e-vo for week of January 13

Dearest e-votees,

Here is a belated edition of last week's e-vo. The Wedding at Cana was our appointed text.

Peace,
Karl

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1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. 9 When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

John 2:1-11, NRSV

Consider the Wedding at Cana as follows:

There was a community-based celebration that is going on. This was an affair that lingered over time. It was a culmination of joys and hopes and dreams coming to pass. There were undoubtedly many rituals and traditions that were incorporated and bore much significance. Many people were invited. Jesus and his followers were there.

The wine ran out. The party stopped thriving as it once did. There was likely some measure of shame/embarrassment/grief over things coming undone. Certainly people grew anxious and started scrambling to get things under control. At some point Jesus was invoked.

Protestations. Jesus responds with "Why do you involve me?" and "It isn't my time."

Miracle through earthen vessels There were some vessels lying around. Vessels that might have been easily written off. These vessels had some part in ritual cleansing. These vessels were brought into the mix through the prompting of Jesus. There was treasure to be had in those earthen vessels.

Through those earthen vessels. New life came into being. Renewed joy came into being. An epiphany (revelation) of Jesus came into being.


Consider where God has placed you:

There is a community-based celebration that is going on. You are part of a community that has existed over time. It is a culmination of joys and hopes and dreams coming to pass. There are undoubtedly many rituals and traditions that are incorporated and bear much significance. Many people have been and are invited including you. Jesus and his followers are there.

The wine runs out. At times the party stops thriving as it once did. There is likely some measure of shame/embarrassment/grief over things coming undone. People grew anxious and start scrambling to get things under control. Sometimes blame and accusation comes to the fore. Sometimes despair and humiliation. At some point it is wise to invoke Jesus.

Protestations. We may echo Jesus with things such as "Why are you bothering me with this?" or "I have put in my time already" or "Now is not a convenient time." or "What concern is this situation to me?" We protest.

Miracle through earthen vessels We are those very earthen vessels that can be found lying around. We and others are vessels that might easily be written off. We are those vessels that have deep roots in ritual cleansing (you know, that whole baptism thing). We vessels are brought into the mix through the promptings of Jesus. There are treasures to be had in us earthen vessels.

Through those earthen vessels. In us and through us new life comes into being. In us and through us renewed joy comes into being. In us and through us an epiphany (revelation) of Jesus comes into being. There is a reason that we are lingering in a sort of Cana. God has work to do in us and through us. Despite our protestations and despite what we might deem our humble and plain appearance God has life, joy and revealing work to do in us and through us.


God, help us be open to all you would do in us and through us for the sake of others. Help us be open to all that you would do to us and through the earthen vessels of others. Help us experience your revealed glory and grow into a deeper belief. Amen.

e-vo for week of January 6 (Epiphany)

Dearest e-votees,

Apologies for jumping ahead a few fortnights last week and using the appointed gospel for January 31.

This week we are going to use the epistle lesson appointed for Wednesday, January 6 which is "Epiphany of our Lord".

The church season of Epiphany is all about God's work being revealed. The word "epiphany" literally means "to shine on" and figuratively means "to be revealed". The Sundays of the season of Epiphany are bookended with "Baptism of our Lord" this coming Sunday and "Transfiguration Sunday" which is February 7.

May our days and our time out in the world be full of epiphanic moments.

Peace,
Karl

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1 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, 3 and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, 4 a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. 5 In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: 6 that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. 8 Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Ephesians 3:1-12, NRSV

Epiphanies come from without. They are a gift from God to reveal God's truths in God's timing through God's chosen vessels. We don't merit God's revelation. Which means we are free from trying to earn God's attention and revelations. Saul (renamed Paul) was very earnest and zealous in trying to merit God's favor. He did so by persecuting the church and serving as a coat-check and sideline approver of the stoning of Stephen. His intent may have been good but his actions were not. But God chose him (even though he was self-admittedly "the very least of all the saints") to be a recipient of God's revelation.

There is a poem by Ed Nesselhuf who was the director of prison congregations in South Dakota called "What Was It Like for You Dysmas?". It conveyed that if Jesus could pardon the repentant thief (Dysmas) than surely there was hope for us too. This is the classic argument from the greater to the lesser. If God could do such a mighty work than surely the smaller similar works are well within God's possibilities. If God's grace was broad enough for a condemned criminal hanging next to Jesus on a cross than God's grace must surely be big enough for us too.

