A Batty Post

I have a thing about bats.  The symbol of darkness and death, they fly about in dimly lit skies and lurk in the dark corners of attics and barns. They have beady eyes and fangs that threaten to bite.  They look like flying mice.  They eat dirty bugs and leave behind fungus- and bacteria- laden waste that makes humans sick. They reek of evil and Halloween.  And I heard once that they might get caught in my hair, bite me, or give me rabies. Bats are to be avoided and kept away from my space at all times!  I was taught this as a child and it surely hasn’t changed.  Please don’t tell me otherwise.

I have a thing about bats. I don’t see them unless I look for them, but every night they make my life better by eating thousands of insects.  If I sit quietly at dusk, I can see them flitting about in the darkening sky, quietly calling into the night and gliding as they locate their prey by echo location.  If I listen closely, I can hear their chirpy calls.  If I watch carefully, I can follow them back to their nesting place where their young wait to nurse or to be fed some of the evenings catch.  But I have to look, listen, watch, and wait; and by looking, listening, watching, and waiting – seeking to understand – I find the good these creatures provide for me. By seeking out information and getting to know these creatures, I’ve learned that they rarely carry rabies and even more rarely would bite a person because they are so very afraid of us.  By seeking to understand, I come to a completely different image of bats -- and even an appreciation for them.  I don’t want to find one in my living room, but I will still watch them from a distance with awe and wonder.

We live in a culture that does not seek understanding, struggles to listen to differing ideas, and jumps to conclusions based upon hearsay and “fake news.” In our culture, people get their information from social media rather than personal investigation and seeking to understand.  

We are a culture of fast food and easy answers that allow us to make fast, black-and-white decisions.  We are lucky enough to have the resources to provide ourselves with walls between us and those who are different, have different ideas or traditions, or live without means.  

We can and do so isolate ourselves in echo chambers where we only see and hear the ideas and persuasions that match our own. We feel threatened by what we don’t understand, and there is so much we don’t understand. 

When we isolate ourselves in echo chambers, we silence ourselves from the sources of understanding. Rather than dig for truth, we hear only those things that confirm and justify our fears, and bring us the comfort of feeling right. 

Understanding – and the looking, listening, watching, and waiting required to understand – becomes something we avoid in so that we can remain safely walled within our comfort zones.

Jesus had a habit of breaking down barricaded comfort zones:

•  “You have heard it said…..but I say to you….”  (repeated 5 times in Matthew 5:21-43)
• “turn the other cheek, give them your cloak also, love your enemies….”
• "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' "And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? (Matthew 16)
• “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:42)
• “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! …. Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things….” (Luke 24:25, 27)

H. Richard Niebuhr (Christ and Culture, 1951) wrote that faith is a way of seeing the whole of existence in which we live and move and have our being. He pointed out that we can see things through any of three lenses.  Seen through the lens that the world is against us and hostile to us, we fear we’re all going to die and respond by seeking security to protect ourselves from the all-devouring powers.  Seen through the lens that the world is indifferent to us, we seek out systems that give us meaning and purpose, and we focus on our own well being.  But seen through the lens of world that is gracious, nourishing, and supportive of life, we recognize that this world has brought us into existence and continues to nourish us and we respond with a posture of faith and trust. 

And so, I encourage you to reread those first two paragraphs about bats.  Through which approach do you see life as supportive, gracious, and nourishing?  Read again the scriptures above.  Through which lens was Jesus seeing the world? 

We are called by Christ to live our lives with our eyes wide open, our ears fully engaged, and our minds wondering and expanding in knowledge, faith, and love because God is a the founder of grace, maker of life, and the one who nourishes us on this journey through life.

Base Pace. Push. All Out.

 Base Pace. Push. All Out. 

These are the words I hear in the mornings as a coach at the gym tells us the routine for the workouts. The terms refer to heart rate zones and how fast my heart is beating while I'm on the treadmill or rower. Up on the screen, the background color under my name tells me where I am: Gray - resting, Blue - Moderate Activity, Green - Base Pace, Orange - Push, Red - All Out. Since the gym is all about working out, we focus on the last three. The goal is to spend at least 12 minutes of the hour in the orange and red zones. I'm a bit of an over doer (really?) and my personal goal is to spend at least 24 minutes in that zone each time I work out.

That's fine for the gym and for an hour a day. It is not healthy to stay at that "Push" or "All Out" rate all day. It would be crazy to even try. Everyone and each body needs a time of rest and renewal, to re-tool and recharge.

