Tag Archives: bible

January 3, 2024 · 6:18 pm

Found yourself in a pickle? Return to the manger (Sermon)

Weinachts gurke, Christbaumschmuck der Firma Inge-Glas, Neustadt bei Coburg, Deutschland, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This Christmas sermon inspired by the popular pickle ornament was preached on  Luke 2:1-20 at Christ Lutheran Church (Fredericksburg, VA) on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023. You can also find a recording of this post at my 2 Penny Blog Podcast.

Sadly, there is no children’s message tonight, but we are all Children of God, and this is Christmas Eve, so I have something to show you. [Displaying pickle Christmas ornament.] Can anyone tell me what this is?  —- That’s right, it is a pickle ornament, but in this case, it has a pickle flavored gummy candy inside. (Yum, right?) As I shopped for gifts this year, both in Walmart and Target, I discovered versions of this tasty “gift” inspired by the popular Christmas ornament – the pickle.

Now, there are several different origin stories attributed to the tradition of hanging a pickle on one’s tree, including one claiming an origination in Germany. This has been largely discounted by those who study such things, and it is now thought to be a German-American tradition created in the late 19th century – perhaps during the Civil War – right here in the US. Yet however it started, the idea remains that on Christmas morning, the first person to find the pickle on the tree will receive an extra present from Santa Claus or (they say) you will have a year of good fortune ahead.

In any case, seeing this pickle candy ornament got me thinking. It has a sour and sweet taste. Some will like it. For others, it might be hard to swallow. And in that tension – stick with me now – we might just have a perfect allegory for Christmas. You see, the story of Christmas is not really one of just lights, triumphant song, and gifts. We celebrate something much more complex. The story of Jesus is both sweet and sour, joyous and sad, easy for some to hold on to and hard for others to dare hope in.

When we look closely at the story itself, when we ponder it perhaps as Mary and Joseph truly experienced it, we witness a couple who had to accept the impossible – a virgin birth. They did so at the risk of accusations of sins such as adultery. This could make Joseph appear the cuckolded fiancé to his peers or one who took advantage of poor, young Mary, thus he would dishonored, a pariah, in an honor-based society. Worse, it perhaps could have resulted in Mary’s stoning for adultery – for a relationship outside of marriage was deemed a reason for death. Who among their family, friends and neighbors would believe such a crazy story as a virgin birth? Despite the risks, they accepted their fate. They trusted God, and therefore, both Mary and Joseph said yes to God.

Then, they faced another challenge – that of the census and its associated taxes. They had to travel to Joseph’s ancestral, tribal home of Bethlehem. They embarked on what was likely a four to seven day journey over about 90-miles. Remember, there were no paved roads, cars, trains, planes, nor were there rest-stops along the way.[i] Lyft and Uber were not options. They traveled on rocky, dirty, dusty paths. They traveled through a land under military occupation by the Romans, who could sometimes randomly be bullies to the native peoples. Not only that, Mary and Joseph also faced the very common risk of rebels and robbers harassing them as they traveled as well.

And let us not forget that Mary traveled even as Jesus’ birth was imminent. She was in her third trimester. If Joseph cared about Mary and the baby, the pace would have likely been slower with many stops for the bathroom, rest, and food. So, some specuilate that the trip might have taken a week traveling at the less than the rocket pace of about 2-mph.[ii] Despite facing many challenges in trusting in the great promise of Jesus, if not experiencing very real fear at the political and religious threats around them, both Mary and Joseph continued to say yes to God. They stepped out bravely in faith, for God had promised to be with them on their journey.

And once they arrived, more challenges appeared. There was no room at the inn. This small, backwater village of Bethlehem did not seem to have the capacity for all those who returned to be counted. They found themselves instead in a stable. Archeology and historical studies in the area indicate these stables were often more like caves. They offered the smallest amount of protection and comfort. Yes, the newborn king was not yet widely celebrated. He was laid somewhat quietly in a manger…a trough for animals, surrounded by noisy animals and filth. No, there were no robes or crowns for Jesus. Luke reports he was wrapped in bands or strips of cloth – essentially “wrapping” Jesus tightly…swaddling him…in what meager things they had.

There’s a common and ancient Christian belief that being born in this cave and wearing his swaddling clothes foreshadow Jesus’ future burial in a stone tomb. As cute as Jesus must have been, as warm as the loved shared between parents and child could ever be, we should not forget why our Messiah came. This innocent baby, born without sin, would be hated by many, find no roof to call his home for the last years of his life, and he would ultimately suffer and die for our sake. (Thus, you will often see Eastern Orthodox icons and ancient European art shockingly portraying Jesus as an infant wrapped tightly within his burial cloth.)

