Here are some questions for the first chapter of: Christianity for the Rest of Us.
They are taken from the back of the book.
1. Where did you grow up? What was the world like then? How have things changed since your childhood?
2. How do you think your childhood experience has shaped your spiritual longings?
3. Do you relate to the ideaof being a "spiritual nomad"/ Why or why not?
Monday, February 11, 2008
sermon: Lent 1
Lent 1, February 9 and 10
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
I received the following email from my sister this past week. Its subject was “snow day humor”. She is talking about her son and daughter.
She writes:
So last night, Mary put her pajama bottoms on inside out to some how ensure that she would not have school today. It did work there is no school today ( I think it has more to do with the snow.) Geoff being the ever concerned brother he is, told her that she had to go to confession because that was superstition. He told her she had committed "adultery". I, of course, had to explain to him that his 10 year old sister did not commit adultery…idolatry maybe but not the other.
Now on the one hand, it is of course very important to be able to distinguish the difference between idolatry and adultery. Especially if you are an older brother accusing your 10 year old sister of adultery. On the other hand, idolatry and adultery may have more in common than one would first suspect. Both are about "loving" inappropriately….whether that “something” is someone to whom we are not married. Or, whether that something is a something or someone whom we worship as a god. Adultery and idolatry are both about improper relationships.
As I got to thinking about this, it occurred to me that in fact each of the 10 commandments are centered in improper relationships. Thou shalt not bear false witness against one’s neighbor, is about poisoning the truth that must be central in all relationship. Thou shalt not steal, or thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods both highlight improper relationships with possessions. Thou shalt not kill is about how we relate to another’s body, another’s life. Honor thy father and thy mother is certainly about relationships. Even the commandments to honor the Sabbath, and against invoking God’s name with malice are about not relating to God in a way that God deserves.
So, then, idolatry and adultery and each of the commandments really do have much in common. All are about being in proper relationship.
Our readings this Sunday, for the first Sunday of Lent are about temptations which effect relationships.
In Genesis, we hear the mythical story that many of us know so well. It is a story that the Hebrew people told to explain the coming of evil into the world. How did evil come to a world created to be very good? In the story the crafty serpent seduces the woman and the man into eating the fruit of the tree. The eating of the fruit is symbolic of the sin of disobedience and how it ruptured the relationship between humankind and God. God is God. And the right relationship is for the man and the woman to be obedient to God. The sin came about when the man and woman wanted to be like God. When they wanted to be rulers instead of creatures, their sin ruptured the relationship with God. And, with that relationship ruptured, human relationships are ruptured as well. The man and the woman have lost their innocence and now they hide themselves from each other and from God. According to Genesis, from this first broken relationship between God and humankind have arisen all the sin, the war, the murder, the injustices of the world.
From that story at the beginning of Genesis the remainder of scripture unfolds as the attempt of God to restore the broken relationships that sin caused between human kind and God, the humans with one another, and humans with the rest of creation.
Jesus is story of God‘s last and best attempt at restoring the ruptured relationships caused by sin. In Jesus, God becomes flesh, and comes to earth. In Jesus fully God and fully human, God will finally restore the broken relationship. In Jesus, reconciliation will finally be achieved.
The story today from Matthew’s Gospel this weekend is of the temptation of Jesus. In the temptation the devil tries to rupture the relationship between Jesus and God. This scene follows directly on the baptism of Jesus. At the baptism in the Jordan , the voice of God declared that Jesus was the beloved son of God. Now, in the desert the devil tempts Jesus to doubt this relationship. The temptations begin----"if you are God’s son". The devil tries to seduce Jesus into questioning if in fact he is beloved by God. If the devil can make Jesus doubt that he is beloved of God, than, he can destroy the relationship between Jesus and God. Perhaps he can convince Jesus to worship him. If he can destroy the relationship of the Beloved Son and God, than the devil has won.
Unlike the man and the woman, Jesus withstands the temptation. He proclaims that one is fed by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The word that he is referring to includes the word that was spoke to him by God at his baptism. This is a word from God that feeds him. He remembers the voice that declared him beloved. Jesus the human one, never gives into the temptation to doubt that he is beloved. In Jesus overcoming the temptation, the relationship between God and Humankind is restored. When that relationship is restored, than is hope that all human relationships can be restored as well.
