Reflections for Sunday, January 27, 2019
1st Scripture Reading:  Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10  & Psalm 19
Reflection:
          Like God’s people of Israel, we too forget…we forget how we got here, we forget who made us, we forget that there are laws for our living.
          As I watch in dreadful fascination what is happening in our world, I am moved by the words of Nehemiah and the Spirit’s voice within me to bring before us all again this morning God’s Laws, given to Moses in the second book of the Old Testament – pretty much right at the beginning of our spiritual journey as God’s people.
          The prophet Ezekial gave us this message from the God of Israel:  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;  I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh – and I will put my Spirit in you.”
          And so, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I invite you to listen with open hearts and minds, and attention to the Holy Spirit moving within you, as I review with you the Ten Commandments that Nehemiah read and interpreted for people like us so very long ago, people who forget what God desires from them and from us.
The Ten Commandments  (Exodus 20:3-17)
 

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.   Money shall not be your God, nor fame, nor political influence, nor sexual dominance, nor work, nor alcohol or drugs, nor any other thing shall be more important to you than honoring your Creator.

 

1. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  There is no structure, or statue, or image of any kind that is worthy of worship. A picture of Jesus is not real.  An artistic rendering of some item of God’s creation, tho a beautiful thing in it’s own right, cannot be considered as even close to the value of the real thing.  We must not be deluded by idols or likenesses as things to be valued.  I think of works of art which bring in millions of dollars at art auctions – paintings whose value is based on the preferences of wealthy people – who spend vast quantities of money exploited from the work of others, to purchase something they can show off to their friends.  Money that could be so much better utilized to steward the natural beauty which is so threatened in our world.

 
 

1. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes (God’s) name in vain.  Last Fall I took a philosophy course at the college during which I heard over and over again, arguments to persuade young students that there is no God.  The Big Bang is the answer to how we were created, and human mental capacity will solve all our problems. I reminded the instructor that “the Big Bang Theory” is just that – a theory, and that the arguments presented did not prove there is no God, but that we are faced with a mystery.  We do not know, and perhaps will never know how we got here.  To me this is Holy Mystery – a sacred body of knowledge we are not privy to, and may never be. In this commandment we are called to be respectful, even reverential to things we do not understand, and power we cannot replicate.

 

1. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  One day a week we are called on to rest from our daily preoccupations and to take time to remember who we are and to whom we belong.  This commandment protects the labourer from unhealthy exploitation, and keeps in front of us all how privileged we are to be living here on Earth.

 

1. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD  your God gives you.  We have a crisis unfolding in long term care for our senior population. And even if we can access that care, we are finding that it may not be as good or as compassionate as we would like for our elder relatives.  Caring for our elders, our parents especially in their old age is part of our journey. We feel guilty when we pass it off to someone else when we could have taken on the responsibility ourselves.  Of course, that is not always possible, but finding ways to stay in relationship with our parents is holy work.

 
 

1. You shall not murder.  Very succinct.  No qualifications.  We must examine our values and listen for the guidance of the Holy Spirit when faced with issues such as abortion in the first trimester, entering the military in times of war.  Intention to murder another human being is clearly against the Law.

 

1. You shall not commit adultery.  Please note that there is no mention of homosexual unions here, and no exemption for polygamy. I don’t believe polyamory would fall within the Law either.  Monogamy would be fairly clearly prescribed in my view, but gender specificity is not.

 
 

1. You shall not steal.  It’s not OK to steal – not to shop-lift or help yourself to stuff that doesn’t belong to you.  It’s not OK, in my view, to steal natural resources from other countries, impoverishing the people and polluting their water supplies, or to sell our own resources to enrich the pockets of the rich.  It’s stealing to divert water from the river that irrigates your neighbours crops.  It’s stealing to gain control of your demented parent’s will and deprive your siblings of their share of the estate. People of God, we know if we look inside our hearts, what stealing is.

