Christmas 2005
None of us here tonight would fit the exact description of those to whom God's grand revelation was first given, but there is something different about us or we would not be here. Society doesn't care anymore if you celebrate Christmas, only that you increase your seasonal year-end spending. Society is very nervous about people thinking too deeply about the meaning of Christmas. Yet like the shepherds, Anna and Simeon, and the magi, we somehow know that the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem would change the world ever after, while the census was a mere passing inconvenience shoring up a failing empire for just a while longer.
Sunday, 4 December 2005
John the Baptist was probably not the person most people would choose as their pastor, and he certainly would not have made an adroit politician. John was the plower of human hearts, who caused people to search their soul and turn over their life. He made people uncomfortable. Yet it was John, more than anyone else who served as Jesus' mentor and model of a preacher. It is no surprise when Jesus began preaching, Herod and others in high places thought Jesus was John the Baptist who had come back to life.
Sunday, 27 November 2005
The season of Advent if nothing else, slows us down. It doesn't urge us to rush out and get busy doing great things. Advent understands that we may be tired, depressed, and maybe even fearful. It offers to pour us a cup of tea and invites us to sit down in a comfortable chair in a quiet corner of our heart.
Sunday, 20 November 2005
This is the last Sunday of the Christian year. The hymns and lessons point to the end of time and the triumph of God. Note it's not the triumph of our civilization over a foreign one, not the triumph of the church over non-Christians, not even a triumph of the underdogs over the top dogs. The triumph is about the reconciliation of the whole world, of all nations, of all creation.
Sunday, 13 November 2005
Like muscles, gifts that are exercised and used to their fullest are able to grow stronger and perform even greater tasks, while gifts that are ignored, rejected, or unexercised become weak, if not useless. It is not that those who have the most deserve to get more, and those who have the least will get less, but rather those who accept and share their gifts will discover they can do more. Those who never do anything with their gifts will discover their confidence shrinking and ability deteriorating.
Sunday, 6 November 2005
The custom of dressing up in costumes on the eve of All Saints began with Christians who dressed up as one of the prophets, apostles or honored saints of the past. It is instructive how the world has changed this custom from dressing as one of society's best examples of enlightenment and goodness, to dressing in symbols of the crazy, the evil, and the irrational. Curious how our society prides itself on being so rational, scientific, logical and unfettered by the so-called blinders of religion, yet beneath the surface is so afraid and likes to obscure its past.
Sunday, 30 October 2005
Today's Gospel from Matthew is clearly a warning to all present and future leaders of the church to be on guard against religious self-righteousness and arrogance. Games of who is the most pious and humble of course are included. Neither the early disciples nor us particularly want to hear this message much less admit we are guilty of such behavior.
Sunday, 23 October 2005
Yes, we do live in times that challenge us. The intensity and frequency of natural disasters unnerve us; continual world conflicts discourage us; AIDS, bird flu, and threats of terrorism frighten us; and economic trends certainly concern us. Yet I wonder if that is not the norm for people of faith. God formed us to witness precisely in the face of doubt and cynicism.
Sunday, 16 October 2005
Discipleship is not about winning arguments or vilifying opponents. It is about choosing greater values over lesser values. It is about discerning priorities and understanding what is more important and what is less. It is about being unsatisfied with easy half-truths and always struggling for a more comprehensive and deeper truth.
Sunday, 9 October 2005
The parable of the king's wedding feast tells us that God invites those we consider good and those we consider bad, into a relationship. That has always made the church nervous and why Paul would remind generations of Christians that while we were all still sinners, Christ died for us. (Ro.5:8)
Sunday 2 October 2005
Do we understand how close are genuine signs of God's grace as well as signs of just judgment? Do we honor and share those signs for what they are? Matthew clearly meant this parable to warn his own church, rather than deflecting blame onto others. If Matthew's church would not be faithful to God's mission, the mission would be offered to others. God's plan of grace would not be ultimately thwarted. It is basically the same challenge to us.
Sunday, 25 September 2005
In the Gospel lessons these past summer months, Jesus has been coaching his disciples as they travel around Galilee. This Sunday, however, the Gospel is set in Jerusalem, very close to the end of Jesus' earthly ministry. Things are tense and hostile. Jesus' opponents don't want dialogue or open communication. They want to trap Jesus, discredit him, and squelch his message. Jesus wins the contest of wits, but no minds are changed. The disciples realize that they are about to graduate and will have to adjust to a much more difficult situation.
