The Man on the Donkey (April 1 – Palm Sunday – in RELĀT)

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday, just who was the man seated on the donkey? Was it a warrior prepared to motivate and gather his followers to rebel against Rome? Was it a man of nonviolence proclaiming an alternative vision of Kingdom? Was it a political activist taking a stand for the “little people” of the day? And what about the folk stirring about Jerusalem– pilgrims, peasants, soldiers, priests… even Pilate himself – whom did they see on the donkey, and what did they expect of him?

There were, in all probability, quite a few perceptions of the man on the donkey that day. And why should that day be any different? We all have a tendency to create Jesus in our own image; the Jesus we want to see, the Jesus we need to see (or think we do, anyway). In contrast to these imitation Jesus,’ what characteristics would you ascribe to the real Jesus as you understand him? On Sunday we will reflect on questions such as these, exploring the tendency to create Jesus in our own image, and striving for a way beyond them to the real Jesus. Hope to see you on Sunday.

March 18 in RELĀT

Last Sunday the “What’s on Your Mind” discussion took off and ate up all our time. So this week we will hold over the worship theme on “The Other Side of Jesus.” To refresh your memory and prime your pump for discussion, go back and read last week’s blog on that topic. I hope to see you on Sunday.

The Other Side of Jesus (March 11 in RELĀT)

On Sunday we will have an opportunity to reflect on what one might call the other side of Jesus. On one hand there is Jesus the gentle shepherd whose image is omnipresent in hymns, sermons, and paintings. And the Jesus of the Sermon on the Mount, with all its talk of non-violence and pacifism, is also often seen as meek and mild (although one could argue this point). On the other hand, there is the Jesus who stormed into the temple to cleanse it of spiritual depravity (see John 2.13-22).  This Jesus is passionate, bold, and decisive. Some might say he is downright angry as he clears the temple, ripping into the merchants, overturning their booths, and running them from the temple. If Jesus is the model for our faith, what lesson should we take from this episode in the temple? Is there room for passion in faith? Is it ever okay to get angry at what goes on in our world? Are we allowed to be aggressive in attacking the ills of our day? These questions and more we will consider on Sunday… in a civil manner of course!

Cleansing Inside and Out (March 4 in RELĀT)

We began our Lenten experience with the recognition that Lent is a season of discovery. All along the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem, we stand to learn much about our spiritual lives; both their strengths and their shortcomings. One of the first discoveries we happen upon is our need for cleansing, inside and out. This need is emphasized in John’s Last Supper narrative, and symbolized in the foot washing scene narrated at John 13.3-17 (from The Message):

Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, “Master, you wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You don’t understand now what I’m doing, but it will be clear enough to you later.” Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!” Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.” “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!” Jesus said, “If you’ve had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you’re clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you’re clean. But not every one of you.” (He knew who was betraying him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you.”) After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

Yet it’s not “sin” in the abstract from which we need cleansed; our brokenness and infirmities have specific names like: arrogance, self-serving ambition, affluenza, addiction, and more. In preparation for Sunday’s worship, please reflect on your needs for cleansing. Name them, and bring them with you on Sunday prepared to give them over to God.

To Follow and Learn (Feb 26 in RELĀT)

This week marks the beginning of a season of discovery we call Lent; the beginning of the spiritual journey that will bring us eventually to Jerusalem, the Via Dolorosa, and an empty tomb outside the city. I pray that your journey through Lent will include discovery after joyful discovery in your spiritual life; perhaps even the discovery of that pearl of great price that Daniel Bonnell has so beautifully depicted.

 

We begin our journey with the disciples at Caesarea Philippi, and like them we will learn what it means to follow Jesus, and to answer that one question that frames the entire journey, “Who do you say I am?” This question, which Jesus asks Peter and the other disciples at Caesarea Philippi (please see Mark 8.27-37), frames our entire Lenten journey. Just like the disciples we will learn what it means to follow Jesus only on the journey …only by following Jesus. We will explore what it means to know Jesus by following him – actually living as he lived and taught – and will explore as well ways in which this model can inform our relationships with others. Otherwise expressed, if we learn to care for Jesus by walking with him rather than believing ‘about’ him, how do we learn to care for others be they family, friends, or companions in faith?

What’s on Your Mind? (Feb 19 in RELĀT)

Relāt is all about living our faith in community; supporting each other, listening to each other, exploring together, and much, much more. The key is the “us” rather than the “me.” This Sunday we will rely on that community, exploring and discussing issues and/or situations in contemporary culture that burden you, confuse you, or otherwise preoccupy and raise concern. Name the issue, and we will seek the perspective of the gathering in the hope of shedding the light of faith and scripture on issues we confront daily. Your issue might be health care, gun rights, fairness and equality, the nature of marriage, spirituality vs religion, faith and violence, responsibility to developing countries, inter-faith relations, the role of faith in politics, and on and on  …you get the picture.

Our discussion on Sunday will not be a forum for partisan politics; there is scarcely room for that in a faith that cherishes the freedom of each and every individual to struggle with and determine her or his own beliefs. We will discuss the biblical and faith perspectives on issues that certainly extend to political decisions, but without pushing a particular platform or political perspective. Being clear on the biblical perspective on such issues is – or at least should be – the foundation of our deliberations, and the basis on which we make decisions as citizens. In short, we will try to let our faith inform our day-to-day lives, nurture our sense of community, and worship the One who is the heart and soul of community. We hope to see you on Sunday for individual worship stations at 10:45, and the full gathering at 11:10.

A Joyful Jesus, a Smiling Savior (Feb 12 in RELĀT)

I’d like to ask you to read Matthew 9.9-17, and focus your mind’s eye on Jesus. What does he look like? How do you envision his posture, body language, and facial expressions as he goes through this encounter? Is he relaxed and smiling? Is he having a good time? Or is he somber and serene; quietly observing everything going on around him and waiting for the next teaching moment?

Many of us, I am sure, will settle on some version of the serene thing, because it is hard for us to embrace the notion of a joyful Jesus, a smiling savior. But there is ample evidence in the gospels that Jesus was happy, even joyful. In fact, he often got into trouble because he and his disciples weren’t serious enough about required rituals, and instead of fasting like a good Pharisee, he caroused around with ner-do-wells, having a good ol’ time. Jesus used humor in his parables and other teachings, and wasn’t above getting in an ironic jab at Rome from time to time.

Let’s face it; Jesus was happy in his faith; his spiritual life was joyful. So why don’t we see him this way? For that matter, why don’t we see ourselves this way? Why do we so often assume that our faith must be somber and serious all the time? Is there room for joy and laughter in faith? That’s the question we will examine on Sunday.