Picture credit: zsuga on Pixabay. Used by Permission.
Over the next few months, our ministry
teams will each have an opportunity to share about their ministry area through
music. They will choose our hymns for worship. How appropriate our Evangelism
Team started us out by choosing the hymns last Sunday. The hymns helped remind
us that as we (re)gather this fall, we do so for the sake of being sent.
Together, no matter our age or skills, we share the Great Commission to go into
all the world for the purpose of making disciples for Jesus.
To many, evangelism can seem like a daunting task. Yet, it proves much easier than people think. Successful evangelism is based on relationships: with God; with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ; as well as with those who God sends to cross our path in daily life. In a recent article, Christian author, Jen Wilkin, offered a few simple ways “to raise little evangelists,” but it provides incites for all of us who are children of God.
First, she suggests we should practice
being fluent in kind words. This skill is in short supply in our world. When we
don’t exercise such prudence, we can become the stumbling blocks to faith
Christ warned his followers about. When we do, our gentleness can become an
invitation to deeper relationship.
We should also be fluent in reconciling
words. Words of confession (such as “I’m sorry”) and grace-filled words (such
as “I forgive you”) reflect the Gospel. In relationships, we can give and
receive these signs of God’s own love for us.
Third, she suggests that we should
become fluent in slow words echoing James 1:19 – quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry. Measured words at the right moment help us share love
and life rather than discord and death.
Here in this season of Sunday school, we
are also reminded that as children of God the Word should dwell in us richly.
We should be fluent in eternal words – words that help us help others discover
our Triune God and the great love waiting to embrace them. Memorizing
scripture, participating in small groups (classes and Bible studies) reflecting
upon life applications, attending worship and meditating of scripture are times
used by God to fill us with God’s Spirit. From this intimacy, love can flow
more freely.
Last, we should practice hospitable
words. Inviting people into our homes is often a normal consequence of new
relationships. So, why not invite folks into our church home as well? “Why
don’t you come to church with me some Sunday?” “I find hope from going to
church. Maybe you can meet me there?” “Looking for a church family? I’m part of
a great one. Maybe you would like to visit mine?”
These are all the kind of words Jesus used with great success. They are our legacy which can be easily shared – spoken, sung, written or even digitally – along with our faith, hope and love.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Knock, knock, knock…Below is my response to “Protestantism is Not United, Not Catholic, and Not a Church,” by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick (2017).
The argument that Protestants are not united, not Catholic, and not a Church doesn’t upset me much as a Lutheran. The Great Schism (1054) and the start of the Protestant Reformation (1517) left the Christian world divided with the Orthodox, Roman Catholics (or Papists), Evangelicals (the first called Protestants and eventually Lutherans), and what were often at first named Radicals (Anabaptists and others pushing the traditional theological envelope). The Augsburg Confession was written with the hope for unity even amidst some practical, concrete theological differences.
As regional and theological breaks continued to occur, “Protestant” became an umbrella term for many disparate groups, and Evangelicalism more recently became connected to believer-baptism, “Bible based” traditions. The term, Protestant, is now sometimes used to indicate mainline denominations, but in general, the term covers a disparate group in common usage – often Mainline Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal and others. Although, it is important to note that some high church Episcopalians/Anglicans don’t like to be thought of as Protestant at all. Still, most everyone else considers them so (whether fair or not).
I would argue that some Protestants are more attached to the “Catholic” (universal) heart of the church than others. Determining what that heart is remains the rub. For my part, I put my trust in Jesus, Son of the Living God, risen from the dead. Beyond that, I’m open to arguments and even ultimately being proved wrong. Despite our hardheartedness, I find continually that the Holy Spirit makes us one Church out of many denominations (or “church bodies” if you prefer) whether we like it or not. There are many commonalities. There is an ecumenical movement affirming catholicity over division. Yes, we find these are muddied, sinful waters, but I expect the Baptismal waters will win out yet.
So, I believe the author fails to adequately or even fairly differentiate between varied beliefs of Protestantism. Echoing his own argument, must of us confess that we are not one! We understand that the Church is fractured, but we don’t have to look far to identify fractures in the Orthodox edifice as well. Just look at what’s going on in orthodoxy over in the Ukraine. Closer to home, in my own county, I know of Orthodox Christians that mutually condemn one another. Certainly, we know Orthodox folks in the Richmond area who are viewed with suspicion if not distaste by other Orthodox folks. The catholicity of the Church is broken, and so, many Christians are working toward repairing the breach when and where they can. There’s a hunger for unity with God and one another.
