Lenten Series
As I was thinking about this years Lenten season, I realized we could not gather the way we have in past years and yet we are still on a journey together.
After all, when we reflect on the life of Jesus, all he seems to do is journey from one place to another, meeting people along the way.
As we journey through Lent, we too may meet people, I hope you like them.
Lent 1
Today we will go back to the time before Jesus, after Israel had moved from a single united kingdom and King ruler (Saul, David, Solomon) to a division into the Southern Kingdom – Judah and the Northern Kingdom- Israel each ruled by a succession of kings. 1st and 2nd Kings in the Old Testament is a recounting of the lives, exploits and history of Israel united and Israel and Judah divided. But within those stories emerges another story – one about prophets. The most famous being Elijah and his successor Elisha.
Today’s story comes from 2 Kings 2:1-12 and is about Elijah who is taken up into heaven and Elisha who is left behind to continue to be a voice for the God of Israel.
“A Letter from Papa” tells the story from the point of view of one of the many prophets who gathered around Elijah and Elisha.
Letter from Papa
If you are reading this, it is because I am gone and you are courageous enough to carry out my dying wishes to continue the work we have been asked to do. You have already, at such a young age, shown yourself to be courageous, strong-willed and especially honest. I know you will not be troubled by what you are about to read. I know you will repeat it even to those who call you a liar. Even if they tell you it is impossible, you will tell them that we have a lot to learn from the impossible.
While you were still tiny, soft and prone to wiggle like a suckling kitten in your mother’s arms, Elijah and Elisha came to us out of the wilderness. Elijah was weak with something like homesickness. He sensed his call to another life and all of us could smell the exhaustion in his beard when we greeted him with a kiss.
We pulled Elisha aside and counselled the young man as we would our sons. He asked us to be silent because he knew that all we said would be reliable and true. The young one rushed back to his old companion.
Elijah told the young man that he was called away, and Elisha insisted on going along. It was almost as if the boy didn’t know what else to do. We all followed, wandering and wondering which one of us would be asked to catch this young man in our arms if he were struck down with the loss of his beloved teacher.
In the next place we stopped, all the other prophets gathered with us and tried to speak to Elisha. He believed us but wouldn’t let us speak to him. Finally, Elijah led all of us out to the edge of the Jordan. He removed his covering and spread it like a fishing net over the edge of the river. It slowly seemed to spread out and absorb enough water so that they could walk across it like a cloak spread across a mud road. They went as far as the other shore, and we saw a shape like a chariot but made of flames come down, sweep up the faithful prophet and rise until it was nothing more than a speck of light like fire sparks and spittle. Elisha returned to us and confessed he had asked for too much: to have a double share of his Elijah’s spirit. We comforted him by telling him that perhaps it was not so foolish to want to serve God in this way. We pledged to help him, knowing that we would need to band together to replace such a prophet as Elijah.
Even if they tell you that this is just a story, I know you will say to your critics that you tell the stories that need to be heard because you are not in the business of convincing anyone that your words are true – that is God’s work.
Now that I am gone you will need to question the fanciful stories I gave you. You will not be able to ask me, “Papa, what does it mean?” in the way you used to love to do.
Untangling the knots I tied for you will comfort you in my absence. You will learn in the unravelling how to interpret the old stories with wisdom and heart. Remember, you do not need to interpret this for those who do not want to learn from you – God breaks open the hearts of those who hate the truth you tell.
Learn from this and all the mysteries,
Papa
One of the many questions I have around this text is about the prophets. There seemed to be a lot of them (at least 50 are mentioned in the text v. 7) and if there were that many prophets then, maybe there are a whole bunch of prophets now, wandering around, telling us what God’s word is for us today. John the Baptist was a prophet, Jesus was a prophet, JUlian of Norwich was a prophet, maybe you know some prophets (past and present) I have never heard of. Let’s share some prophets voices you know in the coming days and weeks and months.
Shadow and Substance Hymn #44 in More Voices
(You tube version can be found from the Facebook link on Texada United Church Facebook page)
Shadow and substance, wonder and mystery
spell-binding spinner of atoms and earth;
soul of the cosmos, person and energy,
source of our being, we sing of your worth.
We are your image, formed in community;
sisters and brothers of Adam and Eve.
You gave us colour, custom and history;
teach us to honour what others receive.
Naming the nameless Spirit of unity,
scanning the heavens for signs of your care;
God of the ages, give us humility;
guide us to mystical union in prayer.
