So Many Options

I think Jesus was PC (politically correct) in his language, at least for his day. But by today’s standard it is easy to say that the writers of biblical literature (i.e. scripture) were not so concerned or futuristic. This week’s gospel reading from  John 5: 1-9 lends itself to some concerning language, at least in the NRSV (New Revised Standard Version). Today we might say blind = sight impaired, lame = differently abled. Even the use of the word handicapped has become problematic for many folks.

I much prefer reading from the Inclusive Bible translation as it is a good effort by the Jesuits to replace gendered language and terms that are, in today’s modern culture, potentially harmful.

This week, I happen to be preaching on “rest.” And in the lectionary readings* it takes on a few meanings. Over in Acts 16 Paul is at rest (asleep) when God visits him in a dream. The visit results in Paul’s journey to Phillipi to meet up with Lydia who was also at rest (prayer and meditation).

In the reading from John 5, a differently abled person (notice I didn’t say lame man!) was poolside when Jesus rolls up next to him and invites him into a different kind of rest (inner peace, healing from infirmity, freedom from an oppressive life in mind, body and spirit).

The concept of rest, like much of the Bible, is relative.

Context, social location and nuance are required for an accurate interpretation.

Addressing ableist language is one example of how biblical interpretation has shifted over the centuries. As we have learned to engage each other in deeper, richer and more life-giving community dialogue, we have also begun to address some of the difficult issues ushered in by biblical tunnel vision.

Even in this post you can tell that I am deliberately moving about.

I invite you to read the texts highlighted above and see what you think.

• How do you interpret rest for yourself?
• What do you seek/need/desire from a relationship with the Divine?
• In what ways can you shift your faith life toward a more life-giving engagement with your neighbor?

The ELCA Lutheran church is rooted in radical grace, radical hospitality and is committed to creating a place at the Table for ALL God’s children.

To learn more click here

*”Lectionary reading”s are a series of passages organized and referred to as the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is used by Catholics and most mainline Protestant denominations in weekly worship.

Change Is In Process

Change can be challenging. Sometimes so much that it threatens to suck

the life right out of us, killing the motivation to stay in the fight.

I hesitated to use that word, fight, there’s been enough of it to last us

a long time.

It’s the fight that has zapped us.

I’m here to put some wind in your sails though, keep at it.

The payoff is in process.

This week’s gospel lesson tells the story of a fishing trip gone rogue.

After the disciples finally left the upper room and resumed their “normal”

lives (like a visit from Jesus is normal?) they took to the water.

A long night of dropping their line produced nothing... until from the shore

Jesus shouted, “drop it again to the right!”

So….many…..fish.

What interested me is the reality that despite the empty nets the fishermen

pulled up, God was at work in the background. Sometimes all it takes

is one more drop, one more cast, one more haul and then, change arrives.

We have to stay in it. We have to do our part.

The work to effect change is long and arduous. It’s easy to give up.

Staying in it, keeping your hand to the plow as we we say

in the liberation movement, is what it takes.

Allies, we need you!

LGBTQ+ folks, we need you!

Youth, we need you!

Elders, we need you!

If you are tired, Jesus says, “come to me all you who are weary

and I’ll give you rest.”

We need to rest in order to regenerate, yes. But it is only a pause.

No sustainable change comes when we refuse to get back up, go back out,

and drop that line again.

We’ve got to get behind the scenes and witness what’s happening,

despite what’s on the screen. They fished all night, nothing.

But, one more cast produced more than they could imagine.

The background is always active with changes.

Jesus was on the shore, building the fire, preparing the coals,

shouting the encouragements.

Movement folks, this is where your self-care and your networks come in.

Queer folks, lean on your allies when you’re tired.

Allies, lean on your queer folks when you’re tired.

The rest of you...read a book, pray, have a conversation, pray,

teach your children, pray, throw your coins at it (i.e. financial support), pray.

Keep at people. Keep your hand on the plow and hold on.

Be refreshed and be blessed.

And if you are ELCA Lutheran...THIS is God’s work...

done through our hands.

For more about ELCA Lutherans click here

The ELCA affirms ALL God’s children

Prodigal Church

The Revised Common  Lectionary for this week focuses on the story of the Prodigal Son. It is a well-known story in the Bible about two brothers who got their knickers in a snit over working for their Dad.

One brother took off with a bunch of loot and went and lived an exciting life, probably Rio de Janeiro or someplace like that.

The other brother stayed back and took care of the family stead, no small job.

As the story goes, eventually Party Boy came to his senses and wanted to come home. Way off in the distance he was spotted and his Dad pulled out the best of everything.

As you might expect, Farm Boy got very upset while Party Boy was very humbled. The point of the story is that Dad welcomed his son back with open arms…

The same way God invites us back…

no matter how far we've strayed.

The Church is currently trying to untangle the conundrum created by opening Christianity to LGBTQiA+ persons. (Scripture is very clear, the blood of Jesus Christ was shed for ALL people.) Hmmm.

Humans are a funny breed.

Sometimes we think we're God.

Of course, we will never admit it, but at times we've all acted like we have power greater than we do.

