No Easy Task

 

May 31, 2020 — Pentecost

John 20:19-23

Today is Pentecost, commonly accepted to be the Birthday of the Christian church, commemorating the day when Jesus sent the disciples into the world, supported by presence of the Holy Spirit.

Today marks the end of Easter, and the beginning of the longest season of the church year, a season of work, of sharing the Gospel in our daily lives. A time of simply living the in the gracious love of God.

As with any birthday, there is some excitement about the day, but there is also an opportunity for reflection, as we look back over where we have been, and look forward to where we will be going in the future. For the church has a life, just like we do…a life in motion, always growing and changing…

Always facing challenges.

And, as a church, we have faced many challenges this year, like not being able to gather together for worship, education or fellowship for these past few months.

We have faced the challenge of how to be the church in our community, when we have to be Socially Distant.

The disciples also faced many challenges when they were sent out into their community by Jesus.

They were tasked with sharing the message of Christ, the message of God’s great love for ALL people, to a world that was not ready to hear the it.

To people who thought that the disciples were radicals, subversives or were perhaps “…filled with new wine”.

The road ahead would not be easy for the disciples, most of them would wind up dying for their mission, martyred senselessly by those who did not understand, or who were simply afraid. The disciples were well aware of the dangers that lay ahead of them, having seen what happened to Jesus, yet they embraced their task, and went out in the world with enthusiasm and filled with the Spirit!

The Holy Spirit to be exact…for this was the final gift of Jesus before he ascended, an advocate, who supported the disciples and enabled them to support each other when facing the impossible!

When facing the very real possibility of rejection, imprisonment or death!

It was the Holy Spirit, shared together, that gave the disciples faith for their mission, and the strength to stick to the truth of the Gospel, the truth of Christ, the truth of God’s love, given for all of us!

The truth that can transform our world…which is not always a safe truth to proclaim.

This is the same spirit that is with us all today, as we face our own challenges…

Not just the challenges posed by the pandemic, but also of sharing the Gospel in a world that does not necessarily want to hear it…

Unfortunately, there are many who mock those with any religious faith. They put us down for “…believing in fairy tales”, comparing the scriptures to myth and legend.

There are also those who have twisted the words of Christ, and turned them around to promote their own selfish agendas, or even to spread fear regarding those they see as ‘different’.

These things have made proclaiming the truth of the Gospel more difficult in our world, as fewer people want to hear this message.

Either it does not fit with what they want to hear, or they paint all Christians with the same brush, seeing us all as closed-minded and exclusionary.

However, this is what we have been called to do: share the message of God’s love in the world!

Even when it is difficult to do so, even in the midst of our many divisions, even during a pandemic!

After all, Jesus’ journey through our world was not an easy one, so why should be expect following him to be any easier?

Except it is…we do not have to take our lives in our hands to follow Christ like the first disciples, but we do sometimes have to face inconvenience, like when we wear a mask or practice Social Distancing, in order to keep others safe.

And as a way of helping everyone move forward.

While we do not have to preach in the middle of Pennsburg Square, we are called to act as Christ in the world…this means that sometimes we will need to speak out when we would rather remain silent.

Bullying is not just for kids, as it happens on Social Media all the time, the loudest voices often seem to carry the day, even if they are proclaiming ignorance or even hate that promotes this division. When confronted with these bullies, it can be difficult for us to speak up, as we could be afraid of having their ire turned on us!

I understand this fear, no one wants to be the target of bullies.

I remember, when I was in High School, coming around a corner, when I found one of my friends being bullied. Several kids had surrounded him, they were making fun of his appearance…or maybe it was something he did or said…it does not really matter, as they were ganging up on him.

He was standing there crying, and those not making fun of him were just watching and laughing!

When I saw what was going on, my first instinct was to turn and walk away, I had also been the target of bullies and part of me was very glad that I was not the focus of attention that day.

However, just as I was about to fade into the scenery, another friend appeared next to me, and asked me where I was going, “…are you just going to walk away?”. I was going to, but I was embarrassed to admit to, so I stayed, and now that I was not alone, I found the courage to speak up!

