Teach us to Pray Always, Asking, Seeking Knocking

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, oh God our rock and redeemer.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to write your letter? What letter you might ask, a very special one usually sent in December.  Often written and sent by children.  In case you want to send this letter, here are some guidelines or things to include:

1. Start with a Greeting: Begin your letter with "Dear Santa,"

2. Remind Santa who you are

3. Share How You've Been: Be honest about whether you've been naughty or nice. Santa knows! You can say something like, "I've tried really hard to be good this year." or "I've had a few times where I could have been better." 

4.  Make a Wish List: Be specific about what you want for Christmas. You can list toys, games, books, or other items. Be sure to include the names of things you want, like "a Barbie Dreamhouse" or "a new set of LEGOs."

5. Say Thank You: Don't forget to thank Santa for the gifts he brought last year and for all the joy he brings to Christmas.

6.  Include a Closing: You can end your letter with "Love” and your name

Maybe you are smiling right now thinking about a child you love writing a letter like this.  Perhaps you remember writing one yourself when you were younger. 

The purpose of the letter is to ask for what one wants, what the author of the letter desires most.  To sweeten the request the author mentions their behavior, trying to justify why they should receive the stuff they have requested or asked for. 

Surely since they have asked with a genuine plea and have tried to show that they are worthy and deserving of receiving what has been requested, it will come to pass.

Today our Gospel reading is about prayer. Before we focus on Jesus and his teaching on prayer, let’s look at that letter once again. 

• Start with a Greeting: Begin your letter with "Dear Lord, or Lord God,"

• Remind God who you are

• Tell God how you have been, sorry for your sins or failures

• Promise God that you try harder to follow the commandment, that you will be good and faithful to the Gospel of Jesus.

• Then start asking for what you needs are: healing for illness for yourself or a loved one, help with a difficult situation or person, financial help, patience with stupid people, and so on

•  Be specific for what you want and then make sure you once again promise to do better in your life (maybe this will help you get what you’ve been asking for in your letter)

• Say Thank You: Don't forget to thank God for the gifts God has bestowed on you. (This is good insurance just in case you might need it)

•  Include a Closing: You can end your letter with "Love, Amen.”

Does this letter/prayer outline sound familiar?  Perhaps more familiar than we like to admit.  We need not despair if that prayer/letter hits close to home. 

Today the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.  It seems that they too, had trouble knowing how to pray.  Jesus taught them:

1. God is Holy, Holy is God’s Name

2. God’s Kingdom comes to fruition through the grace of the Holy Spirit and faithful people

3. God empowers faithful ones to bring about the goodness of God on earth.

4. God will provide whatever is needed daily, one need not worry about tomorrow.

5. Forgiveness is a gift we don’t deserve but are given anyway and we are to extend that most gracious gift of forgiveness to others

6. God is ever present and will strengthen us against all things not in accordance with God’s blessings

7. Finally we ask God to continue to rescue us from ourselves, from the evil that surrounds us and to preserve us for everlasting life

These petitions or guidelines for what a pleasing prayer to God should include has lovingly been known as the Our Father prayer, or the prayer that Jesus taught us.  When pressed by his disciples to teach them to pray, Jesus also said.

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “

It would be so much easier to take these words of Jesus at face value if it weren’t for all those prayers in our lives that went unanswered. For the times I sought, knocked or asked and nothing came of it.

That’s not to say that some of my prayers never were answered for they were. I’ve had some of my prayers answered as I’m sure you have as well. But what about the times that the prayers were not answered, What then?

I prayed for a healing miracle with all my might for healing for my daughter who was diagnosed with stage four metastasis breast cancer at age 27.  She died 15 months later. Or two years before when my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. I prayed for healing for him. I He died a year and a week later.

What about you?  Have you ever prayed in traumatic situations, only to have inevitable happen?  I don’t know why some prayers seem to be answered and others don’t seem to be.

I can’t answer that question nor do I have any good answers to why this happens but here are some really bad reasons that I’ve heard for unanswered prayer:

• You didn’t pray hard enough

• You don’t have enough faith

• You were asking for the wrong thing

• It’s a mystery and someday we’ll understand

• Everything happens for a reason

• Something better is coming

• Sometimes God says no (the one I heard most often as a child)

• God is testing you

I’m sure you can add a few more “comforting” words as to why your prayer went unheeded. Rest assured however that God is still present in your anguish.

A wonderful pastoral friend of mine, Rev. Mike Marsh asks,

“Who taught you to pray and what were you taught? Somewhere along the way I got the idea that if I bowed my head, closed my eyes, clasped my hands, was good and well behaved, believed with all my heart, and told God what I wanted or needed I would get it. Any of that sound familiar? I suspect many of us were taught or have lived with some version of that as our understanding of prayer.”

Sort of sounds like our letter to Santa Claus God, doesn’t it?

Or as Rev. Marsh said,

“Sometimes I think of prayer with a Coke machine theology. Put in your coins of faith and good behavior, make a selection, and get what you want. I like the Coke machine theology. I like it a lot. It’s reassuring. It makes sense and it’s predictable.

It works great until it doesn’t, until the machine gives you a Dr. Pepper when you want a Coke, or worse yet, steals your money. Then what do we do? Kick the machine? Put in more money and push the button harder? Walk away vowing to never drink another Coke?  God is not and never was a divine Coke machine. And prayer is not a transaction between us and God.”

When Jesus said to ask, search and knock I don’t think he meant it as literal means to an end.  That God would fulfill all our wants upon demand. 

Jesus' message is all about relationship, relationship with God, the coming of the kingdom and love. We are to be persistent in our seeking and living our lives in holiness as God is holy.

By doing so we give credence to God’s presence in the world, helping to bring about heaven on earth, (God’s Kingdom), freely receiving and giving forgiveness, and living each day without worry or distress.  Isn’t this the heart and soul of the Lord’s Prayer?

Have you ever thought or considered that the words we pray in the Our Father are the words that Jesus prays for us?  Jesus , always the teacher, always the model for holistic, holy living has shown the way.

Jesus reminds us that prayer is more about what we do than what God does.  Our words and actions offered in response to the cares of the world become our truest form of prayer. 

It is best to think of prayer not as asking God to do things for us in the world but that we should stay open to the future graces coming to us.  

All the promises of the Our Father, the coming of God’s kingdom,  the coming of daily sustenance, the coming of forgiveness for ourselves and those we forgive and the coming of eternal life come about when we become what we pray.   

Please stay open to the future because the future speaks of hope.  Hebrews 11:1, which reads, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.". 

Hope is our lifeline, even when things go badly, and we say, we haven’t got a prayer, then we still have hope. Hope means we do not give up when the ground under our feet is shifting sands. Or when our lives start to fall apart and we are overwhelmed and feel that all is lost, hope still remains.

Prayer keeps us from losing our way when we think the world is closing in on us. Prayer makes the possibility of something new coming to pass, the chance that something different and unexpected will transform the current reality into something else.

Prayer is a doorway into a new and different way of living.  It can’t undo the past or become an escape hatch from life or the maladies of life that may befall us.  But prayer keeps us open to the future.

Maybe that is what Jesus meant when he encouraged us to ask. Ask what is important in your life, your spiritual life. Ask, then listen to what the response is.

Quit talking, quit asking.  Be silent, let God get a word in edge wise.  When you have been quiet and believe you have found an answer then seek it out.  Let nothing get in your way or delay your search. 

