Today we begin the journey that takes us through a deliberate period of self-reflection, repentance, and renewal. Most of us have routine ways in which we reflect, repent, and renew. But part of the rhythm of the church year is to encourage us to be more disciplined, more intentional in turning out the shame and secrets that lurk behind our facades of self-protection and impression management. Happily, when we do that, we are enlightened and uplifted by the graces of a God who is not put off by whatever we uncover and who stands ready to welcome all who turn to God for restoration and renewal.

“The unexamined life is not worth living,” counsels Socrates. The Scriptures gives us a bit more focus: “Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,” counsels the prophet. (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17) “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart,” counsels the psalmist. (Psalm 51:1-17) “We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God,” urges Paul. (2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10) And “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” counsels Matthew, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21) Read the rest of this entry »

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany is devoted to the Transfiguration of the Lord, a reference to the disciples’ encounter with the brilliance and changed appearance of Jesus upon a high mountain. (Matthew 17:1-9) There, not only did the chosen disciples see with their eyes a mystical affirmation of the extraordinary stature of Jesus — they saw him alongside Moses and Elijah, key figures in the ancestral lore of the children of Israel — they also heard with their ears the same acclamation they had heard at his baptism: This is my beloved Son. (Matthew 3:13-17) So with the observance of this remarkable experience, the Epiphany season ends as it begins, with statements of faith that Jesus is the Son of God, to whom we and all should listen. Read the rest of this entry »

Nearing the end of the Epiphany Season, we receive a set of readings that encourage us to rely on God, and rest sure in the promises of God.

The psalm is a brief and calm statement of faith in God, to rest secure as a child nestled at its mother’s breast. (Psalm 131) This is the same image that the prophet uses, when the LORD gives assurance that Israel has not been forgotten any more than a mother could forget her own nursing child. (Isaiah 49:8-16a)

In the epistle, Paul is unconcerned about how others have judged him, because what matters is the commendation he will receive from God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5) And in the gospel, Jesus encourages his listeners to set aside all worry, because God’s care for them is easily as great as the care for flowers of the field and birds of the air. (Matthew 6:24-34) Read the rest of this entry »

Continuing in the themes of previous weeks, the readings for the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany say more about the wisdom and ways of God. By the very act of spreading these readings over a series of weeks, the elders of the church remind us that learning and following in the ways of God are life-long tasks.

The psalmist prays for understanding and knowledge of the law of God, and for a turning of the heart so that he might follow it. (Psalm 119:33-40) In Leviticus, we hear again part of the code of conduct that includes how we ought to treat neighbors, especially the poor and disadvantaged among us. (Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18)

The church in Corinth are reminded again that true wisdom lies in the ways of God, and in the community of Christ that is built on the foundation of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23) Then more is heard from this Christ Jesus, who continues to refine the teachings of the lawgivers and prophets, this time with particular attention given to our interaction with those who treat us wrongly. Why, we are even to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. (Matthew 5:38-48)

The closing words of Jesus in this Gospel reading are most challenging: Be perfect then, as your Father in heaven is perfect. Practice as large and generous and all-encompassing understanding of love for one another, as large and generous and all-encompassing as God practices towards us. Anything less is imperfect. Read the rest of this entry »

The readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany contain themes that are not very popular for many people. They call us to humble obedience, and they challenge us to a seemingly impossible standard. Perhaps the greatest challenge is to encounter these readings not with the mindset of a ledger or performance review, but as an invitation to always seek the ways of God, and to strive always and ever to be one with God in will and deed.

The psalmist promises that those who walk in God’s way shall be happy, blessed, protected, and honored. (Psalm 119:1-8) In Deuteronomy, the choice is laid before God’s people, to walk in God’s ways or to turn away. Clearly God lays this choice in front of the people not to set them up for an impossible task of compliance, but to offer them a way of life. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

The continuing reading from the epistle to the Corinthians doesn’t have a nice easy “hook” in it, to connect it to the other readings. But remember that Paul is writing to a church whose loyalties are divided, and who are torn apart because of it. The solution is to return to an undivided loyalty to God, with a singleness of purpose for God’s sake. (1 Corinthians 3:1-9)

Then there’s Jesus, provoking anyone who can claim to have fulfilled the letter of the law, by upping the ante and raising the stakes of what it means to live in the ways of God. (Matthew 5:21-37)

And how can we comply? Without the aid of the Spirit, we can’t, and won’t. But with the Spirit, we might have our hearts softened just enough to be open to the Spirit’s leading, for a closer walk with God, a more focused purpose in mission and ministry, and a great assurance in the forgiving and sustaining grace of God. Read the rest of this entry »

Friends, I’m back. In an effort to gain greater equilibrium, I took a brief hiatus from the weekly discipline of commenting on our worship and music here. It has been gratifying to hear from some of you that you have missed it, and that helps to motivate me to return to it. Thank you.