Sunday, 18 September 2005
Yes, it is natural for many of us to be resentful if not suspicious of those who come late to the vineyard. That is why I suspect clergy don't like to push this parable too deeply. It doesn't seem fair. But the parable of the workers in the vineyard is not a story about labor relations or proper and fair employment practices, any more than the story of Jonah is about the digestive system of whales or plant etymology.
Sunday, 11 September 2005
A prevalent motif in all of Jesus' teaching is the contrast between an old pattern of life and a renewed life, between ways of behavior that ultimately lead to continued wounding and death, and ways that promote healing and rebirth. Last Sunday the Gospel lesson stressed the importance of reconciliation. The Gospel wasn't giving an ironclad procedure for settling disputes; it was saying that reconciliation, not winning one's cause over an opponent, was the primary objective.
Sunday, 4 September 2005
The people of God are those who let the Biblical phrases and ancient understandings of the Word resonate in their hearts and who struggle with connecting the resonance of the Gospel with their life today. Like Jesus we are called to raise and consider the disturbing questions of how people are treated, especially the most vulnerable.
Sunday, 28 August 2005
Jesus said, "Let people who want to become my disciples, 'take up their cross and follow me.'" Discipleships are, in one sense, all volunteers. Jesus doesn't want any force conscripts. The call to be faithful is a voluntary decision. Taking up the cross doesn't mean being taken hostage. It may mean showing up when you have plenty of excuses to run away. It may mean facing suffering or extraordinary hardship. But because God values you, it does not mean showing up so that others can simply abuse you or beat up you.
Sunday, 31 July 2005
While to people of faith the sign of the loaves and fishes is a continual realization and celebration of God's love and generosity, as well as an example for all humanity, we should be forewarned that the world often interprets it as a misfortune about those who lost or were tricked out of their possessions in a fit of naive generosity. That is why the Gospel will always be resisted if not openly opposed. We, too, make a life choice about the interpretation. For us, is God a God of generosity and openness or a God of scarcity and suspicion?
Sunday, 24 July 2005
The commonwealth of God is not a privileged society with one people over others. The society of God involves universal citizenship; just as a sower who sows all the seed over all the ground, just as a farmer who waits to harvest the whole crop. It is like the everyday miracle of growth that we all have observed, like a seed which is planted, and without force, without imposing itself on anyone else, grows into a large ear of grain, producing a bountiful harvest.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
When we are confused about evil, we tend to indulge in an overdose of fantasy in settling scores. Such fantasy if relied on, serves to destroy everything. Jesus is cautioning us that jumping over forgiveness into fantasy won't help us deal with the mixture of good from evil in the world or even the mixture within ourselves. I suggest that the parable tells us that forgiveness is likely to be a more effective tool than a blowtorch or a bulldozer in sorting through our own motives and dealing with the similarity of wheat and weeds.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
The thirteenth chapter of Matthew contains a large collection of parables. All seemed to be grouped together and intended to be introduced with the words, "the signs of God's world operating into your world is similar to" and continuing with the parable. Hence, the signs of God's new world among us are similar to a sower who faithfully goes out and sows all his fields.
Sunday, July 3, 2005
In the Gospel Jesus talks about taking his yoke and learning from him. Jesus does not lift responsibilities or troubles from us as much as promising to help us bear them. Yokes are to be shared. Jesus, in one sense, partners with us and we, as disciples, are apprentices to be trained to continue his work. That is why for people of faith, we are inevitably connected to the cause of larger justice, and we are yoked to those whom the light of freedom and basic human quality has not reached.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
For the past three weeks, the gospel writer Matthew has directed Jesus' comments to those who are already disciples, and members of the church. Matthew wants the church to know that even under persecution, the ministry of hospitality is fundamental. While today's Gospel passage is about hospitality, Jesus' expectation is quite modest. Jesus knew that the steady practice of little things could be as important as a singular grand gesture. Even if one doesn't prepare and offer a full course feast, if a person provides a cup of cold water, one is still offering a ministry of hospitality that will not go unnoticed by God. Moreover, this was not some brave risk-taking gesture to complete strangers. The term "little ones" appears to be a colloquialism similar to the word "saints." Jesus was talking about showing kindness to fellow disciples, not necessarily prominent leaders, but ordinary, unheralded followers who over and over again are often taken for granted and overlooked.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
We live in a conflicted if not even more complicated environment than those first Christians. Contemporary parents are dismayed that their children have chosen not to accept their baptismal vows and seem to forsake what their parents hold to be a very precious gift and source of strength. There are also children whose parents and neighbors ridicule them for embracing a Christian life. Far from condemning those who have experienced this heartbreak, Jesus is saying to those bearing the hurt, don't endlessly blame yourself. Some things are beyond our capacity to control.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
One of the major challenges of today, especially faced by our children, is the reclaiming of the Good News of the Gospel, and promoting a more accurate public picture of people of faith.