 The same is true for the Body of Christ. Most of the time, we often operate at blue zone of moderate activity: the weekly schedule of Sunday School, worship, and fellowship. We get into the green zone when we throw in choir and bell rehearsals, meetings, fellowship groups, book club, or Messy Church. We take it up a notch into the Push range when we join a ministry team or committee, or in the weeks when we have special activities - fund raisers, holiday additions of activity, work trips, fellowship events. And, in the last 3 years we've had a couple of All Outs: a flooded church basement twice in 3 weeks, last minute preparations for renters, a huge clean - out of space, a long term remodeling project. This is a healthy balance for a congregation.

When we factor in all the changes that have been made in the last 5 years at FCCLG, all the changes that continually happen in the community and world around us, and the adjustments we've made to adapt to these changes, we have spent a lot of time in the Push zone lately.

We need our "workouts" with the base pace, pushes and all outs. But we also need our gray and blue zones. We need to take intentional time to just let it rest. If we don't take time to "walk it out," we will burn out - or worse, we will get hurt. Rest while still moving is important to the Body of Christ.

Jesus did some intentional base pace time too. He took time to go off by himself and pray, to be alone with God, or just to get away from the crowds. In the blue and green zones, he regenerated himself, and retooled his mind for the coming challenges. Jesus' ultimate grey zone was between Good Friday and Easter morning. He did not just sit and do nothing in this time; he prepared for what was to come on Easter and following.

Traditionally at FCCLG, the summers are our when the church schedule operates in the gray and blue zones and members recharge and retool. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, our Sunday attendance drops in half as many in our congregation spend weekends at summer homes, or doing activities that take them away from church activities. This is healthy and normal so long as we continue to feed our spirits, keep our souls in shape, and be ready for the Push that comes in late August.

So what will you do to stay in good Spiritual shape this summer? Will you worship in churches near your weekend destinations? Make a goal of reading the Bible every day? Pray for each of the people on our Touch list each day? Will you look for the face of God in the faces and hearts of the strangers you meet in your travels? Will you do random acts of kindness for people who least deserve them? Or maybe you will make peace with a long time enemy.

Where ever the travels of your base pace take you, I wish you Godspeed.

For Such a Time as This

We are living in a difficult time in our world where historically stable nations are choosing leaders who are surround themselves with inexperienced and unstable advisors and administrators who appear to lack a genuine interest in the people they serve. This is a time in the life of our own country where we seem to have more interest in serving the two percent than the ninety-eight percent of our own population. When this happens, it's easy for us to forget our covenantal obligations that our own Christian gospel requires of us. As Paul has written,"...When one person suffers, we all suffer. When one person rejoices, we all rejoice..."1 Corinthians 12:26.

In such a time as this, it is all the more important for the church to be present and engaged in the world. We must be a voice in the wilderness, a balm healing, and we must take to heart the words of the prophets and the apostle to be present with the marginal, the rejected, the stranger, and the alien. This is sacred duty that is guided, not by profits or bottom lines, but by compassion, empathy, and acceptance of all. This is the vision of First Congregational Church. 

On Sunday, March 26th, we'll have another opportunity to live into our vision by sharing our gifts for One Great Hour of Sharing. When someone you care about suffers, all your truest words and most loving actions must declare: "I am here!"

The Bible tells us that God is like us in this respect. When one of God's beloved children suffer, God declares, 'I am here.' God hears the cries of the poor and oppressed. The scriptures remind us that we must live our lives in such a way that people know that 'God is here!' God is here in our actions, in our words, in our ministry, and in our worship. The promise, 'I am here!' is a constant refrain from Genesis to Revelation.

When we see the latest tragedy on the news, we might ask, 'where is God?' But we already know the answer before we ask the question - the answer - God is here, in the midst of those who are hurting. When Jesus tells the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, God reveals to us a mystery. God is most tangibly present in this world where people hunger, thirst, lack adequate clothing and shelter, or is sick and/or imprisoned. Christ cares for the suffering. God is present when we feed the hungry, care for the sick, or welcome the stranger. When we care for the least of these, we care for Christ.  

We are living in a difficult time and we need to be present, anywhere in the world, including our own cities and neighborhoods. For those who are suffering, those who are hungry, those who are thirsty, or those who are imprisoned are not people over there or in another place, they are people right here in Chicago, in the suburbs or along the highways and byways of the state that is our home. 

We need to be the tangible gifts that declare the same message as God declares: 'I am here.' By reaching out in this way, we let God's people know that they have not been forgotten. Even when the need seems far from here, by acting together as the body of Christ, we are able to declare, 'I am here! God is here!' Through our special gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing we proclaim a countercultural message that while some may have forgotten you, we, as caring, loving, disciples of Jesus Christ have not. Let us be present with all God's people so that one day we can rejoice together!

Reaching out with joy and compassion!