When we called out the bullies the crowd began to break up, but as I feared, the bullies turned on us; however, by this time, no one as there to see it, and things ended before the first teacher arrived.

Our actions did not an end to the bullying, but I like to think that knowing he was not alone helped him, that there were other people who cared.

It is also possible that what we did helped some of the people who had watched the bullying. Perhaps it gave them pause to think about their inaction, and to see that it would be okay for them to speak up too.

Maybe, it even gave some of the bullies a reason to consider their own actions…maybe.

Speaking the truth, supporting and caring for each other is the right thing to do, but it doesn’t always mean that everything will suddenly take a turn for the better; however, that is not the point…for we act as Christ in the world not to be loved, but to be God’s love, alive in our world!

This is what it means to be a disciple of Christ…

And even today, this is not an easy task, but we do not have to do it perfectly…because we do not pursue this ministry alone!

We have the Holy Spirit with us always…given as a gift by Christ, to give us the strength to share the Gospel with the world, to speak out against injustice, inequity, hate and racism in all its forms.

To speak the truth of God’s great love for all people, in the face of all that divides us, in the face of fear and ignorance…the truth that calls us to reconciliation and hope.

The strength to stand up to the bullies.

The Holy Spirit is with us whenever we reach out to each other in fellowship and faith, as we follow the ministry of proclaiming the Gospel out in a world that is desperate for good news!

It Stays With Us

May 24, 2020 – the seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 1:6-14

The Ascension of Jesus

In today’s reading from Acts we have a contradiction: We know that Christ is still alive and active in the world, yet, we are told of his Ascension into the heavens…

How can both be true?

Either Christ is still here with us, or has ascended to the Father and will come again in glory, right?

Perhaps, both CAN be true…

When the disciples ask Jesus if his ascension means that the Day of the Lord is at hand, he tells them, that it is not, not yet any way.

This day had been foretold by the prophets, as the time when all the barriers between ourselves and God would be removed, and the Kingdom of God would be right here…where we are!

On that day, God’s act of creation would be completed!

So, while Jesus tells the disciples that the Day of the Lord had not yet arrived, he does task the disciples, and each of us, with sharing the good news of God’s love “…to the ends of the earth.”

He calls them to be Christ in the world, to help bring about the Day of the Lord, to make the Kingdom a reality in our midst!

To share all that he taught them.

After all, Jesus was a teacher, and like any good teacher, his lessons never end, we continue to learn from him…every day.

And good teaching stays with us.

My father taught Math and Computer Science at Upsala in East Orange, NJ, this meant that I grew up as a ‘campus brat’, with life revolving around the school…and I am proud to say that I am also a graduate of the college.

It was in existence for just over 100 years, and touched many lives, producing a few authors, athletes and actors.

Along with the rest of us, who went into a variety of professions, from doctors to business people and even quite a few ministers, and…of course, teachers.

Unfortunately, the school closed about 25 years ago, with half of the campus replaced by a development, and the classroom buildings turned into a public High School.

However, even though the school itself has closed, it’s teachings have stayed with us…

And in many ways, it lives on through all of us who get together to share what he learned there, and this is not only the many teachers who graduated to teach others, but also the rest of us, who took this knowledge into our own professions.

Upsala’s legacy also lives on in the many friendships and families founded on campus, and in the stories we share, both in person and on Social Media…and through sharing these stories many new people learn about this place that was so important to all of us.

Each of us carries the story of Upsala with us…meaning that it is still with us, even though has now become a part of history.

Stories can bind us together, breaking down barriers of misunderstanding and disagreement, and can call us to reconciliation and healing in the midst of our brokenness bringing us to common ground.

Because stories teach us about each other, and about the world we share…

Whether they are stories about a school, or if they are stories about Jesus.

These stories keep memory and learning alive.

And where we find this common ground, we have a basis for growth…a starting point for moving forward, for our own ascension to making our world a better place.

This brings us closer to the time the disciples were asking Jesus about, the Day of the Lord.

In order to move us forward towards that day, we need each other’s help, which is why we are called to invite others to join us, just as Matthias was called to join the disciples, replacing the tragic Judas.