Perhaps Paul is offering us similar hope. If God's grace is big enough to see past Paul's errors and missteps and to reveal the gospel to the likes of Paul than surely there is hope and assurance that God will revealed to us as well. God's grace is broad enough for Paul (nee Saul) and it surely large enough for us.

Since we know that God loves all, including us. Since we know that God chooses to be revealed to all, including us. We can be bold in the faith. And we can be confident in the faith. Not in our own merit or rock-solid faith or deservedness but in the one in whom we have faith. Jesus has poured out boundless riches of grace, mercy, love and forgiveness. Thanks be to God.


God, help us never to declare or dismiss as unworthy those to whom you have chosen to grace with revelation--including ourselves. Shine your revealing light into our lives. Help us to shine our lights so that people may see and give glory to you, our Father in heaven. Amen.

e-vo for week of December 30

Dearest e-votees,

On this cusp of this New Year (calendar, liturgical began in early December) may you and yours have a blessed and joyous 2016.

Peace,
Karl

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21 Then [Jesus] began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” 23 He said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” 24 And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown. 25 But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26 yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27 There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Luke 4:21-30, NRSV

Jesus has just astounded the home town crowd by reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and telling them that he is the fulfillment of those deep and salvific promises. The crowd goes from amazed to questioning to rage within the space of 7 verses. Those joining in a house of worship end up taking Jesus to the cusp of the hill, where their town was located, threatening to throw him off.

Jesus wasn't thrown off but the people were. Why do you suppose that someone they knew and cared for drove them to such fury? Were they put off by the sheer arrogance of claiming that a scripture, a potent one at that, spoke directly of him? Were they put off by him claiming to be a prophet? Were they put off by Jesus saying God often seems to forgo the obvious and worthy recipients of blessing and grace and rather bestow honor and healing on those on the fringes?

What about us? Are there people we know who seem to think they are to us a gift from God? Do they, or others, attribute statements and accolades to them that just make our blood boil? Do people seem to neglect our needs and concerns in order to care for others much more likely to be found on the fringes? Were Jesus to come into our midst would we be likely to want to throw him off a cliff? Or discount and deride him? Or nail him to the cross?

The truth is the truth confronts us. It cuts us to the core. Look at the prophets and how they were treated. Consider John the Baptist and what became of him and his truth telling. Consider Jesus and what was done in order to attempt to suppress his truth telling. But the truth persists. And when the mainstream rejects the truth it goes to the edges. The truth slips right through the midst of our injurious hands and goes to one from Zarephath or a Syrian or a Samaritan woman at the well or shepherds tending their flocks by night or to ... If we want to know the truth, which will set us free, we need to let the truth speak to us--no matter how unlikely the speaker seems to be to us. If we want to find the truth we should consider stepping away from the center to seek Jesus on the fringes in the "least of these". When we speak truth, as God directs us, we may find ourselves being manhandled by an unruly mob--we're in good company.


God, bring your truth to bear to and through our lives. Help us seek after your will and, as John the Baptist said, decrease in order that you might increase. Amen.

e-vo for Christmas week

Dearest e-votees,

Merry Christmas.

Peace,
Karl

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2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among
those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:1-20, NRSV

If you ask people their favorite Bible verse so very often people will respond with John 3:16. For God so loved the world that Jesus was sent. Christmas is the realization of that verse.

Think of all the preparations when a great dignitary arrives--the president or the pope or some other powerful or influential celebrity. Streets and hotel floors are cordoned off. The finest musicians and caterers are summoned. The unsightly and troublesome are disappeared. All is made neat and clean and tidy and presentable. We know how people of merit deserve to be treated. After they leave we mark where they stayed or sat or ate. We make shrines of a sort. We photo-document the day so we might never forget when power and influence came near.

In Jesus' case, the inns were cordoned off to keep the holy family out not to ensure room and safety for them. They were regarded as more akin to the unsightly and troublesome than the bearers of God's promise of salvation to the world. There was nowhere neat and tidy and presentable for these peasant citizens looking to participate in the census and God's plan for salvation so they were stalled with the animals. The only thing close to a caterer's serving dish was the manger that served as a makeshift bassinet.