And when your search takes you to the entryway, knock on the door.  Remember the handle of the doorway is only on the outside, your side of the door.  Grab the knob with all your gusto, open the door and go in.  A marvelous adventure awaits you, a future full of hope.  

Blessings on your day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) July 27, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Falun Wisconsin and Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg Wisconsin

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings: Genesis 18:20-32, Psalm 138 Colossians 2:6-19 Luke 11:1-13

Quotes from https://interpretingthesilence.com Reverend Mike Marsh

Martha and Mary, Two Sides of Spirituality

Another familiar story from the Gospel of Luke. To all of the “Marthas” out there, female and male, don’t despair quite yet.

How do you know you are a Martha? Are you an anxious hostess/host? Always worried about the state of the accommodations, if there will be enough food, drink and seating? Is everyone comfortable, with the room temperature not too cold or too hot? Has anything been overlooked?

If you answer yes to all or most of these questions, you most definitely are a Martha. In case you missed it, I am raising my hand to confess that

I too am a Martha!

We often think of Martha as an anxious hostess but was she really? The social norms of her day dictated that women were to serve guests, especially male guests, abundantly. In our modern-day language, “she was to wait on them hand and foot.”

Hospitality was a highly praised attribute in Jewish culture so it's no wonder Martha wanted to be the “hostess with the mostess.”  In Martha’s mindset, Mary's behavior was out of line. She was being rude to the guests by not showing them hospitality.  

So was Mary the one who was out of the social norm?  Women were not privy to education or sitting among men who were being instructed.  Not only did Mary enter into the inner sanctum of men, she took the most coveted space, at the feet of the teacher and directly in front of him.

Mary stepped over the line of acceptable women’s social behavior. We might say, “she was out of line.”  Notice Luke does not say any man  objected to Mary’s presence at Jesus’ feet.  The only protest came from Martha and Jesus’ response was not the one she was expecting.

Yes, his response is a bit shocking when you think how inclusive Jesus usually was in social situations.  He didn’t seem to have any quandaries about setting aside other social norms he thought unfair. For example he ate with tax collectors and prostitutes. He broke the ritual purity laws about hand washing before meals. He touched sick and deformed people, even women!

Remember that Jewish purity laws forbidden contact with females over the age of twelve due to the blood taboo and touching a dead body. No, Jesus wasn’t afraid to  “upset the apple cart” if he thought people were being treated unfairly or marginalized. 

So, back to our story set in the house of Mary and Martha.  Why didn’t Jesus tell everyone to get a drink or snack, find a comfortable cushion and come sit down together. He could then begin teaching everyone there,  female and male alike.  

Before we go on, let’s remember that storytellers have more than one reason for telling a story and they are hopeful that their listeners will hear more than one meaning. 

So often the preaching of this story of Martha and Mary shows Martha in a negative light. That her worried behavior about hospitality is a detriment to the spiritual life. 

Preachers often focus on the words, “Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41). While this is an acceptable way of interpreting this story might there be another way to shed light on the story. Let’s consider looking at the story in metaphorical terms instead of literal ones.   

The story of Martha and Mary in Luke’s Gospel as a great example of an active and contemplative life. As was mentioned just a few moments ago, preachers and teachers too often interpret the story  with Mary as the contemplative one, as being the one most blessed. 

It is easy to see how this viewpoint came about.  Remember that Jesus himself said, “Mary has chosen the better part, and it shall not be taken away” ( Luke 10:42),

 I would like us to consider a new interpretation of the story. Together we will explore  a different way of how the active and contemplative life of spirituality unfolds. Instead of seeing Martha and Mary as two distinct individuals I like to think of them as one person with two overlapping spiritual qualities.

 Mary, the contemplative disciple, sits at the feet of Jesus.  There she hears his message and takes it into her heart.  She learns in silence the ways of the Spirit.  Jesus has a message about the Reign of Abba God and is willing to share the Good News with those willing to listen. 

Sometimes in our daily life we are Mary. We are also like Jesus who spends time alone in prayer (often early in the morning or late at night). Sometimes our prayerful listening takes place in Liturgical Prayer (such as Sunday worship services), sometimes in Scripture Reading or in our vocal said prayers. 

Often the Spirit speaks through another person and if we are listening with the ears of faith we can hear the message of Jesus just as surely as Mary did sitting at Jesus’ feet.  In order for this contemplation to happen however one activity is necessary.  We  must be open and receptive to “hearing” the Spirit of God.

Martha on the other hand is the “active” one.  She is “busy about many things”.  Jesus himself mentions this and too often Jesus’ words have been interpreted as endorsing contemplation while negating activity. 

Nowhere does Jesus infer anything of the sort.  Jesus himself was an activist, teaching and preaching all over the countryside.  Not only did he teach and preach, he also touched people and healed them. 

It is inconceivable to think of Jesus as “cloistered” or removed from the world.  Martha is the one who provides service to Jesus and his disciples.  She is the one who “gets her hands dirty” with matters of everyday living.

Luke as the storyteller is saying that Jesus is not condemning her activity nor promoting Mary’s serenity.  Luke wants us to realize that each of us is Martha and Mary.  We must remember this point in our daily life. 

Each of us is or needs to be Martha, the active one.  Every time we serve others in our family, our social community or our faith community we bring the Spirit of God into the world.  The Spirit of God can only affect change through a human presence, ours. 

We too, are Mary, the contemplative one.  Every time we pray or listen to God’s Word we are sitting at the feet of Jesus as a disciple.  The Spirit of God can only affect change when the human instrument of God is in tune with the Divine Music. We need to have “ears to hear” this song. 

Martha and Mary seen together as one person is a wonderful example of an active/contemplative spirituality.  They are integrated to work together to bring a wholeness of being into existence. 

I hope that we are or will become Martha and Mary together as a whole being, two different areas of spirituality working together as one in our daily spiritual journey home to Abba God. 

Blessings on your active meditative day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) July 20, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Falun Wisconsin and Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg Wisconsin

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C

Readings: Genesis 18:1-10a Psalm 15 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:32-42

Nothing for the Journey but Love

May the words of my mouth and this meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, LORD, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go. Are they really? Did I forget anything for the trip? Clothing, undergarments, socks, swimsuit, sleepwear, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, sunscreen, bug spray, phone charger, phone and most important debit card and a bit of cash.  Yes, I think I have it all.  Vacation time - a time from getting away from it all. Or am I taking it all with me?

Some of us like to make sure we cover all our bases.  Many of us like to worry about every little thing. We stress over things that may or may not happen. We try to make sure we will have the proper things to combat any tragedy that may befall us so we ‘pack our bag’ for life’s journey and we carry this heavy load with us.  

The wonderful love guru, Dr. Leo Buscaglia shared this story of a 85-year man who was dying and his reflection on his life.  The man said,

“I’d have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.  You see I was one of those people who lived prophylactically and sensibly and sanely every hour after hour and day after day… I’ve been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it all over I’d travel lighter next time.”

How sad for this man who lived a life based on fear and worry rather than faith. His bag was full of worry, trepidation and doubt. He made sure to fill his bag, his life with stuff to prevent suffering, pain and the uncomfortable things in life. 

His bag was so heavy that he had not enjoyed the journey of life.  He regretted that and said if he had to do it over, he would travel lighter the next time.

Well, today Jesus challenges us to travel light.  We are to take nothing for the journey.  No suitcase, no money and no GPS! We only need Jesus. 

He is all we will ever need. He is the eternal GPS who will guide us on our way.   Trust Jesus, travel light. When we prepare too much that leaves no room for God to surprise us. Remember that God will provide what is needed and then some. Jesus is more than enough. 

