e-vo for week of May 18

Dearest e-votees-

This week’s appointed psalmody is Psalm 31:1-5; 15-16. The actual psalm is 24 verses long. Perhaps it was shortened for Sunday for brevity’s sake; perhaps some cutting of uncomfortable passages occurred as well. It is given in complete form below. The non-appointed portions of the psalm are bracketed off.

Peace,

Karl

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Prayer and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1 In you, O Lord, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me.
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me.
3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me,
4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

[6 You hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.
7 I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have taken heed of my adversities,
8 and have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.
9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13 For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”]

15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.

[17 Do not let me be put to shame, O Lord, for I call on you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be stilled that speak insolently against the righteous with pride and contempt.
19 O how abundant is your goodness that you have laid up for those who fear you, and accomplished for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of everyone!
20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from human plots; you hold them safe under your shelter from contentious tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was beset as a city under siege.
22 I had said in my alarm, “I am driven far from your sight.” But you heard my supplications when I cried out to you for help.
23 Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord.]

Psalm 31, NRSV

The psalm begins with David seeking refuge in God. No matter what comes our way in life—good or bad; deserved or unjustly inflicted; in times of sure footing or slipping on shifting sands—God is our rock and our salvation. Our hope and our help are in God. Our times and everything else is found resting in God’s hands. We commend our spirits and our lives and our every moments into God’s love and redemption—we imperil that which we do not entrust to God’s care.

The next section of the psalm is left on the cutting room floor by the pericopists (those who created the lectionary—literally the ones doing the “cutting around”). Perhaps because David takes a little too much solace in the hatred of God towards the idolaters. Perhaps David is too proud. Perhaps because it is a little dour and depressing pondering where David and, by extension, where we fall short, are weak and spent, are set upon and are likened unto death. But the truth is we are like broken vessels. The Holy Spirit has come into us and our earthen vessels have been cracked. Sometimes they are cracked open in preparation of caring for one in the image of God—like the costly ointment slathered on Jesus’ feet. Sometimes they are cracked open through our sin and sin inflicted upon us and the Holy Spirit seems to run out of the vessel, through our hands and then on to who knows where? But our statement of faith, with David, is still “You are my God.” In spite of the rough and tumble ways of life and sin that has taken root God is our God.

The appointed psalm continues with a prayer for deliverance and a request for benediction. It is akin to Jacob wrestling with God not letting go until a blessing is his. As we wrestle with life and death, success and failure, obligation and inspiration, hope and despair, faith and doubt we know that God’s love is steadfast and that God wills that we would all be saved. So we pray and pray and pray again for deliverance and blessing—for us and for those who beset us.

The last portion, which also was excised by the pericopists, again prays from deep places of pain and struggle. There is a prayer for deliverance. There is testimony that God hears the supplications of God’s people. There is an acknowledgment that there is protection from human plots and contentious tongues under God’s shelter. As said so clearly in the Jars of Clay song “Shelter”—in the shelter of each other we will live. How much more so in the shelter of God’s love and grace and peace and mercy do we live?

The truth is this psalm disturbs us and the pericopists because it acknowledges that there really are enemies of us and of God—and the more disturbing truth is that we can walk as enemies of ourselves, our brothers and sisters and even God. The psalm cuts because it betrays our divided hearts, our slanderous tongues, our impure motives and our harmful ways. Thanks be to God that God sees us even more clearly than we do ourselves and loves us with an unrelenting and redeeming love. We dwell in the shelter of a loving God—our times are in God’s hands.


God, teach us to be loving to enemies, to be gracious to those who are not there yet, to care for the unlovely—and let us be gracious enough to let others do that for our sake as well. Amen.

e-vo for week of May 11

Dearest e-votees-

Quick turns of the phrase get traction but sometimes they obscure a deeper and more nuanced conversation.

How often do you hear “Well, everyone has their cross to bear.” after someone has been discussing an illness or a struggle or a challenge in their life? Are all painful things crosses? Just because suffering is hard isn’t sufficient to make it just suffering.

This week we’ll spend some time with the appointed epistle text from 1 Peter.

Peace,
Karl

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19 For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

1 Peter 2:19-25, NRSV

There are two questions that seem to emerge when we reflect on our own suffering or that of others—why and how. We want to know something about the cause of the suffering. We want to know the details of the suffering and how it was endured.