There were no pictures to capture the birth or the visit. Any depictions that have been created after the fact are woefully "photoshopped" with halos and babies that don't cry and luminescent holy family members. All is made sanitary and acceptable in post-production.

This birth of the Christ child was certainly no modern-day dignitary visit. And as if to desecrate the moment even further, the shepherds, absolutely card-carrying members of the "unsightly and troublesome" enter into the story. They would never be granted access to a modern-day dignitary. It seems as though God doesn't understand how things ought to be done as we do.

But that is exactly the point. We would create a king's entrance and birth event that separates. It would hold the baby beyond arm's length of those who need to draw near. "God with us", Emmanuel, would be something more akin to "God is as close as you'll ever get, now please stay behind the line and don't cause any trouble". We would put too much emphasis on what we can do or can't do and not nearly enough on who has come to do what we could never do. Throughout Jesus' life and ministry all sorts of people of the wrong cut were granted way too much access. Jesus responded when they came and sometimes hunted them out when they didn't. He didn't worry about his food nor accommodations but made sure those who were hungry were fed (literally and metaphorically) and came to make room for all at the table here and at the banquet in heaven. I heard a sermon where the wedding guest who was given the bum's rush out of the wedding reception (Matthew 22:1-14) was Jesus who had given his appropriate clothes to the likes of us. Jesus puts aside all care, consideration, honor and the like for himself in order that we might receive those things. How blessed are we?!?

So when we go to church tonight, or whenever, or when we go out into the world and bump into "unsightly and troublesome" folks can we treat them as Jesus treated us? Can we put aside our own issues and bigotries and judgments and reach out to them with love and honor? Jesus was pretty clear how we ought to treat the "least of these" in Matthew 25. May peace be among those whom he favors (which includes you and everyone you might deem "unsightly and troublesome").

Blessed Christmas to you and to all you encounter.


God, help us, like Mary, ponder this Christmas miracle in our hearts. Help us, like the shepherds, respond to the birth and bear this good news to others. Help us, like the angel, proclaim God's glory and speak "Fear not!" to a fear-steeped world. Amen.

e-vo for week of December 9

Dearest e-votees,

This coming Sunday our assigned lectionary text captures John the Baptist's intriguing proclamation out in the wilderness.

Peace,
Karl

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7 John [the Baptist] said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Luke 3:7-18, NRSV

I can just see the plans for the mission start church now: Working Title = "Brood of Vipers Lutheran Church"

Who starts a message by calling those in earshot a "brood of vipers"?!? John the Baptist. He continues his message with warning the hearers that their spiritual lineage won't save them. Claiming this or that allegiance or connection isn't sufficient to spare one from the consuming fire. Mincing words isn't one of John's gifts.

This sharp-toothed opening gets the attention of those in the audience. The crowds begin to ask in turn "What should we do?" John responds that they should treat those around them with gracious charity and justice. For those those with excess they should share with the ones in need. For those with opportunities to deal with others in an oppressive or predatory manner they should resist and treat others as they would want to be treated. In other words they should love their neighbor as they themselves would want to be loved.

Hearing this the crowds wonder if this one in their presence just might be the Messiah. Perhaps they were getting ready to love John with all their hearts, souls, minds and strengths. John quickly and completely ducks from their adoring gaze. He points away toward Jesus (a move he demonstrates throughout classical artistic depictions of him). John does what he does boldly and with great faith and zeal. He knows who he has been called to be and he is certain who he is not. Would that we also lived with such a balance of earnest humility and grounded reality.


God, thank you for the ministry and testimony of John the Baptist. The words that cut to the hearts of those in the wilderness cut us to the quick as well. Shape us into ones ready to receive Jesus more fully. Amen.

e-vo for week of December 2

Dearest e-votees,

Our appointed gospel text locates itself firmly in history and then proclaims the history-changing message of God's salvation that has broken through time and brings hope and light to all who would hear.

Peace,
Karl

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1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled,and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight,and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Luke 3:1-6, NRSV

Meticulous Luke makes sure to carefully locate the story he tells in time and place. He names names and gives titles. He lists places. He speaks of Roman structures and of Jewish structures. He makes connections to powers, principalities, religious leaders and political ones. For those who want facts and dates, times and places, Ts crossed (taus for Luke) and Is dotted (iotas for Luke) he is your man. This is a historical occurrence presented thoroughly and concisely.

