ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 30, 2024
In the opening chapter of Luke’s Gospel, we are introduced to Mary, Elizabeth’s relative. There we find a few important words: “In the sixth month, an angel named Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth. There, an unmarried woman named Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph, who was descended from David. Mary’s name was Mary.” The Bible has so many moments when an angel makes an appearance to announce something new. The word we translate as “angel” simply means “messenger” or someone who delivers a message. In this particular instance, the messenger is given a name, Gabriel. Gabriel had a history, as he was mentioned in other older Biblical and apocryphal writings. So many of the listeners would have known this messenger had divine origins, and though Mary’s response was confusion (some translate it as troubled or disturbed), I don’t believe it was the appearance of the angel but what the appearance would mean. God doesn’t send a messenger to offer a recommendation on a good restaurant. What comes with the appearance is something that will change the recipient’s life, and, in turn, initiate a global transformation. So, don’t feel pressured! Have you ever experienced a sense of both anxiousness and excitement when a divine message appeared on your doorstep, bursting with love? That was Mary!

May the Gabriels of this world, who carry your message, Holy God, impart a clear and purposeful message to us in this moment. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 29, 2024
I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving. I sure did, but it's Friday, and we have just a couple of days to get ready for the first Sunday of Advent. Depending on the year, we sometimes get a true Thanksgiving Sunday after Thanksgiving, but not this year. Our household has all the fall Thanksgiving decorations outside, but inside, we’ve already started the transformation. The cornucopia has been replaced with some greenery. The pumpkin and gourds have been tossed into the green space to be enjoyed by some of the wild creatures, and in their place is a nativity scene. My spouse is the queen of decorations, but Christmas is probably her finest work. And despite it being a sort of busy time for both of us when it comes to work, we absolutely love this season. Yet we hold pretty strongly to this season of preparation called Advent. We have three different Advent countdown calendars, plus an Advent Wreath with candles (battery-operated). In the 14th chapter of Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about discipleship when he offers the short analogy, “If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost, to determine whether you have enough money to complete it?” We are reconstructing the story of Jesus, both in our homes and in our hearts, but his requires preparation. And it is sort of important to begin at the beginning. Maybe putting together a budget is not necessary (when it comes to the Christmas presents, it might be smart), but to make sure the decorations are more than ornamental fluff, I would think that determining what is foundational would help construct what one claims to be important into that which is visibly and impactfully important. 

Let me begin at the beginning, O Lord of new beginnings. A new life and light are coming into the world, yet I believe your gifts of life and light can best be embraced if I’ve done some necessary work. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with you. Yet the Good News is how your Word took on flesh and chose to live among us, to bring life and light to all. It’s one thing to proclaim these words, but it’s an entirely different matter to become a living embodiment of your life and light for the sake of the world around me. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 28, 2024
“You couldn’t help but notice how her life was dripping with gratitude.” Those words were shared by a minister more than two decades ago at a funeral I attended. The funeral was for a relative of one of my church members, and I was asked if I would come to be supportive. I was so captivated by the line that I went to my car after the service and jotted it down. Gluttony, one of the seven deadly sins, is the sin of excessive consumption, leading to selfishness and wastefulness in resource allocation. With that in mind, I don’t think it’s possible to be excessively grateful. Oh sure, there are those who exude a false, syrupy sweet thankfulness that often leaves one feeling sticky and gross, and in need of a shower. But I have met many people who perceive the world through a lens that enables them to experience an abundance of joy, beauty, love, kindness, and hope. Some might think of these optimistic people as naive, encouraging them to be a bit more skeptical about life. But through that optimistic awareness, life appears to tip in the direction of the positive. Their lives are so full of experienced blessings that the abundance spills forth on those around them. Personally, I try to be open and available whenever I am close to such people so that I don’t miss out on the copious thankfulness that never runs dry. 

We echo the Psalms that praise you, O Lord, as the Source of all wondrous and plentiful gifts. As you pour forth upon this world, we pray for the capacity to receive our fill of your generosity that knows no limits. In time, may our lives be so full that our gratitude splashes forth upon those around us. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 27, 2024
Today is that important holiday we call Thanksgiving Eve. Though I don’t know the story as well as I should, I believe it was the fall of 1621 that some of the Wampanoag people joined the English separatists (others would call them Pilgrims) for a multiple-day feast. This happened after the Wampanoag people had assisted the ill-prepared separatists in navigating their new surroundings, teaching them how to effectively utilize the soil, and preparing them for the significant changes in weather. This made sense because the Wampanoag people had coexisted with the land and environment for over 12,000 years. However, the story is not as idyllic as it is often portrayed in paintings, movies, or holiday mythology. Our perception of the English separatists encountering the indigenous people for the first time shortly after the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock is inaccurate. In reality, many diverse indigenous communities and tribes had been interacting with Europeans for a century before that group of religious separatists arrived at the Wampanoag village of Patuxet in 1620. 

