e-vo for week of June 24

Dearest e-votees,

This week's assigned gospel text is a pair of healings that are nested together. Again, this week's e-vo was shaped through conversations at the weekly text study I attend.

Healing is something we all need--physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. May we all know more deeply the healing touch of Jesus this day.

Peace,
Karl

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21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” 24 So he went with him.

And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Mark 5:21-43, NRSV
In some ways the two healings parallel one another: both involve nameless females; 12 years is a significant number in their lives (the length of suffering of the bleeding woman and the entirety of life of the young girl); both are ceremonially unclean and others should be avoiding contact with them; both have a someone making a distinct effort to reach out to Jesus for help; both have presumably run out of options and are making an 11th hour desperation plea to Jesus.

In some ways the two healings starkly contrast one another: a nameless woman is healed in the midst of a huge crowd while the daughter of a prominent synagogue leader is healed while shut out from the rest of the world; the bleeding woman reaches out to Jesus physically while Jesus reaches out and takes the hand of the dead girl; the bleeding woman's healing was viewed by many and surely part of conversations for weeks to come while Jesus orders the parents, the little girl and the disciples that no one should know about the healing. In many ways the table are turned: the outcast is restored prominently in community while the community leader is sequestered and hushed; the high made low and the low made high; the dying is made well; the dead one is restored to life. Our understanding and circumstances are no match for the kingdom of God breaking into the world.

If we were to wonder how these verses affect us and our world perhaps it might come to bear as follows:

We might notice that Jesus is alive and at work in the world regardless of the station or circumstance of those of us in the world. Jesus brings healing to all.

Our ways, our understandings and our perspectives may have to be made low as God's purposes are raised high.

Community and relationships are restored as Jesus does the work of the ministry he has been given. If we are followers of him perhaps such goals might be ours as well.

We may find ourselves more like the bleeding woman or more like the dying and dead girl. The real point is not so much who they were but rather who Jesus was and how important they both were to him. We can get so fixated on ourselves and our worthiness (or lack thereof) and our contributions. The one who had something to offer was (and still is) Jesus. He generously gives to both of these situations that beckon him. As we grow in faith (also something Jesus generously gives) we find ourselves benefactors of so many blessings of God. May we steward them well and point others to the source of all of our blessings.


God, open our souls to the text that is appointed for Sunday. Help us to find healing as only you can bring. Amen.

e-vo for week of June 17

Dearest e-votees,

This week's assigned gospel text is the account of Jesus calming the storm.

This week's e-vo was inspired by the weekly clergy text study I attend and, in particular, by the comments of James Nestingen. I am indebted to him and, of course, claim all poorly stated and/or theologically sketchy musings below as fully my own.

Peace,
Karl

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35 On that day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Mark 4:35-41, NRSV
Our understanding as Lutherans is that we live in theological tensions and dialectics.

By dialectic we are talking about the following definition (from http://dictionary.reference.com/):

9. the juxtaposition or interaction of conflicting ideas, forces, etc.

We talk of communion being bread and wine while both/and being body and blood.

We talk of a divinely inspired Word of God while both/and being words written by humans.

We talk of being saints while both/and being sinners. (simul justus et peccator)

And this week's text adds other layer:

We talk as faithful ones: (implied text, might have had a little more urgency with a fishermanesque verbiage) "Wake up Lord, we're in trouble and we need you to save us!"

while both/and we talk as ones lacking faith: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"

Mark 9:24 catches it well: "I believe; help my unbelief!"

The question is not "Are you a believer or not?". The correct answer to that question is "YES!!!"

We find ourselves tossed by storms outside in the elements and inside our souls. We find ourselves making bold faith statements while both/and asking cowardly faithless questions. We are unreliable at best.

Our hope is not in us. It is not in our resolved issues and steadfast faith. It is in the person of Jesus Christ who saves us. It is in Jesus who will not forsake us no matter which way the wind is blowing in our fickle faith.

Q: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

A: This is Jesus the Christ, our hope and our salvation.

God, help us find rest for the tumult of our souls and our belief in Jesus. We believe, help our unbelief. Amen.

e-vo for week of June 10

Dearest e-votees,

There are two tracks of readings in the lectionary. For this week's e-vo we will use the Old Testament option for the reading from Samuel.

Peace,
Karl

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34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. 35 Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward. Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, NRSV
This text is a stark reminder that the Lord does not see as mortals see. We as people can be so fixated on the outer trappings of a person. The Lord looks more deeply into the heart.

Our pop culture is engrossed in what is outside of a person. We look at how attractive someone is. We consider how much they own. We look at their curriculum vita and measure them up compared to others. We have ideals in mind, those we have forged or those that have been indoctrinated into us, and we regard people through those judgmental lenses. We have television shows that encourage us to covet and emulate and to label and discriminate.