Much has taken place in our worship since my last post. But rather than trying to recapture every detail and nuance of the past six weeks, allow me to summarize and highlight some of our experiences. (You may find the lectionary readings for the season by following this link: Epiphany 2011.)

Each year, our celebration at the Nativity is followed quickly by the Feast of the Epiphany, recounting the visit of the Magi and recognizing in it that this Gift is meant for all nations. The promise of God is carried to the whole world, not just to a quiet corner of the earth or select peoples. The church highlights the scriptural images and references to light, in keeping before us the importance of heralding the good news of God into all places, wherever people sit in shadows and darkness of any kind. Read the rest of this entry »

With all of the preparation that was needed for Christmas services, I did not get to post descriptions of the music in advance of our worship on Christmas Eve or the First Sunday after Christmas. But for those of you who may be interested, let me describe a little bit about what we sang on these holy occasions. Read the rest of this entry »

This Fourth Sunday of Advent now brings us to the threshold of the Nativity of Christ. The Advent season invites us to be awake, alert, and aware of Christ’s once and forever coming, past, present, and future. Today’s readings bring our focus to Christ’s coming in human form, as just the beginning of the great redemption story.

The psalmist cries out for redemption: “Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19) Isaiah promises such a rescue, and attaches it to a child in whom Israel will know that God is with them. (Isaiah 7:10-16)

Paul shares grace and peace with the church in Rome, as people redeemed by Christ, the one who was promised to the descendants of Israel and whose grace and apostleship are extended to all people. (Romans 1:1-7) And Matthew tells us about Joseph’s dream, in which the messenger of God attributes to Mary’s child the very name and essence that Isaiah promised — God is with us. (Matthew 1:18-25)

Oh, if only we were visited by angels in dreams, to assure us that we too were to know God-With-Us. If only we would hear messengers of God to assure us that even our most unsettling and unexpected experiences could be the channel of God’s grace and restoration.

Of course, that is just what happens when we gather in community, to share dreams and visions, to hear others’ redemption stories, and to hear again and again how Christ comes to us, once and forever. And of course, that is how we become prophets and messengers too, to bring this simple word: Immanuel — God is with us. Read the rest of this entry »

Our service on this Third Sunday of Advent is given its focus by the sentiments of Isaiah and the psalmist. The prophet promises that even the desert will rejoice when God appears, when all sorts of misery is overturned, and sadness is replaced by exulting. (Isaiah 35:1-10) The psalmist proclaims that those who find their hope in God are happy indeed. (Psalm 146:5-10)

When John the Baptizer needed assurance that Jesus was indeed the one he had waited for, he was referred not to words or promises, but to all of the deeds whereby Jesus was overturning misery: lepers healed, blind given sight, dead being raised. (Matthew 11:2-11) And if you are waiting for such good news, James encourages patience, for the promise still remains: He is near. (James 5:7-10)

All around us are signs of merriment and glee. It may seem like the folks who organize the lectionary are a little slow on the uptake. But let’s not confuse the sweet sentiments of our December bash with the joy promised for those who hope in God. The rejoicing that is encouraged in today’s readings is so deep and pervasive that it can and does spring up in deserts and wildernesses, even among those who have known discouragement and may have doubted the presence of God anywhere near their lives. Read the rest of this entry »

On this Second Sunday of Advent, much is made of the universality of God’s goodness, intended not just for a chosen nation, but for all people. Today’s readings present familiar themes, each with an expansive view of whom God favors.

The psalmist exults in familiar images of a just and benevolent king. While the blessing may be bestowed upon the lineage of the king of Israel, the psalmist prays that such a blessing may fall upon all people, indeed the whole earth. (Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19) Isaiah describes what can be expected when this lineage from Jesse comes forth: justice, righteousness, peaceful coexistence, and security. (Isaiah 11:1-10)

John the Baptizer appears in the gospel account, calling for repentance, warning those who take their ancestry for granted, because a time of clearing and purging is in store for them. (Matthew 3:1-12) And Paul gives explicit encouragement to the Romans to live as Isaiah foresaw, to be among the Gentiles who glorify God and are filled with hope, peace, and joy. (Romans 15:4-13)

And what would that look like if we could etch such a scenario on our world today? Read the rest of this entry »