Into this historical setting comes John the baptizer. He is connected with the prophecies of Isaiah. Luke tells us he is the one crying out in the wilderness (cue up Handel's Messiah or the Godspell soundtrack). He tells of John's work to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Terrains shall be transformed. Contours and pathways shall be realigned. Hearts will be brought to repentance and salvation will be made evident. The gospel in Luke bursts into history and recharts her waters. Through the baptismal ministry of John people are prepared for the Lord to come.

As with many texts of scripture there is a now and a not yet part. Jesus has come. John has prepared the way. Salvation has been revealed. This is in the now of the text. But we wait for Jesus to come again and to come in his fullness. We wait for our own hearts and lives to be prepared for Jesus to enter in more fully as Emmanuel ("God with us"). We wait for salvation to come fully to bear into our lives and our world. We know Jesus has come but we want and need him to come again and completely. This is what we wait for and what we pray for in Advent.


God, come into our historical realities. Enter into the realms of the here and now. Bring your salvation and your light in us and through us. Help us wait well and welcome all who would hear. Amen.

e-vo for week of November 25

Dearest e-votees,

Our appointed psalm for the 1st Sunday of Advent is Psalm 93.

As we gather this week for Thanksgiving with family and friends may God stir our hearts to reach out to those who are estranged from families and friends and neighbors. And may we always be mindful of how Jesus answers questions like: "And just who is my neighbor?"

Peace,
Karl

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1 The LORD is king, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved;
2 your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.
3 The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.
4 More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the LORD!
5 Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore.
Psalm 93, NRSV

Floods are powerful and destructive. They can lift up to places we wish were sheltered. They can shatter our peaceful existence with their roaring. Our cries for help can be drowned out in the thunder of their mighty waters.

The seas and oceans are mysterious and fickle. They can provide food and sport and a means of transportation. They can serve us up as food and make sport of us and deliver us to a final and undesired destination. In ancient times the water were chaotic and powerful and to be feared (in every sense of the word "fear"). Floods and sudden squalls and major storms were hazardous and quite possibly deadly. It wasn't always clear what was lurking under the surface. People carved out an existence with the waters but it wasn't always an easy or a safe one.

Perhaps with our modern sensibilities we have come to terms with the waters. We are perhaps more aware of the expanse of the waters and the hazards. We have people who can give us advance warning and coast guards that can come pluck us from danger as needed. Perhaps we have been lulled into too easy a sense of security. Probably so.

But waters surely roar and thunder and lift us to this day. Violent crimes rise up within our borders and across the globe. Chaos and calamity, natural and human-induced, churn and foment. Our cries of fear and anger and despair can get drowned out by the events of the headlines and the arguments within our leadership and into our very homes. The sea may have shifted form but the dangers are ever present.

The appointed psalm lifts up the Lord as stronger and more steadfast than any waves that rise against us. The world has been divinely established and shall not be moved. The majesty and power of the seas are no match for the majesty and power of the Lord. God has given decrees. God seeks holiness. God's ways shall not be eroded no matter size of the storms that come. The leviathan might seek to make sport (or lunch) of us but it is God who made the leviathan for the sport of it. (Psalm 104:26) The raging seas are no match for our loving Lord.

God has given us decrees. They are summed up as "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind." and "Love your neighbor as yourself". These decrees are sure and trustworthy. Storms come into proper perspective when we build our homes on these decrees. Our neighbors are so much more than those who look, think, act, dwell and live like us. Whenever we seek to draw boundaries God says "You missed some" of the neighbors on the other side of our obstruction.

Holiness befits God's house. If we seek to be holy ("set apart" and "made righteous") then we need to allow Jesus to work on us. Holiness comes from without and comes to life as Jesus works change and renewal in our hearts and minds and actions. Holiness means bringing others into God's house that they might be made holy too. It means setting a place at the table for those we fear and those we loathe. It calls us to take up a basin and a towel and serve all including those who betray and those who deny. Holiness is best expressed in the cross with a demonstration of sacrificial love. We are called to take up our crosses and dwell in the way of sacrificial love as well.


God, be with us this Thanksgiving. May our bellies be filled, our hearts warmed, our loved ones gathered and those challenging, threatening and fear-mongering others made in your image find a place at our tables too. Help us to trust in your decrees and to be grown in holiness. Amen.