In my view, the author makes a mistake by conflating Protestant
traditions. He focuses on the “Reforming Catholic Confession” as if it is a
seminal Protestant document. It is actually a document initiated (as I
understand it) by Kevin Vanhoozer, a seminary instructor at Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School (Deerfield, IL). Interestingly, the seminary is affiliated with
the Evangelical Free Church of America. This denomination is Evangelical in the
modern sense (believer-baptism, “bible based,” etc.) not the Lutheran sense (“of
or according to the teaching of scripture”). The Evangelical Free Church of
America’s deepest roots are indeed found among Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian
Lutheranism, but they are ultimately a break-off sect in the United States – former
Lutherans influenced by Baptist and Evangelical neighbors. Ironically, they
were originally considered “liberal” by some, as the predecessor bodies were
trying to cast off the cloak of the “Old World” religion and hungered to be a “free”
(not state supported) church. Today, Evangelicalism is in fact often closely
connected to conservative politics and traditions, but not always.
I would argue we all fall short of the “Catholic” standard. Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Mainline Protestants, Evangelicals, Pentecostals, and all others have plenty of repenting to do rather than casting stones. I’m thankful to be part of a Protestant denomination that is trying to live out the Augsburg Confession’s hope of our being one, and most importantly, Jesus’ own prayer for us to be one (John 17:20-23).
I don’t fault the authors of “The Reforming Catholic Confession” for arguing for the catholicity of their faith (as they see it), even though, I do often disagree with their theological claims. Thanks to the Holy Spirit, I trust we are one even as we disagree. Thus, perhaps we as Church would find it more productive (and in line with God’s will) to focus on what unites us rather than divides us as Pope John XXIII suggested; even if we need good beer and conversation as the starting course.
Amidst our Christian brokenness and sin, I trust the fullness of the promised feast is yet to come. Someday, Jesus’ prayer will be completely fulfilled. Yes, we are one Church, just not quite yet.
Pastor Lou is a member of “the Three Priests.” Join him (an ELCA pastor), Fr. Adam (an Orthodox Church in Americapriest), and Fr. Nic for a Three Priests Walk in a Bar event in Ashland, Virginia, or through their (hopefully) upcoming podcast series.
This post was created in response to an article shared by an Orthodox friend, Fr. Adam, on Facebook, “Protestantism is Not United, Not Catholic, and Not a Church – Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy,” by Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, on Reformation Day 2019. Find it here: https://bit.ly/36o4XtI
As August ends, I am participating in a community worship service and national
ringing of church bells. Sunday, August 25, will mark four hundred years since
the first Africans arrived by force at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Slavery is a
tough subject to address, and when you add the many ongoing sins related to
slavery, Jim Crow Laws, segregated communities, and other signs of personal and
systemic racism, it becomes even more difficult.
Whether racism or any other hot button issue, it is helpful to remember
that forgiveness is already ours. We need not get stuck in shame whether it is
our sin, the sin of others or of the world. Nor should we fear acknowledging
guilt. Instead, humility calls us forward into a future together with Christ. We
who have been reconciled to God through Christ have also been entrusted with a
ministry of reconciliation (see 2 Cor. 5: 11-21). We can indeed address
hurtful, “hot button” issues without defensiveness or unholy anger.
As election fever rises again and troubles of the world present
themselves, I find it helpful to listen more than talk. What is really being
said and why? Is my momentary adversary speaking from their own woundedness and
therefore wounding me? Sometimes angry people facing compassion and gentleness
can be moved toward compassion and gentleness themselves. In speaking, I try to
avoid blanket statements, as hot button issues are often multilayered, nuanced
and intersect with others. As a flawed human, I might even be wrong, so I try
to consider both what I might need to learn and where we might be able to find
areas of agreement. Although Lutheran Christians have always been encouraged to
engage the world and call authorities to account when necessary, regarding the Eighth
Commandment (as Lutheran’s count them, the admonition to avoid bearing false
witness), Martin Luther cautions, “We are to fear and love God, so that we do
not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their
reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and
interpret everything they do in the best possible light” (Small Catechism).
And then, of course, we have Christ’s own teaching and example, “You
have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I
tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may
be children of your Father in heaven.” Praying for those we oppose might not
always result in an observed change in their behaviors, but I always find it
brings a change in me – in attitude toward them and the world, in my own
general peace, or sometimes in my own repentance. Consider praying before you
hit that post button or begin a difficult conversation. Or, just step away, and
then come back to address things after some prayer and reflection. It is
amazing how the Spirit can give us just the right words.
