Sunday, February 28, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 28, 2010 The Second Sunday in Lent

If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34


In this passage, Jesus outlines a seemingly direct path to Salvation. By denying one's self "suppressing physical needs, material desires, ego, and pride" and accepting life's burdens, it is possible to achieve true discipleship.

Upon reflection, though, this seemingly straightforward plan may not be so simple. This passage has historically been interpreted as a glorification of suffering: to deny one's self, sacrifice one's self, wipe out any sense of self, and to embrace the cross, is to elevate oneself. Discipleship, to some, is imagined as suffering in this life, presumably in return for rewards to come. If Christ is indeed elevating suffering as a virtue, then martyrdom is the route to eternal life.

However, we must question the extent to which we are to deny ourselves. Why would each of us, as children of God, be blessed with talents and abilities that could improve life for others, only to be asked to suppress those gifts? Perhaps instead, it is by suppressing only our human weaknesses that we can truly let the light of Christ into our lives, and permit us to do God's work in the world.

Tricia Hurlbutt

Lenten Reflection - February 28, 2010 The Second Sunday in Lent

If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34


It seems I always have a song in my heart, and as I reflected on this verse, I was reminded of a song made popular by Mary Travers in the 1970’s called Follow Me. These particular words from the song kept running through my mind—

Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you’ll follow me


I can relate these lyrics to my Christian walk and to Mark 8:34. Isn’t that what it means to deny ourselves and take up our cross—to follow Jesus “all the way and all around”? Many of us practice self-denial during Lent by “giving up” certain foods, like chocolate or bad habits. While that is difficult to do and serves a purpose, denying ourselves in order to follow Jesus seems to be more than that. It means to deny our SELVES— to stop listening to our own voice, stop leaning on our own power, and stop trying to fulfill our own will and wishes. We take up our cross when we choose to follow the way Jesus taught us to live our lives, regardless of the cost. In today’s competitive society, we are rewarded for being leaders, not followers. But Jesus asks us to follow Him against the flow of worldly trends. Instead of relying on popular culture for how to succeed in life, let’s remind ourselves that Jesus gave us this ultimate formula for success. Won’t you take His hand and say you’ll follow, too?

Nancy Horkan

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 27, 2010

Recite [these words] to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
Deuteronomy 6:7


That old line about “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” “Practice, practice, practice” came to mind when I read this verse. Now, I know I can’t ‘practice’ my way into God’s heart – I am a child of God purely by his loving grace – but I can practice being a better Christian. (Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to come naturally to me). I can return God’s love by honoring, practicing, his commandments.

In Chapter 5, God gives the 10 commandments to Moses. In Chapter 6, Moses gives them to the people. Chapter 6:6: “These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts.” If I practice acting on what is in my heart, that thing becomes easier, more natural to do “when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” And the children, who seem to learn by absorption, by watching and listening, will profit.

Patti Sachs

Friday, February 26, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 26, 2010

What does the Lord require of you? Only to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13


This passage says it all, doesn’t it? We are here to serve the Lord and do what He has told us to do. The stories in the Bible, Moses, Job, Jonah, Jacob… they are just window dressing. Those along with Jesus’ parables are tales to help us discern the meaning of serving the Lord, loving the Lord and keeping His commandments. It is pretty clear when you look at it; if you get this then the rest is easy, or is it? It is pretty easy to “love the Lord” every day, we can pray and let Him know we are thinking about Him, we can tell Him how wonderful He is, we can ask for His guidance, help, whatever but then comes the “serving” part. How can I serve the Lord each day? Abraham, Moses, Peter, and all the saints set examples of how to serve the Lord. Some of those saints have done pretty marvelous things, maybe more than I can ever do. As I write this, the “new” year has just started and I am thinking of resolutions as many of us do at this time. How can I serve the Lord each day? How can we serve the Lord, for isn’t that how we truly ‘love’ the Lord? (see also Matthew 22:37)

Taylor F. Milbradt

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 25, 2010

Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
John 18:37


The setting is the Palace of the Roman governor, Pilate, after Jesus’ arrest. Jesus (is bound) before Pilate. Pilate would have given anything if he could convince the chief priests and the Jewish population that he could not condemn Jesus to death on what little evidence they presented. He found no fault in Jesus saying, “My kingdom is not of this world.” The Jews hoped Pilate would find Jesus guilty of blasphemy because he had been called “King of the Jews.” That, they felt, put him on a par with God. Jesus was the only one who knew what was going on. He really was about his father’s business, fulfilling his father’s plan. The Jews could not put him to death, by their law. So, they claimed he was a threat to Caesar so that the Roman Authority would do their dirty work. Pilate knew he was being used by the Jews. He also heard Jesus say, “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” In despair, Pilate gave the crowd a choice: Barabbas or Jesus. They cried for Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate feared the crowd.