Even as Jesus started his life among us, scripture suggests he and his family were poor. They had no finery. And yet, again, Mary and Joseph made do with what they had. They trusted God to supply their every need, and they shared what they had including all their love with Jesus. Yes, they trusted God with their lives, and despite the many threats and challenges, they sought to live in expectation and hope. (Of course, this doesn’t mean they never cried, or suffered, or felt fear. They were human after all, but the power of such times did not control them. They knew they were in God’s loving hands, and that truth helped them to act free of fear to do the right thing – as that same truth might do for us.)

So, we see that the story of the nativity is in a great part one of threat, struggle, poverty, and suffering…There’s a sourness to it. Our modern sensibilities might not like it, but that is the way it was. That’s the way our lives can be today in part. We might not want to think about the hard things that come with life. We probably prefer the happy, but Jesus came to share our lives fully – even the bad parts, including death – even as he remained our God. And Mary and Joseph? This was a couple who likely experienced much joy, but they also knew what it meant to be a human in a very fallen and unfair world. They, my friends, as great as they were, were much like us.

However, before we lose hope, remember that there is much sweetness in this story too. There proves much reason for joy. For Jesus came as Immanuel, God with us. Jesus has come to ultimately save us from harm and every evil – even our own struggle with sin. And we can also see that Mary and Joseph’s own love and faith sustained them – much as such faithful, loving relationships with others can help empower and sustain us. Mary and Joseph proved stronger due to these social bonds, and so can we.

And we learn as the Gospel unfolds that many others who are oppressed, forgotten, alone, sick or suffering – perhaps again people like us – came to see Jesus as he truly is over time…see him as Mary and Joseph did as the Holy Spirit opens eyes, minds, and hearts. Jesus is not you average baby. He is the Messiah, our Savior, our Redeemer, our way to forgiveness, joy, and everlasting life…He’s meant to be our everything. And because of Jesus’ call for us to be one, these newly enlightened ones sought to be one no matter what they have done or failed to do, and they invited others to be in relationship with Jesus – as we should strive to do.

If that wasn’t enough, the angels remind us of the eternal import of this baby’s birth as they sing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” We can’t trust our feelings. We cannot look to our situation or the world for a final clue. No, God loves us so much, God comes to us…as one of the most vulnerable among us…a baby…and angels (God’s messengers) point the way. Our Father in Heaven declares that it is upon us that his favor rests…us! Can you believe it? God in Jesus has come to us and for us. Wow!

The world can seem so daunting at times, perhaps even against us, but it is at Martin Luther observed so long ago now, “The incarnation is proof that God is not against us.” No, as bad as life can get, God always loves us and promises a future filled with hope ahead of us. God comes to us in our need over and over again. Is it any wonder that the shepherds left amazed, and Mary treasured these mysteries and pondered them? There is so much sour in our world. It can be hard to believe that good exists, never mind believe that the baby laying at her breast was God.

Faith is hard. Trusting is a risk. And so sometimes as a human as I face difficulties, I just want to spit all the sour out; throw up my hands and walk away. Even as Advent started, as many of you know, I was reminded of the sting of death as someone incredibly important to me died. And many here have faced their own losses, disappointments, negative diagnoses, financial problems, perhaps even worse this past year. Each of us has a unique story, but I know we are all human in a broken world. Even with faith, life is hard. The imperfections of our world and our life are always present. They remain almost easier to identify than our blessings. They can capture our attention and hold us hostage. Much as our sin can do, our problems might also bind and blind us.

In response, God’s messengers again shout for our attention, “in the town of David a Savior has been born to you,”…for you. In some ways, Christmas seems most especially for the sad ones among us…Those of us walking through a “Bleak Midwinter” can see a light beckoning us on, warming our hearts, and calling us toward trust.[iii] Like Mary and Joseph, understanding that God is Love, a Love that has and will continue to reach out to us, we can seek to trust the promises of God to be with us, and for us, even if we must do so through tears at times.

Thus, no matter who we are or our situations, we, too, can step out in faith as Mary and Joseph once did. Like the shepherds, we might not fully understand, we might struggle to trust, but we can seek this hope we have heard testified to us. We can try to share our experience, strength, and hope with others. For in seeking Jesus with the eyes of faith, we will find that Jesus is already and always will be reaching out to us before we even recognize him – much as he came unnoticed by most of the world on that first Christmas Eve.