My friends, in our heart, all human beings hunger for love. Temptation comes when we seek to satisfy that hunger to be loved in the wrong places. We look for satisfaction to our deepest hunger overindulgence in food, in wealth, in possessions, in improper relationships, in alcohol…..in all the wrong places. Only God can satisfy our hunger for love.
Lent began last Wednesday with the reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Today, we are called to remember the basic truth of our existence, that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. We have been tempted to believe that other things can satisfy the hunger we have for God. We have been tempted to forget that we are beloved by God. We have been tempted, and like the man and the woman we have sinned.. We have lost our innocence, and our relationships with God and each other have been broken.
Lent is the time to celebrate the wonderful truth that even though we forgot that we are beloved, , even though we have fallen, even though we have sinned, we are still God’s beloved. God has not forgotten that we are beloved daughters and sons. Lent is the time to celebrate that Jesus has repaired our broken relationships and we can begin again. We can be in right relationship again.
So, my friends, as we begin this holy season. I invite you to spend the next few moments, repeating out loud. That you are beloved of God.
Say with me, out loud, your name.
Now add to it…you are beloved by God….
Your name..say it…out loud…you are beloved by God….
Say it again…
Your name…you are beloved by God
You are beloved by God
Again….
Again...
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again…..
Remember, You are beloved by God.
May this truth bless you during this joyful season of lent.
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
I received the following email from my sister this past week. Its subject was “snow day humor”. She is talking about her son and daughter.
She writes:
So last night, Mary put her pajama bottoms on inside out to some how ensure that she would not have school today. It did work there is no school today ( I think it has more to do with the snow.) Geoff being the ever concerned brother he is, told her that she had to go to confession because that was superstition. He told her she had committed "adultery". I, of course, had to explain to him that his 10 year old sister did not commit adultery…idolatry maybe but not the other.
Now on the one hand, it is of course very important to be able to distinguish the difference between idolatry and adultery. Especially if you are an older brother accusing your 10 year old sister of adultery. On the other hand, idolatry and adultery may have more in common than one would first suspect. Both are about "loving" inappropriately….whether that “something” is someone to whom we are not married. Or, whether that something is a something or someone whom we worship as a god. Adultery and idolatry are both about improper relationships.
As I got to thinking about this, it occurred to me that in fact each of the 10 commandments are centered in improper relationships. Thou shalt not bear false witness against one’s neighbor, is about poisoning the truth that must be central in all relationship. Thou shalt not steal, or thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods both highlight improper relationships with possessions. Thou shalt not kill is about how we relate to another’s body, another’s life. Honor thy father and thy mother is certainly about relationships. Even the commandments to honor the Sabbath, and against invoking God’s name with malice are about not relating to God in a way that God deserves.
So, then, idolatry and adultery and each of the commandments really do have much in common. All are about being in proper relationship.
Our readings this Sunday, for the first Sunday of Lent are about temptations which effect relationships.
In Genesis, we hear the mythical story that many of us know so well. It is a story that the Hebrew people told to explain the coming of evil into the world. How did evil come to a world created to be very good? In the story the crafty serpent seduces the woman and the man into eating the fruit of the tree. The eating of the fruit is symbolic of the sin of disobedience and how it ruptured the relationship between humankind and God. God is God. And the right relationship is for the man and the woman to be obedient to God. The sin came about when the man and woman wanted to be like God. When they wanted to be rulers instead of creatures, their sin ruptured the relationship with God. And, with that relationship ruptured, human relationships are ruptured as well. The man and the woman have lost their innocence and now they hide themselves from each other and from God. According to Genesis, from this first broken relationship between God and humankind have arisen all the sin, the war, the murder, the injustices of the world.
From that story at the beginning of Genesis the remainder of scripture unfolds as the attempt of God to restore the broken relationships that sin caused between human kind and God, the humans with one another, and humans with the rest of creation.
Jesus is story of God‘s last and best attempt at restoring the ruptured relationships caused by sin. In Jesus, God becomes flesh, and comes to earth. In Jesus fully God and fully human, God will finally restore the broken relationship. In Jesus, reconciliation will finally be achieved.