The other related challenge is that we can no longer assume that our culture at large will support, much less promote, active participation in faith communities. We can no longer expect children to learn Christmas carols by listening to the radio. We can no longer expect there to be no conflict between participating in school activities and church participation. There is no longer any time or day society reserves for the sacred. Indeed, many are suspicious of all our intentions.
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Today's Gospel is also about new futures opening up in unanticipated ways. Matthew is a tax collector, hardly a person who would be attracted discipleship of a Jewish rabbi. What a great leap to even approach Jesus. Moreover as tax collectors were notorious for abusing their office and taking advantage of the poor, Matthew would hardly be the ideal candidate for a close disciple. What a leap Jesus took. Nonetheless, something inside Matthew was awakened by Jesus' presence, and Jesus saw the great potential in Matthew. The change from Matthew the tax collector for the Roman government to disciple of Jesus was a story of one being called from the dead back to life, if there ever was one.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
It is doubtful I will ever be invited to give a graduation address. Yet I wonder if today's Gospel would not be a good one in itself. "A good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Thus you will be known by your fruits." The same can be said for any educational institution of society. Education is much more than filling up with data and majoring in the skills of a charm school. Packaging is never the most important product. At whatever institutions of higher learning from which those high executives of Enron graduated, there should be some serious soul searching. Even more importantly, as alumni return to Ithaca to renew old acquaintances, revisit old haunts and marvel at the changes on campus, the Gospel invites us to reflect on what sort of person at our core we have become.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
We live in an age when the nature of families is being re-defined. History tells us this has happened before, though not in this way and not as rapidly. People of faith can be of real help in this process. This change is not something to fear or ignore, but rather to ask how can new family structures encourage and nurture healthy and non-exploitive living.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
For people of faith today the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not about esoteric or superior knowledge or hidden talents, but about gifts encouraging and supporting us to go forth and build bridges and relationships and cross the barriers of this world. The Holy Spirit helps us to look in places and take the routes the world overlooks.
Sunday, May 8, 2005
The images the Gospels first used to convey the meaning of the Ascension and the new way Jesus now lives among us, were largely taken from the Roman imperial court where the emperor was portrayed on a throne higher above all other authority. The point that the Gospels were trying to make is that it is now Jesus, not the emperor, who is above all other authority. In one sense it was a deliberately subversive proclamation that all the disciples clearly understood. It had nothing to do with direction or distance, but with centrality. For Christians, the risen Jesus was now to be central to one's life.
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Today's Gospel is set at the last supper in Holy Week. It is hard to believe the disciples would not have been troubled and anxious. Things were obviously coming to a head and it was uncertain how restrained the authorities would continue to be, how the crowds would behave, and how Jesus would ultimately react. Philip and Thomas speak for all the disciples in pleading for definite answers, for firm reassurance against an ominous future. They also speak for us. Often we don't want to deal with the unknown or face change, not because we don't want to grow, and not because we don't recognize that what we have is far from perfect, but because we don't want to lose treasures we consider so precious. This is at the heart of Thomas and Philip's concern. They don't want to lose Jesus' fellowship, the companionship of the other disciples and followers, and the Gospel itself that gave their lives so much meaning and hope.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
The Gospel of John is layered with metaphors, and this particular lesson certainly is a good example. It begs to be interpreted many ways. One of the images is that of Jesus, who unpretentiously invites people in. Jesus is not portrayed as the grand inquisitor who tests people before they are allowed to pass, or who seeks to keep certain ones out. Rather he seems to be illuminated like a large neon sign, beckoning where people may enter to be fed by God's grace.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
The road to Emmaus may lead to St. Peter's Square, but it also leads us here, Sunday after Sunday. The road may pass through the Commons, or ascend up West Hill. The mark of the Christian is to always be on a journey of some sort, leading to greater learning or deeper understanding.