Like the Psalmist in Psalm 27, “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Sometimes that goodness will enter the world through us.
Originally published in the June 2019 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.
Picture credit: Gerard Seghers (attr) – The Four Doctors of the Western Church, Saint Augustine of Hippo (354–430); or as I would call it, “Let me think, think, think…”
At a recent “Three Priests” theology discussion, one sticking point remained as we closed our talk on the Word of God: Is the biblical canon closed? Well, I argue that depends on how you look at it.
Due to some modern fictional books and movies, the Emperor Constantine is sometimes wrongly given credit for the canon inherited in Western Christendom. Constantine did call the Council of Nicea (325), which was the first general conference or “ecumenical Council” of the Christian church, but this first gathering is not reported to have addressed the canon. In 330 CE, Constantine did finance the copying of fifty Christian “bibles,” comprised of commonly accepted books, but he, too, does not seem to have officially influenced the cannon.
So, did any council approve what we know as the cannon? That in itself is a tricky question. There *was* a “council” (small “c”) to help establish the Roman Catholic/Western cannon and later councils affirmed it, but these were not any of the seven great “Ecumenical Councils” which occurred before the split of Eastern and Western Christendom.
The Synod of Hippo of 393 is one of several gatherings of bishops sharing this name. (Synods of Hippo were also held in 394, 397, 401 and 426.) This specific gathering is commonly held by Roman Catholics as the first time any council of bishops (again, not to be confused with one of the seven “Ecumenical Councils”) listed and approved a Christian biblical canon. This list corresponds closely to the modern canon in the West. This canon included the six later books classed as deuterocanonical/apocryphal as well as First Ezra/Esdras and Second Ezra/Esdra. Also included among these apocryphal texts: Tobit, Judith, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, parts of Esther and parts of Daniel. It left out some apocryphal books recognized by the Orthodox.
This canon list was later approved at
the Council of Carthage (again a series of synods and not listed as one of the seven
ecumenical councils) pending ratification by the “Church across the
sea”, that is, the See of Rome. This Council of Carthage (the third of
several synods in the 3rd, 4th and 5th
Centuries sharing this name) affirmed the canon established in Hippo on 28
August 397 (and again in 419).
The councils held at Hippo were held under the authority of Augustine, and I’ve read he considered the cannon closed. In reality, others (both saints and heretics) continued to propose varied lists. Indeed, First Ezra/Esdras was excluded in the Vulgate Bible (late fourth century) and ceased to be considered canonical in the West. The modern Book of Ezra formerly included the Book of Nehemiah in a single book, but it is now commonly split since the 9th century onwards. It was not until 1516/17, in the first printed Rabbinic Bible of Daniel Bomberg that the separation was introduced generally in Hebrew Bibles.
The cannon solidified over time in the West, but Luther stirred the pot again with his Reformation review when he asked, “What is truly scripture?” He evaluated opinions and judgments of the past, but he wasn’t afraid to challenge them. He ultimately rejected the Apocrypha. Jewish religious leaders of Germany tended to reject them, so why shouldn’t Christians? He also attempted to remove the books of Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation from the canon. To him, they were out of whack with “grace alone” and “faith alone” doctrine. Other Reformers disagreed. In the end, he kept these New Testament books, but these books are still to be found toward the end of the German Language “Luther Bible.”
The Council of Trent (1545-1563), the 19th “ecumenical council” of the Roman Catholic Church, was called in response to the Reformation. Indeed, my old priest and Sunday school teacher (from pre-Lutheran days), Father Foley, considered this council the start of the “Catholic Reformation” in response to the “Protestant Revolt.” (These terms were common among Catholics, and remains so among some hard-corps, conservative Roman Catholics.) This council was not truly ecumenical, as it did not include anyone from the Orthodox Church. In response to the Reformation, it approved the Catholic Cannon we know today. This includes apocryphal books.
The Lutheran/Protestant cannon continued
to exclude the Apocrypha as scripture. Although not viewed as being the
standard of scripture, these works remained valued even by Martin Luther. They
are often included in modern editions of scripture, but you will find them
clearly designated as apocryphal or deuterocanonical texts.
So, is the cannon closed? Theoretically, it closed in the 300s, but one can see there have been and remain variations. The Church (East and West; Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox) could work toward more unity someday, as unlikely as that sounds. Or, maybe the West might accept just as my Orthodox friend, Father Adam Sexton, proposes, “The Orthodox Church is right. We have received what we were meant to receive.” Then, in that sense, the West could accept the East’s ruling and “go back” to that. Yet many of those Christians who are orthodox (small “o” meaning more traditional) would say, the canon is absolutely closed as is. Some suggest the canon was closed with the death of the last Apostle. Others say that scripture points to the revelation in the Christ which has fully come in Jesus.