The experiment with a new king for the people of Israel--namely Saul--didn't end well. The Lord was sorry that Saul had been Israel's king. It was time to name a successor and the intent was not to have this kingdom end badly as the first one had. The Lord is looking into the heart of possible future kings. The Lord selects and Samuel anoints David. David's heart wasn't always pure--remember Uriah the Hittite? Remember Bathsheba? David wasn't always what the Lord had hoped. Perhaps the Lord's disinclination to name a king to begin with would have been better heeded.

Nonetheless, the Lord chose David. The Lord equipped David to serve in particular ways. Not everyone saw on the outside what the Lord saw on the inside. Even when David stumbled and fell and grieved the Lord, the Lord didn't give up on David. The Lord's promises to David were certain and sure. The covenant the Lord made with David did not falter.

The Lord has chosen you. The Lord has chosen me. The Lord has equipped us to serve in particular ways--in particular vocations. Not everyone on the outside can see and support what God has seen on the inside and given us to do. Even when we stumble and fall--and we will--the Lord will not give up on us. The Lord's promises to us in baptism are certain and sure. The covenant God made with David and with us does not falter.


God, help us stop judging others--particularly on the outward appearances that have bedazzled the world. Help us trust in your faithfulness and respond in faith when you call. Amen.


If you are so inclined you are welcome to check out:



this week. I was honored to be asked to write the devotions for June 8-14. If you do give them a read I would love some feedback at karlhester@aol.com. Thanks.

e-vo for week June 3

Dearest e-votees,

This Sunday is the beginning of ordinary time. We are in the long green season of the days after Pentecost. For the e-vo this week we'll take a look at appointed verse from Genesis.

Peace,
Karl

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8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,
cursed are you among all animals
and among all wild creatures;
upon your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
15 I will put enmity between
you and the woman, and
between your offspring and hers;
he will strike your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
Romans 12:9-16b, NRSV
I was struck when I found the following image on-line:



If you click on the image it will take you to the source page. This image is part of a beautiful and intricate nave window at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. It is worth a visit.

The scene in the text is when the consequences of the forbidden fruit are coming to bear. What was needed was a mea culpa but Adam offers an accusing shea culpa and Eve, in turn, offers an accusing hea culpa pointing at the serpent. I'm sure if the serpent had fingers and another target the blame passing would have continued. But the Lord God puts a stop to the blaming and speaks into the situation. What the Lord God says is descriptive: that there will be enmity between the humans (the offspring of Eve) and the tempters to come (the offspring of the serpent). How we continue to struggle with sin and temptation. Sin, death and the devil are prowling this world.

But the Lord God also offers a gospel promise. There is a prophetic statement. That one of Eve's offspring will crush the head of the serpent. And also that the serpent will strike that one's heel. Some see in that text the crucifixion (where the heels of Jesus are struck quite literally and quite painfully) and where Jesus' work on the cross definitively vanquished the power of sin, death and the devil.

When you look at the image above do you see the snares of the tempter (coiled around the ankle) or do you see the promise (the serpent is being defeated)? No matter where you have struggled and fallen (like Adam and Eve) God has a saving promise for you. May your ears be opened and your hopes encouraged.


God, thank you for gospel promises that started all the way back in the beginning. Help us, with your help, allow the schemes of the devil to be crushed underfoot. Amen.


If you are so inclined you are welcome to check out:



this coming week. I was honored to be asked to write the devotions for June 8-14. If you do give them a read I would love some feedback at karlhester@aol.com. Thanks.

e-vo for week of May 27

Dearest e-votees,

This Sunday is when the church commemorates the Holy Trinity. Every year after the feast of Pentecost the next Sunday is “Holy Trinity Sunday”. I expect you will be hearing about the mysteries of the triune nature of God in worship on Sunday. If you want something a little tongue in cheek to that end you might like to point your browser to Lutheran Satire’s St Patrick’s Bad Analogies. If you want to experience a hauntingly beautiful song that lingers in the mysteries of the Trinity you might enjoy Spirit Garage Band’s Cherubic Hymn from their CD “Free Parking” (also on i-Tunes).

This Sunday, because it is May 31, is also the day the church commemorates the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. For this week we’ll focus on that through the lens of the appointed epistle reading.

Peace,
Karl

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9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.[a] 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;

Romans 12:9-16b, NRSV
I love the image of John the Baptist, in the womb, rejoicing in encountering his cousin who was also in the womb. Mary has just learned that she will give birth to Jesus. She also learns that Elizabeth is 6 months pregnant. Mary goes for a visit. Can you imagine the conversations between Mary who has never been with a man and is facing all sorts of condemnation for her pregnancy and Elizabeth who was thought to be barren yet has become pregnant? These women surely shared tears and laughter, fears and dreams in the three months they spent together. Mary stayed right up until Elizabeth was ready to give birth. They lingered in relationship.

What these two offered each other was genuine relationship. They lived out the Romans text above. They offered deeply rooted care and support for one another. In many ways they could relate and offered love and empathy to one another. In some ways their situations weren’t exactly the same and so they offered care and perhaps sympathy to one another. They were intentional in the giving and receiving of care and they can serve as a model to us as well.