However, Jesus knows that going it alone on the journey is scary and risky.  We are to travel with a buddy, a companion. To have a companion or a buddy is to be in a relationship. Strength in numbers so to speak, one to share the joy and sorrow with.

Companionship is a constant, a comfort, a source of strength in a world that can be complicated and frightening.  Jesus knew that we need each other, that two are better than one for if one falls the other companion will lift up the one who is down. 

Jesus focuses on the fact that we are not meant to be alone but we need and desire relationship with others and with God.  In Christianity there are no lone ranger Christians, we live and grow and serve in community. We need each other to fend off the dangers of the world. 

Jesus tells us that we are like lambs in the midst of wolves. Safety in numbers, so to speak, with the Holy Spirit providing the safety net so we never need to worry about things. All is well, we are to carry on for we will not be alone.

Sometimes we might feel like the first disciples.  They didn’t exactly know what to expect as they ventured forth in the name of Jesus.  Perhaps they were a bit apprehensive but they ventured forth nevertheless. 

They had each other and the blessing of Jesus.  What would be, would be, Que Sera sera. To their surprise, they were well received and they returned to Jesus with joy.  

It appears that they were surprised at how well this journey went.  A journey undertaken without money, food or things. They only went with the love of Jesus and his message of hope.

They had been vulnerable, willing to risk rejection and maybe physical harm but God was with them and so they were successful in their task of announcing the soon to be heard, the Good News of Jesus.

Upon their return, with  excitement ever evident, Jesus welcomes them with open arms.  He gently tells them not to get too excited that the spirits submitted their message but that their names are written in the book of life in heaven. 

It wasn’t about the great stuff they had accomplished but it was all about God’s presence dwelling within them.  They had been faithful in their mission, speaking the truth of Jesus and showing God’s love to all. Because they were in union with God, having their names written in heaven was inevitable.

Sometimes in our lives it is hard to see or feel God’s presence, especially when things are hard like the loss of a job, an unexpected medical diagnosis or the loss of a loved one. We might truly feel alone, that God has abandoned us.

However, we need to remember that often God has a different path for us, one that feels impossible because we must leave so much behind. One that makes us feel alone, but know this, we are never alone. We are never alone.  On our path through life God is always by our side. (From Canon Sidney Chambers, vicar of Grantchester)

Jesus doesn’t send us out alone.  That is why the Christian community is so important.  Christ comes to us through the hands and feet of others, our companions.  When we are present with others, when we take the time to listen or just to sit with them, we share the love of Jesus with them. 

And in doing so, we become Christ to them.  Conversely, sometimes it is we who need that listening heart or that gentle touch. 

So let’s offer Jesus this prayer, “I am yours, Everything I hope to be, you are all my heart will ever need.”

Blessings on your day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) July 6, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Falun Wisconsin and Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg Wisconsin

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Year C Readings: Isaish 66:10-14, Psalm 66:1-9 Galatians 6:1-6, 7-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

We Are Many, Yet One

How many of you like to do puzzles? Which kind of puzzles - crossword, sudoku, mahjong or jigsaw? Let’s focus on jigsaw or multi piece puzzles, like the ones I have here. Made up of many individual, usually multi-colored pieces that fit together to make a picture.

Each piece, while unique, is necessary for the complete picture. If a piece is missing the picture will not be completed. It’s quite maddening when that piece can not be placed in the almost completed puzzle.

My daughter and I used to do jigsaw puzzles together when she was young.  She thought it great fun to squirrel away a piece as soon as we dumped out the box. She would hide that piece somewhere, in her pocket or underneath the couch cushion. Oftentimes she would be sitting on it.

She took great pleasure in retrieving the “missing piece” so she would be the one to complete the puzzle. That one little piece completed the picture. Now such joy that so many little, unique colorful bits of wood or cardboard put back together become a beautiful image.

Puzzles, you see, show the importance of unity. Each piece is necessary for success. Jesus prayed that we may be one as he and the Father are one. He didn't pray for us to be tolerant or to be nice to each other. 

He didn’t pray for us to be the same so that we are a homogenized or blended up people. He prayed that we would be united, not untied or separated. To be united we reflect the glory of God’s presence in the world.

“We are many yet we are one. We are separate yet bound in His love and together we are all His hands and His feet bringing mercy and peace to this world. We are many but one.  We have fallen but we are forgiven. Broken and scattered but being made whole by our redeemer, one Lord and Redeemer. One Shepherd who gathers us all Gathers us all” (Steve Angrsano - Many and One”

We were created as individuals, each of us having our own identities.  Unity in God and Jesus doesn’t take that away. Just like a jigsaw puzzle where each piece is unique, yet every piece is essential to the whole, so too, is it in God’s plan for us to complete creation and bring about heaven in the here and now. 

We as followers of Jesus, now united with him, celebrate the interdependence we share with each other. While we each have different and unique gifts and roles, each person is needed to complete God’s puzzle. These gifts are given by God for the purpose of building up the church and fulfilling His plan. 

Oneness or Unity is a quality of life – God’s life in the world.  Jesus’ prayer for oneness is that we will come to be and live like God, and to love like God. Unity or oneness is not about eliminating differences.  

It’s about the power of love, the only thing that can conquer division or disunity. Jesus throughout his ministry told us to love God, love others both friend and foe and to love oneself.  When we love God, our enemies and our friends and ourselves, we revel in the oneness of God’s grace. No longer will we experience division, dissension or discord..

Where might  we show this unity in the world in which we live?  As followers of Jesus, we walk together, and come together as church, the body of Christ.

Hopefully we are like a puzzle where each person is like a piece of that puzzle, unique and vital to the community. A place where each puzzle piece has its own shape and place, in the picture. Completeness depends on all the pieces. A puzzle isn't complete without all its pieces, and the church isn't complete without every member fulfilling their role.

“We are many yet we are one. We are separate yet bound in His love and together we are all His hands and His feet bringing mercy and peace to this world. We are many but one. We are different as morning and evening. Each of us living as we have been called. All of us seeking, each of us reaching to A Shepherd who gathers us all. Gathers us all” (Steve Angrisano - Many and One)

So, if we are the Body of Christ, the church, then we are like an "interlocking" puzzle, where each of us supports and strengthens each other, rather than "non-interlocking" pieces that easily fall apart. 

This unity is part and parcel of God’s master plan for our lives and for the world.even if we can’t see the full picture. Working, witnessing and praying together, we reflect the oneness of God which helps us build a stronger community. 

Jesus makes the puzzle whole, he completes the picture we can;t fully see.  He is the puzzle piece that has been “hidden under the couch cushion.” He is the final crucial piece that brings clarity and purpose to our lives. 

His puzzle piece is in the shape of love, the love that knows no boundaries.  Jesus reflected the Father’s love for all , – male and female, rich and poor, gay and straight, conservative and progressive, educated and uneducated, young and old, sinner and saved, Christian and Muslim, orthodox and heretic, citizen or undocumented.  All are loved, fully, completely and unconditionally. 

God loves you the same as he loves Jesus. Think about that for a minute. God values you and loves you just as much as God loves Jesus. You are precious, you are loved

“We are many yet we are one. We are separate yet bound in His love and together we are all His hands and His feet bringing mercy and peace to this world.  We are many but one .We are brothers and sisters in spirit. Found in all nations that are near to the Lord. Each one belonging, together now longing for The Shepherd who gathers us all. Who gathers us all.  We are many yet we are one. We are separate yet bound in His love and together we are all His hands and His feet bringing mercy and peace to this world. We are many and one. We are one.”” (Steve Angrisano - Many and One}

So we have found the “hidden” or last piece of our spiritual puzzle.  It is love, the love that Jesus prayed we would be given.  The love that Jesus and Father share with each other and with us.