I, for one, think we need to both notice his birth and look for Jesus in our lives each day. As a young adult from the Slovak Republic reminded me through a meditation she shared while I faced my own grief, “When we are feeling hopeless, we are not facing the God that is giving us hope, [instead] we are facing the world that is giving us these hopeless feelings.”[iv] In effect, we are believing in the power of the world more than God’s power. We are in a way worshipping the world instead of God, giving it power over our lives. Instead, we have the choice to turn to our God and live.

And so, in both good times and bad, God calls us back to the manger – to take another look. Amidst the sour of this world, the sweet cries of Jesus lying in the manger were calling us by name before we were even born; imploring us to trust in him today and always. Times might be hard, we might feel like we are in a pickle (you knew I had to go there), but through that baby in a manger, we always have access to a hope we can concretely hold onto. Jesus is here. God became human in the flesh. Heaven has broken into our world. In this, we can rejoice. We might only get a foretaste of this glory for now, but life – thanks to Jesus and his promises – remains very sweet indeed. Amen.  

[i] https://aleteia.org/2018/12/18/a-feast-no-longer-celebrated-invites-us-deeper-into-the-bethlehem-journey/

[ii] Gordon College. (December 18, 2020) “Five things you didn’t know about the Christmas story.” https://stories.gordon.edu/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-christmas-story

[iii] See Condon, S. (December 17, 2023). Put the sad back in Christmas: Enough with the forced holly jolly. https://mbird.com/holidays/christmas/put-the-sad-back-in-christmas/

[iv] Eva Chalupkova. Lutheran World Federation, Facebook Reel dated December 19, 2023.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) translation.

© 2023 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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February 24, 2023 · 12:30 pm

Lutherans fast? Sometimes…

Christ in the Desert,
by Ivan Kramskoi, oil on canvas, 1872.
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Many people ask pastors about fasting as Lent begins. For Lutherans, it is commended, but it is in no way a mandate. Why do some choose to fast during Lent? We do so because of Christ’s own example during his forty days in the wilderness, but it is also recommended to us in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures as a helpful spiritual discipline – not just during Lent but at any time of the year. It can also serve as a sort of penance.[i] The Augsburg Confession states, “Fasting in itself is not rejected, but what is rejected is making a necessary service of fasts on prescribed days and with specified foods, for this confuses consciences. . . . Such outward forms of service do not make us righteous before God . . . therefore it is not a sin to omit them.”[ii]

Primarily, fasting often involves a restriction on when, how much, or what type of food (for example, choosing fish or vegetarian dishes over meat) one might eat. We should not fast from food if it puts our health at risk. You might like to speak with your doctor as to what might work for your circumstances, and please stop fasting if you begin to feel unwell. Yet in modern times, many people fast from activities or things such as social media, enjoyable hobbies, or drinking alcohol. If choosing to fast, you might like to choose something meaningful to you, so that when you feel the pangs of any absence or sacrifice, you might draw your thoughts to God and Christ’s own sacrifice for our sake. Prayer, meditation, and Bible study are helpful during a fast, as they can make the experience all the more meaningful as God’s Spirit seeks to speak to us. Through fasting, we wish to open and refocus our hearts toward God with the Spirit’s help.

Certainly, some kinds of fasting might help us curb unhelpful behaviors or improve our health. Yet, never think we earn more of God’s love in the process. We cannot earn such a gift already freely offered us by Jesus. In speaking about fasting, Martin Luther argued:

“The Scriptures present to us two kinds of true fasting: one, by which we try to bring the flesh into subjection to the spirit, of which St. Paul speaks in 2 Cor 6:5: ‘In labors, in watchings, in fastings.’ The other is that which we must bear patiently, and yet receive willingly because of our need and poverty, of which St. Paul speaks in 1 Cor 4:11: ‘Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst,’ and Christ in Mt 9:15: ‘When the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast.’ This kind of fasting Christ teaches us here while in the wilderness alone without anything to eat, and while he suffers his penury without murmuring. The first kind of fasting, one can end whenever he wills, and can satisfy it by food; but the other kind we must observe and bear until God himself changes it and satisfies us. Hence it is much more precious than the first, because it moves in greater faith.”[iii]

Can’t fast for forty days? Well, try it for a week or on the occasional day during Lent. Whatever you choose to do or don’t do, offer it up in love to the glory of God. Prayerfully and expectantly watch and wait for the Spirit to help and guide you.

Want to read Martin Luther’s sermon? Visit this link: Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent; Matthew 4:1-11

[i] Penance is an outward expression of one’s desire to repent, to turn our hearts back to God and make amends for our wrongs toward our neighbors.

