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!

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

When We Least Expect It

April 26, 2020

Luke 24:13-35 The Road to Emmaus

Jesus appears to us in the most unlikely of places, when we least expect it, in the quietest moments and in the grimmest…God is with us, always.

Even when we are not paying attention…

Often, we can get caught up in our daily lives and struggles to see God in our lives.

And there are times when we do not feel as if we deserve God’s Grace, that it is a gift given to others, but not to us.

When I found myself in such a place, and was all consumed by troubles that seemed insurmountable, I too felt very far removed from God’s Grace.

While I knew that we are constantly surrounded by the love of God, I was not feeling it in my life, instead I felt worry and pain.

Seeking relief, I drove over to Green Lane park, and began to hike on the trails near the old nature center. At one point, I stopped to stared out across the lake, finding calmness in the still surface of the water.

At that moment, I prayed to God for a peace, and perhaps…for a sign, that everything was going to be all right, although I did not know what ‘being all right’ would look like.

Just then, a fish broke the surface of the lake, jumping up into the air…and then another and another, and I took this as my sign!

Things did work out, not right away, and it wasn’t easy, but life did improve!

With the sight of that jumping fish, I was reminded that God was with me, and had been with me all along, I was just too caught up in my pain and misery to see it, until the presence was revealed to me in that simple way!

In today’s Gospel, we find some of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, so caught up in their own lives, and their own troubles, that they did not see the miracle in their midst…unaware that they were about to have their own ‘jumping fish’ moment.

When they met the stranger, the disciples were eager to share their struggles and fears with him…sometimes it is easier to share these with a stranger, or at least safer, because you assume that there will be less room for judgement.

This is especially helpful when you are trying to make sense of things that do not make much sense at all.

As they shared with the stranger, perhaps their burdens were lessened, and the disciples began to feel better, for the first time in a long while.

Then, the stranger began to lay some truth on the disciples, scolding them for their lack of faith, and then revealing that he had a deep knowledge of the scriptures and prophesies.

Falling into the role of teacher, the stranger reassured the disciples that God had everything under control, and that what had happened was all according to plan. It would not be an easy road, but there was comfort in knowing that everything was in God’s hands.

Sometimes we too just need to stop, look and listen for what God is trying to teach us, as we walk along our own road to Emmaus.

As we face the new challenges of living during a pandemic: the changes, the losses, the uncertainty and the fears.

Even now…God is always speaking to us!

God speaks to us when we make the sacrifices that keep each other safe, like staying home and wearing a mask when we do go out…

God speaks to us through the kindness of strangers as we help each other to get through these difficult days.

God speaks through a friend who calls or texts right when needed, who speaks truth to us, even when that truth may be difficult!

God speaks to us through our loved ones, who stand by us no matter what, even if they don’t always agree with what we do, or who we are (in the moment).

Even if these connections are now maintained online or on the phone.

God speaks through the love that we share together.

God speaks to us when we are quarantined in our homes, working and supporting those who cannot pursue their livelihoods.

And when we offer comfort to those who have experienced loss at a time when we cannot give shoulder to cry on, or hugs to ease the pain.

God speaks when we can get out doors,in the rain and wind, and in the park, on a beautiful day, walking the trails, or enjoying the sun, when it bathes us in warmth, or shines off of the waters of the lakes…and even when a fish breaks the surface of its stillness.

In the same way, just as Jesus did with the disciples…before he was recognized, we are too are called to speak for God.

As we share compassion and the truth of God’s love with others…God’s Word, and Grace are revealed to all who need to hear it, for all in need of hope, who need to be reminded of God’s presence in our lives.

This truth is that there is no where we can go, no matter how deep in despair, far into quarantine, or how lost we feel, there is no where that God’s love cannot find us.

For God is always with us, surrounding us like the air we breathe…sometimes, we need to just stop, pay attention, and take a deep breath.

Peace Be With Us

 

April 19, 2020; Second Sunday of Easter

John 20:19-31

I have red hair, when I was young, it was really red…and I was often reminded of this fact, by strangers, old ladies at church, and bullies.

One day, when I was in second grade, I ran afoul of said bullies, and after letting them know that I did not appreciate their teasing, they offered to meet up with me after school to discuss the situation further: a classic set up, right out of the movies.

However, it was not quite as much fun in real life.