Through this, we are reminded that all of us who follow Jesus are disciples…it is not an exclusive club, but a family. We can all carry the light of the Gospel, and the more who carry this light, the brighter it shines!

Although Jesus has ascended, Christ is still with us, through the disciples, who were tasked to carry out his ministry in the world…

And we are all disciples.

Through each of us, Christ is right here in our world, and always will be.

Just as the alumni of Upsala have keeping the stories and teaching of that school alive, although it has closed.

Christ is alive when we offer each other support through the long uncertain days, when we wear a mask, and take other precautions to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us…even if it is inconvenient, even if we don’t like it.

We act as Christ when we treat others with respect and compassion…even those we disagree with, or don’t necessarily like.

We are being Christ in our world when we seek reconciliation, where others foment discord, when we build partnerships that can offer us all support in the face of commons foes, not just the virus, but also ignorance and fear.

When we shine the light of God’s gracious love into all the dark places where hate can fester…we are making Christ known, right where we are, and the Kingdom comes closer to being a reality in our world.

So yes, Jesus can be ascended and seated on the right hand of God, and Christ can be right here with us, all at the same time!

This is because we are all in the same place, the risen Christ is not far off in the heavens, but in our midst…for wherever we are together, whenever we are working to help each other, and when we are gathered in praise and worship (even if Socially Distant) God is with us.

When God is with us, Christ is alive, and the Kingdom is within our grasp!

 

 

Just Look and See

 

Sunday May 17, 2020 — The Sixth Sunday of Easter

John 14:15-21

Jesus is always with us!

We may not always see Jesus…but that does not mean that he has left us alone.

In the midst of our bus and stressful world few people even think to stop, and look for Jesus in their lives.

There are some who believe that having faith in God is a sign of weakness, and will mock the very idea of God, and believe that the Jesus stories are mostly myth.

These people may see religion as a relic of the past, something akin to superstition, that has nothing to say to our daily lives.

Others may see religion as a means of instilling guilt, or as a way to prove superiority over others, a way of condemning those we disagree with, as we have seen it used to divide instead of reconcile.

Jesus foresaw this, in fact, in today’s Gospel, he tells us that as much, saying “In a little while the world will no longer see me…”

This can be taken as a warning to his disciples that he would be leaving them soon…but he may have also been referring to a time when people would become too busy to see him, or have come to believe that they have ‘out-grown’ Jesus.

Perhaps, he was speaking to those who would be too focused on creating Christ in their own image, to actually see the truth of Christ in the world.

The truth that Christ is with us always, through each of us who carries the spark of the Resurrection…the light of Easter.

However, sometimes our faith falters, and we get so caught up in our frustrations, fears and just plain ‘busy-ness’ that we do not see what is right in front of us…

Jesus knew that this could happen, and therefore, he reassures us by promising “I will not leave you orphaned…”

With these words, we are reminded that Jesus never left us, and is always with us…we just have to stop, take a deep breath, and actually see.

In seminary, I learned the story of a priest in a poor country, who was struggling with his faith, and was having trouble seeing Jesus in the world.

As he watched people around him suffering from poverty, disease and injustice, while those who were causing all this pain seemed to thrive, he wondered “Where is Jesus in all this?”

How could a loving God allow such suffering to take place?

Then, as he was about to lead worship one Sunday, the priest looked out at the people gathered for worship, they were poor, hungry and worn out, yet when he looked at them, the priest saw the face of Jesus in the crowd.

And when he saw this, he knew that Jesus had not abandoned those in need, but was alive and active in the lives of these people, that through their faith, Jesus was with them in their struggles…weeping with them, and also giving hope.

Hope in the fact that as they gathered for worship, they knew that they were not alone in their struggles, that they were loved.

Just as the face of Jesus could be seen in the crowd gathered for worship on that Sunday morning, he is with us well…whenever we are gathered for worship, even if it is via Social Distance.

This is because as followers of Jesus, we are not only called to share the good news of the Gospel with the world, but to BE that good news…to act as Christ in the world!

When we join together to be Christ in our world, the Holy Spirit is in our midst!

And Jesus is seen….