The first question—“Why?”—is the fodder for many a conversation. When Job’s life took a decided turn for the worse his friends showed up asking what he had done to deserve such suffering—they were asking “Why?” When Jesus and his disciples come across a blind man they asked who sinned that this man was born blind—he or his parents?—they were asking “Why?” When tragedies like 9-11 or tsunamis or devastating earthquakes or AIDS epidemics occur—some people speak with entirely too much authority about God’s purposes and judgments—they are presumptuously speaking answers into the “Why?” question.

The truth is that sometimes we merit suffering that comes our way. Sometimes life knocks us around because we picked a fight with something bigger and stronger and faster than us. Sometimes the things that rain down on us were certainly predictable if not downright provoked. But other times things just happen. Maybe God willed it for a greater purpose and maybe God opted to let things run their natural courses. There is not always a clear cause or responsible party for the things that come into our lives. As much as we want a clear and defensible answer to our “Why?”s we often get a stark “Because.” or a more reflective “Why not?” and so often we just get lonely silence. Just because we ask the “Why?” doesn’t mean we will get a satisfactory answer or even that we will get an answer at all.

One verse that has often brought comfort to me (and I’m sure countless others) is Romans 8:28: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

This verse doesn’t presume the answer to “Why?” looking back but offers hope to the “How?” as we press forward.

“How will this suffering play out?” Jesus reminds us to take each day as it comes remembering that each day has worries enough.

“How will I get through this?” Jesus responds to the penitent thief on the cross “Today you will be with me in Paradise”. God’s kingdom is coming to bear every day—we pray for as much whenever we pray the Lord’s prayer. God has not left us nor abandoned us—God is with us even through the valley of the shadow of death.

“How will I face these people after what I’ve done and what they know about me?” God reminds us “Behold, I make all things new.” and “My mercies are new every morning”. God’s mercy and grace and salvation trump even the gravest missteps.

“How can we be saved?” As the serpent was lifted up in the desert so, too, was the Son of Man lifted up. In the midst of deserved consequences and a death sentence being executed God provides a way for those to be saved. Salvation is here for us all. None of us have erred so far as to be beyond the loving grasp of God’s grace.

“How can I bear this burden—cross or not—with dignity and character and grace?” We can look to the author of salvation who found ways to pray for his persecutors, reach out to those under the same sentence, mend and establish relationships in the midst of having his own severed and who leaned heavily on prayer and grace and restraint. Jesus who is faithful and true and abiding gave us an example of how to suffer.

God, spare us from suffering—deserved and undeserved—and help us alleviate the suffering of others—deserved and undeserved. Help us yield the “Why?”s to you and deeply lean into growing into the “How?”s through your help and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Amen.

e-vo for week of May 4

Dearest e-votees-

This Sunday is the third Sunday of Easter. The world has long since moved on from whatever acknowledgment of Easter they might muster but we linger in the good news of the empty tomb.

Our appointed gospel text from Luke has Jesus making an appearance and offering proof that he has indeed been raised from the dead. Our appointed epistle text from Acts, our focus for this week, has Peter giving testimony about this same crucified and risen Jesus just after the Holy Spirit came with great power during the festival of Pentecost.

May our lives continue to be profoundly transformed and our testimony emboldened as the Holy Spirit continues to bring the good news of Jesus to bear on this world.

Peace,
Karl

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14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say

36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" 38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

Acts 2:14, 36-41, NRSV (assigned reading is 14a but I can’t discern where “a” ends and where “b” begins so you get some extra scripture this week.)

When Peter was speaking this testimony it was to those who had gathered for the festival of Pentecost. He was addressing a Jewish crowd. He addresses the men who were present. The good news of Jesus transcends the particulars of this testimony on this given day. Peter, in the 10th chapter of Acts, is instrumental in opening up the gospel to the Gentiles with his three-fold vision of a sheet of animals being lowered and being commanded to eat clean and unclean animals. Peter came to understand that the gospel was not restricted to the Jews but was open to Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian cohort. Surely the good news of Peter’s testimony wasn’t meant to be restricted to only the men within earshot. The fact that this powerful message (of which we are only seeing a snippet in our lectionary) was preserved by the Holy Spirit and included in our canon of scripture expands the audience who can drink in the good news of this Jesus was crucified and would not stay dead.