So, when school ended, I found myself sheltering in place. I was smart enough to stay near the office, but could see the bullies loitering just outside. I knew I was safe for the moment, but would not be able to stay there for long, and was thinking of an exit strategy, but not coming up with anything practical.

All I knew was that it was not safe to go outside.

I was thinking about my chances of taking another exit, thinking they could not be watching both the front and back doors at the same time…right? Then I saw a rattling old ’65 Valiant pull up to the curb!

It was my big brother Pete!

I was not expecting him, but my mother had asked him to pick me up after school, because there was big news!

When I walked out of the school, the bullies approached, but Pete saw them and told them to “get lost” and they backed away!

I was safe, at least for that afternoon!

When I got home, my mother told me I was changing schools!

(Yes, this really happened)

I would have to get used to a ‘new normal’ but at least those bullies wouldn’t bother me again!

And I knew that no matter what happened, that I would always have someone watching my back, always have someone to support me…just like Pete did, when he chased off the bullies.

In today’s Gospel, we find the disciples, also sheltering in place.

They were afraid to go out…because it was dangerous out there.

I remember hearing this Gospel in church, as a child, and thinking that they lacked faith in God, faith in the words of Jesus.

Wondering why they did not go out boldly and stand up their bullies…although I used caution with my own.

Looking down on them because they were afraid, and hiding.

However, these were thoughts of a child, and I was mistaken. For the disciples, going out WAS dangerous!

It would have put their lives, and the lives of those they loved, at risk because the same people who had executed Jesus wanted to kill them as well!

So, the disciples stayed hidden, and waited until it was safe to go outside; although they did not know when that would be.

While in hiding behind locked doors, they did their best to make sense of everything that had happened:

The arrest, torture and death of Jesus, the threats given by those in power, and now, the stories of his return! None of it made any sense, no wonder the disciples were afraid and confused.

They were facing an uncertain future. They knew it would be different, but had no idea what it would be like…yet.

But, for the moment, they knew it was better for them to play it safe, and stay in hiding.

There are some of us who may be able to relate to how the disciples were feeling on this evening.

Then, in the midst of their fear, sorrow and confusion, Jesus was with them!

And he appeared right when they needed him!

Just like my brother Pete did on that afternoon!

On this evening, the disciples needed hope, they needed to have something to give them peace, they needed Jesus!

He knew this, and so the first thing Jesus said to them was “Peace be with you”.

Usually, it is a simple greeting, but here, in the midst of their hiding place, these words became something more!

The last thing the disciples were feeling at that moment was peace.

Jesus’ greeting was also a sincere wish calm, a message of hope in the midst of a very difficult time.

Telling them, “Peace be with you” was a way of letting the disciples know that they were not alone, that God was still with them…that the promise of Christ, the promise of new life, was at hand…and this was reason for peace!

And this gift was given to them…and to all of us!

Then, Jesus asks us all to go out into the world, to tell others the good news, to share this gift of peace with a troubled world.

It is not an easy task, as our world is unsettled, and not everyone wants to hear this message of peace, nor does everyone want to hear the about God’s presence in our world.

The disciples would discover this for themselves, and that is why their road was not an easy one, but Jesus never promised that following him would be easy. There were plenty of reasons for them to have fear and uncertainty, but in the words of Jesus: “Peace be with you” there is hope, and strength.

Because with these words, Jesus is reminding the disciples that they are not alone, that they were part of the miracle of the Resurrection.

That faith can overcome fear.

Our lives are not easy either, even without a pandemic there are plenty of reasons to feel fear and uncertainty…

And at a time like this, it is even more important to be at peace, to seek out the faith that can quiet our fear, the hope that is found in knowing that God’s love surrounds always.

It is also important to remember that not only did Jesus wish us peace, but he also called upon us to be peace in our world…and to share this gift with our troubled world.

For the more we share God’s love and grace with each other the stronger it grows!

When we show compassion to those who are struggling, offer comfort to those who mourn, we are sharing our faith, faith that speaks to fear and uncertainty.

It is together that we will find the peace that we need to face the challenges of today, together that we will become the peace we need to move forward into our new normal…as we adjust to a new way of life in the wake of the virus.

In our new normal, it will be even more important for us to watch out for each other; not only to share this peace, but to be that peace!

May the peace of the Lord be with us all.