peace on earth, good will to men.”

Can you affirm a faith that says “God is not dead… right [will] prevail, with Peace on earth, good will to men” despite everything? The birth of a Baby over 2000 years ago is our proof that this is true. May it be so for you this Christmas.