Blessings on your day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) June 1, 2025, at Grace Lutheran Church, Sandstone, Minnesota and Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Dell Grove, Sandstone, Minnesota

Seventh Sunday in Easter Year C Readings: Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21, John 17:20-26

An Empty Tomb, New Beginning

One Easter Sunday over thirty years ago,  my dad told us what the priest had said during his homily that morning.  Actually my dad told this story to my little daughter Maddie. So, this morning in honor of the great feast day, in remembrance of my dad and my late daughter Maddie I will share this very poignant and beautiful story. 

It is titled Philip’s Egg, An Easter Story.  A Sunday School teacher shared a story of a young child named Philip. Everyone in the room wept as he told the story of Philip’s Egg.  It was shared by Marrion D Hanks. I’ve adapted the story a bit, adding some dramatic emphasis. 

“As Easter time approaches, let me share with you the tender story of an eleven-year-old boy named Philip, a Down’s syndrome child who was in a Sunday School class with eight other children.  Easter Sunday the teacher brought an empty plastic egg for each child. They were instructed to go out of the church building onto the grounds and put into the egg something that would remind them of the meaning of Easter.

 After a short time, all returned joyfully. As each egg was opened there were exclamations of delight.  One child had found a butterfly.  Yes, the teacher explained, a butterfly is a sign of new life.  Another child had found a flower.  The teacher said again the flower is a sign of new life, starting as a dead looking seed, growing tall and then blooming.  Another child found a new green blade of grass.  Yes, the teacher said, only a few days ago it looked brown and dead and today it is green.  New life again.  Finally, the last egg was opened. It was Philip’s, and it was empty!

Some of the children made fun of Philip.  The teacher felt badly for Philip so she asked him if he didn’t understand the assignment, that he was to put something in the egg that was a sign of new life.  Philip responded, “But, teacher, the tomb was empty.”  The teacher was speechless.  Yes, Philip had understood the assignment very well indeed.

A newspaper article announcing Philip’s death a few months later noted that at the conclusion of the funeral eight children marched forward and put a large empty egg on the small casket. On it was a banner that said, “The tomb was empty."

Every time I read this story I start to tear up. I think about little Philip and his faith in Jesus Christ and the hope of the empty tomb. Philip inspires me to have more faith in Jesus Christ. Think about how much hope the Empty tomb should, and will bring to those who follow Christ. I shout Hallelujah and I add my voice to Philip’s.

Tombs or graves are not places we like to think about.  Tombs and graves are places of death not life.  Thankfully due to modern day embalming and funeral directors, we most often don’t have to deal with tombs.  They were foul smelling places.  Remember when we heard the story of Lazarus when Jesus ordered the stone be rolled away, Martha said that there would be a stench.  Yes, death stinks and so do tombs.

However on this Easter Morning, we hear that the tomb of Jesus is empty.  Now I could spend this sermon talking about the resurrection, how no one really saw it, how the resurrection is the bedrock of our faith, of life everlasting or debate on who was the first to find the empty tomb. All worthy topics.  But let’s focus on another aspect of death and resurrection.

If you believe that the tomb is empty, that Christ is risen, then please follow Him out of the tomb. His empty tomb is a new life for you.  A New life that you don’t have to walk about in shame or doom.  You don’t have to walk in addiction, bitterness or self-loathing. You don’t need to keep track of your failures, your sins.  You don’t have to walk in a world that will tell you who you are because of your past.  All that shame, sin and yuk is gone, it’s dead.  Jesus took all that to the cross with him. 

Today the cross is empty just like the tomb.  Often we think of emptiness as a negative entity.  But today, emptiness is a life-giving entity.  Because Christ is risen you are a new being, a new you.  Isn’t that marvelous! And besides all those dead things stink.

So become a new you.  Put on fresh, new clothes. Hold your head up high, smile, skip, jump for joy. Leave that foul smelling tomb behind.  When we hold onto or return to the habits and addictions of our old self,  we are like a person who puts on dirty, smelling clothing.  Please leave death, doubt and fear behind.

So, let me ask you this, if Jesus walked out of the grave on that first Easter morning, why are you still hiding in the dark corner of doubt, fear or shame?  I once heard that fear and doubt will stop you in your tracks and prevent you from living the abundant life that God has planned for you.

Since the stone has been rolled away, Christ is risen and he has promised the same for you, follow him into the glorious light of new life.

Alleluia, Christ is Risen, He is Risen indeed. Alleluia.

Blessings on your  Easter Day.

A Lavish and Extravagant Gift of Love

May the words of my mouth and this meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, LORD, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

“We all start on the outside.  We're outside looking in. This is where grace begins. We were hungry, we were thirsty, With nothing left to give, Oh, the shape that we were in. And just when all hope seemed lost, Love opened the door for us. 

He said, "Come to the table Come join the sinners who have been redeemed" Take your place beside the Savior, Sit down and be set free. Come to the table.” (Lyrics from Come to the Table —Sidewalk Prophets)

You’ve been invited to a dinner party at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus in the village of Bethany.  Please come as we celebrate the return of Lazarus to the living.  Admittance is by invitation only due to safety and security concerns For Jesus.

Well, here we are at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They have invited their friends to come to the joyful celebration that Jesus had made possible.  Lazarus was alive again but this great miracle caused the religious authorities great dismay and trepidation. They began to plot to get rid of Jesus, by finding a way to put him to death. 

Jesus was well aware of this danger and so he was no longer able to walk about openly in Jerusalem. So he found safety, security and solace in Bethany in the home of his friends.

One can almost hear the joy in the voices that were speaking with Lazarus. Martha was preparing the dinner feast while Mary was tending to Jesus’ comfort. She offered more than the customary foot washing hospitality which was normally provided by slaves or servants.  Mary’s actions took this common duty to a whole new level.

She began by performing the foot care herself instead of letting a slave do it. She also touched Jesus’ feet and anointed them.  In that culture normally a woman would never touch a man except her husband or her male children, and then only in private. To add to the scandalous behavior, she removed her head covering exposing her hair to all in the room and then dried Jesus’ feet with her hair. 

Mary’s extravagance knew no bounds as she cleaned his feet with extremely expensive perfume, costing a year’s wages for a peasant worker. She took it upon herself to recognize and affirm Jesus’ impending passion and death.

How was she aware of the danger he was facing?  Mary was a member of a family that most likely had connections with the elites in Jerusalem  She might have suspected or heard of the plans underway to have Jesus arrested and executed.

She would also know that the form of execution would be crucifixion by the Romans since that was the punishment Rome dished out non-Roman citizens. Crucifixion was a cruel and humiliating form of death.  It was a method used not just to kill a person but to kill what they stood for, to kill off any belief in them and to kill any possible followers continuing the movement onward.

Crucifixion also did not allow for a proper Jewish burial which included anointing of the body.  Often the bodies of those crucified were left on the cross for birds of prey or scavenging animals to devour.  Any remains were later thrown into a pit.  Cruelty was the name of the crucifixion game.

Mary loved and was loved by Jesus and she believed in him.  She saw Jesus bring her brother Lazurus back from the dead. Her lavish use of the expensive perfume most likely was a thanksgiving gift for his return to life, however we can not be sure of her intentions.