Have you ever made a decision based on the weight of the crowd when your heart and mind told you otherwise?

Caroline Chisum

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 24, 2010

As Moses lifted up the serpent...so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
John 3:15


Jesus was talking to Nicodemus when he made this statement. Nicodemus belonged to the party of the Pharisees, but he believed that Jesus was sent by God, because of the miracles he performed.

Jesus told him he must be born again. Nicodemus could not understand this symbolism. Jesus said, "You must be born of the spirit.” In the book of Numbers 21:4, the Lord had sent poisonous snakes among his sinful, complaining people. When they asked for forgiveness, the Lord had Moses make a metal snake. Moses made a bronze snake on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten could look at it and be healed.

So Jesus must be lifted up, spiritually. We, believing, will be saved.

Beverly Fahlstrom

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 23, 2010

It is not because of your righteousness...that you are going in...
Deuteronomy 9:5


This passage is about provocation, corruptions, faith and promises. It is also about the Promised Land and a 400 hundred year old promise.

In spite of the Israelites’ stiff necks (an apparent reference to God’s people’s unwillingness to accept the yoke of God), in spite of the myriad provocations Moses attributes to his people, and in spite of their corruption, Moses tells his people that they will soon possess nations greater than they can possibly imagine. They will reach the Promised Land, “Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart…,” nor even because of the wickedness of the Hittites, the Amorites, Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; they will reach the Promised Land because of the promise God made to Abraham 400 years before.

Moses and his people are the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites except for one thing: their faith in God. They are not rewarded for anything about themselves, and Moses makes abundantly clear to his people that they could not possibly do anything to deserve the Promised Land.

This passage is about giving of ourselves; it’s about the differences between what we deserve and what we are given; it’s about the power of faith and the power of promises.

James Buchan

Monday, February 22, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 22, 2010

...to humble you and to test you and in the end to do you good.
Deuteronomy 8:16


Deuteronomy -- the “second law,” – is a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and the people of Israel -- the words of Moses in more “contemporary” words. He does not mince them. He reminds the people, "Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these 40 years in the wilderness … If you do forget the Lord your God and follow other gods to serve and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish." Among “other gods” we follow are things. We love our things, our gadgets and gizmos. We tend to believe if we work hard enough, we have earned them and we deserve them. The prophet warns, “… do not exalt yourself, forgetting the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… Do not say to yourself, ‘My power and the might of my own hand have gotten me this wealth.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth…” He brought us through the “great and terrible wilderness” and made miracles of manna and water from a rock to humble and test us so that we would know Him.

And all that he asks is that we love Him with all our hearts, all our souls and all our minds, and that we love our neighbors as ourselves. Is that too much to ask?

Val Hymes

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 21, 2010 The First Sunday in Lent

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
Mark 1:12


Upon first reading this passage, I was struck by its brevity and power. The Gospel of Mark relates the Temptation of Christ in the first chapter, using only two sentences. Unlike the Gospel of Matthew, where the story is related in 11 verses in the fourth chapter, or Luke, who uses 13 verses in the fourth chapter, Mark notes the event and moves quickly on. Why this difference, I wondered? This passage is harsh. The use of the words “immediately,” and “drove,” are not at all as gentle as those used in Matthew or Luke’s versions. In Matthew, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness. In Luke, Jesus wanders in the wilderness, led by the Spirit. The Gospel According to Mark, is widely considered to be the oldest of the gospels. Did Matthew and Luke, who must have been familiar with Mark’s work, decide he left too much to the imagination? Did they think Mark moved too quickly past this important event which introduces the conflict between Jesus and Satan? Or, were they trying to make a readable version of Jesus’ life and death? The remainder of Mark’s Gospel clearly reveals that Mark is greatly concerned about this conflict between Jesus and Satan. Life in Jesus’s time was much different than our present world. It is difficult for us to relate to that world. In his brevity, Mark coveys the stark reality of the powers of evil that so often make an appearance when we least expect them.