[ii] See https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/#article26.33

[iii] Excerpted from Volume II:133-147 of The Sermons of Martin Luther, published by Baker Book House (Grand Rapids, MI). It was originally published in 1906 in English by Lutherans in All Lands Press (Minneapolis, MN), as The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther, vol. 11. Original sermon title: “The fast and temptation of Christ.” Downloaded at liturgies.net/Lent/Sermons/lutherlent1.htm on February 23, 2023.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) translation.

© 2023 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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October 19, 2022 · 7:25 pm

Through the Tumult

Art: Crossing the Red Sea, by Gitty Fuchs. Learn more or purchase at https://www.gittyfuchs.com/

This sermon was preached on the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (October 2, 2022) at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA. You can listen to this sermon at my podcast, 2 Penny Blog.

For unknown reasons, God chose Egypt to be a land intimately connected to our salvation history. For a few examples, consider that Egypt was the land that saved the family of Joseph from starvation. Years passed, and the extended family later grew into a numerous people who became viewed by a later Pharoah as a threat. As a result, they were enslaved. Out of Egypt, God would call what had become twelve disparate, squabbling tribes (descendants of Joseph and his eleven brothers) to become one people serving God but also intended to bless the world.

“Out of Egypt I called my son,” spoke Hosea for God. The people of Israel were the inheritors of God’s grace, God’s children. That’s how Hosea understood the story of the Exodus when he originally spoke the words that we heard quoted in Matthew’s Gospel. Yet, Egypt also becomes the place Jesus as a child would find safety with his family from Herod’s power. Jesus, God’s only true son, would be called later from Egypt to fulfill his purpose in a way Hosea likely could not have imagined.

You might also know that Mark the Evangelist would seek to build the Church in Egypt. He would become the first Bishop of Alexandria (Egypt). For a time, it was the most Christian nation in the world until Islam oppressed the church in that region and supplanted it. Yet no human, natural or supernatural powers can fully extinguish faith. Believers remain.

And perhaps most curious of all, one sees in today’s reading from the Book of Exodus how God used Egypt’s folly and sin to firmly establish God’s sovereignty before the people of Israel and all the earth. More than a mere rescue or miracle story, the story of the Red Sea’s parting is ultimately revealing God’s self and purpose.

This is an extremely ancient story. Although there is only one historic column found thus far in Egypt with hieroglyphics believed to be identifying the people of Israel, scant other physical or extrabiblical, written testimony of the escape from Egypt remains. This should be no surprise, as Egyptian pharaohs tended only to preserve the history that lifted them up as gods and declared their power as supreme. Defeats and struggles were to be forgotten, as these didn’t fit their agenda.

The location of Yam Suph, or technically “the Reed Sea,” might lead us to consider the crossing in the north. This is where marshy waters of the Red Sea basin historically existed. Yet, tradition only indicates the crossing was through what we know today as the Red Sea. It does not indicate exactly where the Israelites traveled. Some scientists have tried to explain the waters parting through the impacts of wind. Perhaps it was a miracle not so unlike the reverse storm surge seen with Hurricane Ian. In this historic case, what is called a wind setdown is suspected. With a wind setdown, strong winds — a little over 60 miles per hour — create a ‘push’ on coastal water which, in one location, creates a storm surge. But in the location from which the wind pushes — in this case, the east — the water moves away.”[i] Other ideas have been suggested.  

Yet when all is said and done, we have this inherited story lasting thousands of generations, a story that shapes the identity of the Jewish people and our own. For the events did not just happen for the sake of those present on that shore long ago. As noted elsewhere, “The story of the stunning triumph of Yahweh over the great power of Egypt is told in order to summon Israel to faith.”[ii] It is a faith we have inherited and share. Trapped before the waters, the people cry to God in fear. They also attack Moses three times. “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt…” (Exodus 14:11-12). And Moses replies three times, explicitly calling them to faith, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today…” (Exodus 14:13-14). Much as Joseph had a defender in God, Moses says the people who God chose to love will be defended. Moses shouts, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” This understanding is echoed later in the Psalms and elsewhere when God says, “Be still and know (trust) that I am God.”

With the greatest army of the earth at the time descending upon them…facing the most developed armaments of war, the chariot, with basically no weapons…the people of Israel are asked only to be still…to trust in God. Even in the face of defeat, they are conquerors. Some scholars suggest that it is unlikely Saint Paul would have understood Jesus in the same way if not for this incredible scene.[iii] In Romans 8 (verse 37), he would declare, “No, in all these things [all the sufferings and tribulations of our lives] we are more than victorious through him who loved us.” (Or many translations say, we are more than conquerors.) Even facing our greatest losses, challenges, or defeats, when pushed up against raging seas of despair, we are conquerors because of God’s great love for us. God will do what we cannot…always. God will save. We will survive the tumult because our ultimate destination is assured. This has been decreed by God since before the time of Israel…promised us…and as I often quote and Luther often said, “God does not lie.”