But no matter how far we stray, no matter what we have done, God invites us back. With open arms.

Reimagine this:

The unaffirming church, the uninviting church, the rejecting church is in the wilderness.

THEY ARE THE PRODIGALS.

Slowly denominations and independent churches are embracing the idea that God's image is reflected in each of us. They are accepting the Truth that we are all created for good and with purpose. The purpose of the Church is to honor God with our traditions and to build community.

This week when you read the Prodigal Son story I encourage you to tilt the lens just a little bit:

   Imagine the Prodigal coming home is the now-affirming church, the formerly-rejecting church, the people whose hearts have been broken for God and who now repent. They  have come to see God in full Light. They are coming back to the foot of the Cross to ask for God's forgiveness for the harm they have caused God's children.

And like a loving parent who greets their child with open arms, God will invite the church back into the fold. Grace, forgiveness, and restoration take place.

It's a slow crawl, this reimagining. And it takes effort. But no more effort than Jesus put forth to save us all a seat at the table.

To read more about affirming Lutheran churches in the ELCA click here

To read more about the Lutheran Human Sexuality Social Statement click here

To read more from Dawn Bennett click here

Jesus: Execution on Death Row

Ash Wednesday was yesterday and I had the blessing to curate an Art Exhibit in conjunction with an Ashes service. The Art Exhibit was not just any Art Exhibit. It displayed hand-drawn and oil painted canvas scrolls depicting the Twelve Stations of the Cross. In addition, was a stand-alone canvas of the risen Christ.

This description may not stand out to you either. However, it's important to note that the picture and the
scrolls are the mastery of prisoners who live on Tennessee's Death Row.

How ironic is that! Death Row prisoners painting the story of Jesus on his journey to Death Row.

Let that sink in.

Jesus’s death was a State-sanctioned execution. We don't often think about Jesus being incarcerated
or being executed. We have a more touchy-feely version...one of gratitude that he died for our sins
and redeemed us, to secure us a seat at the Table of the Lord in a heavenly kingdom. Now, I'm not
debating Jesus’s death, or even how he died, or even that he willingly went to the cross on our behalf.

Scripture is quite clear about this and Jesus is in agreement. But, Jesus did ask for a stay of execution.
Three times in fact! (Matthew 26 “Father, let this cup pass from me…”) His stay was not granted and
Jesus was executed.

A few questions to ponder: How does  the death penalty impact society today? How is it that we
explain to our children in any more, or less I should say, graphic detail that someone is executed
by State sanction?

We already have a Savior and we don't need another.

There will be no hand drawn and painted scrolls and there will be no portrait of the Risen prisoner
when someone is executed by electric chair or lethal injection.

If we believe in a God who came to redeem the world, then we can sit securely that our executed will
return to their Maker.

It does no good, in my opinion, to put our children in a bubble and not talk to them about mass
incarceration. Not if we are going to talk to them about Lent -- a steadfast faithful tradition where
we teach them about what a wonderful thing Jesus did.

Most Protestant Christians and Catholics and Orthodox believers walked around yesterday with a
black cross on their forehead.

We are reminded of our mortality.

We are reminded of our broken lives and our broken world.

We are reminded that we are in need of something good and holy to reconcile us back to  our Maker.

I'm reminded of the goodness in the world when I look at these beautiful scrolls and this beautiful
portrait of the Risen Christ.

I'm reminded of what is good and pure and holy in this world.

Human hands dedicated their time, talent and treasure...from Death Row... people who shouldn't
really even give a damn...but still do.

As you journey through Lent this season, I invite you to take a deeper look  at the underside of life.

The side that makes you uncomfortable.

The side that makes you want to look away.

The side that makes you want to shelter your children.

And then, I invite you to LEAN IN  TO LENT.

The Stations of the Cross remind us that Christ willingly died for ALL people, regardless of
their station in life.

For more information on the Lutheran Church (ELCA) click here
For more information on the Lutheran Church concerning Criminal Justice click here
For more information on Dawn Bennett click here

Full or Filled

I am often touched by the willingness of people who return to their place of upbringing...those who carry back to others what was given them for their journey.

This week, Jesus does just that. He has returned to Nazareth, the place of his upbringing, He's preaching to his friends and loved ones. He went home to spend time together. They know that he has been out spreading good news across the land, performing miracles and such. All they want upon his return apparently, is some of what he has shared with others.

I suppose it is not an unrealistic expectation. But what happened to the relationship of mutuality? When Jesus declares ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in their hearing the Nazarenes get a little sideways because they are expecting signs and wonders and all they get, at least in their opinion, is a sermon full of words.

It begs the question, are the townspeople full of the love that they helped produce? Or have they allowed their disappointment and unmet expectations to fill them with misguided rage?

Perhaps it is, that they don't realize that their lives are full, and Jesus returned to remind them of that. They have everything they need to go about the work in their community taking care of those in need...to be light in the darkness.

How often it is in our own context that we drive up to the red light and witness a street vendor or a panhandler and think why are you out here? Certainly you have everything you need, if not in your possession at least available to you through Public Services. We allow ourselves to be filled with disgust and hardness of heart.