Mary’s anointing was a prophetic gesture that signifies both Jesus’ regal kingship and a formal announcement of such.  In Biblical times, the pouring of oil or perfume had several purposes. It was used for the consecration or anointing of kings, priests or prophets. The ill or infirmed were often anointed as a ritual healing and the dead were anointed for burial.

So, really Mary’s use of the expensive perfume could have fulfilled any of these reasons.  However, St. John repeatedly mentions Jesus’ kingly role in the trial narrative. He reinforces this role of Jesus as king by retelling of Mary’s lavish anointing of Jesus and in preparation for his burial.

Mary’s actions also shed light on Jesus' future teaching of servanthood. Mary “washes” Jesus’ feet with the perfume and dries them with her hair, similar to the way Jesus will wash the feet of his disciples and dry them with a towel wrapped around his waist. Jesus’ command to be the servant of all is something that Mary has already done.

We need to remember that Mary was not the only family member at the dinner party.  Her sister Martha was there too.  She was serving dinner.  Might there be more to Martha than just being busy? Like Mary, Martha’s actions will have new meaning when looked at in the light of Jesus’ servanthood message.

In John 12:26 we hear, “Whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, there will my servant be also.  Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.”  So, Martha is not to be dismissed as being absent or busy but she is shown to be doing what Jesus expects his disciples to do, to be of service to others.

As the dinner party began to wrap up, Jesus seemed to focus on his own suffering and death.  Mary is the one who comforted him and offered him extravagant love, lavished him with kindness and extraordinary grace. 

Soon Jesus will celebrate his last supper with his friends and he will show his extravagant love for them in the washing of the feet, with the words, “Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.”

She has loved him, she has anointed his feet and has wiped them with her hair.  This was an action above and beyond the norm, it was excessive and extravagant and it is precisely  the kind of love Jesus commands his disciple to copy.  

While the dinner at Bethany happened long ago and can’t be repeated again exactly like St. John described, we still can bring about the essence of her extravagant and lavish love. We are called to be servants of love. 

We can do this by knowing how much our hurting world needs our joy and gladness. For the deeds of compassion and courage that will never be done unless we do them, and words of hope and healing that will never be spoken unless we speak them. So, be the servants that Jesus calls us to be, to love others extravagantly and lavishly.

Blessings on your day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) April 6, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Falun Wisconsin and Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg Wisconsin

Fifth Sunday in Lent, Year C Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8

The Case of the Missing Mother

April 4, 2025

The Case of the Missing Mother

May the words of my mouth and this meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, LORD, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This parable story is known by a few different titles, the most notable is the “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.”  Maybe you have heard it called the “The Parable of the Two Lost Sons” or “The Parable of the Waiting Father.”  What about “The  Parable of Grumbling Elder Son?”  Here’s one that sticks in my mind “The Parable of the Missing Mother.”

Before we go any further, let us look at what a parable is – it’s a story that has moral or spiritual meaning.  On the surface, parables just seem like great stories however they are carefully crafted.  A pastor friend of mine often says that “Parables turn us upside down and stand us on our heads.”  Please keep that thought in mind as we look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son or the Parable of the Missing Mother.

Most of us are quite familiar with this parable and most likely have heard countless sermons about it.  Preachers often focus on the errant younger son and his foolish life choices and his loving, forgiving father. It’s easy to see the message there, rebellion, remorse and reconciliation. Maybe some preachers focus on the older son, the one who is resentful, reputable and reliable.

However fewer sermons revolve around a member of the family that is not explicitly mentioned in the parable, the mother.  Yes, she is missing in the text but she must have been present at some time.  The sons didn’t just materialize out of thin air! She seems to be invisible but is she really?  Perhaps she is there, hiding in plain sight, hiding between the lines.

Maybe she is missing because she has passed away, perhaps during the birth of the younger son. Her husband, in his grief, has a super soft spot in his heart for this baby son, now motherless. This scenario brings to mind the story of Rachel and the birth of Benjamin and the grief that Jacob carried. Perhaps the father in the parable had experienced a similar loss and coddled his younger son even when pushed to the limits.

Another less romantic reason for her being absent in the text is patriarchy. The definition of patriarchy is “a social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line.” This also means that men were the primary citizens and that women were basically persona non grata, useful as cooks, housekeepers and baby makers. Women under this social order were and are rarely treated as full and equal persons.

Even though patriarchy was alive and well in Jesus’ day, according to St. Luke, in both the Gospel and the Book of Acts, Jesus valued women and their place in the world. St. Luke tends to alternate men and women in his writings.  Women were not only mentioned in the “victim” category but often, they held the role as hero as well.  Men and women are paired together – Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna.  This helps us to see that God calls both genders to faith.

Now let’s get back to the missing mother in the parable. There is no doubt that she is missing in the text but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t there. Let’s imagine that she is invisible to the eye – she is there watching as her younger son flees from his family, perhaps the competition and conflicts with his older brother have gotten to him.  Maybe he feels like “Papa always liked you best” or he just wants to “see the world.”  No matter what, her beloved son is gone!  Her love for her son couldn’t keep him home and she is heartbroken.

She is not the only one who is in grief.  Her husband, too, misses his son. He waits on the front porch, looking down the lane and peering over the tree line.  He hardly eats or sleeps. He has been lax in helping on the farm and when he does, he is often short-tempered with anyone within earshot.  Grief is consuming him and he wonders if he could have prevented the son from leaving home? 

His wife, the mother of his sons, is also concerned for her first born child.  He too is suffering, as he is doing most if not all the work on the farm.  Yes, the servants help with the physical chores but the stress of the situation is hardening him.  He is sullen and lonely.  His brother is gone, even though he was often seen as a pest but nonetheless a friend. 

His father is grief stricken.  The whole town knows what happened and the shame his brother has inflicted on the family is evident.  There has to be a way for him to rescue the family to make everything alright. The mother feels for her older son, hearing his groans and grumblings.  Her heart breaks for him.

Day after day this broken family carries on as best as they can.  One morning while the father and mother are on the porch together they see a person on a distant hill.  They instantly recognize the familiar gait.  They had witnessed their son’s first steps as a toddler, they knew how he moved.

Mom and dad begin rejoicing with shouts of gladness and hugs of joy.  The mother immediately removes a ring from her finger and hands it to her husband.  He reaches for a new pair of sandals he had bought in the hope that someday they could be placed upon his returning son’s feet.

Overcome with emotion, the mother sinks into a chair on the porch, tears streaming down her face as she recalls the day of his birth. That day too, she was crying tears of joy as she beheld her newborn son with unbridled love. A love that would be limitless and eternal. She will soon hold her son in her arms again.

The father too is overcome with emotion.  He rushes out from the porch, running with utter abandon. He too recalls the day of his son’s birth, the first steps, all the happy days spent together. Their son is coming home, no more time for grief or mourning. A joyful embrace and a loving kiss begins the reunion. Our son is home.

Reunion, rebirth and reconciliation – tears of joy – time for celebration.  All the sadness and grief over the son’s absence is gone. Rejoicing is at hand. A feast, a party is held, maybe at the mother’s suggestion but it doesn’t matter. The errant younger son is home, dirty, ragged and hungry but safe nonetheless.  Joy fills the house.

However not everyone is joyful or happy. The other son, the one who has been reliable has become resentful and jealous. Grief changes people.

We hear how the father tries to reason with his older son, reassuring him that he is valued and loved. Most likely the mother also reassures her older son that there is enough love in the family to go around. The mother and father want the older son to know that they cherish all the sacrifices and efforts that have been made. He is an important member of the family and always will be.  