Psalm 46 teaches us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (verses 1-3). The theological understanding behind these later words is the same reality of the Israelites cornered at the sea. It remains true for us as we are cornered by whatever threatens or demoralizes us. God is with us. God loves us. Watch, wait, and see for our deliverance – even when the face of death is near.

This is an amazing promise. It is perhaps even hard for us humans to believe, and yet stories like today’s challenge us to cling to God in faith like a life preserver.[iv] Be still before this awesome God who loves you…before this remarkable God who wills to save you. Trust, believe, and worship. Stop what you are doing, still your mind, “and acknowledge that God alone is the sovereign ruler of the universe and commit to following him”[v]…wherever God leads us.

Through our support and rescue, through the many Hurricane Ians, the wars like the one in Ukraine, the economic hardships of recent times…the daily loss and death before us…nothing will separate us from the love of God. Indeed, I don’t think my faith would be as strong if I had not come from a family with so many troubles, seen so much violence, or faced cancer. God will be glorified and his sovereignty be made known as he helps us through and saves us. Then as we praise and give God thanks (even when we can only do so with tears in our eyes), others will come to believe.

“Be still and remember who God is, be still and stop fearing, be still and see what God is doing, be still and acknowledge his greatness, be still and know God is with you…now spread the knowledge of who he is!”[vi] So counsels Christian blogger, Liz Auld. Be still doesn’t mean we no longer need to try. The Israelites still had to walk through those two imposing walls of water, didn’t they? It doesn’t mean things will be easy. It doesn’t release us from toil or tears. Again, the history of the Israelites exemplifies this. Yet, God’s faithfulness teaches us that we will be ok no matter what we face.

Do not fear. Stand firm. Trust and see. Everything that has already been done by God, has been done for you. Indeed, God gave his only Son to die for you. After so much effort, God won’t give up on you now, so don’t you give up. Keep walking in God’s love, for no empire, no principality, not even our own doubts or darkness will stop our God’s will to save us. Amen.

[i] Moony, C. (December 8, 2014). “No, really: There is a scientific explanation for the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus.” Washington Post. Washington, DC: Nash Holdings.

[ii] Keck, L.E. (2004). “Exodus 14:1-31.” The New Interpreter’s® Bible Commentary Volume I: Introduction to the Pentateuch, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, p. 796.

[iii] Ibid, p. 796

[iv] Image from Alcoholics Anonymous literature.

[v] Auld, L. (2 march 2021). “What does “Be still and know that I am God’ really mean?” Downloaded from https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-verse-be-still-and-know-that-i-am-god.html on September 30, 2022.

[vi] Ibid

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2022 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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May 23, 2022 · 5:28 pm

The Spirit is on the Move

Photo by Oliver Hihn on Unsplash

This sermon was preached on the Sixth Sunday in Easter (May 22, 2022) at Christ Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, VA. You can listen to the sermon on my companion podcast: S1, Ep17, or watch it on our congregational YouTube channel.

         Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

        Through our Gospel lesson this morning, we have just heard part of Jesus’ farewell discourse from the night before his death. As he speaks of his departure, his death, resurrection, and ascension as well, the Apostles suspect that there are many dangers which lie in wait for them. There’s both anxiety and questions in their life. There’s also misunderstanding. As Prof. Elisabeth Johnson points out, “First Peter (John 13:36), then Thomas (14:5), then Phillip (14:8), and then Judas (not Iscariot)[i] (14:22) ask for clarification about what Jesus is telling them,”[ii] as they gather for the last time.

        Not included in today’s assigned reading, the Apostle Judas (not Iscariot), sometimes identified as Jude, has just asked, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” The answer is not found in some secret spiritual knowledge. It is not a matter of extensive study or any kind of perfection. Jesus seeks to make clear that the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will come in a new, intimate way as a gift. Those of the world will not recognize the Spirit any more than the world has recognized Jesus. Yet that won’t stop the Spirit’s purposeful movement or power. Jesus’ children will hear that voice, and as a result, those children will share the love of God with the world.