Mary Hoffman

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 20, 2010

. . . to be gentle and to show every courtesy to everyone.
Titus 3:2b


Titus was one of Paul’s most trusted traveling companions and devoted friend. Paul slowly developed Titus into a mature Christian leader, who eventually became the overseer of the churches in Crete. The book of Titus is a letter from Paul, emphasizing the importance of good works in the life of a Christian. The responsibilities of Christians in society is outlined in the book of Titus.

This Bible passage explains how Christians should treat all humans with kindness and respect. The passage follows descriptions of the trials and misfortunes of former unbelievers, and how Godly living is now only appropriate since God has given us the gift of eternal life. Showing courtesy to all is a quality that describes a good Christian citizen. Being gentle and courteous are distinct Christian kindnesses. Society should be able to recognize Christians as loving people of truth, as being considerate and peaceful persons, ready to do whatever is good for others. Our Godly living and kind deeds to all, including non-Christians, will exemplify the teachings we have received and hopefully bring others to faith in God.

By making all newcomers to St. James’ feel warmly welcomed, we can all practice this teaching from God.

Susan Dowling

Friday, February 19, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 19, 2010

If you heed these ordinances, the Lord your God... will love you, bless you, and multiply you.
Deuteronomy 7:12-13a


This passage is a straightforward reminder that we have a contract with God. God loves and watches over us at all times, but He is at once powerful, loving, jealous and vengeful. He expects something in return. In order to abide in His love, we must observe His commandments.

God guides us through the most difficult of challenges. Just as God brought His chosen people to the promised land and helped them defeat many more powerful nations along the way, He will be with us through our own times of strife. God’s love is truly wondrous and great, but it doesn’t come without expectations of us.

As we reflect on this passage, it helps to remind us that we must do more than ask God for His blessings. We must also ask ourselves what we have done to uphold our end of our covenant with Him.

Claire and George Pickart

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 18, 2010

John saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29


Jesus was a lamb of God like us - He was one of us! Like us, He was baptized by John (even though He had no sin) just as all of us were baptized. For all of us and for Jesus too, baptism reaffirms God's love for each of us and reminds us of our inherent worth. We need to remember this message every day!

During all baptisms, we, the congregation, promise to nurture and support the newly baptized. The Godparents promise to take special care of the person. As a Sunday school teacher of three, four, and five year olds, I take this promise very seriously. I want all my children to absolutely know that Jesus loves them and that they are marked as God's own forever! In a sense, I am their Godparent for awhile on Sundays.

Jesus is our shepherd, always taking care of us—never abandoning any of us. We can have total faith in his love and care. This is the kind of commitment I try to bring to my class each week. We learn about Jesus' life - His birth, His teaching (as shown in the Parables), the Eucharist, and His death and resurrection. We emphasize over and over that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He loves us unconditionally and forever.

It is an awesome responsibility and a wonderful privilege to be entrusted with the first church teachings these children receive. I pray I always let them know with words and actions how much Jesus loves them. In truth, they show me God's love every Sunday!

Julie Cornellier

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Lenten Reflection - February 17, 2010 Ash Wednesday

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21


This passage is from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus has gone to speak to his disciples. He was teaching them about priorities; choosing the love of God and spiritual values rather than material ones.

As I read this passage, I thought about the things that I treasure and then I thought about the things that I treasure most. The things that I treasure the most are not “things” at all. We all know that material possessions are not what is most important to us, yet most of us struggle with keeping our priorities straight. Why do material possessions compete for our affections, especially when we know what damage comes when we misplace our priorities?

What is in our heart will determine how we respond to God’s calling to love one another and help those in need. When we spend money and/or our valuable time for charitable causes and people, we expand our hearts and make them rich. The heart must be set on eternal treasures, not on things of this Earth. This does not make it wrong for us to want the necessities of life and material possessions, but our heart should not be set on them. Possessions must be possessed; they must not possess us. If God is the treasure of our heart, our passions will be placed on things above. If our hearts are not set upon eternal treasures, we must reinvest in our values. What is your heart set upon?

Cindy Carrier