Yet some scholars and others do indeed argue about the closing of scripture. Usually, they suggest better, more complete surviving texts might someday be found calling for an amendment to the canon. Or, they suggest texts formally rejected for theological or political reasons might need to be reevaluated. Or, they argue that there is nothing in scripture that defines the canon, only councils of men did. Yet again, most of the catholic (small c meaning universal), orthodox (small o, meaning more traditional) Church deems the canon closed by the Spirit. To do otherwise can be viewed heretical and certainly false prophets and revelation could mislead us.
In practice, some argue that the canon was closed with early gatherings of bishops (in the 300s), as well as with the East-West break, or even with the Reformation and/or Council of Trent (1500s). Yet even after choosing any of these historic markers, disputes remain between Christians over exactly which books belong. Is it really closed if the entire church can’t reach a consensus? Some past and present Protestants believe that the Church recognizes the canon, but it does not have the authority to close it.
Looking at history, Karl Barth, a Reformed theologian of the 20th Century, put it this way, “The insight that the concrete form of the Canon is not closed absolutely, but only very relatively, cannot be denied even with a view to the future” (Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics: The Doctrine of the Word of God, Vol. I/2, trans. Bromiley, G. W., & Torrance, T. F. London; New York: T&T Clark. 2004. Print. p. 476). Another major shaking of the Church could yet cause the books to be reevaluated, shuffled, or who knows what. Well, as I said last night, only God knows, and we will find out. Until then, we seem to be left with a general, human consensus – we trust guided by the Holy Spirit – and thus could be in error or not done discerning, “What is scripture?”
*As this was just for fun and general edification, I’m not listing all my resources, but they included the Catholic Encyclopedia, US Catholic Bishops Conference website, multiple Wikipedia articles (yeah, I know, not always authoritative), multiple blogs (some kind of out there), and classes by Father James Foley, SJ (may he rest in peace).
“So many books, so little time.” Perhaps few know that as well as
a pastor! We love and depend upon books even in this digital age for sound
theology and ideas for better ministry. Come into any pastor’s office, and you
will likely see books on shelves and tables, if not the floor. Today, this
clutter has likely spread through electronic versions on their tablet or phone
as well. Our lives seem fed by books.
Yet what would happen if the pastor attended to all these other books but moved away from reading scripture daily? As with anyone else, Bible stories will be conflated into cultural understandings rather than scriptural ones. Faith might become challenged if not weaker, and a hunger for meaning, understanding and hope would grow. As with satiating one’s thirst, we need to go back to the well often. We need to hear what scripture really says to us, for as an early Puritan pointed out, “God is still speaking.”
Now certainly, other books have value, as do our many commitments,
but through scripture, we encounter our Living God who loves us anew in a
special way. Scripture is the norm for teaching and our discernment over all
daily matters in our lives. The Spirit can literally touch and reshape our
hearts. Martin Luther argued the Word of God has the power to bring about repentance,
faith, and salvation. “What pasture is to the beast…the nest for the birds, the
stream for fish, the Scriptures are for believing souls,” Luther wrote.
As our community’s children return to their academic studies, let
us also return as families and individuals to scripture. Take advantage of the
free daily meditation guides in our welcome area. (Perhaps even take the extra
step of reading each scriptural citation in full and in their original context.)
Challenge yourself to a Bible reading plan based on themes for life or for
reading the Bible throughout the year. It is easier than you think. Intentionally
dig into scripture when facing decisions or problems, start or end your day.
Listen for the Spirit through other’s interpretations that might affirm,
challenge or shape your own. (Bible study with a spouse, family, or group is
immensely helpful.) Also, engage Sunday’s sermons more deeply by taking notes
or talking about the sermon or readings of the day with others afterward. You
can also discuss scripture with our Christian tradition and the universal
Church as you, just like a good pastor, attend ongoing classes and Bible
studies to help you better understand historical and other contexts as well as
hear what people of the very diverse past and present have to say.