        Yes, Jesus reveals himself through the Holy Spirit, just one part of our one Triune (Trinitarian) God…a Spirit which was, is, and always will be one with Jesus. Through that Holy Spirit on the move through circumstances and individual hearts, Jesus continues to work in the world. As noted in many Bible commentaries, Jesus’ promise stands out “that the Father will send the Holy Spirit to be alongside his disciples, to teach them and remind them of all that Jesus has said to them (John 14:26).”[iii] As Advocate, the Spirit acts like our ambassador or attorney, conveying our needs to God and guiding us -advising us, counseling us. It empowers us through grace and forgiveness and thus makes us holy. The Spirit is also called the Paraclete, meaning “called along beside.” For as predicted through the prophets, the Spirit will finally come to reside in our hearts through the experience of Pentecost. The Spirit goes with us into the world, binding us with God and in communion with one another as one holy catholic (or universal) Church.

        Just as the earth was first shaped with the God’s breathing of commands (“Let their be light!”), life came into the first human beings through God’s breath, “the breath of life.” And as the Church comes into being, the risen Jesus will breathe upon his disciples to gift them peace and guide them. Finally with the event called Pentecost, the Spirit will come to the disciples in a locked room amidst a sound like the rush of a violent wind and appearing as if tongues of fire. The Spirit, often portrayed as wind or breath, comes to breathe life into our lives, comes to protect us in our life, and call us into deeper trust of God. It is through the Spirit that the disciples finally, truly became Church, and we ourselves have come to believe. For no one can come to acknowledge Jesus as Lord without the Spirit’s help (see 1 Cor. 12:3). No one can truly live or experience an abundant life without that “breath of life”…the gift of the ever active, always present, Holy Spirit.

          Now, we don’t have time to do this right now, but if we were to break into small groups and consider how God brought us to this place, as we are on this day, we would likely identify miraculous and expansive connections – an intermingling of events and people – that have guided us, shaped us, and perhaps even thrust us into this time and place as the people we have become. Without even knowing the details of your history, I know that nothing that you’ve experienced (good or bad), none of your weaknesses or strengths, nor even any of your relationships (no matter how deep, hurtful, or blessed) has been wasted by God. God has the will and the knack for using everything for our good (see Romans 8:28) because God loves us.

        However, this love means that God is not done with us. We certainly aren’t keeping Jesus’ word perfectly even as we try to do so…that’s impossible for any human, imperfect sinner-saints that we are…so God through the Holy Spirit acts for us, and in us, and upon us. In a fallen world…a fallen life…God has not given up on you. God never gives up on us. The Spirit blows where it will, and in being part of our lives…in bringing us faith and peace…we are shaped and sanctified (made holy) over time through the Sacraments, the Word of God that we hear and read, and even through our experiences encountered through faith. We are blown forward toward God’s goal despite what choices we might make. God’s will will be done.

        Yes, with complete confidence, I can proclaim that all of us have been led here for a singular, shared – yet at the same time unique to each one of us – purpose. God is doing something in our lives whether we see it or not, feel it or not, or understand it or not. Indeed, not one of us came up with the idea of God or understanding of Jesus on our own. The Good News of Jesus was heard and received through others. It is exactly as Luther identified long ago, “[One] would find Christ must first find the Church.”[iv] You have to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ from somebody. When all is said and done, the Spirit spreads faith and increases the Church through imperfect, unfinished people like you and me.

        And is not that what we see today in Lydia’s life back in Philippi? Throughout all the Book of Acts? God’s love spreads (as an old French proverb suggests) similar to a disease…from person to person…but in a good way. Paul had a vision of someone calling for his aid, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” As Lydia happened to hear Paul, Silas, and Timothy preach and teach, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” She already believed in God, but something changed. She grew in faith and understanding. She came to know Jesus. And that experience led her to welcome Paul into her home…welcome Jesus into her heart. That small home Church would eventually become the famous church of Philippi, and in her hospitality, we discover that relationship and community matter. Human relationship, community, is used by Spirit to make the Church and individual believers grow.   

        Throughout time, we see this repeatedly. For example, Martin Luther’s faith and understanding did not grow in isolation. He treasured the transcendent, heart-centered faith of the mystics before him (in the period of the 1000s to 1200s) – voices shared with him through both books and teaching. He learned from them of a loving God offering grace. He benefitted from the grace-filled, loving faith and guidance of his confessor, Johann von Staupitz. He learned from the witness of reformers like Jan Huss who came before him, even as he grew in the present from what became known as his Table Talks. These gatherings were simply where questions, doubts and faith were shared over food and beer among friends…perhaps as you might share about life and faith at your own table. Martin Luther and others grew in faith and found strength through such communal meals.  

