Are We There Yet?

I  think that every child who has been on a road trip has asked this from the back seat of the car.  Family legend has it that my sister once said, “I enjoyed the drive, but can we take the short way home?”  In those days, there was no short way to get to the Okanagan from Vancouver; the 6 1/2 hour drive, including the winding road up the Hope-Princeton Highway was the only way.

Oh, how tired we get in the waiting!  Perhaps my own tendency towards impatience was born on these road trips.

These days I’m on a different kind of road trip, a journey of transformation.  Jesus is the driver and I’m trying to be patient.  I keep asking “How long?  How long?”, and trying to wrestle the wheel from him.   

Some days I don’t even know where we are going.  I keep turning to the bible, like some kind of road map, and I am comforted by the words that tell me how much God loves me.  In this love I place my trust.

This week’s scripture speaks of the waiting and the love:

Romans 8. 22-28, 38

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

I hope you can join us this Sunday to hear stories of the transformation road trip.  I’d love to hear your stories too.  What are some of the ways God is transforming you?  How is he doing it?

Only God could say what this new spirit

gradually forming within you will be.

Give Our Lord the benefit of believing

that his hand is leading you,

and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself

in suspense and incomplete. 

—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, excerpted from Hearts on Fire

Image eberhard grossgasteiger Pexels.com

What If We Don’t Have the Words to Pray?

The Trinity, by Andrei Rublev

I admire people who speak more than one language. Some days, when I try to pray, I can barely speak one!  

It makes it pretty hard to have a conversation with God.  I can't even say how I feel, let alone what I might need.  And then there are all the shoulds heaped on me over the years - I should begin with thanks, I should not treat God like a vending machine, etc., etc.  All those rules can make things more difficult.

One day this week I had no words, only sighs too deep for words. I sat, read some scripture and sat some more, now feeling that I was sitting in God's presence..feeling his love.  

God's Spirit, who knows us better than we know ourselves, knows what you and I need, keeps us present before God, and prays for us.  That is pretty amazing. 

This Spirit is who Jesus referred to when he said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” (John 14:16 NIV)

I can only thank God for this advocate, this friend, who does all this for me when I can't. God loves us so much that he did this for us. And Jesus asked God to do that.  That’s amazing too!

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, when we focus on the mystery of this three-in-one God, and his great love for us.  Here are our readings for this week: 

Acts 2. 43-45  MSG

Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.  They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.

 

John 17. 20-23  MSG

I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them,
So they’ll be as unified and together as we are—
I in them and you in me.
Then they’ll be mature in this oneness,
And give the godless world evidence
That you’ve sent me and loved them
In the same way you’ve loved me.

  

Romans 8:26-27 (NRSV)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

I hope to see you on Sunday.

The power of God’s words works as leaven in the heart, awakening us to a personal experience of the presence of God that Scripture reveals. The Scriptures are one long love letter from God. Each verse tells the story of the love that perpetually calls us to itself….  James Finley

What are You Battling these Days?

Battleground metaphors are not my favorite spiritual metaphor; I am more drawn to the peace of still waters than to weaponry. But I was reading this week that the purpose of the Jewish festival of Pentecost is for God to give us power.  And the power of Christ requires some different language than the peace of Christ does.  

We have been reading during Easter about the times that the risen Christ appeared and said, "Peace to you."  Now, on Pentecost Sunday, we turn to power:

Acts 2:1-4 NRSV

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

The languages given to the disciples would enable them to witness to the end of the earth, as promised earlier in Acts:

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Acts 1:4-8). 

What else can power do?  As we sometimes sing in the African American spiritual, whatever you are fighting today, God'll fight your battles, if you just keep waitin'. 

O Church arise and put your armour on

Hear the call of Christ our Captain

For now the weak can say that they are strong

In the strength that God has given

With shield of faith and belt of Truth

We’ll stand against the devil’s lies

An army bold whose battle cry is love

Reaching out to those in darkness  - Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Which Parts of this Story Stand Out to You?

 

The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road by James Tissot

Luke 24:13-35

That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem.  They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel.                                                                      

And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.  Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” 

Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.   

Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”  

They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”  

Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread. 

As I read this story slowly, out loud, I was watching Jesus. He walked with two disciples and talked with them, probably for about an hour.  First, he listened carefully to what they were concerned about.  Once he knew what was on their minds and what they needed help with, he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

That’s a lot of time and a lot of scripture to explain!  Is God inviting us into that kind of relationship?

I also noticed that it was only when they broke bread together, did they recognize him as the Risen Christ.  And then he disappeared!  Is that how we recognize Jesus, in hindsight, after He has  walked beside us and helped us to understand and cope with a very difficult trial?

Our journey of Eastertide began at the tomb, and ends this week, gathering at The Lord's Table once again. We will immerse ourselves in this story of disciples like us, who were on the road, grappling with things that had happened to them, and all the emotions they felt.  