The other aspect that I discovered a few years ago was that the Pilgrims, upon their arrival, encountered many of the Wampanoag villages deserted. Tools and shelters were left behind. Many of these separatists who had left England (via Holland) believed it was a divine blessing. However, in reality, previous Europeans had brought with them diseases that had already decimated the Wampanoag population, causing the death of 90% of their people. Within the next decade, the remaining Wampanoag population would meet the same fate. 

As with many aspects of life, history is often complex and can be further complicated by the desire to overlook unpleasant details. We remember things not to feel guilty about the past, but rather to gain a deeper understanding of what has brought us to this moment. If you feel guilty, consider seeking professional help from a therapist. The intention of remembering is multifaceted, but two crucial takeaways are: first, there was never a perfect moment in the past when everyone was happy and at peace; second, understanding the history decreases the likelihood of repeating previous decisions made due to lack of knowledge or inability to recognize the sacredness of others. As we approach Thanksgiving, I’m eager to delve deeper into the historical events that unfolded beyond the sanitized and idealized narratives we often associate with the holiday.

Continue to inspire curiosity, O Gracious Creator and Redeemer of all things. May the question I ask aid me in comprehending what can be understood, so that I do not find myself apologizing for doing the same thing others did in the past. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 26, 2024
Did you do anything stupid when you were younger? Maybe I should ask it a different way. Did you know anyone who did not do something stupid when they were younger? That’s likely a much shorter list. Among the many stupid things I did as a kid was to show off by doing backflips. As a gymnast, I was capable of executing a standing backflip just about anywhere. However, simply executing one in the lobby of a McDonald’s wasn’t sufficient. I took my backflips to the next level, performing them off the tailgate of a pickup truck, the roof of a shed, and even off the deck on the back of a friend’s house. I would land the backflip and think to myself, “Ouch! That sort of hurt my knee.” Well, three knee surgeries later, I find myself facing the prospect of a knee replacement next summer. There are consequences to our actions, yet I disregarded the advice of numerous individuals who cautioned me, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You’ll eventually regret it.” In the moment, I couldn’t fathom how I would regret it. Today, there’s real regret.

A century ago, knee replacements were unimaginable. I had a great uncle who, as a kid, jumped off the back of a moving train and messed up his knee. Despite applying various ointments and wraps throughout his life, he found little relief. Next summer, I anticipate replacing my knee. I view it as a gift of grace. While it won’t restore my youth, I believe there will be improvement—something my great uncle could never have fathomed. Based on my knowledge and observations, I’m optimistic about the potential for recovery.

It’s not a perfect analogy, but I genuinely perceive the knee replacement as a gift of grace. I made some incredibly foolish decisions, and I’m now living the consequences of those choices. Despite my own stupidity stemming from insecurity and a desire to impress, there’s still a path forward. While it will still involve some pain, including the surgery, ultimately, most cases offer significant relief from the most severe pain caused by some past act of stupidity. There are still reminders as this gift of grace is not perfect, but I have been told that I will walk better and with less pain by this time next year. Those who have received and accepted grace are able to eventually walk the path of forgiveness and new life, relieved of the pain of guilt or injury caused by a stupid decision years earlier. 

Thank you! Thank you, Gracious God, for you continue to find ways of helping us move forward even from those stupid choices that had real and lasting repercussions. Your gift of loving-kindness is truly transformative. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 25, 2024
Prayer for the Week:
We enter the fields and till the soil with the expectation of fostering life and abundance.
We seek to sow the seeds of sensibility in a world that has lost its compass.
We bring nourishment to the goodness that is taking root, yet remains just under the surface.
We offer ourselves to the work of tending and being good stewards of what is possible.
We prepare ourselves for a harvest of hope and healing.
We give ourselves to the belief that the chasm between what is and what should be is traversed by those who willingly get their hands dirty.
This is both our prayer and our unwavering commitment to you, O God of new beginnings. 
Amen. 

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 24, 2024
How does fear affect you? Let’s be honest, there are some genuine unfounded fears. However, it’s important to recognize that an unfounded fear given permission to reside within someone is real. We’ve all had a few of those experiences in our lives. Simply telling the fearful person, “Oh, that’s silly! Don’t be afraid,” is of no help. Along with unfounded fears, there are also legitimate reasons why people might be concerned enough to express their fears out loud. In recent weeks, I’ve had a number of conversations with people and listened to them express their fears, and I have found myself experiencing some growing anxiousness for some people I love. 