Fair and Living Wages: A Justice Issue

Scripture teaches us that each person is created in the image of God; we have a responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters - especially those who are working hard to keep their heads above water.

 

Common sense tells us that all human beings get sick. But if a person is forced to work when they are sick due to fear they will lose their job or they will not be able to pay their rent, it diminishes their humanity and puts the public health at risk.

 

Our faith teaches us to share in the abundance of creation, and that all workers are to receive an honest wage for an honest day's work.  In La Grange, the average family income is seven times greater than a minimum wage earner in La Grange. Should we not share our abundance with hard working people?

 

I am concerned about a local movement that would exclude the businesses in La Grange from the Cook County Minimum Wage and Paid Sick Days ordinances -- and any future regional ordinances dealing with the same issues.  There has been very little publicity about this ordinance which will be voted on by the Village Trustees on March 13. Why would La Grange want to be known as a village that takes away rights from workers, the very people who help to make our village so enjoyable?  

 

Will we choose profits or justice for hard working neighbors?  Will some have to choose between putting food on the table or a roof over their heads and their jobs? Will a local employee be forced to choose between staying home with a sick child or with the flu and paying their bills?  To ask our brothers and sisters to make such a choice is unfair to those who serve us food, who decorate and clean village streets, and who take care of our children.  I don't want La Grange to be known for our lack of caring for everyone. Will you help to keep this from happening?

 

I'm putting on my Prophetic Cap and calling upon my sisters and brothers in faith to do the same. Will you join me in this struggle for justice? Will you make a stand for the Realm of God?

 

You can help in three ways:

1. I invite you to join a postcard campaign. There will be postcards available in the Founder's Room and in the back of the Sanctuary to write to the Trustees and voice your opinion of this ordinance. These will be presented to the Trustees at the meeting on March 13.
2. Contact each of the village Trustees and voice your opinions about this ordinance, and ask each where he stands on the issue. (Maybe remind him that there is an election on April 4).  A list of the Trustees and their contact information available here.
3. Join us as we gather to organize before the Village Trustees meeting.  We will gather at 6:30 at First Congregational Church of La Grange. We will walk together to the Village Hall for the meeting. 

Lenten Blessings,

Carly

Discerning

I don't choose the weekly readings from scripture. They are assigned by the Revised Common Lectionary and were chosen on a three year cycle in 1994. Yet the texts for this Sunday contain biting and pointed commentary on our current world situation. 

"Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God.... Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?"    

Isaiah 58:1-2, 6-7 NRSV 

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished." 

Matthew 5:17-18 NRSV

Friends, I do not know what is happening in our country that people who call themselves Christians are ignoring the very heart of that for which Jesus lived and died. I do not understand how we can express love for the fetus but fear the refugee child. I do not know what leads people to live in fear of the outsider and suspicion of those who differ from them. I cannot account for the masses of people who believe that their lives are more important that the lives of others. But I see, hear, and feel it every day.

I hear it in the voices that say they care about the homeless but they just don't want to see them in their neighborhoods lest their property values fall. I see it in the call to close our nation's borders and stop refugees from finding safety within our land. I hear it in the fear and suspicion raised and amplified by leaders. I hear it in people whispering behind the back of the woman wearing a hijab or the man in a turban. And I feel it in the timbre of the nation as we cut off the means of birth control and view health care as a privilege not a right. I feel it in the pulse of a government that puts a leader of a hate group in the position to guide and council our president. These are faith issues, friends. These reflect a people who depend not upon their faith but their own self sufficiency.

Friends, we cannot claim to be followers of Jesus and then choose to ignore Christ's mandate: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Nor his prayer that things shall be "on earth as it is in heaven." Our role as followers of this teacher is to live out the teachings and profess the ways that he taught. Our job as members of the Body of Christ is to actively work to bring God's realm into being. We cannot look out for our own interests before the interests of others.

For Jesus, there are no countries to be conquered, no ideologies to be imposed, no people to be dominated. There are only children, women and men to be loved.

Henri Nouwen 

We are living still in a time when the ideals of our society and the ways of our faith are in conflict with one another. What do you choose? How will you live? These are not rhetorical questions.

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you'd rather serve-and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship God."                                                                           

Joshua 24:15 The Message.

May you be blessed in your discernment.

It is Time to Speak Truth to Power

We each had an ethical decision to make in November. Do you vote for someone who you disagree with on a political or personal level? Well, we had no choice there because no candidate was perfect; so let's move on to which was the bigger threat for justice, equality, and the realm of God. Which candidate put your neighbors and brothers and sisters in the most danger? One who admitted sexually assaulting women, made outright racist comments, did not denounce the endorsement of the KKK? Or the one who did not take good care of emails.