As I was thinking about this years Lenten season, I realized we could not gather the way we have in past years and yet we are still on a journey together.
After all, when we reflect on the life of Jesus, all he seems to do is journey from one place to another, meeting people along the way.
As we journey through Lent, we too may meet people, I hope you like them.
Lent 1
Today we will go back to the time before Jesus, after Israel had moved from a single united kingdom and King ruler (Saul, David, Solomon) to a division into the Southern Kingdom – Judah and the Northern Kingdom- Israel each ruled by a succession of kings. 1st and 2nd Kings in the Old Testament is a recounting of the lives, exploits and history of Israel united and Israel and Judah divided. But within those stories emerges another story – one about prophets. The most famous being Elijah and his successor Elisha.
Today’s story comes from 2 Kings 2:1-12 and is about Elijah who is taken up into heaven and Elisha who is left behind to continue to be a voice for the God of Israel.
“A Letter from Papa” tells the story from the point of view of one of the many prophets who gathered around Elijah and Elisha.
Letter from Papa
If you are reading this, it is because I am gone and you are courageous enough to carry out my dying wishes to continue the work we have been asked to do. You have already, at such a young age, shown yourself to be courageous, strong-willed and especially honest. I know you will not be troubled by what you are about to read. I know you will repeat it even to those who call you a liar. Even if they tell you it is impossible, you will tell them that we have a lot to learn from the impossible.
While you were still tiny, soft and prone to wiggle like a suckling kitten in your mother’s arms, Elijah and Elisha came to us out of the wilderness. Elijah was weak with something like homesickness. He sensed his call to another life and all of us could smell the exhaustion in his beard when we greeted him with a kiss.
We pulled Elisha aside and counselled the young man as we would our sons. He asked us to be silent because he knew that all we said would be reliable and true. The young one rushed back to his old companion.
Elijah told the young man that he was called away, and Elisha insisted on going along. It was almost as if the boy didn’t know what else to do. We all followed, wandering and wondering which one of us would be asked to catch this young man in our arms if he were struck down with the loss of his beloved teacher.
In the next place we stopped, all the other prophets gathered with us and tried to speak to Elisha. He believed us but wouldn’t let us speak to him. Finally, Elijah led all of us out to the edge of the Jordan. He removed his covering and spread it like a fishing net over the edge of the river. It slowly seemed to spread out and absorb enough water so that they could walk across it like a cloak spread across a mud road. They went as far as the other shore, and we saw a shape like a chariot but made of flames come down, sweep up the faithful prophet and rise until it was nothing more than a speck of light like fire sparks and spittle. Elisha returned to us and confessed he had asked for too much: to have a double share of his Elijah’s spirit. We comforted him by telling him that perhaps it was not so foolish to want to serve God in this way. We pledged to help him, knowing that we would need to band together to replace such a prophet as Elijah.
Even if they tell you that this is just a story, I know you will say to your critics that you tell the stories that need to be heard because you are not in the business of convincing anyone that your words are true – that is God’s work.
Now that I am gone you will need to question the fanciful stories I gave you. You will not be able to ask me, “Papa, what does it mean?” in the way you used to love to do.
Untangling the knots I tied for you will comfort you in my absence. You will learn in the unravelling how to interpret the old stories with wisdom and heart. Remember, you do not need to interpret this for those who do not want to learn from you – God breaks open the hearts of those who hate the truth you tell.
Learn from this and all the mysteries,
Papa
One of the many questions I have around this text is about the prophets. There seemed to be a lot of them (at least 50 are mentioned in the text v. 7) and if there were that many prophets then, maybe there are a whole bunch of prophets now, wandering around, telling us what God’s word is for us today. John the Baptist was a prophet, Jesus was a prophet, JUlian of Norwich was a prophet, maybe you know some prophets (past and present) I have never heard of. Let’s share some prophets voices you know in the coming days and weeks and months.
Shadow and Substance Hymn #44 in More Voices
(You tube version can be found from the Facebook link on Texada United Church Facebook page)
Shadow and substance, wonder and mystery
spell-binding spinner of atoms and earth;
soul of the cosmos, person and energy,
source of our being, we sing of your worth.
We are your image, formed in community;
sisters and brothers of Adam and Eve.
You gave us colour, custom and history;
teach us to honour what others receive.
Naming the nameless Spirit of unity,
scanning the heavens for signs of your care;
God of the ages, give us humility;
guide us to mystical union in prayer.