If you need some direction, please ask Pastor Anne or me. We will
be excited to open up the Bible with you. For each time we do, we encounter
God’s love anew. And you with your faith (and questions) have something to
teach us as well.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
[God] determines the number of the stars; [God] gives to all of them their names. (Psalm 147:8)
What a wonderful time of year! Our congregation overflows with song and
laughter as younger church members and friends join us for Vacation Bible School
(VBS). Yes, we offer all the usual Bible-related activities, but this isn’t
just kid-stuff. God uses ordinary things to perform an extraordinary work in
and through us and our shared ministry.
While with these children, we hope to embody the faith God gives us –
to experience it through community – and make these ancient stories come alive.
To do this, the interactions of play and fellowship become holy times where the
love of God becomes manifest.
As biblical witness attests again and again, God’s love is a fire. How
exciting it always proves to see light shine from a child’s face as they
realize that God isn’t some far off, cold being but relational, loving and
always close to them. (Perhaps their faces become a bit like Moses’ own, filled
with light as he encountered the Lord.) For some, it might be the first time or
one of the few times they hear the words, “God loves you.”
We are intended to be children of the light which is God. We sometimes
falter. Faith can begin to flicker and even seem to fade as the cosmic winds of
life blow or we make bad choices. Yet, our Lord who is light doesn’t want to
leave us in the dark. Love always comes to us through Jesus, his Word, and his Church.
Thus through “fun and games,” the Spirit is calling these children and
our volunteers closer to the heart which is our God. Much like the spacecraft
project pictured above, the scripture stories are binding lives piece by piece
to make a more beautiful whole through faith.
Our “To Mars and Beyond” VBS reminds me of an ancient promise made to Abraham. One of those stars above us has been placed there to represent you and me. It is true. God really loves us.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Scripture text from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“Fireworks of the midsummer,” used with permission from Pixabay
As July 4th rolls around again, we as a nation look forward
to celebrating our freedom. We primarily tend to think of that freedom in terms
of our historic liberation from Great Britain or our individual rights especially
as defined and preserved by our Constitution. Yet, what does freedom really mean
for us as Christians? After all, it is Jesus who says, “So if the Son makes you
free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).
In context, Jesus was speaking in terms of sin having the power to
enslave all humanity. If sin no longer has control over our lives thanks to
Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s grace now has the ability to transform
them. Martin Luther addressed this in his work, On the Freedom of a
Christian (1520). He begins with two seemingly contradictory opinions:
A Christian is an utterly free [human], lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is an utterly dutiful [human], servant of all, subject to
all.
Here, we are not just “free” for the sake of our own whims or happiness.
God has set us free in Christ. Our lives are meant to reflect Christ’s own. We
are transformed by grace through faith into free lords where not even death has
power over us, yet we are saved for a purpose. God intends us to become vessels
of the grace we receive. Sacred love now binds us to our neighbor, and thus, we
are subject to everyone through works of love much as Christ was himself.
Still, we are not saved by these works. Jesus alone accomplished our
salvation. No, these works will be the holy consequence of God’s own loving
Spirit at work in us. When we cooperate with the grace offered us, faith conforms
and binds us to the image and activity of God. As the ELCA refrain goes, it is
always “God’s Work – Our Hands.” We practice self-discipline, service and charity
because God’s love is alive in us.
True freedom can be found only through our submission to Christ through faith. Yet in seeking to exercise that freedom, we will become linked ever more deeply to God and others. It will prove both our duty and our joy.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Scripture text from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Texts: Isaiah 65:1-9; Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39
Pastor Lou Florio – June 23, 2019
Evil…There is something about evil in the world that frightens us. And yet, it can simultaneously have the power to entice us…to draw us in. Slowly but surely, if we don’t reject and repent from the evil of the world around us, it can seem to become part of us…It can in a way consume us. In just about every culture of our world, faith traditions try to warn us. “Stay back from evil! Turn away! Repent! Focus on the goodness and promise of this life, or else we risk becoming possessed by the evil we fear.” Our lives can indeed become consumed by the tempting evil around us and the sin at work within us. Life itself can become a kind of nightmare.
Now certainly, we might not always recognize many of our struggles as demonic spirits at work like our ancient forbearers tended to do. Yet after so much time spent as a missionary among Native Americans who see the world in grand, interactive spiritual terms, I can’t say there isn’t a spiritual element to many of our problems. It is indeed the same worldview of the Gospels, and I’ve seen and experienced too much. The many twelve step groups that deal with varied addictions (and have been used by God to help so many) assert this as well. Much of our foibles and sin at some level grow out of an unanswered spiritual hunger or emptiness within us. Yet rather than turning to God, we tend to seek our own way, and that’s when we risk getting lost.