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”  ― Frederick Buechner, Now and Then

Isn’t Peace What We All Want?

As we continue to celebrate Easter, we return on Sunday to the disciples’ interaction with the risen Christ:

John 20 MSG

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

I notice that Jesus, feeling the disciples' fear, and wanting SO strongly for them to let go of this fear, says “Peace to you” twice in the same conversation.  

Why are the disciples so fearful?  Do they not trust Jesus and believe all the things that he had told them?  Could this mistrust have anything to do with sin?

“St. Ignatius of Loyola notes that sin is unwillingness to trust that what God wants is our deepest happiness. Until I am absolutely convinced of this, I will do everything I can to keep my hands on the controls of my life, because I think I know better than God what I need for fulfillment.” David Benner

Notice that once the disciples see Jesus with their own eyes and realize it is Jesus, they are filled with awe rather than fear.  Understanding this, Jesus adds to his blessing of peace an instruction to go and make peace with others…to forgive others.

Now they have another challenge, and one that we often face in our own relationships.  What might peace look like, when they (or we) are not ready to forgive?  

It might help to remind ourselves of what Jesus said on the cross, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.”  Perhaps forgiving others is not condoning their behaviour, but rather releasing OURSELVES from our feelings of anger towards them.  

Sometimes, in the middle of our fears and feelings, all we can do is to receive his peace. We may not feel it, but he offers it over and over. As many times as we need to hear it. 

I hope to see you on Sunday when we will meet with the Spirit “to mend the body, mind and soul, to disentangle peace from pain and let him make his broken people whole.” (apologies to John Bell).

What Does Jesus Show Us About Trusting God?

 

The Upper Room, 2014

This week we return with the disciples to the Upper Room, to experience stories about believing.

John 20. 19-31

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting:  “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We saw the Master.”

But he said, “Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won’t believe it.”

Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”

Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”

Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”

Jesus provided far more God-revealing signs than are written down in this book. These are written down so you will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and in the act of believing, have real and eternal life in the way he personally revealed it.

In this world that teaches us to believe the lies that we have to be successful, right, independent, and in control, what does Jesus show us about trusting God instead?

As I read this passage, I notice Jesus focusing his attention on Thomas. I don't see any blame or shame, only love. He patiently guides Thomas to touch and to believe. Perhaps he's saying to us, "it's OK to doubt. I love you anyway. I'll show you how to believe."

Thomas found out first hand about Jesus' love and patience with him.  Jesus helped him to believe by guiding him to the thing that Thomas needed, not anyone else, but Thomas. Jesus knew Thomas so well that he guided Thomas to seeing and touching. 

Jesus knows each of us this well too. For example, when we doubt that he will work things out for us, we can ask him to show us the places in our lives where he has been active, and he will show us.  He is patient with us; he knows that transformation takes time.

Some of you have shared your deep trust in God with me over the years.  I remember these conversations warmly, and things you have said have been very helpful to me.  Thank you. 

Have You Been Transformed?

Now that Lent, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are fading into the past, have you been transformed?  Have you been able to let go of the need to be right, successful, independent, or in control?  Are you better able to really understand FEAR as a Falsehood Experienced As Reality?  If you feel like you're only part way there, know that you are not alone and that our God of infinite patience and love will carry us through to the other side. 

I may have learned a few things during Lent, but have I really let go of the need to be right, independent and in control?  Perhaps I, and maybe you, need more time…

I wonder how the disciples felt after the resurrection?  Puzzled, reassured, discombobulated, out of control?  Let's watch them return to the comfort of their old patterns:

John 21. 1-14  MSG

After this, Jesus appeared again to the disciples, this time at the Tiberias Sea (the Sea of Galilee)  This is how he did it: Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the brothers Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter announced, “I’m going fishing.”

The rest of them replied, “We’re going with you.”   They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night. When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.  

Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?”

They answered, “No.” 

He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.” 

They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in. 

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!”

When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea. The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish. When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it. 

Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.”  Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish!  And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip. 

Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master. 

Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus had shown himself alive to the disciples since being raised from the dead.

The disciples returned to their old way of life, and Jesus met them and fed them yet again. And so it is for us…we will return again to the Lord's Table on Sunday; I hope that you can join us.

PS  I found these writings about transformation comforting, as I live into my own slow, post-resurrection attempt.

On the day you cease to change you cease to live. - Anthony de Mello, SJ

If you’re feeling a little restless, a little unfinished, or a little spiritually bruised, you’re not broken. You’re just being honest. And that’s a very good place to begin. - Kate Bowler

Patient Trust

Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new.

And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time.

And so I think it is with you;
your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on,
as though you could be today what time
(that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will)
will make of you tomorrow.

Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
in suspense and incomplete.  —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, excerpted from Hearts on Fire

Image by Freepik