For us who have been raised in the Christian tradition, we would do well to remember that the Good News of our faith comes back into our lives on a daily basis. Many times a day, actually.

If we remember our roots, we can be full of hospitality and grace. We can be full of love and mercy. And in our fullness, we are equipped upon arriving at the red light...to share our gifts to help fill someone else's life.

For information on how you can help fill other's lives in Nashville, TN click here.

If you are looking for ways to fill others regionally or nationally click here

Up Here

Up here

Up here is a place where all God's children live.

Up here is a place where we may cause hurt or pain to our siblings.

But up here is also the place where it's not hard to say “I'm sorry please forgive me.”

Up here is where the first response is the only response -

which is, “I accept your apology and I forgive you.”

It's difficult being human and having to climb the ladder to live up here.

It seems like a hard place to get too.

It seems like it's a long way away.

And for some of us, it may feel like a long way from home.

But you know, we all have the opportunity to pick up and move anytime we please.

It is our God given right to search for love, embrace love, and give love.

Up here is the place where that happens.

It's the spiritual realm, or what some call the fourth dimension.

We all have a spirit-self -

but not all of us tap into the power that comes to us in our spirit-self.

Up here is where we have to rise to -

to access our power and shift gears to respond in love.

Up here is where we meet our Maker.

Up here is where we meet like-minded siblings.

Up here every child of God has a seat with their name on it.

Up here is a place where all God's children live.

"Thou Shalt Not Steal"

I read the most interesting perspective on stealing. It started with the declaration that whatever we have is not ours anyway, so that makes stealing doubly wrong. I believe it's accurate to say that when we think of stealing, and the fact that it's considered wrong, we naturally think of tangible objects. We can't steal stuff from our neighbors, we can't rob banks, we can't "sample" fruit from the produce section. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

As I began to travel down the dusty road of my thoughts, I began to think to myself, but what about the intangible things people own: our thoughts, our feelings, our identity. What about that? How do those things fit into the equation of stealing and God and all that stuff. Here's my thought:

If everything we have  and everything we own is indeed not necessarily ours but on loan, as in it was given to us (a big prim and proper religious term is bestowed upon us) then our identity also is a gift...and given. The ability to be a free thinker is given to us. The desire to love and be loved is a gift given to us. Stealing is not allowed. Who are are, what we stand for, how we see ourselves...it's all a gift given to us. We are not allowed to steal another person's identity. Let me be clear here, I'm not talking about their online identity (although clearly that's wrong too) I'm talking about their gender identity, sexual identity, how they see themselves in this world and how they expect to be seen.

There are lots of hate groups who have decided that to "be LGBTQ" is wrong and those of us who identify under that acronym need to  be"corrected". (For those who are unfamiliar LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer). Folks who align with L-G-B are talking about their sexuality (very different and not related to gender); those who align with T are referring to their gender (male, female, both, neither); those who align with Q could be referring to either their sexual or gender identity. Further information can be found at PFLAG.org or HRC.org because this is not the blog post to go into this in depth.

Back to the stealing thing. When God (however you align with God or what represents a divine authority in your world) says stealing is wrong it is an abomination (another big scary religious word) and God cries. ALL of everything in what we call this world is made from the abundance of a divine authority who far exceeds any human capacity or authority. 

When an organization or a person steals the hopes and dreams, the hard personal effort or blood-sweat-and-tears personal commitment from another person, a crime [against humanity] has been committed. We are what we are and have what we have as a gift. None of us owns any of this. We leave this "world" with the same as we came into it with - nothing. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

When a person decides someone else is wrong for living into their full authenticity (i.e. sexual or gender identity) and advances are made toward taking it away, i.e. stealing it, we are no longer living as we are instructed. When someone robs another of a life worth living, a dream and a hope of a better life, a gesture of giving and receiving love...God cries. We are not allowed to steal.

Thou Shalt Not Steal. Not property. Not grapes. Not a person's identity. Not a person's joy.

Mind your business. Mind your manners. Mind yourself.

Hollowed Out

Hollowed Out

It’s hard to go through life feeling like a carved pumpkin. Sometimes the faces can be scary. Sometimes they are funny, but never does it feel good to have your guts ripped out. 

What I have found to be helpful in these times is to write a gratitude list.

It may be hard to find things that I am grateful for, but that’s when the real digging begins.

Dust off the shovel and till the soil of your life.

Are you breathing? Have you been given a new day in which to make free choices? Do you have ONE friend in whom you can confide?

It’s a good day.

When your guts are lying on the ground and your seeds are scattered, that is the time to look for the remnant that remains. Life can be hard.

But, if there is breath in your body, you have found a shred of gratitude.

Most pumpkins wind up with a candle inside to light up the darkness. This is the time to take your hollowed out self and bring in some light. Sit. Rest. Glow.

It’s hard to go through life feeling like a carved pumpkin, hollowed out. 

But finding the little things in life to be grateful for: breath, free choice, the comfort of a friend…it’s a good day.