 

1. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.  We can see a lot of that happening south of the border, for our edification if not our entertainment!  Civil society demands that we do only to our neighbour what we would want that neighbour to do to us.  The Golden Rule.  When there is no reasonable expectation of truth-telling, then society begins to crumble.
2. You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbour.  Covetting, or wanting to possess, is the precursor to stealing, or murder, or bearing false witness, or dishonoring your spouse, your children, or your parents.  Covetting opens the door of our hearts and minds to darkness and evil intentions.  Children of the Light, we must cleanse our minds and hearts of covetous behaviour, and repent of it when we find it within ourselves.

 
Like the disciples of Jesus, like the people of Nehemiah, we are weak.  We make mistakes. We will drown in our guilt if we do not turn to God. Guilt will eat us up from inside, will torment our dreams and keep us from sleep.  Guilt will make us ill, and healing can only come from repentance and forgiveness – from turning our lives over to God.  Please take these commandments home with you, and if you like, make some notes yourself on what each of them means to you.
 
     I will close these remarks with a quotation from the famous Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon:
 
“Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing.  We are as ships without wind, or chariots without steeds.  Like branches without sap, we are withered. Like coals without fire, we are useless.”
 
     Friends, we are brought together here by the Spirit as the Body of Christ in the world – just as the disciples were.  We are not perfect, as they were not perfect – but we will be made perfect by the grace and unfailing love of our God.  Let us open our hearts and minds to the Spirit’s transforming work.
 
Hymn #21 MV “Open Our Hearts”
 
2nd Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31  & Luke 4:14-21
Reflection:
          “Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country.  He began to teach…”
          Filled with the power of the Spirit…  I wonder, maybe you wonder, could Jesus have done the things he did, reached all the people he did, started a spiritual movement that spread over all the earth, if he had not been filled with the power of God?  He was, after all, human – a man born of a woman.  But he was “filled with the power of the Holy Spirit”.  He was filled with the power of God.
          But what’s that got to do with us, you might say?  We are mere mortals, this stuff doesn’t happen to us!  But maybe that’s what’s wrong with our churches today.  Maybe we have become what Charles Spurgeon described:  “ships without wind or chariots without steeds.  Like branches without sap are withered.  Like coals without fire, we are useless.”
          After all, didn’t Jesus say shortly before his ascension:  “I tell you the truth:  it is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counsellor (Holy Spirit) will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.”
          Jesus knew that we needed to be filled with Divine Light – knew that without the power of God we could do nothing – knew we were weak and imperfect vessels of clay.  And yet – power did come on the followers of Jesus at Pentecost – and power will come on us if we pray and believe.  And that power in us is the hope of this world, the Way to the kindom of God on earth, the salvation of God’s dream for humanity.  Without the infilling of the Spirit our churches are withering, our Christian lives seem empty and without purpose.  Where is the excitement of the early church?  Where is the sap in these branches of the true vine of Christ?  It’s right there, children of God.  It surrounds us and waits for us to ask.  There is much work to do.  Let us respond to our calling to be Christ’s body in the world.  Let’s reach out to the lonely and the broken and the desperate.  We have the answer – Christ is the answer.  The Holy Spirit waits on us, to work with us  to revitalize our church.
Let us pray: 
          Holy Spirit we ask right now that you come on us with power, fill us with your great light, and empower us to take the message of Jesus, the Way of Love into this broken world.  Hear the pain in our hearts, and the disappointment with our lack of connection.  Heal us as we let our hearts reach out to you with longing and repentance. Show us how to rebuild your church into the vibrant, joyful community that is our heart’s desire. Move on us now, Spirit of God, that we might feel and know your presence.  Blow thru this place, explode our hearts and split open our minds to the truth of your presence.  Without you we are nothing.  Fill us now we pray in the name of Jesus.  Transform and perfect us so we can truly be of service to you and to this world that you so love. (silence)   Amen.
 