However, there are times when we are just too busy, or too distracted to look…

Or things maybe going along okay, we may be managing our lives just fine…and don’t even think of seeking out Christ in our world.

Then, when things start to go south, or we wind up facing an obstacle that we simply cannot get around, and we find ourselves in need again…we start saying our ‘fox-hole’ prayers.

And this is okay, it is part of being human and nothing we need to beat ourselves up for.

Jesus is often revealed to us when we are weak, and needy…when our illusions have fallen and we can see that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The good news is that we do not need to be in the midst of a pandemic for God’s Grace to touch us…for it surrounds us always!

When we support each other through the challenges of life, not only weeping, but also rejoicing together, Jesus can be seen in our midst.

And we become the Advocate that Jesus has promised…the gift of God’s love, given to us freely.

Through us, the Holy Spirit is alive and active in the world!

Lighting up the darkness, and giving us all hope!

Preparing a Place

John 14:1-14

Sunday May 10, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that he is going to prepare a place for us…

How appropriate for Mother’s Day, when we honor the women who have worked to make a home for us.

This is especially meaningful for me, as I was adopted, and welcomed into a home that was not mine to begin with…but which was prepared for me with love.

My biological parents were not well equipped for children, at least not when I came along, so I was taken away at 6 months, and placed into foster care.

Unfortunately, I had health issues which required treatments and surgeries, this made it difficult to find a home that would take me in…so I waited, alone in a hospital ward, cared for by the doctors and nurses.

Then, my parents found out about me through some friends who had recently adopted…and although they had four children of their own, and I was still facing some serious medical problems, they made room for me in their home…

They prepared a place for me by putting a crib in the room that two of my brothers shared, by doing some creative budgeting, and then talking to their children about adjustments they would all have to make.

After being with them for about an hour, my parents decided to adopt me…and in time, I became a part of the family.

They had prepared a place for me…right in their own home.

Just as Jesus is preparing a place for us…and that place is right here, where we are, for that’s where Jesus comes to us, in the midst of our lives!

Through the people who touch our lives every day.

For it is through these people that God speaks to us, and offers us Grace.

The same grace that saved me as a child, which was offered through my parents.

My mother raised me and loved me the same as her other children, because I was her child.

She taught me right from wrong (or tried to) and showed me how to be a good person in this world.

Both parents showed me what it meant to have compassion towards others, and they taught me the importance of faith…and of doing my best to follow in the footsteps of Jesus…

To help make our world a better place.

Something we are all called to do as followers of Christ: to make the Kingdom of God a reality right here, where we are.

We do this by acting as Christ in the world, seeking to share God’s love with all those in need.

We share the love of God, when we Socially Distance, when we wear a mask, when we put up with inconvenience, disappointment and down-right pain, in order to keep others safe.

We share God’s love when we seek unity in the face of division, when we work together to meet the great challenges that are facing us today…and to heal what has been broken.

When we join together to make this world a better place for all people…

When we follow Jesus’ teachings by caring for each other, we are being the Body of Christ in the World.

And when we act as Christ in the world, we are preparing a place for all of us…as Jesus promised.

A place where we can work together, in spite of our differences, to make God’s Kingdom a reality in our midst, a place where all will know peace, compassion and hope.

Where we are all welcomed home as a part of God’s family, because we are all well-loved children of God!

Just as my parents welcomed me into their home and family…and made me their child.

We are called to share this gift of love by reaching out to all who are lost, and welcoming them as fellow children of God.

When we do this, we are working together in unity to build a better world, and helping us all move forward we travel beyond this pandemic and into our new normal.

For when we act in unity, we are sharing the good news that Jesus has always been with us, and will always be with us.

The good news that God loves us, that through Christ we have been made part of the family, and nothing can take this gift away from us…not even an pandemic!

A Symptom

This is a symptom…

While I do not approve of Trump, this is not all his fault, nor is has it been caused by the Corona-virus, this brokenness is rooted deep in our history; however, these things have brought our broken places to the surface.

The good news is that most of the people in this country are decent people who have compassion for others, and do not want to see us divided. Most of us are also appalled at the injustice and inequality that has only been exposed, but have always been with us.