And so, as we approach today’s Gospel story, I would implore us to keep an open mind. We moderns like our demons in movies, not in life. Yet, I would argue we all have demons we deal with at some level. And there certainly seems to be powerful, explicit evil force at work in the world if not our lives as we struggle with sin, death and the Devil each day.
Therefore, however it happened, I feel deep compassion for this man calling himself Legion. I wonder how he got to live naked and alone among the tombs of Gerasene. Did he give in to temptation one too many times? Or perhaps beaten up by the world, did he withdraw from reality and loose himself on the way? Or, he could have even dabbled in magic or other black arts while trying to control the world around him…evil making itself slowly at home in his mind and his heart over time?
We don’t know the answers to how he got to be seemingly consumed by evil. We don’t have his history, but we do know that the path of sin leaves wreckage in our wake: broken relationships, isolation, a loss of our identity as beloved children of God. Sin, our sin and the sin and evil we encounter systemically in the world, has the power to destroy us and all we hold dear. This, to me, is perhaps the scariest part of the story: I fear the deep pain growing in his heart as he began to hate the world around him, our shared life, and most likely even himself.
Yes, this demon possessed man might have forgotten who he was intended to be, but Jesus didn’t. As part of the Triune God and the promised Messiah, Jesus’s actions will embody the Good News as well as fulfill the words of the prophets of old. Jesus will get into a boat to cross the sea of Galilee. It almost seems like a whimsical decision. “Let us go across to the other side of the lake,” Jesus says. And so, they put out. And on that trip, they face death in a storm that Jesus will calm – as only a god could do.
Then, he next arrives in a land occupied by outsiders to their faith, the gentile Gerasenes. Here, he will show his power over the spiritual realm. Right away, he is met by a man who lives among the dead; who claims the name Legion. (This term, recall, is a military unit of 6,000 Roman soldiers and thus perhaps an indication of the many demons hidden but at work inside him). The man cries out at the top of his voice (in Greek the words indicate a deep, guttural, almost painful cry), “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (“What business do we have in common?” is another translation.) Why do you care for or bother to come to me?
Jesus lives his answer. He has come to defeat sin, death and the Devil…to trample it underfoot as one of our communion prayers reads. He has come to call the lost, save the sinner, offer mercy and abundant, eternal life to all those that suffer in mind, body or spirit. He will even die for all, so that we might live forever with him. Jesus embodies the promise of Isaiah, the very attributes of God, as he reveals himself to those who did not ask for him and will be found by those who did not look for him (see Isa. 65:1).
Jesus will save this man with amazing grace. He will send that man – now healed and whole – back to his home to share the good news of what God has done for him…to share his faith in Jesus. Jesus loved this man, and he has crossed the waters to save him. Nothing else is reported from this trip, only this one story. It seems as if Jesus has come only for him…loved him as if he were the only one because that man needed Jesus.
Certainly, this is an ancient story with an ancient worldview, but it remains a story that plays out in our modern lives. Jesus comes for us who are broken hearted, who hate how we behave, who are lonely, who struggle valuing ourselves and the life that we have been given…a sometimes very difficult life. Think of whatever the deepest most hidden sin you struggle with, or consider your greatest fear, and then ask Jesus, “What business do you have with me? Why should you even care?” The answer remains the same, “I wish to share everything I have with you, because I love you.”
So here he is, Immanuel (God with us)…Jesus…reaching out to us, but too often, we are afraid to believe…afraid to trust him. We doubt the power of his cross to make a difference in our lives. “It is too good to be true,” we might say. “My sin is too big to be forgiven.” “I am unlovable and worthless.” To be honest, as a human in need of saving, I’ve heard these phrases in different forms whispered in my own mind at times. Also time and again, as a missionary, chaplain and pastor, I have heard these fears shared by others using varied words. It seems part of our shared, earthly experience – our corrupted spiritual DNA perhaps. These lies (and that’s what they are) tend to haunt us.
In response, always remember that Jesus speaks to us too: in our life among God’s faithful people; in hearing the Word and sharing the Lord’s Supper; in our proclaiming the Good News of Christ through word and deed; as we serve all people following the example of Jesus and strive for God’s justice and peace…Yes, in faithfully living our promises of baptism, we, too, are blessed and healed while evil is sent running away.
Jesus uses these lived promises to perform miracles. He draws us away from the powers of this fallen world and closer to himself. I know it can remain scary to leave what we know (even sometimes the pain of sin itself) in order to embrace this new life in Christ, but Jesus has come far to lead us home. Believe in him, hold on to his promises, and do not be afraid, for we are about to witness miracles beyond our wildest dreams. Amen.