We encounter many in need. Perhaps it is better said all we encounter are in need but we don’t always perceive those needs. We have needs too. God knows our needs (and our hopes and dreams) and responds. So very often God responds through the care of another. When we encounter ones struggling as we have we can offer deep empathy to one another. If we have walked the hard path they are walking we can offer encouragement and abiding understanding. When we are struggling we do well to find ones who have struggled like we are and draw from them as well.

Sometimes we encounter people struggling in a way that we can’t readily enter. We can still offer care. We can be authentic and not pretend to know what we don’t. We can ask questions when appropriate (although not like those of Job’s “friends”). We can linger in silence and be a ministry of presence. We can avoid being haughty and go and be with whoever whenever wherever—you know, the kind of thing Jesus did so very often.

We are brought up in our culture to be independent, self-sufficient, aloof and strong. The truth is Jesus didn’t live this way. Jesus relied on his relationship with God and made all sorts of relationships with the folks he encountered who were all viable candidates to live on the island of misfit toys. Jesus broke barriers and broke bread. Jesus loved and received love. Jesus showed compassion in his words and his actions. We need what Jesus offered. We need to offer to others what Jesus offered.


God, thank you for Jesus’ example of how to live out the Romans text above. Thanks, too, for Mary and Elizabeth’s example of how to live out that text. Bring that text to bear on us, in us and through us. Help us live in genuine relationships that bring glory to you. Amen.

e-vo for week of May 20

Dearest e-votees-

This Sunday is the high holy day of Pentecost. It is when we as the church remember the dramatic dispensation of the Holy Spirit on the newborn Christian church.

One of the optional texts for this day is the account of Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones. Sometimes this can get lost with all the excitement of Pentecost. That is too bad because it is such a vivid text.

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
When I think of this text I always try to imagine how it would appear in film. I sort of imagine something like what Ray Harryhausen might have created (watch Jason and the Argonauts). I can sometimes hear the bones rattling together. I can visualize the flesh and sinew being stitched across the skeletons in some strange time-lapse effect. The rush of the wind coming into the bodies and re-animating them. It would be a powerful scene indeed.

But even before Ezekiel had the chance to utter the Lutheranest of queries "What does this mean?" it is offered to him. The people who are lost and cut off will be restored. Those who are as dead shall have life again. Those who are in exile shall be returned to their own place. The Lord has spoken and the Lord will act.

How about in your life? Is there a place of dryness? Are your bones all too apparent? Do you feel cut off? Are you on soil that is not familiar nor desired? Do you feel separated from your people? Do you feel separated from your God? Are you in need of breath/spirit/wind from God? Are you wondering, as you look at the skeleton looking back at you in the mirror, "Can these bones live?"

God gave this picture not just to Ezekiel and those in exile but to us. God wants us to draw hope and inspiration (literally breathing in) from this life-giving image of the work of God's Spirit. We may not know our future but God does. God wants us to live and breathe. God wants us to hope and dream. God wants us. God has spoken. God will act.


God, thank you for Ezekiel's vision. Help our eyes drink in its fulfillment in our own lives. Amen.

e-vo for week of May 13

Dearest e-votees-

Thursday of this week, May 14, is 40 days after April 5 (Easter). This day is called Ascension in the church year. It is reported in Acts 1:1-11 as well as in Luke 24:44-53 (both accounts are appointed texts written by Luke and addressed to Theophilus (aka God-lover)). For this week's e-vo we'll linger a bit with this important day of the church year.

Peace,
Karl

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1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:1-11, NRSV
Jesus lingered with the apostles showing them that he was indeed alive. He spent those forty days speaking about the kingdom of God as well. Luke would have delighted me more had some of those signs and teachings been recorded. As part of that time Jesus told his disciples to wait until the gift of the Holy Spirit had come. In the Luke text it talks about the disciples being "clothed with power from on high." We understand this to be Pentecost which is 10 more days (50 days after Easter).

Jesus charges the apostles to bear witness in the immediate area (Jerusalem), to familiar folks who lie further out (Judea) and to those with whom tensions exist (Samaria) all the way to places they have yet to go (to the ends of the earth). Church tradition traces out just how far the apostles went, after Pentecost, bearing the good news of the gospel. After charging them to be witnesses Jesus ascends.

The apostles are looking up--probably with mouths gaping--trying to figure out what just happened. Two men in white robes (perhaps people, perhaps other-worldly messengers) tell them to stop staring up into the heavens and to refocus. Do you think we ever get so heavenly focused that we forget what is immediately around us that God has called us to tend? I am reminded of Sister Act where the congregation is so focused on trying to sustain themselves and survive (gaping upward) that they seemed to profoundly neglect what was immediately around them. One of the pivotal scenes is when the nuns press out of the safety of the church and into the neighborhood. In venturing out they encounter people fashioned in God's image and even, if you buy Matthew 25, Jesus himself. That movie has much to say to us. Do we have ears to hear?


God, thank you for your abiding Holy Spirit. Help us allow you to abide in us and to draw our attention towards our neighbors as well as towards you. Help us love you with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Help us love you above all others. Amen.