Peter points an accusing finger at those present as the ones who crucified Jesus. This has spun out badly throughout history. The bad news of who is culpable for putting Jesus on the cross transcends the particulars of this testimony on this given day as well. Perhaps the most compelling part of the Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ is that it is Mel Gibson who nails Jesus to the cross. The Romans certainly were culpable in Jesus’ death on the cross. Those who sin are culpable for Jesus’ death on the cross. Those who hear the message of Peter and are cut to the heart demonstrate a connection to putting Jesus on the cross. The good news of the gospel only brings good news to those who are part of the bad news of Good Friday—those whom sin so easily entangles and hope so easily fades away.

Those present respond with asking “What should we do?” They ask that question for those of us who were folded into the good news but weren’t there to ask the question. We ask too “What are we to do in response to this crucified Lord who won’t stay dead?” We are to repent (to turn around, to turn back to God, to allow our courses to be redirected). We are to be baptized (if we have not been washed already) which is what Peter did to Cornelius and his household which attaches us to the death on the cross and the risen Lord who won’t stay dead—and brings forgiveness of sins. We are to receive the Holy Spirit which stirs up faith and powerful testimonies and changed lives.

This promise of good news was for those in earshot, for their families and for those far away (for us and for those who have yet to hear). Everyone who hears this good news is invited and welcomed to receive the promise. Jesus sends his disciples to Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Equipped with the Holy Spirit the early church faithfully carried the good news to us. Now we have the joy, privilege and responsibility of continuing to carry that good news to those in earshot, to our families, to those at work, to those far away and to those even at the ends of the earth—thanks be to God.


Dear God, help us to welcome your message. Help us be steeped in your good news, our baptism and your Holy Spirit. Save us from this corrupt generation and send us as heralds of your saving grace. Amen.

e-vo for week of April 27

Dearest e-votees-

Blessed Easter to you all. The world is ready to move past Easter on to Mother’s Day and Memorial Day and whatnot. We in the church, however, linger for 50 days. We luxuriate in the empty tomb and how that redefines us and attaches us to the resurrection hope.

This coming Sunday, the Sunday after Easter, always has the text about Thomas (who is unfortunately labeled “Doubting Thomas”). We will use the appointed epistle for our focus this week. May you be blessed.

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! And we shall be raised too.

Peace,
Karl

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3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9, NRSV

There are three things that jump out of this text:

• There is an inheritance that is coming
• While we wait for that we experience trials
• Faith is a venture that transcends what we can discern with our senses


THERE IS AN INHERITANCE THAT IS COMING

The gift that comes when someone dies has little to do with what the inheritor has done or not done. Unless there is a stipulation in the will the gift comes purely as a gracious act on the part of the author of the will. God gives us new birth through the death of Jesus. We are attached to an inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” given to us freely through the hands of God. Not to say that the gift came freely—it came through the piercing of the hands of God. It came through a sham trial and a shameful scourging and an unjust crucifixion. If our salvation—our inheritance—were contingent on our worthiness we would all be in a world of trouble. But, God endured trials and pains to secure for us what we could not. Because God is imperishable and undefiled and unfading so is the gift that God bestows on us. God’s promises are all “Yes and Amen” in Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 1:18-20).


WHILE WE WAIT FOR THAT WE EXPERIENCE TRIALS

There is no promise that if we follow after Jesus our lives will become less painful or more blessed or more comfortable. Jesus talked about taking up a cross and following after him—there was little discussion about wealth and abundance and provision at least as would speak to our modern sensibilities. Church tradition holds that 11 of the original 12 apostles and Paul came to violent deaths. The church came under fierce persecution under Nero. There has been persecution of the church in one form or another from that day forward. As we grow in our ability to articulate and live out an ever-deepening faith there will be consequences. The world and the devil may kick back against what we are trying to say with our actions—and perhaps our words. Trials will come. But our hope as people of faith is that God will use such trials to burn the dross out of us and refine us like a precious metal. The promise isn’t that only good things will happen to us. The promise is that God can use all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. (see Roman 8:28)


