Mark 4:21-34

Philippians 1:27-2:3

The optimism and hope of a year ago seems to have evaporated, doesn’t it?

It’s beginning to look as if we’ve set up our mighty hero to fail. We’ve seduced him to take on a role of great leadership and then left him hanging. We even find ourselves trying to seduce him into taking strong steps in our behalf and then tearing him down for the attempt. Talking heads speculate nightly about possible sources of his strength and plot the time line to his ultimate failure. We are withdrawing our support and splintering our unity and refusing in fear to plant even the seeds that will, in time, produce our salvation. We seem to do this again and again in our history. Set ‘em up…knock ‘em down. How completely Philistine!

As I think on this, I see that I sometimes forget that the seed, sometimes very small, must be planted before there can be a harvest. I find myself selfishly desiring some result or other that is important to my own parochial, fear-generated interests. This to the detriment of any effort to take the first few steps necessary to my ultimate rescue and the rescue of the community of humanity.

I pray that I will be given the wisdom to support the planting of the tiny seeds that will produce a mighty tree that will shelter all of us. I pray that humility and communion rule in my heart and my mind lest I compete self righteously for my own narrow demands.

I pray that I may be strong enough to live my life in “loving consolation” and “warmth of compassion”. I pray that I may “fill my cup of happiness” with the “love for one another…and a common care for unity”.

I pray that I put aside “rivalry and personal vanity”.

I commit myself anew to look to “others’ interest and not merely to [my] own”. To let my “conduct be worthy the gospel of Christ”. For I believe that in this will be a “sure sign of my salvation, and one afforded by God”.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

Nathan Moon

All Things Are Possible Through Christ Who Strengthens Us

In each of these passages, God brings a message of deliverance and hope to his people in an unusual and dramatic way.  In Judges, the angel of the Lord tells Manoah and his wife of the coming birth of a son, Samson, a gift of fertility for them and miraculous physical strength to deliver Israel from the Philistines.  In Mark, after Jesus is almost crushed by the crowd seeking access to his healing powers, Jesus bestows special authority on the 12 apostles to preach and drive out demons.  In Philippians, Paul witnesses to the gift of strength and faith to achieve righteousness and peace, even under challenging circumstances.  The circle of divine blessing widens with each passage, from a family (and a nation) to a select 12 and those they can touch, to all believers who can read or hear Paul’s letter.

But encounters with the divine, and our response to them as humans, are not simple or easily grasped.  The mystery of God’s name and the angel’s miraculous flaming exit in Judges are echoed by Jesus’s puzzling command to the demons not to reveal his true identity, and by Paul’s assertion that he has learned the “secret of being content in any and every situation.”  Our reaction to the divine message—as to the uncertain circumstances we experience in life—is sometimes fear and confusion, as exemplified by Manoah’s initial terror that, having “seen God,” he and his wife will die.  Alternatively, we can react with the faith and hope that Manoah’s wife demonstrates in convincing him that God would not have visited them, blessed them, and accepted their sacrifice only to kill them.

Paul’s witness brings home the message most clearly:  In life we may experience times of plenty and of want, times of joy and of sorrow, but through it all God gives us strength, if we accept it, to have peace, by meditating on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, or praiseworthy, and then going out and living our lives in accordance with those virtues.  The physical strength given to Sampson depended on his following certain rules of behavior.  The gift of strength Paul describes enables us to act consistently with Christ’s example regardless of the circumstances, relying on faith to achieve a peace beyond human understanding.

We just returned from visiting our sister church—the First Presbyterian Reformed Church in Havana—whose circumstances compared to ours epitomize the contrast between want and plenty Paul describes.  The church has a t-shirt, worn by its members, which is emblazoned with the text of Philippians 4:13:  “Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.” (I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me.)

Strengthen us, God, to go out into the world as a living witness to your message.  Fortify us with your gifts, God, when we live in fear of being overwhelmed by the multitude of demands in our lives.  Help us to remember that all things are possible through you.

Jim Bird & Betsy Merritt

Psalm 27

Philippians 3:17-4:1

Luke 13: 31-45

Tonight, after more than two weeks of competition, the XXI Winter Olympic Games will come to a close.  During this time, thousands of athletes from all over the world will have descended upon Vancouver and will have competed in individual and team events with the hopes of receiving a gold, silver, or bronze medal.  While representing their respective countries, these athletes will also have stood for something greater … for the idea that we are all part of one humanity, one world.  Friendships will have been made that transcend national boundaries, social mores, and political ideologies.  And we as American spectators, while certainly cheering on Team USA, will probably also have fallen in love with athletes from all over the world that have overcome adversity, found perseverance, or won under the most unlikelihood of odds.

Sometimes, just sometimes, it is particular moments during these games that seem to eclipse the games themselves.  Remember the “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid?  What about the 200 meter race awards ceremony at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City?  Perhaps you recall it.  Tommie Smith, the gold medalist, and John Carlos, the bronze awardee, took to the podium shoeless – wearing black socks to represent black poverty and black gloves to denote black pride. They saluted with clenched fists in solidarity of the Black Power movement and bowed their heads during the national anthem.  While representing the United States, they symbolically highlighted that their country still had a far way to go in terms of how it treated all of its citizens.  Indeed, in performing their own form of civil disobedience, these two athletes made a statement … a statement that got them expelled from the games and admonished by American politicians and the general public.  Convention says you act a certain way or you might be persecuted.

