ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS Thought for the Day: On Sunday I preached on forgiveness, and I am always a bit caught off guard in the response. It tells me that I could probably preach on forgiveness twice each month and people would be pleased. No matter how healthy you are, there is almost always something in your life where forgiveness would be helpful. After worship this past Sunday, someone approached me and referenced my line about those who see themselves as “Gatekeepers of Forgiveness.” He was in complete agreement, but then offered the thought that we are often our own Gatekeepers. We do not allow for forgiveness to be received. For a whole host of reasons, we have convinced ourselves that we are unworthy or undeserving of the gift. I found those words so insightful. The Greek word translated as care in the above scripture comes from the Greek word, Merizo. It means, among other things, to distribute or bestow. To care is more than some emotion, for God who is gracious demonstrates care in tangible ways. So in the case of our guilt or shame, God doesn’t simply say, “Get over it!” God finds ways of revealing the depth of divine love, to make real the power of that gift to release us from chains we have imposed upon ourselves in the belief that we are the Gatekeepers who need to keep out the very forgiveness intended for us. Prayer: Remind me; prompt me; show up and give me a clear picture of your liberating love. O Merciful and Kind God, my life needs forgiveness and you are the Eternal Source. Thank you! Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/38gfDKH
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March 2, 2020 via WordPress https://ift.tt/2IctnM0 ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS Thought for the Day: On Ash Wednesday, we focused on these words from Mark. The real focus was on a single word, Why. In the Greek it is Tis, a simple word that can also be translated as Who or What. This is the premise I introduced on Ash Wednesday and will continue to be the focal point throughout Lent, specifically the questions Jesus asked or the questions people ask of Jesus. These questions, in the context of Mark’s Gospel, begin to strip away (or prune) what might be a hindrance for those who followed Jesus. So often we read these questions as having a very simple answer, as rhetorical or even as a way of demonstrating some disdain. But in the narrative, they force us to explore our own motivations, attitudes and expectations. Why do they do that? For that answer, we’ll need to focus on the Why. Prayer: Lord God, continue to invite the questions. Give us the freedom to ask what needs to be asked, while also listening to the search of others. Encourage us to go beyond quick and poorly researched answers. Instead, let us sit and feel the tug within us as questions begin to bring to light what might need to change. Amen. via WordPress https://ift.tt/2I8Ktui |
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