So, was the mother really missing from the parable or just invisible to eyes?  The father was fully visible and quite easily understood while the mother was quiet, constantly in the background, behind the scenes, so to speak. She watched over her family providing guidance, love and security. When this parable is preached, it's quite easy to see the father as a metaphor for God, but what about the mother being a metaphor for the Divine one too?

This hidden mother waits day after day for her errant son’s return. She waits patiently for grief and resentment to subside from her other son.  She generously provides hope and healing for her family and household.

Maybe she is like God; the God we forget sometimes, the one who works hard behind the scenes, the one who carries.all the hurt and pain in a family and community yet still remains faithful in unconditional love for all.

After all, like the missing mother, God has no need to be seen or recognized or praised in order to love us.  God's love is unconditional, we can not earn it nor do we merit it. Too often in our lives, the presence of God goes unmentioned and unnoticed by us.

We are too busy and distracted by the world around us to be bothered by God’s presence but that does not keep God from lavishly heaping love upon us. Just as this parable is about a family being made whole, God’s primary concern is we are made whole in God’s family. 

It is in our best spiritual interest to image God neither as father or mother, but rather as a loving parent, always ready to forgive and to embrace.  A parent like a father who is strong yet gentle, or one like a mother who is willing to gather and shelter us from all harm. 

A parent who goes to bat for us, the one ready to die for us to protect us from harm. A parent who rushes to us when we have the courage to return home after we come to our senses that there;s no place like home with our loving parent.

Blessings on your day

Notes: Preached (Delivered) March 30, 2025 at Bethesda Lutheran Church of Malmo, Isle, MN

Second Sunday in Lent, Year C Readings: Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Chickens and Prophets, an Unlikely Pairing

One of the first pieces of survival advice I received as I moved into the northwoods of Wisconsin was  – don’t get between a mama bear and her cubs.  When I found out that bears were a common experience in that neighborhood I was extremely grateful for the advice. 

I was told that black bears are usually not aggressive, oftentimes rather timid as long as no cubs are closeby.  But if cubs are present, be careful! If the mama bear would lose sight of her cubs or feel that they are in danger, she will not hesitate to attack.  A mother’s love almost seems to be an instinctive response.

Many other mama animals have similar behaviors when their offspring are involved.  Mother cats for instance will keep moving newly born kittens from place to place if they sense any impending danger or interference from other people or animals. 

We once had a mama cat constantly move her new litter of kitties from room to room to keep them away from the household dog, who was really gentle but mama cat was taking no chances. A mother’s love knows no bounds, she would gladly start a fight to keep her babies safe.

Mother hens on the other hand protect their baby chicks differently.  Mother hens don’t attack the dangerous predator.  When in danger, the mother hen calls out to the chicks to come to her.  Her shrieking clucks issue a no nonsense message. She crouches down, drooping her wings so the chicks can find shelter.  They come from every direction and huddle close to her body. 

The mother hen continues her furious banter, striking fear into the predator.  Using both wings and beak, she would rather die for her chicks than seek safety in flying away.  She stands her ground and fights beyond her strength.  She is a noble example of love for her offspring.

Here’s a story I’d like to share with you.  One day a fire broke out on a farm.  Flames spread out from the barn into the barnyard.  Sensing the danger at hand, the mother hen called frantically for her chicks.  They came running, some from the flaming barn.  She opened her wings and sheltered the chicks. 

The farm family rushed to fire with hoses in hand.  They managed to put out the flames and saved the barn.  The farmer, seeing the hen laying on the ground, went over to her.  Her feathers were burned and charred.  She was dead but when the farmer opened her wings, to his surprise, the chicks were alive.  She protected her chicks under the shadow of her wings, giving her life for theirs. 

Today we hear Jesus invoking the image of a mother hen.  To some this might seem rather strange.  Chickens aren’t usually thought of as mighty or fearsome animals.  Surely they don’t command the same respect as lions or tigers or bears. Oh my.  In our modern day society, calling someone a chicken is a derogatory remark sometimes implying the person is a coward or a “fready cat.”

However,  Jesus wants us to concentrate on how the mother hen relates to her chicks.  She calls them to herself, especially in times of trouble or danger.  She shelters them under the shadow of her wings, she is fearless in the face of predators and is willing to stand her ground no matter what.

Jesus once again uses images that people of times would understand. Life in Jesus’ day revolved around agriculture and farming.  He compared himself to a shepherd, the voice the sheep knows and responds to. 

He talked about vineyards, branches and grapes.  He talked about a sower plant seeds and then reaps the upcoming harvest. So, today he wants us to focus on how the mother hen calls her chicks especially when danger is close at hand or when she needs to know they are near.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus knows that danger for him is close at hand.  He has made many enemies and they are out to get him.  The religious leaders of his day didn’t like that he called them out for their hypocrisy, 

Jesus challenged the religious leaders to walk the talk they professed they were following. Their life was dictated by the Law of Moses, 613 rules to be followed at all times. A life that was to have the Lord God front and center. 

‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The whole Torah, the Law of Moses, those 613 individual rules for following the Torah were summed up in two commands – Love God with your whole being, mind, body, soul and love your neighbor like yourself.  However, too often the chosen people of God, the ancient Israelites failed to follow these two covenant commandments.

They got caught up in the world around them.  The lure of fast money, idol worship and self- gratification began to draw many of the chosen ones away from God’s commandments.  They rejected the good and holy life God had designed for them preferring the life their non-Jewish neighbors lived, one free from lots of rules and regulations. 

A life where God was not front and center but rather a comfortable ideal that could be talked about but not taken to heart.  Little by little, the people moved farther away from what they had promised to God and became more like the surrounding godless cultures.

So as the dangers rose so did some voices to sound the alarm.  DANGER AHEAD DANGER AHEAD – screeched the prophets.

Prophetic voices are not primarily voices that predict the future but rather they are voices that speak God’s truth. More often than not, the prophets sent by God were despised and hated, their messages were disregarded and ignored.

The prophet Isaiah pulls no punches as to how prophets are seen by the people, “Give us no more visions of what is right.  Tell us pleasant things, show us illusions” (Is 30:9-10).

All the prophets of the Old Testament were rejected and eventually killed. We heard today that Jesus grieved how the prophets that God sent had been killed in Jerusalem.

It seems not much has changed to this day. Modern day prophets meet the same unfortunate fate as did the pro[hets of old. Think of Martin Luther King, Jr, Robert F. Kennedy or Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It would seem that human nature doesn’t like being told what to do or called back from erroneous ways.

Well, here we are at the beginning of Lent. A time to stop, a time to take stock of one’s life.  It is a time to turn around, to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Do you hear any prophetic voices today?  Are you willing to come running when you hear the voice of God’s truth or do you ignore the alarm that danger is near.

Jesus is sounding the alarm that danger is indeed close at hand.  For us it’s not the Pharisees of Jesus’ day or the Roman governor Pontius Pilate but many dangers are present.  Jesus is like that mother hen in the barnyard.  The one who stands her ground, opening her wings wide, sounding the life saving alarm and then sheltering us in the shadow of her wings.  He is our salvation, a sure and certain hope that we are precious in his sight.

As you journey along with Jesus this Lenten season, meditate and contemplate the cross. Envision Jesus’ outstretched arms, imagine you are there under his “wings” being sheltered from all harm and adversity. Know that you are loved and forgiven as a beloved offspring, a child of the Most High God.