The story today from Matthew’s Gospel this weekend is of the temptation of Jesus. In the temptation the devil tries to rupture the relationship between Jesus and God. This scene follows directly on the baptism of Jesus. At the baptism in the Jordan , the voice of God declared that Jesus was the beloved son of God. Now, in the desert the devil tempts Jesus to doubt this relationship. The temptations begin----"if you are God’s son". The devil tries to seduce Jesus into questioning if in fact he is beloved by God. If the devil can make Jesus doubt that he is beloved of God, than, he can destroy the relationship between Jesus and God. Perhaps he can convince Jesus to worship him. If he can destroy the relationship of the Beloved Son and God, than the devil has won.
Unlike the man and the woman, Jesus withstands the temptation. He proclaims that one is fed by every word that comes from the mouth of God. The word that he is referring to includes the word that was spoke to him by God at his baptism. This is a word from God that feeds him. He remembers the voice that declared him beloved. Jesus the human one, never gives into the temptation to doubt that he is beloved. In Jesus overcoming the temptation, the relationship between God and Humankind is restored. When that relationship is restored, than is hope that all human relationships can be restored as well.
My friends, in our heart, all human beings hunger for love. Temptation comes when we seek to satisfy that hunger to be loved in the wrong places. We look for satisfaction to our deepest hunger overindulgence in food, in wealth, in possessions, in improper relationships, in alcohol…..in all the wrong places. Only God can satisfy our hunger for love.
Lent began last Wednesday with the reminder that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Today, we are called to remember the basic truth of our existence, that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. We have been tempted to believe that other things can satisfy the hunger we have for God. We have been tempted to forget that we are beloved by God. We have been tempted, and like the man and the woman we have sinned.. We have lost our innocence, and our relationships with God and each other have been broken.
Lent is the time to celebrate the wonderful truth that even though we forgot that we are beloved, , even though we have fallen, even though we have sinned, we are still God’s beloved. God has not forgotten that we are beloved daughters and sons. Lent is the time to celebrate that Jesus has repaired our broken relationships and we can begin again. We can be in right relationship again.
So, my friends, as we begin this holy season. I invite you to spend the next few moments, repeating out loud. That you are beloved of God.
Say with me, out loud, your name.
Now add to it…you are beloved by God….
Your name..say it…out loud…you are beloved by God….
Say it again…
Your name…you are beloved by God
You are beloved by God
Again….
Again...
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again….
Again…..
Remember, You are beloved by God.
May this truth bless you during this joyful season of lent.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
sermon, last epiphany
February 3, 2008
Exodus 24:12-18
2Peter 16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Last week I preached a SAD sermon. I cited all the reasons which made the past couple of weeks the saddest of the year. There was sad economic news, sad weather, the sad state of the union, with sad events in the world, our state, our community and even many of our families.
Well, if the last two weeks are notable for being sad, the next couple weeks may be notable for being super. We will quickly pass the midway point of winter. Soon pitchers and catchers will report to spring training and a baseball season with super possibilities will begin. The awards for the super movies and music of the year will be given soon. This week a super party will take place at mardi gras in New Orleans. Super Tuesday is just two days away, almost two dozen states will cast votes for party nominations. And of course, today is Super Bowl Sunday. A day of Super parties, super entertainment, super commercials, and a super football game that may just crown the New England Patriots as the most super dooper football team in the history of the world.
Whoever wins these super contests--either in politics, entertainment, advertizing or football, will cash in big. More money, more publicity, more endorsements will be awarded to the super stars or the super candidates who win these super contests. I have to say, that after two weeks of SAD, I am ready for some weeks of SUPER.
Well, a reading of the scriptures offered for today highlight some pretty super events as well.
It’s a Super week for Moses. After leading the Hebrew people through the Red Sea and out of the slavery of Egypt, Moses ascends the mountain of God. For six days he waits on the mountain until on the seventh day God invites Moses into to cloud where he is surrounded by the Glory of God. In the Glory of that Mountain God gives to Moses the covenant. He instructs Moses on what the people must do to remain the chosen, holy people of God. It has truly been a gloriously super week for Moses.