FAITH IS A VENTURE THAT TRANSCENDS WHAT WE CAN DISCERN WITH OUR SENSES

Thomas, this Sunday, asks for a reasonable demonstration of a fantastic claim—as Carl Sagan used to say: “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” Thomas wanted to see and to touch the risen Lord. Don’t you? But we don’t get to see Jesus directly. Bizarre claims of Jesus appearing on billboards or pieces of toast and other faith figures showing up as salt stains in underpasses and other peculiar places betray how much many of us long to see manifestations of God with our senses. As much as we might long for such experiences they are rare if at all. And our senses can so easily be manipulated or deceived. God has chosen to constrain much of our communal experience of God to two senses—taste and hearing—through sacrament and word—through communion and the Bible. We appropriate God through faith. God is the one who gives us faith. We cannot even muster belief on our own. Rather than label and judge Thomas we should own that we are kindred spirits—longing to touch and see Jesus. But in spite of the challenges, God has given us the gift of belief. And we are receiving the outcome of that faith—the salvation of our souls.


God, help us to live faithfully as we await the inheritance that you have promised. Give us courage and good cheer as we face trials and tribulations. Strengthen our faiths in spite of what besets our senses. Grant us the salvation of our souls. Amen.

e-vo for Holy Week

Dearest e-votees-

I hope and pray that this finds you well as we draw closer to the passion of our Lord Jesus. I hope you will do whatever is required to draw near to the story that has so much to do with our story.

The appointed epistle lesson for this Wednesday of Holy Week says this:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3, NRSV

Part of laying aside the weights and the sin, part of running with perseverance, part of considering him who endured such hostility from sinners is gathering with the community around Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter. May your worship and your gathering with community be blessed. Take your place among the great cloud of witnesses.

Peace,
Karl

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21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. 31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

John 13:21-32, NRSV

Jesus is staring death in the face. His death was designed to be lingering and horrific so others would see what happens when you cross the Romans—they cross you. The disciples of Jesus are not tracking so very clearly. They are all sharing a Passover meal. As the story about the lamb being slaughtered so that the blood smeared might offer salvation to those whom it covers was told it surely was not lost on Jesus. As the story of the deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh was recounted Jesus surely knew that another deliverance was underway. Jesus was making reference to this way back in the 3rd chapter of John when he talked about the Son of Man being lifted up just as the serpent was in the desert. Jesus is painfully aware of what is going on.

It is at this Passover meal that Jesus layers on another level of remembrance and promise with Holy Communion. He takes some of the unleavened bread of the Seder meal and says “This is my body, given for you.” He takes one of the four glasses of wine from the Seder meal and says “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, given and shed for you.” “Do this in remembrance of me” says Jesus. And so we do.

One thing that we ought to remember too— Judas was present at the meal. In our gospel text above Jesus identifies Judas as the one who will betray him. In Luke 22:13-23 it is even more clear that Judas partook of the first communion before he left the table to betray Jesus. Peter was present at the table too—this Peter who would so quickly deny Jesus even after promising to follow him through prison and death. All who were at the table found ways to hide and cower and flee and lull off to sleep during Jesus’ time of great need.

It is so troubling to many, including me, when restrictions are so fiercely erected around the communion table. Altar rails become chainlink fences with razor wire keeping out those we deem unworthy or unfaithful or not believing enough. To be sure there are better ways to partake of communion and those conversations are good to be had speaking the truth in love—but, bottom line, I don’t think we should be less inclusive than Jesus when we partake of the holy meal.

Jesus fed Judas and Peter and would feed us too—who is less deserving than the three of us? Jesus washed the feet of Judas and Peter and would wash our feet too—who is less deserving than the three of us?


Jesus in so many ways we stray and falter and take our rightful place among the unreliable and unworthy disciples. Yet you feed them and you clean them. You feed us in your holy supper. You wash us in baptism. Help us never scorn people away from your precious means of grace. Amen.

e-vo for week of April 13

Dearest e-votees-

This coming Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week with Palm Sunday. As Lent culminates with this most holiest of weeks I pray that we would be challenged, engaged and comforted by the deep and abiding truths that are to be found throughout the week. May our worship be blessed. If you know of people who don’t know of these deep and abiding truths I pray you would consider inviting them to experience this powerful week with us this year.

Peace,
Karl

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1 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, just say this, "The Lord needs them.' And he will send them immediately. " 4 This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, 5 "Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey." 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; 7 they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" 10 When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds were saying, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."