Fortunately, now that these problems have been exposed, they cannot be shoved back into the darkness of denial…they have to be addressed.

We can begin by speaking the truth of our faults, that there is still so much that is wrong with our nation…that we are still plagued by inequality and injustice. Sometimes I think people are reluctant to speak out for fear of being shouted down, but remember, the loudest voices are not necessarily correct, they are just loud!

Those of us who are Christians are called to follow the example of Christ in all we do, by showing compassion and love to all those in need. This includes the people we disagree with, and speaking the truth of the God’s love to those who are broken is also a way of showing compassion.

We are all facing this crisis together, and while the pandemic has been devastating, it can also be an opportunity to treat our brokenness.

This is our truth: that while there is still so much that is wrong with our nation, we are all in this together, and that it is only by working together that we will find reconciliation and healing to make our new normal better than the one we left behind.

Which Way?

John 10:1-10; May 3, 2020

Jesus the Good Shepherd

 

These days, it is hard to know what direction to take in our lives…

We are sheltering in place to keep ourselves and others safe, because it is the right thing to do!

However, even those of us who are most committed to Social Distancing, can find ourselves questioning…

“Is quarantining ourselves is really worth it?”

“Is it really helping?”

Like others, we may find ourselves wondering if the ‘cure’ is worse than the disease.

Many have been put out of work, and are struggling financially, relationships have suffered, both from too much distancing, or too little.

Educations have been disrupted, sports, concerts and family gatherings cancelled or postponed…including weddings and funerals.

Times when we most need to be together, to get a good hug, a warm hand…and we are advised to stay at least six feet apart.

We have many ways that we can connect remotely, through the internet and phone, but it is not the same, and in many ways we feel as if we are farther apart than ever before.

We wonder if it is okay to go to the store to buy food, clothes or other necessities?

When do we wear a mask?

Is it alright to go to the park, the lake, for a run, hike or bike ride?

Or just to walk the dog.

Can we go and visit a friend who is down, offer comfort to those who mourn? How do we take care of people who are sick, with virus or any other disease?

Are we doing enough?

And we can find ourselves asking “What will come next?”

It is easy to feel confused and a bit lost now, because it is so hard to know what to do.

Right now, we are truly in need of some guidance…but where will we find it?

We can look to today’s Gospel, when Jesus tells us that he is the good shepherd!

A shepherd leads the flock, feeds them, and cares for them…even when they do not want to be cared for, even when they want to go their own way.

As OUR good shepherd we can look to Jesus for guidance…to live in the answer of the old question: “What would Jesus do?”

We can do as Jesus taught us, by showing compassion, consideration, and care, for others.

We are following Jesus when we sacrifice our own comfort and convenience in order to keep others safe and protected.

When we act selflessly, putting the needs of others ahead of our own.

When we support those who are feeling brunt of this quarantine, through the kindness of a phone call or a text, connecting via Zoom or Skype…to help all of us feel less ‘isolated’.

When we offer comfort to those struggling, with money trouble, Depression, Addiction, or illness…even the virus, when we do all these things, we are following the lead of our good shepherd.

It is not always easy to follow Jesus, but then, his journey was not an easy one…but he is our best teacher and guide.

When we move forward despite our questions and doubts, and seek to do the next right thing…even if we are not sure what that is.

When we seek to unite rather than divide…

We can help each other find our way to healing, not just from the virus, but from all the ills and injustices that this pandemic has brought to the surface…where they can be treated.

For when we follow our good shepherd, we are acting as Christ in the world, sharing his message of hope…

The message of the Gospel, the message that God’s love is for all people, and is meant to be shared. This message has the power to reconcile and restore us.

And our world is very much in need of Christ’s message of hope, we are need of some good shepherding, because this health crisis has also become an economic and political struggle.

Causing us to become further divided at a time when we need to come together to face our common foe!

Yet, all is not lost, because while this pandemic can break us, it can also give us the opportunity face the faults that keep us apart, allowing us to move forward more connected and unified than ever before.

With our good shepherd leading the way, we too can become shepherds.

Amen