Hymn:  “Living in the Light”  -Linnea Good
​

Reflections for Sunday, January 20, 2019
1st Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 62:1-5  & Psalm 36
Reflection:
          The writer of the psalm this morning delights in the abundance of God’s faithful love saying that all people “feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.”
          There is a significant shift here, and also in the reading from Isaiah, from a punishing, vindictive God to a loving, forgiving God who blesses all creation and raises all from the ashes of sin and previous bad behavior.  “For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” And, “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord.”
          In ages past, the people were like frightened sheep, herded this way and that by tyrants and bullies who knew nothing of God’s ways. The power of God was demonstrated to them, so that they would know that the earthly powers and authority of unjust rulers was not supreme. The people needed to learn that moral authority came from God, and that they needed to seek that guidance within themselves – to make better choices in terms of their own behaviour based on God’s laws – not the whims and dictates of earthly bullies.
          We are still learning this all-important lesson.  We are still plagued by unjust leaders who try to influence our choices.  People of God, there is only one supreme authority – only one unfailing guide for the choices we must make in how to live our lives. As Christians, only in God through Jesus can we hope to succeed.  Our Creator loves all of Creation.  As children of God and stewards of this beautiful planet, we are challenged to make good decisions as we have been taught by Christ Jesus, who brought us the Way of Love.
 
Hymn # 30 MV “It’s a song of praise to the Maker”
2nd Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:1-11  & John 2:1-11
Reflection:
          Beloved children of God, we have all been given gifts to use in the service of God’s kindom.  We are all blessed with some gift – great or small that is to be used for the good of all.
          To me this means that all members of our community have something to contribute: men and women, children, the person with disability, the marginalized, and those who look or sound so different from ourselves.  This understanding challenges us to be more inclusive, more welcoming, and more tolerant. Harsh judgments of those who do not look like us will not do. Failure to be compassionate to those who struggle with disabilities, or illness, or weakness of character is a failing on our own part.
          I have read that in some indigenous communities, it is the duty of the elders to seek out the gifts of each new member and to foster and mentor that person in the expression of those gifts.  Our world would be a different place, wouldn’t it, if every child knew  they had an important part to play in the life of their community?
          What a concept!  If the purpose of life on earth was to enrich and build communities that lived by God’s laws, instead of to become good consumers, and good worker slaves to the economy that produces material wealth for a few.
          I am afraid we are in danger of losing our way, people of God, in a world where every value is subsumed by the needs of economic growth.  And economic growth is plainly unsustainable in a finite planet with uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources, and equally uncontrolled population growth.
          And then there is Jesus.  In a world where all social behaviour was strictly regulated, and purity laws targeted women and marginalized groups to the benefit of the dominant orthodox Jewish culture, Jesus turns things upside down.  At the wedding in Cana, attended by his mother and all his disciples, he performs a miracle.  He turns water in purification vessels, intended for a purely regulatory and exclusive ritual, into really good wine – wine intended to increase the joy and pleasure of the people attending the wedding – wine to bless this joyful occasion and enrich the life of this community. 
          And let’s not forget that it’s a miracle – it isn’t supposed to be possible. Another demonstration of the supremacy of God’s authority, and Jesus’ power as God’s anointed.  This story reminds us that so much more is possible for us as God’s children, if we only can remember that this is who we are!
          People of God, the bullies and tyrants of this world only hold power that we allow them to have.  We also are God’s anointed.  We are responsible for our values, our choices, and our actions in the world. God’s great Love is a powerful weapon – and one we must never abandon or lose sight of.  Love heals.  Love empowers.  Love enriches the lives of our people and of our communities.  Only love can defeat the messengers of hate and fear and discrimination. Only love embodied in people like you and I can do Christ’s work in the world.
          May God’s great Love embolden you to see and express your great gifts for the world.  May that Love inspire you to take on the impossible and to succeed where all around you see only failure.
          As blessed and beloved children of God, let us pick up our crayons and colour a vision of God’s kindom that’s never been imagined before.  Let’s use Love to colour outside the lines.
 