Matthew 21:1-11, NRSV

What is the proper comparison in our times to Jesus arriving into Jerusalem? Do we lay it aside a presidential visit with all the pomp and circumstance and the associated activity of the secret service? Do we consider the red carpet going into the Oscars with all of the fawning and strutting and critiques? Do we compare it to the pope coming out to address the adoring masses? Do we go towards the grand entrance of the newest gadget with folks camping out and getting into shoving matches over the limited supplies and the special rollout prices? What in this world and in this time offers any sort of comparison to God-incarnate entering into the holy city to face down the final week, the passion with all its deep and visceral moments, the agony of the cross and the triumph of the empty tomb? Probably nothing which is what can make it so hard to draw near to this event.

The world makes much of these moments with motorcades of limousines, photo opportunities, prepared speeches and sound-bites. Jesus came in on a donkey. Jesus says nothing to the crowds in Matthew, Mark or John—Luke has the exchange where he says “I tell you if [his disciples] were silent, the stones would shout out.” Jesus doesn’t offer any interviews on the way into town. He is noticeably silent (perhaps a foreshadowing of his self-defense at the upcoming trial before the powers of this world). Jesus seems to be tending to fulfilling prophecies and perhaps challenging the fanfare and the elusive adoration of a fickle world. Where are all these adoring folks later this week?

When Jesus comes into the world the world responds in turmoil. There are all sorts of examples in scripture—Herod trying to kill off Jesus through the slaughter of the innocents, the townspeople who encourage Jesus to keep moving along after he has healed the demoniac, the cleansing of the temple, Palm Sunday, the fevered crowd calling for Barabbas—of the world being unsettled by Jesus. I wonder how much Jesus living and working through us brings about turmoil. Or have we domesticated our faith and our Lord too much? Do people look at us as followers of Christ and say “Who is this?” (hopefully more about the one we follow than about us) And if they do, do we seize the opportunity to speak the name of Jesus and to tell of his life, death and resurrection?

God, bring us into this holiest of weeks. Help us reach out to others and bring them too. You are so different than the world that often we don’t know quite what to do in response. Guide us to be good and faithful and true to you because first and foremost you were good and faithful and true to us in the life and passion of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

e-vo for week of April 6

Dearest e-votees-

Our appointed Old Testament lesson for this coming Sunday is the account of Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones. It is well paired with the gospel account of the raising of Lazarus.

Where do you connect with these texts?

• Do you feel dead and parched and dusty?
• Are you locked away for fear that a powerful stench might come out were you to dare opening the door in the presence of others?
• Are you grieving for one lost and wishing that God would have intervened in time?
• Are you hoping for a reviving and resurrecting touch this day?
• Are you facing questions with the only honest response being “O Lord God, you know.”?

May these words and this time be a blessing to you wherever these texts strike you.

Peace,
Karl

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1 The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, "Mortal, can these bones live?" I answered, "O Lord God, you know." 4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord." 7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." 10 I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. 11 Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, "Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. 14 I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord."

Ezekiel 37:1-14, NRSV

We all have graves in our lives. We have the places of death that are quite literal as we bring friends and family members to their resting places. The passing of pets can be deeply heart-wrenching as well. As we look into those literal tombs we know it is only a matter of time before our friends and families gather around to say good-bye (literally “God be with ye”) to us. Those graveside moments can give us pause for re-examining our own lives and the trajectory that they follow. We can find ourselves feeling dead and dusty and parched and foul-smelling. Graves and cemeteries and morgues and ICUs can be very hard places to enter. Yet at times we are called to do so. The good news is that God goes with us. Even through death, God goes with us. In fact, God preceded us. That is very good news.

We all have graves in our lives. Some places are quite metaphorically like a grave. We go to places where the life seems gone. We go to places that suck the juices of life right out of our bones. Sometimes places that should be what most sustain us instead drain us and bleed us and desiccate us. We feel empty and spent and dry and hopeless and cut off. We wish that God had intervened before we found ourselves at that place. We hope for life but perceive only death. A little voice inside us says “Can these bones live?” and we can only eke out “O Lord God, you know.”

We all have graves in our lives. God is a God who knows death and isolation and pain and the tomb. God is a God who has come back from the dead. The grave is a mile marker on the journey not the destination. As we encounter graves—real or metaphorical—may be blessed with the hope of Ezekiel’s vision and the hope of Lazarus’ empty tomb and the hope of the empty tomb of Easter. As the old call and reponse sermon says “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!!!”.

God, give us faith to see Sunday’s hope amidst Friday’s despair. Draw us up into the hope of Jesus. Amen.