Jesus likewise comes to the end of fairly super week. Six days previous Peter has proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah of God, the anointed one of God. For six days Jesus and the disciples may have pondered its meaning. Now, on the seventh day, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountain. We are not told why they go there. Perhaps, like Moses before him, Jesus is looking for direction, looking for a way to understand all that has happened. Perhaps, he needs some time to consult with his closest advisors. There on the mountain the Jesus is surrounded by the glory of God. Peter, James, and John are amazed to see Jesus in conversation with the ancient leaders of Israel, Moses and Elijah. They are amazed to Jesus transfigured. The glory of God shines in the face of Jesus.
This is truly super. This is more than they could have ever dreamed. Can you imagine their excitement!!!! Peter’s first response is to want to stay. Lets build some dwellings and stay here longer. Jesus though leads them down the mountain. Surely on the way down Peter, James and John could hardly contain themselves. Just think of how jealous the others will be. Just think of how famous we will be. We were there….we say Moses and Elijah. We have seen for ourselves and we the inside scoop of who Jesus is!!!! We will be famous, we will be super stars!!!!
Can you imagine how devastated they must have been when Jesus ordered them to be silent. Surely they must have wondered…”whats the point of being part of something so super if you can’t cash in on it.”
What is the point? Jesus has been shown to be superior to Moses and Elijah. Jesus is declared to be God’s beloved. Peter, James and John are told to listen to Jesus. The glory of God shined radiantly in the face of Jesus. Why the command for silence?
The disciples are told to be silent because the light that shined when Jesus was transfigured on that mountain is nothing compared to the light that will shine when Jesus is resurrected. Jesus has been shown to be God’s beloved, but that title is not given as an award. The title is given for a purpose. God’s beloved, God’s chosen, has been given mission. God’s beloved is chosen to bring God’s healing to the world. Jesus, has been chosen for a mission that will save the world from destruction. God’s beloved is given the mission to conquer evil and death. This mission will be accomplished not on the mountain where he is transfigured. This mission will be accomplished on another mountain. After the transfiguration, Jesus descends the mountain and turns to Jerusalem where he will ascend the mountain of Calvary to die. On that mountain, when he is raised from the dead, the Glory of God’s Triumph over evil and death will truly shine. On that mountain, Jesus will bring healing to the world.
And, dear friends, what then are we to do?
I would suggest that the message Jesus gives to us today is no different than that which he spoke to his disciples when he touched them and said, Get up. Don’t be afraid.
Following his time on the mountain, things got pretty rough for Jesus. In the days ahead he would face rejection, betrayal, suffering and death. His radiant clothes would be stripped. His face would be slapped, his back whipped, he head crowned with thorns. The voice that proclaimed Jesus beloved will be silent. The only voices he will hear will be those which mocks him as he dies. In the days to come, no one will imagine that through this man, the radiant light of God once shined brightly. When it comes, Jesus tells his followers, don’t be afraid. You will see the glory of God shine even more brilliantly than you do today.
Jesus tells us the same. There are difficult days that come. They come in all life. We often feel betrayed, abandoned, and rejected. We too face suffering and death. But, in those days, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. You too will know the healing touch of Jesus. You too will conquer death. You too will be victorious. You too will shine with the radiance of God.
Do not be afraid.
By God’s grace, you too will conquer all that is sad. By God’s grace, you too will share in the healing power of God‘s love. You too will know the fullness of life. Do not be afraid. By God’s grace, and in God’s love you too will know life that is truly Super.
Exodus 24:12-18
2Peter 16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
Last week I preached a SAD sermon. I cited all the reasons which made the past couple of weeks the saddest of the year. There was sad economic news, sad weather, the sad state of the union, with sad events in the world, our state, our community and even many of our families.
Well, if the last two weeks are notable for being sad, the next couple weeks may be notable for being super. We will quickly pass the midway point of winter. Soon pitchers and catchers will report to spring training and a baseball season with super possibilities will begin. The awards for the super movies and music of the year will be given soon. This week a super party will take place at mardi gras in New Orleans. Super Tuesday is just two days away, almost two dozen states will cast votes for party nominations. And of course, today is Super Bowl Sunday. A day of Super parties, super entertainment, super commercials, and a super football game that may just crown the New England Patriots as the most super dooper football team in the history of the world.
