ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 9, 2024 In the study we had yesterday on Mark’s Gospel, I made a passing comment about Mark 1:29-30 where we read: “As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once.” In its history, the church has often danced around the idea of the disciples being married. There have been times when the church could not hold the Apostles up as these exemplary models of Christ-like living and at the same time suggest that they were married (and having sex). Yet, as far as I know, it is nearly impossible to have a mother-in-law and not be married (or widowed). There have even been those who have tried to translate it as something other than mother-in-law, yet Clement of Alexandria (born in 150AD) suggested in his writing that both Peter and Philip were married. How is it that a religion based on the Bible can be so prudish and find it necessary to have such a strong aversion to anything that implies sex? The Bible, specifically the Old Testament, is rather racy in places. There are many verses where an euphemism is used that might be missed in the English translation. Yet at the end of the day, even if we play down some of the passages that are spoken with a wink and a nod, we have too often made a part of what it means to be human into something that is dirty or brings shame. Despite some folks wanting to ignore it, each time there is a ‘begot’ in the Bible, there was some sex involved. Help us, Gracious God of all, to embrace a faith that is real, honest, and unashamed of what it means to be human. Your church has been filled with folks who are trying to figure out who they are, and we should not be afraid to speak faithfully about what it means to be creatures that not only have sex but desire it. Amen.
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ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 8, 2024 Catherine Ponder was a minister in what is known as the Unity Church, a branch of Christianity with roots in Transcendentalism. Though much of Catherine Ponder’s ministry was here in Texas, the headquarters of the organization is located in a suburb of Kansas City, which is where I came to know and interact with them. Though they lean a little too much into the belief that having positive thoughts in life will automatically bring great things, I have appreciated a few of the quotes that come from Catherine Ponder, including: “The forgiving state of mind is a magnetic power for attracting good.” I don’t necessarily believe forgiveness immediately brings goodness, but the power of forgiveness is good for the soul of the one doing the forgiving and often provides the capacity to let go of baggage that has kept a person from truly embracing goodness and joy in life. In Matthew 6:15, we read: “If you don’t forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your sins.” Now some have interpreted that as a sort of quid pro quo, but if God is true love and mercy, then forgiveness is already given; it is not earned. But when we are unable to forgive, it is nearly impossible to embrace and enjoy the forgiveness offered to us. I do believe there is a magnetic-like power that attracts goodness and joy when forgiveness is offered, though it often takes time and intentionality to do the hard work of forgiving. As you have forgiven me again and again, O Lord, I will do my best to extend forgiveness to others… always remembering that forgiving does not mean one forgets what has occurred. In fact, it might require some good healthy boundaries. Amen. ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 7, 2024 On this day in 1497, a priest by the name of Savonarola became overly concerned by the growing influence of the Renaissance in Florence, Italy. He gained great power, some even suggesting that he carried more influence than any political leader. Though it had occurred numerous times before, it was on this day in 1497 that the great Bonfire of the Vanities happened. Many items considered to be tempters of sin were burned, including art and books. Later that same year, Savonarola was excommunicated by the church, and then a little later he was executed. Sadly, the pushback against Savonarola was not because of the great loss of human expression but simply because Savonarola was getting too powerful. In John 15, Jesus makes the bold and counter-intuitive declaration, “No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends.” Neither Savonarola nor the church appeared to understand this teaching, choosing as their primary tool something other than love. When unexpected challenges meet our insecurities, it becomes difficult to trust in the one thing Jesus taught us could be trusted—love. Help me, O God of the miraculous, to trust in what Jesus showed us to be the greatest power in the universe—your unconditional and limitless love. Amen. ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 6, 2024 I saw a cartoon recently where two children were walking along, one white and one black. The white child says, “I thought your people celebrated Black history in the month of February?” The black child replies, “Nope. That month is for ya’ll! We celebrate all year long.” Now I don’t know if that is necessarily true, but for something that is outside of my experience (I can only speak from a white person’s experience), there is something important about having someone else’s experience take center stage for a period of time. Years ago, I was talking with a retired minister who admitted that for the majority of his adult life, he held this sort of unspoken belief that women who experienced sexual violence had done something to deserve it or had asked for it. It was only when his granddaughter took him to a lecture on women and violence during Domestic Violence Awareness Month that he began a journey toward a whole new understanding of this important issue. I try to read about race and racism throughout the year, but during Black History Month, I am often introduced to something new simply because the media is a bit more intentional about posting stories, lesser-known pieces of history, along with other information. As I have heard on a couple of occasions recently, we do not know what we do not know. But when we begin to realize that we do not know, there is a responsibility as a part of the human family to learn what we can. For the many opportunities I have been given to grow in my appreciation of the beautifully diverse human experience, I am thankful, Creator of All. May there be many more opportunities. Amen. ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 5, 2024 Prayer for the Week: Spirit of the Living God Fall afresh upon me Dwell deeply within me Saturate me with your grace Heal me with your love Inspire me with your Kin(g)dom vision I know this request may have me living differently loving more extravagantly welcoming more generously If that be the case I will be thankful Amen ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 4, 2024 In my Etching yesterday, I talked about the importance of listening with the hope of finding understanding and appreciation. I recently had a great learning experience, all because I asked someone how I was perceived in a specific situation. Of course, that can be a bit of a risk, as sometimes we don’t really want to hear the truth. In such moments, our listening can move into a more defensive posture. In this case, the person spoke honestly, and my first thought upon receiving some critical feedback was, "Hmmm..." But as I thought more about what was said, I could see how my style of storytelling did not fit the moment. I was being asked some specific questions, and because I think in terms of story, I often answer through the lens of story. Of course, when people want you to draw conclusions or to be very specific in your answer, telling a story can miss the point entirely. I am going to have to sit on that one for a while, and even though that may not have been the only reason for my failure to communicate, I do believe there is some learning for me. The style of communication needs to match the moment, and I wonder how often I really think about how a different style would be more useful in one situation as compared to another. For a person who sort of makes their living through communication, I believe there is a good takeaway here. Even when my ego might be feeling a bit bruised, Gracious God, I pray for the capacity to listen and learn. Sometimes feedback is not really feedback but is intended to hurt or degrade. But there are those other moments when someone speaks truth with love, from which I can draw some needed pieces of information about myself. Maybe it is even a word from you, God. Give me the ears to hear. Amen. ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 3, 2024 Today at Cypress Creek Christian Church, we are hosting a community dialogue luncheon on the topic of AntiRacism/ProReconciliation. It looks as if we have a great group of people registered, and if it is anything like the smaller (sort of a practice) one we did back in December, it will be awesome. I believe this will be some work that people at Cypress Creek Christian Church twenty years from now will look back on and describe as providing a clear illustration of who CCCC was in 2024 and what the church valued. We find ourselves at a moment in time when the possibilities are extraordinary, yet those possibilities will find fulfillment only if people are willing to enter into some honest conversations where listening is a priority. It was Stephen Covey who wrote, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” I would say that people who feel threatened, insecure, or morally superior are the ones most likely to listen with very little interest in finding understanding. I have been guilty of this on more than one occasion, and I have a feeling I am not alone. As Proverbs 18:13 reminds us, “Those who answer before they listen are foolish and disgraceful.” Though it does not go on to say it, I believe the wisdom of the Proverbs would suggest the opposite is true as well. Gracious One, O Source of Light and Inspiration, I pray for the capacity to learn and grow. There is so much I do not understand, and I cannot assume my experiences are the only ones through which people find an entry point into their truth. Help me to listen with the intention of understanding others. Amen. ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 2, 2024 This Sunday, I will be drawing upon some language from the Apostle Paul, specifically the language of “a new creation.” Though I will be referencing Paul’s Second Letter to the Church in Corinth, it is language that he used on multiple occasions, including in Galatians 6, where we read, “Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. What matters is a new creation.” This comes toward the end of this letter, shortly after he encourages his readers to “…let us not grow weary in doing what is right.” Circumcision was (and remains) an important symbol within the Jewish tradition, a physical reminder of the covenant God made with Abraham. Yet Paul, who had been circumcised as a baby because he was born a Jew, was very outspoken against circumcision, in part because there were those who believed a Gentile convert to Christianity had to first be circumcised. Paul couldn’t have disagreed more. Though as adamant as he might have appeared, at the end of the day, he wanted to make sure that whether someone was circumcised or not (or might choose to be circumcised or not), the practice should not skew what was really important. When it comes to the life of faith, we are to be different people, not simply (for males) because a portion of the foreskin has been removed. The change should not be cosmetic or superficial but deeply rooted in a person’s identity, priorities, and way of viewing the world. When we join Paul in saying, “We are a new creation,” does the world look at us and see a life that looks radically different from someone who is not following the ways of Jesus? Through faith, Lord God, I pray for my life to look dramatically different from how it might have looked had I chosen not to follow Jesus. I know there are plenty of token and perfunctory actions I can choose as a way of giving an appearance of a great reverence, but at the end of the day, I desire for my life to represent the life of the one whose love embraced all, Jesus Christ. Amen. ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 1, 2024 I am leading a six-week study of Mark’s Gospel, beginning February 8, at 1:30pm. We will use the new study book by Amy-Jill Levine entitled, The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner’s Guide to the Good News. Like all of Dr. Levine’s material, I am excited by the new insights she will be bringing to this portion of scripture. Of course, unlike Luke and Matthew, Mark has no birth narratives, or what we might call Christmas stories. The Gospel simply begins with the words: The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.” Notice that the Gospel writer does not say the good news of Jesus happened exactly the way I am going to describe it, but points back to the Prophet Isaiah as one who provides a framework for telling the Jesus story. The Lord is coming, and what are we going to do to prepare? Maybe the Gospel writer is inviting us to become acquainted with the Jesus story as a way of preparing ourselves to receive the Lord anew. Heavenly Father, O Prince of Peace, bring me again and again to the Jesus story. It is there, with an open mind and available spirit, that I will grow in my appreciation of who you are, Lord, and what it means for me to follow you in this moment of time. Amen. |
AuthorRev. Bruce Frogge Archives
May 2024
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