Photo credit: sl3p3r on pixabay.com
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this article are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.
Annette Pfohl, a dear friend (who became
family to Kristine and I over the years), had an aggressive form of breast
cancer. It was a long, hard fight, and both her family of blood and large family
connected through love alone wanted to support her. They became known as Team
Annette.
Still young, her son, Kyle was an active
part. At Riverbend High School, he and other students were challenged to do
some sort of community service. Rather than give into anger, he remembered his
mother’s words about how to battle cancer: “It means never giving up hope and
supporting each other!”
His passion was running, and he had
become incredibly good at it. Finally, that passion and promise intersected
with holy purpose. That senior project became much more than he first imagined.
After its eighth year this past Sunday, the Battling Cancer Race has raised
approximately $120,000 to help cancer patients in the Fredericksburg region.
Annette died in 2016, but the love and
hope she shared reflected the Christian love and hope she held on to. As I led
the opening prayer this year for the event, it struck me that the hope that
helped Annette remains alive and well through the runners and walkers
assembled. Through their desire to love their neighbor or perhaps honor family
or friends fighting cancer – while doing
what they love – they are no longer just “runners” or “competitors.” They have
become living signs of hope among us.
What is your passion? Where do your interests and skills lie? Most likely, these will cross with your holy purpose so that the faith, hope and love of God can be magnified. We each have a different race to run perhaps, but we share the same goal. So, “let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (see Hebrews 12:1-3). It’s this kind of hope that will change us and the world one step at a time. It’s the kind of hope that has led Kyle to become a new member of Christ Lutheran and the faith which we share.
Originally published in The Hub, a weekly email of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
Pentecost Sermon, Year C Texts: Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA June 19, 2019
The great St. Paul, surprising Apostle to the Gentiles, once confessed, “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Thanks to the Holy Spirit, his faith and understanding evolved, deepened and grew as he journeyed through life – as it intends to do during all of our lives.
As I turned to the Holy Spirit in prayer this week, I asked for help with today’s message. That’s always a good place to begin, and after some time, this particular passage came to my mind and just wouldn’t go away. It just seemed so appropriate in light of our reading on the Tower of Babel, as well as our having nine of our youth recognized as adults though the ritual of confirmation, and one adult choosing to affirm their faith this day as well. You’ve probably heard it before at a wedding or other community focused worship event, as Paul seeks to address the importance of the faith, hope and love we all share as Christians.
As I said, this quote came to my mind as I reflected on the Tower of Babel. I was fascinated by this story as a child with its dynamic images of a tall tower reaching towards heaven. I thought it was so cool. And then, we get to hear of punishment…or at least, that what it sounded like to me. In my juvenile mind, I saw the tower come crashing down in God’s anger with fire and brimstone or perhaps a mighty wind – much like I might have torn down my Lego towers while playing. I pictured this destruction even though scripture tells us no such thing. Scripture reveals that the tower survived unfinished, and the people were only scattered throughout the earth, never destroyed or abandoned. This was just as God intended when Adam and Eve were told to go forth and multiply and inhabit all the earth. The people of Babel would spread over time with new languages and eventually dynamic, beautiful new cultures. Each of these cultures conribute to a remarkable tapestry that makes our world a better place and helps glorify God. My childhood brain could certainly understand consequences for wrong behavior…but the wideness of grace and mercy? Apparently, I wasn’t quite ready to understand that.
This sacred story often shared even in preschools is at its depths no kid’s story. It is a mythic tale, and by that I don’t mean false, but a teaching story rooted in the past and revealing ultimate truths about ancient peoples, ourselves, and the sacred activity of God woven through it all. If you listened closely, you heard that the people of God, yet once again, have sought to be like God. They are chasing after the power, wealth and glory of this world and losing touch with who they were meant to become in the process. Much like Adam and Eve, they’ve reached for that unattainable fruit, and now, they face separation from God and one another. That’s always the way when we do such things, even today.
Like Adam and Eve, these people were sent out into the world, but just as Adam and Eve wouldn’t leave Eden without God’s grace and a plan for restoration, neither will the people of Babel. Adam and Eve would be provided clothing, protection and family. The people of the tower will receive something even better. God will make eternal good come from bad. Among all these new peoples, one people would be set apart. Remember the “children of Abraham?” Abraham would be given a trust in God that would rush and wind its way down through a very troubled, often sinful family line. This was often a family that fought amongst themselves, who were selfish and lazy, or sometimes meanspirited and lacking faith. They struggled with faith and often sinned. Yet, they spread out into the world and became what we know as the people of Israel. The Jewish people, a small, enslaved and often conquered people, would be used to fulfill promises delivered by the prophets. Through the Jewish people, all nations would become blessed. It was the Jewish people who lead us to Jesus, and some from this people will number among his first followers. Today, our confirmands claim their share in that sacred inheritance.