        Later, Moravians, formally the United Brethren (followers of Huss’ teachings), came to better understand Martin Luther’s theology through a Lutheran named Zinzendorf who offered the Moravians protection from persecution in the early 18th century. Luther’s Catechism is still studied by the Moravians today. And as some Moravians read Luther’s Preface to the Epistle to Romans, sang and prayed, John Wesley overheard them and felt his heart “strangely warmed.” Wesley came to a deeper, more personal, enlivened faith;a witness that lives on in the faith tradition we know as Methodism. What we see here is an example of how the Holy Spirit works. Zigging and zagging through time and individuals, the Spirit draws us together, moves us apart, and drives us forward as much as Jesus was driven into the wilderness.

        So, how did you come to know Jesus? What parent, grandparent or friend spoke in such a way that opened your heart to Jesus? Was it an instantaneous change or did their faith plants seeds to grow yours over time? Perhaps you aren’t that far on your journey, and you come with deep questions…more questions than answers perhaps. Those are gift of the Spirit too. The Spirit was at work in all such moments. That’s worth thinking about, giving thanks for, and talking about perhaps as you go home today. Your story is connected directly from person to person all the way back to Paul and Lydia’s story and the story of all in the early Church. And you might not feel like it right now or recognize it, but listen closely….Your story is as sacred as what we find in any piece of scripture…your story, your experience, your struggles, your hopes are as sacred as what is recorded in the scriptures for God’s Spirit is there alongside you…in you.  

        For those here who already believe, your faith is not an accident. For those here who struggle to believe, don’t think for a moment that God is not reaching out to you. We are told that the Holy Spirit is always active, reaching out to one and all through the imperfect lives of those around us as well as through direct whispers, dreams and visions received through our hearts. We aren’t alone. The Holy Spirit is always with us even when we are not aware of it.[v] Just wait and watch. Seek and eventually, thanks to the Spirit, we will discover our sacred purpose within God’s own story and plan. Amen.

[i] “Judas (not Iscariot)” is used by the evangelist to differentiate this Apostle from Judas who betrayed Jesus. Outside of scripture, there arose a tradition to call him Saint Jude to help avoid this confusion.

[ii] Johnson, E. (May 1, 2016). Commentary on John 14:23-29. Downloaded from workingpreacher.org on May 14, 2022.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Martin Luther, “Sermon for the Early Christmas Service; Luke 2:15-20” (1521-1522). Luther’s Works, Sermons II. Ed. Hans J. Hillerbrand, Helmut T. Lehmann (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1974),  vol. 52: 39-40.

[v] “God of love, by the Holy Spirit you are always present. Your presence is invisible, but you live at the center of our soul, even when we are unaware of it.” – Br. Roger of Taizé

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2022 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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December 3, 2020 · 9:39 pm

Finding Christmas in 2020

Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Pixaby. Used by permission.

During the pandemic of 2020, it seems many people are being tempted to put our 2020 goggles on (rather than see the world with 20/20 vision) as we look toward the holiday season, especially Christmas. “There won’t be much to Christmas this year.” “Christmas won’t be like we remember it.” Some have wondered out loud if there will be any Christmas at all!

This is very human, but it is not seeing things very clearly. Among the greatest biblical truths regarding Christmas, we do not find feasts, bright colored lights, and gifts wrapped in bows. We find Jesus who came to us as a vulnerable babe to share our lot. In this incarnate form, he would grow up to face emotional wounds, isolation, sickness, physical suffering, and death. Members of his own family would reject him, at least for a time. In other words, he became fully human in a fallen world – just like us.

Yes, suffering was part of Christ’s experience, so it remains an important part of the Christmas story. A baby is born in abject poverty in unsanitary conditions. His parents are so poor, all he can be dressed in are bands of cloth. He is surrounded by threats: war and revolution, plagues, and early death accepted as a norm. His mother and father flee with their child to avoid assassination. A tyrant king sends his troops to kill innocent babes and toddlers in the insane hope of stopping God’s will. This is Christmas too.

And yet thanks to scripture, carols, family and community traditions over the years, we know that this is not the full story. To only focus on the negative would be like telling ourselves a lie. We hear angels come to announce good news of great joy for us amidst any suffering. We see poor and marginalized shepherds find hope in the Christ child. It is a hope so bursting with possibility, they cannot help but share it despite (or perhaps because of) the exceedingly difficult lives they share with their families and neighbors. We also learn how God protects those God loves. Yes, Jesus and his parents are protected, but we are told our God desires to offer that same protection and peace to all the earth. Amidst all the frightening and sad things, God’s loving will remains. Jesus has come for our good – to ultimately crush suffering, sin and death – and nothing will stop God’s will…not even our own doubts and fears.