Whoever wins these super contests--either in politics, entertainment, advertizing or football, will cash in big. More money, more publicity, more endorsements will be awarded to the super stars or the super candidates who win these super contests. I have to say, that after two weeks of SAD, I am ready for some weeks of SUPER.
Well, a reading of the scriptures offered for today highlight some pretty super events as well.
It’s a Super week for Moses. After leading the Hebrew people through the Red Sea and out of the slavery of Egypt, Moses ascends the mountain of God. For six days he waits on the mountain until on the seventh day God invites Moses into to cloud where he is surrounded by the Glory of God. In the Glory of that Mountain God gives to Moses the covenant. He instructs Moses on what the people must do to remain the chosen, holy people of God. It has truly been a gloriously super week for Moses.
Jesus likewise comes to the end of fairly super week. Six days previous Peter has proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah of God, the anointed one of God. For six days Jesus and the disciples may have pondered its meaning. Now, on the seventh day, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the mountain. We are not told why they go there. Perhaps, like Moses before him, Jesus is looking for direction, looking for a way to understand all that has happened. Perhaps, he needs some time to consult with his closest advisors. There on the mountain the Jesus is surrounded by the glory of God. Peter, James, and John are amazed to see Jesus in conversation with the ancient leaders of Israel, Moses and Elijah. They are amazed to Jesus transfigured. The glory of God shines in the face of Jesus.
This is truly super. This is more than they could have ever dreamed. Can you imagine their excitement!!!! Peter’s first response is to want to stay. Lets build some dwellings and stay here longer. Jesus though leads them down the mountain. Surely on the way down Peter, James and John could hardly contain themselves. Just think of how jealous the others will be. Just think of how famous we will be. We were there….we say Moses and Elijah. We have seen for ourselves and we the inside scoop of who Jesus is!!!! We will be famous, we will be super stars!!!!
Can you imagine how devastated they must have been when Jesus ordered them to be silent. Surely they must have wondered…”whats the point of being part of something so super if you can’t cash in on it.”
What is the point? Jesus has been shown to be superior to Moses and Elijah. Jesus is declared to be God’s beloved. Peter, James and John are told to listen to Jesus. The glory of God shined radiantly in the face of Jesus. Why the command for silence?
The disciples are told to be silent because the light that shined when Jesus was transfigured on that mountain is nothing compared to the light that will shine when Jesus is resurrected. Jesus has been shown to be God’s beloved, but that title is not given as an award. The title is given for a purpose. God’s beloved, God’s chosen, has been given mission. God’s beloved is chosen to bring God’s healing to the world. Jesus, has been chosen for a mission that will save the world from destruction. God’s beloved is given the mission to conquer evil and death. This mission will be accomplished not on the mountain where he is transfigured. This mission will be accomplished on another mountain. After the transfiguration, Jesus descends the mountain and turns to Jerusalem where he will ascend the mountain of Calvary to die. On that mountain, when he is raised from the dead, the Glory of God’s Triumph over evil and death will truly shine. On that mountain, Jesus will bring healing to the world.
And, dear friends, what then are we to do?
I would suggest that the message Jesus gives to us today is no different than that which he spoke to his disciples when he touched them and said, Get up. Don’t be afraid.
Following his time on the mountain, things got pretty rough for Jesus. In the days ahead he would face rejection, betrayal, suffering and death. His radiant clothes would be stripped. His face would be slapped, his back whipped, he head crowned with thorns. The voice that proclaimed Jesus beloved will be silent. The only voices he will hear will be those which mocks him as he dies. In the days to come, no one will imagine that through this man, the radiant light of God once shined brightly. When it comes, Jesus tells his followers, don’t be afraid. You will see the glory of God shine even more brilliantly than you do today.
Jesus tells us the same. There are difficult days that come. They come in all life. We often feel betrayed, abandoned, and rejected. We too face suffering and death. But, in those days, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. You too will know the healing touch of Jesus. You too will conquer death. You too will be victorious. You too will shine with the radiance of God.
Do not be afraid.
By God’s grace, you too will conquer all that is sad. By God’s grace, you too will share in the healing power of God‘s love. You too will know the fullness of life. Do not be afraid. By God’s grace, and in God’s love you too will know life that is truly Super.
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