Blessings on your day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) March 16, 2025 at Bethesda Lutheran Church of Malmo, Isle, MN

Second Sunday in Lent, Year C Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Psalm 27, Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13;31-35

Image https://sl.bing.net/dx7KpcAjHgW

Lent = Springtime of Hope and New Beginnings

 “Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return.”  These words we hear every Ash Wednesday as we receive our ashes as we begin the holy season of Lent.  Our mortality is front and center.  We are reminded rather bluntly that we are finite beings. 

Like the flowers of the field we flourish but then we fade. Our existence is like a blip on a computer screen, here today gone tomorrow. And in addition to our short life span we need to add our brokenness, our choices toward unloving and harmful behaviors. The big theological word for this brokenness is called sin.

I remember as a child I hated the season of Lent. I was born into a very observant Roman Catholic family and attended parochial school.  The penitential trappings were everywhere to be found in my daily life.  All the statues and the crucifix in the church were covered with purple cloths, the holy water fonts were empty (sometimes they were filled with sand).

The music for liturgies were not very uplifting.  Our teachers didn’t permit any laughter or happy talk. Going to school and church on Sunday was like going to a funeral, one that lasted for 40 days!

It wasn’t much better at home.  You see, in those days, adults were too fast every day.  That meant only one full meal with maybe two smaller amounts of food during the day.  Snacking was not permitted.  In addition to that, the faithful were encouraged to give up something for Lent. 

So, every year my dad, who was an avid smoker, would give up smoking.  My mom, along with her sisters, would give up sweets and chocolate.  Well life in the house was rather hellish by about the fourth day of Lent.

My dad would have had a piece of toast and maybe a cup of coffee early in the morning and leave for work.  My mother too would have dry toast and coffee and get us off to school. By suppertime and the only full meal of the day, they were both nervous wrecks, since they hadn’t eaten much all day and the withdrawal from the nicotine and the sugar made things worse. 

They were usually yelling at each other or at us.  Usually by the 4th day, my dad had gone back to smoking his cigarettes, mad at himself for his lack of self-denial.  

My mother fared a bit better at her chocolate candy fast.  You see Sundays didn’t count in the 40 day abstention deal.  So on Sundays, she would visit her sisters and the four of them would gorge themselves on chocolate and other sweets so they could make it through another week. 

Giving up candy, nicotine and happy talk didn’t really help bring my family closer to God during Lent.  Sometimes I think we miss the boat on what Lent is really all about.

Instead of focusing on our mortality and returning to the dust of which we were made, I find the alternate Ash Wednesday blessing more holistic and life giving. We read in the Adam and Eve story in the garden, when they failed God, God did not abandon humanity.  God’s promise to restore humanity to the original  blessing comes about in the person of Jesus. 

He not only came to save us but to show us how to live forever.  That is why for me and hopefully for you, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” are words that bring hope and healing for this season of Lent.  A way to prepare ourselves for the blessings of Easter.  

Let’s turn away from sin or if you must give up something for Lent, how about giving up sin. Easy to say, very hard to do. 

Turn away from gossip and mean words meant to destroy hope.  Turn away from greed instead share your gifts and possessions with others especially those who have less.  Turn away from anger and offer patience and peace to others. Turn away from envy and be grateful for what you have. Turn away the false gods of money and status and worship God alone. 

Lent is a season of hope, of new beginnings.  Let’s leave our failures, our brokenness, our sin behind.  Jesus shows us the way to turn away from sin so we truly rise with him on Easter Sunday. 

Blessed Lenten journey to you.

Notes: Image Diocese of Portland

Seeing with New Vision Transfiguration or Transformation

Just a month ago on February 2nd, a most unconventional meteorologist gave a forecast.  Maybe you saw or heard the weather forecast from Punxsutawney Phil, or Jimmy the Groundhog.  Well, the last name gives away some of the clue to who these guys are.  They are the prognosticators or predictors of an early spring, helping us to acknowledge that the seasons of the year are changing.

We are looking forward to the end of winter and the beginning of spring.  We long for the return of the sun, green growing plants and warmer temperatures. In most winter seasons, spring can’t come soon enough.

We HOPE that warmer weather is coming soon for it brings the changes we are ready for and long for. Some of us have visions of gardens teaming with flowers or vegetables, birds visiting the birdhouses or sitting on the lakeshore watching the summer sun setting.  Yes, hopeful visions of long, lazy summer days and nights.

“Unless the people have vision, they perish.” Wise words from Proverbs 29:18 that speak of hope. St. Paul mentions hope in today’s Epistle reading, “Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with complete boldness.” 

We as people of faith need to have hope.  Hope that all will be well, that God will be there for us.  Throughout the pages of Scripture we hear this promise especially in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know well the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jesus, too, gives us that hope-filled vision of a better future.  One filled with his glory. 

Jesus gives a gift to his disciples and to us.  This gift is a life-giving vision of future glory.  We need this gift especially in the dark times in our lives when despair surrounds us.  Without this hope-filled vision of a better future we can easily lose our way and perish. 

We need to know that our fragile life filled with challenges and tragedies is offset by the hidden glory of Jesus’ gift which will be revealed to us in God’s good time.  We only need to trust in the timing.

The Transfiguration stands between the time after Epiphany when we are celebrating the coming of Jesus, the babe born in the manger, the One sent into the world to proclaim the Good News, the beloved of God and the season of Lent.

Beginning with Ash Wednesday, when we remember most vividly that we are mere mortals, here for a short time, lacking in holiness and wholeness and still searching and seeking for a way to fill that empty hole in our being.

The truth that we are dust of the earth and finite beings utterly dependent on God helps us maintain a sense of humility and this reality is brought front and center on Ash Wednesday.

However, today we are not yet in the season of Lent.  So, let’s focus on Jesus and what this event we know as the Transfiguration might have to say to us today. You know that I like to sometimes break open the meaning of words. 

Today is no different.  Some meanings of the word “trans” is "across, beyond, or over.”  The meaning that speaks the greatest to me is “Beyond”.  Notice today’s reading is called the Transfiguration not the Transformation.

Some might consider these words "transfigure” and “transform” interchangeably,  but while they are similar it is helpful  to look at both words.  To be transfigured is to be changed in outward figure or appearance, to go “beyond” what is seen. 

Jesus’ transfiguration does not alter who he is but gives to those who see him a new way of seeing.  Their vantage point is changed. They have  a new understanding of him because they see him outwardly in a different light. 

Transformation on the other hand means “going beyond” the form, here meaning physical form, the internal structure. 

Jesus on the mountain with Moses and Elijah is not transformed (changed inwardly or structurally in form) but transfigured before his disciples (shown to be other than what they had previously seen). He is not made to have a new self but to have an appearance that is reminiscent of the two greatest prophets of the Old Testament.

Our text goes on to say that God’s voice is heard by the disciples, “This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him.” Remember that at Jesus’ baptism we heard these same words, back at the beginning of his ministry.  Only this time, the voice adds an important command to the statement. This time, God says, “Listen to him!” God doesn’t say, “listen to me,” but “listen to him.” meaning Jesus, his Son.

Listen to Jesus. Pay attention to what he’s saying, even when it doesn’t make sense to you.  Listen to him when you might not like what you’re hearing.  Listen to him even if you have other plans.  Listen to him even if you think you know better.  Listen to him when he tells you that you will have sorrows, woes and even death. 

Listen to him when he tells you that he will suffer betrayal, rejection and a shameful death but he will rise in glory and pave a way for you to do the same.  Listen to him because he is God’s chosen and beloved Son, and with whom God is well pleased. Jesus is the answer to a future filled with hope.  