A Spanish priest poetically answered the question of “Will there be a Christmas?” in this way:

Will there be Christmas? Of course! More silent and with more depth. More like unto the first one, when Jesus was born in solitude. Without many lights on earth, but with the star of Bethlehem shining on paths of life in its immensity. Without colossal royal processions, but with the humility of feeling as if we are shepherds, young and old, seeking the Truth. Without big tables and with bitter absences, but with the presence of a God who will fill everything.

Merry Christmas, dear Church. Let nothing trouble us, for Christ is here.

For the full text of Javier Leoz’s poem, read this article: https://aleteia.org/2020/11/13/pope-calls-spanish-priest-to-congratulate-him-for-will-there-be-christmas-reflection/

 This pastoral letter was originally published in Christ Lutheran Church’s December 2020 newsletter.

© 2020 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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April 23, 2020 · 7:33 pm

Invite the weak. Don’t sacrifice them.

Photo credit: WKRN screenshot

I wouldn’t post this if it weren’t for the fact I see too many friends on Facebook expressing the same opinion in not so many words. “Sacrifice the weak. Reopen the economy.” A simple, utilitarian approach is antithetical to Christian faith.

No, we need not unnecessarily “martyr” the economy nor “sacrifice the weak.” Yes, I understand that sacrifices will need to be made, among all, and these sacrifices won’t always be perceived as fair. Life isn’t fair. Yet, we do need to remember the “least of these” and the most vulnerable of our society as we seek a way forward. They must remain an important part of our “equation.”

Out of love for our neighbors, some freedoms and prosperity might need to be given up freely; not out of obligation but in love, at least for a time. There is no other way forward if we want to walk with Christ. Loving your neighbor cannot be based solely on death counts or the perceived liabilities of “others.” Who rightly judges who is “weak” and without worth? That’s the way of that past in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.

Tough economic decisions can’t be based solely on fear of the virus nor fear about where our daily bread will come from. We can and must do better. Jesus said, “…But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14). If you hope to someday celebrate an economic recovery, you might just want to invite these folks as well.

© 2020 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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March 1, 2020 · 5:57 pm

Of Lions, Lambs & Love

Image Used with Permission (c) Clipart.email

Although we have had a mild winter (as I write this), we likely enter March with the old adage, “March comes in like a lion, but goes out like a lamb,” entering our minds. Although not a phrase related to faith, it recently struck me that it very well could serve as one. For this year with March, we have also just entered Lent.

Some people are intimidated by Lent. They don’t want to think about sin and death. Yet as Christians, we should. Jesus came to defeat these dark powers over our lives. Recognizing our need is not only being honest and humble but an opportunity to increase our gratitude.

Lent isn’t just about more sacrifice and activity. It is a chance for us to reflect upon the story of salvation at work in the past and in each day of our lives. We are sinners yet simultaneously saints. Struggling yet free. Dying yet growing in our experience of a new life that will last eternally. Through the grace-filled moments and disciplines of Lent, God helps us grow in our love for God, our neighbor and of ourselves.

The lion which is sin proves a ravenous foe. Its roar is ignored at our peril, but it need not be a roar lasting in our ears or misshaping our lives. For the Lamb of God has come and speaks love to us. A name given Jesus by John the Baptizer, the Lamb of God reflects the sacrificial lamb, an atonement for sin, during the Temple period. The image is so powerful, the meaning so important, the symbol of a lamb carrying a Roman banner of victory became synonymous with Jesus. The Risen Christ has conquered death for us and for all who trust in him. It is the certainty of this truth that inspired Paul to write the church in Rome, “Yet in all these things [all the suffering and struggles of our worldly experience] we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” We already share his victory, and we can thus walk on in his peace.

The lion and lamb (as I am using them today) remain part of the story of our salvation and always go together. They cannot be separated for they prove both our history and inheritance. No surprise, the lion has thus commonly come to symbolize Christ, both in his suffering and his triumph. Echoing prophecy, the lamb and lion laying together have become a rightful symbol of paradise. It’s both resurrected life and a promised paradise that we will celebrate on Easter. Pastor Anne and I wish you all the blessings of a fruitful Lent, an experience graciously magnified by our shared Easter joy. Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Originally published in the March 2020 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.

© 2020 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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August 29, 2019 · 2:51 pm

Fever vs. Faith: Handling Hot Topics

Bells rang on Sunday, August 25, 2019

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.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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August 20, 2019 · 3:01 pm

Is the biblical canon closed?

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).

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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August 14, 2019 · 3:34 pm

So many books

The Hub, August 13, 2019

“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.

© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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