Yes soon, moments from now, our confirmands will be welcomed as adults in the church. They have been offered a choice to affirm the promises of their baptism…to seek to love Jesus by following his commands. Yet as they have hopefully learned (and all we Christians should understand), we can topple as easy as the people on that tower of Babel. We are they, and they are us…flawed, sinful, never able to be perfect on our own…people. We are just people. And so as we set off in the world with good intentions, Jesus offers us hope, help and a way forward. An Advocate was sent to live with us and in us. It came to us through the promises of our Baptism whether we feel it or not; understand it or not. For, it is God’s promise to us!
Now, as a child (even into my young adult years), I understood this wrongly. Yes, people promise (or have sponsors promise on their behalf when too young to do so themselves) to seek to follow Christ. Publicly proclaiming and affirming our faith is a great and appropriate thing to do each and every day, but if we are honest, we know our promises will break now and again. Fortunately, baptism is not ultimately about us. It is more about God’s reaching out to us. And so daily through our lives, the Holy Spirit…the One who came upon us at our baptism…who claimed us as God’s own at our baptism…who set us apart to bless nations…that very same Spirit will seek to affirm and fulfill a godly, perfect promise again, and again and again…even when we goof up… even when we don’t deserve it. With that Spirit’s first coming to dwell in the hearts of the Apostles, we were given a sign to help us believe. Recall, “All of [the disciples] were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4).” What had seemed a curse for the people of Babel had now become blessing in the hands of our God…a gift meant to unify and call people of all nations home. They would be called through the voices of ordinary people.
Yes, it is true that through the ages we have inherited a sometimes fractured, imperfect faith skewed by human sin, but the Spirit makes even faith much smaller than a mustard seed “count,” or in other words have a powerful affect. Faith can impact us and transform our life. Our shared faith has made it to us through torture and persecution, corrupt church government and fallen preachers, and even our ancestors (sinner-saints all; people just like us). it couldn’t be stopped. It has come to rest upon us all these centuries later…lives inside us. Yet while the Spirit invites us to faith, it never forces. It challenges us each day to say publicly we believe (and also live like it too). God’s deep desire is to have all nations and peoples praise him in those many languages. And today on Pentecost, we are reminded that we have been chosen to become part of God’s story, the one who spoke us into being with a purpose.
When I was seeking to become a police officer, I had to take a complete physical exam testing both mind and body. I was younger back then, and I had no glasses. As I went through the eye test looking through a scope to read those small, random, letters in a line, they grew smaller and smaller. “What do you see know?” the technician asked over and over and over again. As it went on and on, I became confident that I had failed the test, and I finaly gave up. I was defeated, and I assumed my dreams were dashed. And so, I finally admitted that I could no longer make any letters out. It was only then the technician laughed and said, “No worries. You have excellent vission. I was just seeing how far we could go.” I share this story with you, because I had already passed the test without even knowing it.
As you, our confirmation candidates, come to profess your faith publicly today, you might not see clearly where your future lies. You might not fully understand how God intends to use you or has been using you already. You might even fear you are not up to the test before you or have doubts or struggle with even the idea of faith…so might we all admit such things at times if we are adult about it…but fortunately that’s not the key to this day or any of our days with Jesus. Jesus has passed the test for us. We need not worry, only believe.
Yes, we are already declared acceptable to God and deeply loved through this gift of our faith and baptism. As the head of our Synod’s Youth Council rightly proclaimed yesterday before the assembled “wiser” adults, youth are not the future of the church, they are already the church – now and into the future. With the Spirit’s presence in your lives (in all of our lives), I trust that even greater things are yet to come just as Jesus promised. I urge you to seek out the Spirit, and try to hold onto it. For when you have faith, you are in for one amazing ride. Amen.
Husband, Pastor, Law Enforcement Chaplain, and member of the Clerical Errors (aka "The Three Priests"), I'm sharing my two cents with anyone who cares...
You can also find me on social media as Loudluthrn (Lou-d-Luthrn or Lou the Lutheran). It is a moniker given me while attending a Presbyterian Seminary, but I'm a loud and proud Lutheran too (just not too loud and proud, mind you).
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