Just like in the Luke passage.  Friendly Pharisees tell Jesus to skip town because Herod is out to get him.  It’s better to be safe than sorry; to do the socially accepted “right” thing, instead of what is actually right.  But, in this pericope, Jesus is not quite done with his important healing and teaching ministry and will not cease or leave until he is.  Convention says you act a certain way or you might be persecuted.

The psalmist today compels us to trust in God.  Yet, how often do we not do so?  How often do our fears and prides get the best of us?  How often do we put ourselves before others and before God?   How often do we do the socially accepted “right” thing, instead of what is actually right?

The psalmist also compels us to be strong and take courage.  We should be strong and take courage in following the words of the prophet Micah; that is, to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.  We should be strong and take courage in following the words of Jesus; that is, to love God with all our hearts, our souls, our strength, and our mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos were strong and took courage on that warm day in October 1968.  Rather than doing that which was socially acceptable, they did that which was prophetically just.  Rather than thinking of themselves, they thought about the collectively marginalized other.  And they did this, even when they knew they might be criticized, punished, persecuted, and, dare I say, crucified.

During this time of Lent, let us be ever mindful of Jesus on his journey to the cross; let us be ever mindful of the strength and the courage that is needed to follow in the way; and let us be ever mindful about doing so – with hope and vigor – while in relationship with God, our neighbors, and ourselves.

Lord, on this day, grant me strength and courage. Grant me strength and courage that I might do what is right.  Grant me strength and courage that I might follow your will with faith, and with hope, and with love … faith, hope, and love directed not only towards myself, but towards you and towards those who grace me each and every day in known and unknown ways.  Amen.

– Mark A. Zaineddin

Mark 2:23-3:6

Hebrews 5:1-10

In Judges 13, the Israelites are once again in trouble and under the Philistines for forty years.  The wife, name unknown, of a man named Manoah was visited by the angel of the Lord.  Although she was barren, the angel informed her that she would have a son who would deliver the Israelites from the Philistines.  Manoah prayed that the angel come back, which he did, and reiterated the charge, including no wine or strong drink.

In Mark, the disciples pluck heads of grain on the Sabbath.  This troubled the Pharisees, as did Jesus’ healing the hand of a man in the synagogue.

Finally, in Hebrews the author discusses what it means to be a high priest.  High priests are called by God and have considerable duties.  First, they must be Christ-like.  Just as Jesus did not glorify himself, nor should they.  Because the high priests are not perfect, they must atone for their own sins, as well as their flock.

These passages show that God is faithful and we need to be also.  God gives Manoah a son who delivers the Israelites.  Jesus and the disciples irk the Pharisees for feeding the hungry and healing on the Sabbath.  And we are given instruction on our faithfulness.

What astounds me is the Sabbath.  While “keeping it holy” is certainly something I try to do, it isn’t always easy.  If Roger, Tara or Linda get stressed out before the sermon, are they keeping it holy?  If I work, or cook, or do dishes, am I keeping it holy?  I assure you during football season, I am often anything by holy.  Fortunately Roger (our high priest?) does not call me out on this and I don’t know of any Pharisees who will either.  Jesus is terribly upset by hard hearts.  We must strive, no matter what day of the week it is, to follow God and remain faithful to him.

Prayer:  Loving God, we praise you for sending your Son.  We thank you for being faithful to us even when we’re not faithful to you.  Be with us today, throughout Lent, and in our future.  Amen

Jim Rhodes

Heb. 4:11-16

Mark 2:13-22

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.”  Most of us grew up with this bromide and found it reassuring when others chose to cast unpleasant words at us.  But of course it’s not really true, is it?  We learn as we age that words can indeed have consequences.  Words can hurt.  They can also reassure, challenge, enlighten, intimidate, anger, etc. etc. We learn to be sensitive to the words of others and, hopefully, to be careful about the things we say.

I’m not sure what to think about today’s lectionary passages except to note that they all seem to hinge on words which have significant and often unexpected consequences.  There are lots of consequences in the Book of Judges.  In today’s reading, the Israelites are able to distinguish friend from foe by their ability or inability to pronounce a single word, “”Shibboleth”.  Those who fail the test are immediately “seized and slaughtered”.  Talk about consequences!

In the Gospel of Mark we encounter the Pharisees.  These are people of words, i.e. rules for the governance of every facet of life.  Much to their apparent frustration, Jesus and his disciples do not seem to want to follow these rules.  The Pharisees can’t resist.  They have to ask.  Why don’t you and your people follow the rules?  What they get in return is a surely unexpected lecture from Jesus to the effect that the premise of their question is deeply flawed. They haven’t been paying attention. Jesus’ message is sewn from an entirely new cloth.  The old words simply don’t fit the situation.

In Hebrews, Paul talks to us about the word of God.  The word of God is alive and active and can judge our most secret emotions and thoughts.  We will have to give an account of ourselves.  There will be consequences.  But in Jesus, we have a savior who knows us very well.  If we “never let go of the faith that we have professed” we will find mercy and grace when we are in need of help.  Words of reassurance, how wonderful!

Prayer:  Dear God, in this season of reflection help us to choose our words more carefully, to listen to others more attentively, and to be steadfast in the faith that we have professed.

Steve Dewhurst