This Lenten season, once again, is a time for us to take time to grow closer to God.  We should take the time to become more aware of why we have decided to follow Jesus.  Lent is a time to take a good, hard look inside our hearts to see what is keeping us from becoming all that God created us to be. 

We need to set aside our own wants and desires, to repent of the noise of the world that comes between us and our ever-loving God.  Lent is a time to recommit ourselves to Jesus, to seek him with all our might.  Setting aside a time for daily prayer, scripture reading and contemplation are tried and true ways of spiritual growth.  

For some, Lent is a time of fasting or giving up something. A few years ago,Pope Francis offered some thoughts on how one might fast during Lent:

Fast from hurting words and say kind words 

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude

Fast from anger and be filled with patience

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope

Fast from worries and have trust in God

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity

Fast from pressures and be prayerful

Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others

Fast from grudges and be reconciled

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen

Lent is a time, a change in season so to speak, when we decide once again that, we have decided to follow Jesus, the transfigured one. And in doing so we have been changed, we have been transformed. 

We have gone “beyond”  the broken, sinful creatures that we are due to our human, soil bound, dusty beginnings to new creations in Christ.  Lent is a time to focus our attention on becoming all that God has created us to be.

In these few days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, let’s focus our eyes, our attention on the brilliant face and figure of Jesus so that he becomes our everlasting guiding light. His light shines brightly, showing his glory, guiding us to an everlasting future.

Blessings on your day.

Notes: Preached (Delivered) March 2, 2025 Trinity Lutheran Church Falun, Wisconsin and Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg, Wisconsin

Trinity Sunday Year C Readings: Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2Corinthians 3:12-42 Luke 9:28-43a

Do Whatever He Tells You!

Remember to take out the trash!  Did you schedule the oil change like I asked?  How many times do I need to ask you to do (fill in the blank).  If you are or have been a parent of a teenager, maybe you remember having to remind your child about doing household chores.  Or you might have to remind your spouse to accomplish said requests. We humans really don’t like to be reminded that we have “stuff” to do.  Some equate more than one request to nagging.  However,  sometimes we do need a swift kick in the pants to get us going.

In Luke 2:41-52, we heard about Jesus, Mary and Joseph visit to Jerusalem and Jesus staying in the temple when Jesus was twelve years old.  Mary watched her son amaze the learned teachers, remembering their comments. Most likely she recalled the words of the angel Gabriel, “... you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end…So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1::30-33)

 Visits by the shepherds and the magi gave more credibility to Gabriel’s announcement and later the words of Simeon at Jesus’ presentation, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel” (Luke 2:34), once again highlighted the destiny of Jesus’ mission.  A mission Mary most definitely didn’t completely understand for more than once in the Gospels we hear, “that Mary pondered all these things in her heart.”  But she never stood in the way of the Spirit’s call.

So, today fast forward some eighteen years later.  We hear that Mary and Jesus are again together, this time at a social event. However Joseph is not mentioned leading us to surmise that he mighht have passed away and Mary is a widow and now under the protection of her son, Jesus. While there is no direct mention of his death in any of the four gospels, he is never mentioned directly or personally again after the finding in the temple.

The social structure of that time mandated that a woman needed to be under the protection of a male relative such as her father, husband, or son. Even a nephew or a minor son would have been seen as the protector. So, if indeed Mary was a widow Jesus staying at home with her was vitality important. She would have depended upon him greatly but also knew in her heart of hearts that someday he would have to leave home.

Mary has been watching him, remembering the words of the angel Gabriel, Simeon, the shepherds and the magi.  She knew her son was destined for greatness. She has been watching her son grow and mature.  She knows him so very well, like many committed parents.  She has watched him from his first breath, his first steps and his first words.  She knows her son is destined for great things and that he must begin his life's work, and the time is now.

Jesus too has been preparing for his Father’s work, his mission and his ministry since his youth. Although not much is said about these formative years one can surmise that he has spent lots of time in thought, prayer and contemplation. He even has recruited some followers, his disciples. 

Jesus is not the only one who has been praying and being open to the Spirit. Mary has been pondering and reflecting on God’s will in her life for the past three decades.  At this wedding at Cana, the Spirit nudges her into action, and she once again co-operates with God’s plan. The time has come for some “Mom Action” or a not so gentle prodding to leave the nest.  “Son, they have no wine.”

Jesus too has been pondering when “his time” to begin will start. He appears to be “on the fence” saying, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.”  Perhaps he feels she needs him at home and at work. Or that he still needs more time for “formation” or support from his friends. Whatever was Jesus’ reason for hesitating to step up to his call, his mission, the Spirit kicks it into high gear.  Mary is the voice of the persistent hound of heaven.  “Do whatever he tells you.”

Jesus moves forward, heeding the Spirit nudging.  He not only changes the water into fine wine, he exchanges his safe carpenter lifestyle for that of an itinerant preacher slash miracle worker.  Mary too knows that a major change in her life will take place.  She will be on her own, a woman without a male protector, trusting in the mercy of God and other people.  Not only has the water been changed into fine wine, but so has the relationship between mother and son.  

Jesus moves from service and devotion to his mother to service and salvation to the world.  If he does what he is being called to, his life will be changed, he will be giving up his anonymity.  No longer will he be just another man in his town, the local carpenter.  Everything will change.  He really wasn’t planning on starting yet, remember he says, “My hour has not yet come.”  However, the Holy Spirit nudges but really nags Jesus forward.  Time to begin, the spirit says, “We have work to do.”

“Do whatever he tells you.”   Jesus ordered the servants to fill those empty earthen vessels with water.  Water is the most essential component of human life.  Water is necessary for drinking, hydration and hygiene. At this wedding, the earthen vessels, the jars are empty.  Sometimes in our lives, maybe we have been like empty earthen vessels.  We have been empty of life giving water.  We look okay on the outside but inside we are dry.   

Water that is kept in the jar will not be of much use.  It can’t hydrate the parched ground and thirsty plants. It can’t wash soiled laundry or dirty hands.  Nothing can be cooked in stored water.  Shut up in the earthen vessel of a jar, the water is useless. But when it is poured out or scooped out it changes from a static element into a dynamic one.  The same is true of our spiritual essence. We need hydration, spiritual hydration.

That spiritual hydration took place at our baptism.  We were given life saving hydration, we were filled with the waters of everlasting life. Baptism changes us from dried out and dried up creatures to beloved children of God.  Baptism changes us into the finest wine and brings us into a new relationship with God.  A relationship that needs communication via prayer, contemplation and action.  A relationship that needs trust.  “Do whatever he tells you.”  

Mary trusted in God that all that was told to her would come to pass and that all would be well.  Jesus too trusted that it was the right to begin his mission and ministry.  Remember the words from the prophet Jeremiah, “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  When you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. And I will change your life.” (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

Today’s gospel reading is all about change; changing water into fine wine, changing home and life status, changing being anonymous to being a celebrity, changing from inaction to action. The wedding at Cana is often referred to as Jesus’ first miracle, changing water into wine.  Let us become a miracle too. May the life-giving water that we received at our baptism change us into that fine choice wine that saturates the world with passion, tenderness and grace of God.

Blessings on your day.

NOTES

Delivered (preached) January 19 at Trinity Lutheran in Falun, Wisconsin and Bethany Lutheran in Grantsburg, Wisconsin

Second Sunday after Epiphany Year C

References: John 2:1-11