In my sermon tomorrow, I’ll share some thoughts on how some people perceive God as a source of fear. In fact, there are those who even go so far as to claim that God uses fear to control people. However, my faith finds this to be theological nonsense, especially considering Jesus is described as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). Jesus frequently spoke about imparting divine peace to people, and I cannot imagine that Jesus followed those comforting words of peace with, “Take the stupid peace or God will smite you with some holy wrath.” God doesn’t need to be the source of fear when there are countless unfounded fears lurking in our minds and numerous situations that understandably cause genuine apprehension. The God who takes on flesh for us in Jesus is saying to us, “I understand your fears, and I am here to walk with you, to speak words of peace into your heart, and to help you find a way forward in faith.” 

For everything that causes me fear, even the occasional nonsense, I look to you, Merciful God, for the peace promised by Jesus, the peace that surpasses all understanding. Help me make more room for that gift to dwell within me. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 23, 2024
In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, everyone got their fill, and there were still leftovers (Matthew 14:20).  I’m sure you’ve known a Thanksgiving dinner or two where a similar outcome occurred. And the truth is, I’ve strangely found myself enjoying the leftovers more than the original meal. There is something about returning to the refrigerator and piling a plate full of turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. From there, it goes into the microwave, but not before pouring an unhealthy amount of gravy over everything. I’m not too sure why I enjoyed the leftovers so much, but I did. Those who arrived at the meal on time were well-fed, while those who arrived late were left with an abundance of leftovers. I don’t know if there’s any better news than that, and it’s also good news because the leftovers taste really good.

Gracious God, even if I’m extremely late, may I never forget that your love will always be abundant no matter when I finally arrive. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 22, 2024
A funny thing happened on my way to the office yesterday. Actually, that is not true. Nothing funny, out of the ordinary, strange, or exciting happened on the way to the office yesterday. Honestly, starting a story with the words, “And nothing out of the ordinary happened on my way to the office…” is probably not going to grab anyone’s attention. Yesterday, as I delved into the book of 2 Kings, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of a single chapter that begins with the words, “And nothing out of the ordinary occurred…” Each chapter paints a vivid picture of God’s voice resonating through the land, of rebellions, dramatic proclamations from prophets, and miraculous experiences for widows. The list goes on and on.

Two intriguing possibilities emerge from this observation. Either the writers of the scriptures refrained from detailing the mundane, or perhaps the world was brimming with the divine presence, and every moment was in fact saturated with God. Maybe it is a bit of both, even though that might sound like a contradiction. I’m sure there were many boring and uneventful days that were not recorded, and I’m sure Elisha and Naaman and others appreciated those days. I also believe that a certain expectation creates an openness and awareness to the presence of God that is forever present in every moment of life. This realization prompts me to reflect on my own journey to work yesterday, wondering if I missed any divine moments amidst that routine drive.

Thank you, God, for your presence that is never dependent upon us. Your love always finds a way to come alongside us. For that reason, we request your Spirit’s nudge as we awaken to previously unnoticed encounters with you. Amen.

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 21, 2024
As some of you may be aware, a prominent voice in the Christian movement died Monday. Tony Campolo was a gift to many of us who believed following Jesus included actively living with compassion and concern for the most vulnerable and refusing to remain quiet in the face of injustice. Tony was a Sociology Professor at Eastern College for many years, while also preaching the Gospel across the country and around the globe. His style of preaching included storytelling, and though there are many lengthy stories that were inspiring and informative to me, I have always liked this short one. Tony said,

A friend of mine was taking a tour of an inner-city church with a huge social ministry that included a soup kitchen. He was there just before the noon hour. The kitchen crew had gathered in a huddle to pray before they opened the doors for those seeking a meal. Among the prayers lifted up was one by an elderly woman who simply said, “Lord, we know you’ll be comin' through the line today, so help us to treat you well.”

Much of Tony’s ministry was dedicated to helping the world recognize the divine image within every single person. Tony frequently spoke about St. Francis of Assisi as one of his spiritual heroes, emphasizing Francis’s teachings on being mindful of the ways the Living Christ manifests in unexpected places.

For all the powerful witnesses who inspired and strengthened our faith, we give thanks! And for those who have joined you, Merciful God, in your Kin(g)dom that knows no end, we cautiously acknowledge how their work is looking for folks just like us. May their bold Christ-like living find a seamless transition to those of us in this moment, as Jesus is always inviting another generation to carry this good work into the future. Amen.