Hymn # 138 MV “My love colours outside the lines”
​

Reflections for Sunday, January 6, 2019 – Epiphany
1st Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 60:1-6  and Psalm 72
Reflection:
          “Arise, shine; for your light has come.”  Isaiah the prophet, said this more than 700 years before the arrival of Jesus into the world.  The prophets of old knew something was coming, that things would change, that the darkness would not forever be the dominant theme of human existence.
          Isaiah had great faith in God – in the triumph of good over evil. His message was one of hope, hope that this great Light that he saw coming would save the world from itself – would lead to a new way of  being in the world – a way that would guarantee great gifts in some form (maybe not camels or gold – tho these were very good symbols for wealth and prosperity in that time). It’s hard, even for some of us, to appreciate the amazing gifts of God that surround and envelope us.  The prophets had to use colourful language to get the message across to people that our God is a god of great abundance.
          And the Psalmist prays for guidance and enlightenment for the king, for the rulers of the people, that they rule with wisdom and fairness, and with care for the weak and marginalized.  In the Light of God’s love there will dawn a new day, and day of justice and equality for all God’s children.
          In the Light that is coming we can recognize the seeds of gratitude, of patience, of justice for all, and of a way of Peace and brotherhood in the world.
          Let me finish this reflection with something Barb sent me.  It’s called “A Good Thought for Every Day”  and I’m sorry, but I don’t know the author.  Here goes:
Every morning I love to take a full glass of gratitude and a spoonful of peace.  Every hour take one pill of patience, one cup of brotherhood and one drink of humility.  Always enjoy taking a dose of love and two caplets of clear conscience,. 
May God give you…for every storm a rainbow.  For every tear a smile.  For every care a promise and a blessing for each trial.  For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share.  For every sigh a sweet song…and an answer for each prayer.
Hymn # 87 VU “I am the Light of the World”
 
2nd Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:1-12 and Matthew 2:1-12
Reflection:
          In his letter to the Ephesians, written from prison, Paul reveals to the Gentiles the great mystery of which he has become the herald.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for the Jews;  it is for the Gentiles too!  The Light that has come into the world is not just for a few, but for the many – for all of humanity. 
          God’s gift to the Gentiles at that time in the biblical world, was Paul of Tarsus.  He was an inspired and impassioned teacher and proclaimer of the truths which had been revealed to him.  He and his followers spread the Light of Christ’s teachings throughout the ancient world.  He was a superb networker and an uncompromising leader. He was not perfect, none of us is, but God uses who God chooses, and he did a remarkable job of spreading the Good News of new and abundant life in Christ.  And the seeds of his work became like a tree of life, spreading throughout the land, helping to grow Christianity into the major force for good that it has become for over 2000 years.
          Our reading from Matthew brings us to Epiphany – which means, by the way, a moment of enlightenment, an AHA moment of great insight, a time when there is revealed a glimpse of Divinity.  The Christ child has been born, the Light of the World has come into the world, the Divine is born in human likeness and will walk among us.
          Matthew wants us to know that this is a very special time, and the story is spectacular!  The wise men from afar have been led by a star to find this special newborn, this “King of the Jews”, the anointed One.
          They bring great gifts, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, all again symbolic of the astounding abundance of our Creator, and they pay homage to God’s Son – as revealed to us in Jesus – an epiphany moment!
          And they do not deny the existence and persistence of evil in the world – evil that will try to destroy that which is of God – that which is good.  They go home by a secret way, so as not to be caught and tortured by Herod to reveal the baby’s whereabouts.
          And what is the message for us in these readings from the New Testament this morning?  I think the message takes us all the way back to the words of the prophet Isaiah:  “Arise, shine; for your light has come.”  The promised Light of the world has come into the world.  We are no longer ignorant, we cannot say we do not know what is of the Light, and what is darkness or evil.  And Isaiah says we have a duty to share what we know – “Arise, shine” – that we are called to shine that Light that has come to us, into the darkness that surrounds us.  We have a duty to speak truth to power, and to demonstrate the Way of Jesus – the supremacy of love in all we do.  We are a force for good, for sharing the abundance of God’s great love for us and for all of creation. Together we can make a difference, each in our small corner, each in our own way.
          Our faith in Jesus and what he taught us gives us new life:  life that is peaceful, life without doubt, life to be lived with courage, and generosity, humility and gratitude.  Leaning into Jesus will give us strength for the journey, and joy in the living of it.  We are a blessed and beloved people.  Thanks be to God for the gift of Jesus.
 
Hymn # 209 MV “Go make a diff’rence”
​