Sunday, April 3, 2005
The Gospel reminds us we don't have all the answers, and never will on this earth. We don't need them and neither did Thomas. Struggling with God's call does not disqualify us from receiving God's peace beyond all understanding. The miracle of resurrection comes even through our tears of pain, dust of disillusionment, horror of terrorism and war.
Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005
Stories of the resurrection never tell us how the stone was moved; such questions are never answered because they are shown to be so peripheral and insignificant. The resurrection is about God calling us from frustrating distraction of digging among the tombs in the world's graveyards for the peace, meaning and security that only God can give. Easter exposes the futility of fretting over who will roll away the stone, when all the while the stone is already rolled away.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
The important thing about the story of the passion isn't in the details of torture, but in Jesus' example. In the passion account, the words of Jesus are few, but he nevertheless remains as the prominent and enduring presence. Jesus did not recant or abdicate the Gospel. Jesus did not allow his personhood to be taken away. He refused to let others beat his spirit into submission and degradation. Jesus never compromised his basic integrity. Jesus never offered an example of groveling before evil.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
If Jesus had just been a good teacher of ethics, he probably would have been safe. If the church just shows society that it cares about the same things the chamber of commerce cares about, there would be little animosity towards people of faith. But God’s presence just doesn’t prop up the prevailing powers of the world. God’s presence takes over, changes us, transforms us, unbinds us, and holds up the world to judgment.
Sunday,
March 6, 2005
When Peter was given his final exam as an apostle, the risen Christ asked him
three questions. First question: Peter, do you love me? Second question: Peter,
do you love me? Third question: Peter, do you love me? Note Jesus didn’t
ask Peter to preach three sermons on the significance of the resurrection, or
explain the incarnation. Rather, He asked, “Do you love with your heart the
good news of Jesus Christ? Peter, do you love me? Then feed my sheep.”
Sunday,
February 20, 2005
The
angels’ announcement to the shepherds on the fields outside Bethlehem is
still operative in this world. "Have no fear, for to you is born this day
a savior." People of faith will face many, many challenges ahead, but “have
no fear” for the future of the community of faith. God's grace will prevail
and people of faith will be offered the tools to live as exceptional people.
Sunday,
February 13, 2005
Genesis
is unrelentingly clear that with the choices we make, comes the responsibility
to own up to those choices. Hiding and avoiding the consequences of our choices
is like children who think that by putting their hands in front of their faces
they can avoid what is in front of them. While we have a long history of making
wrong choices that oppose and disable the gifts God offers us, we still have the
ability to acknowledge our poor choices, repent, turn to anther path, and change.
Sunday,
February 6, 2005
One
of the great temptations is to get into the rut of thinking of God’s mission
in terms of aggressive “shoulds” and “oughts.” We are usually
a little more sophisticated than to blatantly claim, “The Lord has told me
that you ought to do this.” Instead we've learned to couch things in terms
of opportunities waiting and exciting challenges to meet.
Sunday,
January 23, 2005
We,
need to emphasize that Jesus invites all to discipleship, assuring us that God
invites each of us to use our particular set of gifts and abilities. The world
may want to interrupt and say, “Ah ha, if God specifically cares about you,
then God surely doesn't care as much about the person next to you.” That’s
how the world usually reasons. But God doesn’t play us against each other,
accepting some of us and rejecting others.
Sunday,
January 16, 2005
Jesus
did not promise prospective disciples more success than what they had had with
John or a more exciting itinerary. Jesus did not use guilt or intimidation to
keep disciples in line or to draw new ones in. Yet somehow prospective disciples
knew that they could trust Jesus, that he sought relationships of mutual caring,
which were in such contrast to what they had ever experienced. Jesus simply said
without pretension or disguised threats or enticing promises, “Come and see.
Stay with me a while and see if you would like to follow me.”
Sunday,
January 9, 2005
Matthew’s
fascinating story of the magi begs several very disconcerting questions. Where
do people search for wisdom today? Do they realize they may well encounter treacherous
dead ends like that of Herod’s court, and will they keep searching and eschew
the easy path? Will people recognize truth when it confronts them or will they
be seduced by only what they want to hear?