You see, your vote was a choice that put people's safety as women, people of color, those descended from immigrants, people who sought refuge in this county, people with medical challenges, disabled people on the line.  Your vote is a reflection of how much you value truth, transparency, mercy, sexual morality, generosity, and humility.  You chose someone -- said you could live with a leader-- and it reflects who you will follow and what you value.

What does it say about you if you choose someone who acts in ways, says things, and has a history of behavior which is fundamentally against everything Christ taught us about how we treat other people, if your vote negated your regard for every black person, every disabled person, every woman, and every person who voiced disagreement with a politician as less important than your dislike for the other candidates?  To vote for a slanderous, deceptive, merciless, racist, sexually immoral, greedy person is a reflection of who you are and what you value.  To vote for someone for the highest office in the land who you would not want your daughter or grand daughter to have as a mentor is a reflection of your values -- and who you value.

To me it says that my rights, my safety, my well being, and my person are less important, less valuable than what you value. And that, friends, is why I marched on Saturday. To say to you and everyone else that I will not be dismissed as less than human by any politician, any other citizen, any brother or sister in Christ. And I will not allow any other brother or sister human to be treated this way.

I will continue to love and respect my brothers and sisters who love the new political leadership in this country. But I am no longer sure how to relate to you in a personal way. My trust in you has been torn apart by your decision in November.  How can I trust you with my being if you would trust someone who has said and done the things DJT has said and done?

On the other hand, I also thank you. By lifting up a ego-maniacal, unethical man to the highest office in the land, this nation has unleashed the greatest rebellious force since the Civil War. And we just getting started. Along side of my sisters and brothers, I will fight tooth and nail against any policy, decision, law, or action that demeans, belittles, takes away the rights, or denies equality and justice, and equity to ALL people.

We've only just begun to march, to protest, to speak truth to power.

Someone greater than any of us said a long time ago, 

"'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.'...... 

Then he began to say to them, 

“Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'”

This is the year of God's favor. It's time to march.

Torn and Mixed Emotions

I am torn.  If you scroll back through my posts here to 13 years ago, you will find a series of posts from a very painful time in my life and ministry.  So painful, in fact, that I had a heart attack and much illness from the stress of it.  That was a
dark night of the soul for me.

For all these years, I have worked very hard to forgive the person who instigated that pain -- with mixed results.  I have been able to let go of the anger and the pain, to stop letting these control me.  I have been able to move on and learn from the experience.  I have become a different person than I was.

But without resolution, with out justice being served, without this person being held responsible for the wrongs committed, there has not been closure.  It has remained a wound that breaks open and bleeds every time I've encountered this person, every time I've seen this person's name being exalted as a respected leader, every time I've run into a member of the circle of people who protect this person's standing in the community.

From time to time over these years I've encountered others who have experienced similar pain at the hand of this person.   There are between 15 and 20 of us, mostly-- but not all -- women, all professionals.  We were all told we imagined the abuse, that it is not possible that this person could be capable of such abuse, that we have exaggerated the situations.  All of us suffered professional consequences to voicing the abuse aloud.  Amongst us we have shared stories, tears, and anger that this person has remained all these years in positions of authority where they have been able to continue their abusive behavior.  We have comforted one another.  And we have strategized about how to remain outside of the circle of this person. We've remained a loosely organized group of people who know and acknowledge one another, stick together for safety when in gatherings where this person has been present. Largely, we have all moved on with a note of caution and an eye for spotting potential re-occurrences of the this type of abuse.

Progression by David Ho

"Moved on" is a key term.  We all struggle with a lack of closure of these experiences.  We all struggle with a need for justice to have been done.  We all struggle with the pain of this past.  But we step forward in faith refusing to let this pain, this person, define us or our calls and vocations.  Yet we all long for the justice that will bring closure.

We will never know that justice.  The person has died a very unexpected death, alone, and found only after death had fully taken them.  The accolades flowed like mountain streams in social media and in the press.  Expressions of grief and loss pour in from every corner of the church.  This person has become revered saint.

Of course no one will speak ill of the dead.  Of course I have deepest sympathy for the grieving family.  Of course I will not voice my own loss of possible justice.

Yet I am torn.  I have mixed emotions about this shock, this death, this lack of justice, this lack of closure.

And when from the service that celebrated this one's life I heard those words of benediction, "Well done, good and faithful servant," I stifled my guffaws, suppressed my gagging.  And continued on without closure with an old wound reopened.

A Son's Letter: Hope Will Win.

Offensive Faith, Alternative Visions.

I preached some version of this text on August 28, 2016.  It's the first time in this particular congregation I've received multiple "I'm Offended" responses.  Jesus received these responses regularly, so I'm in good company.  I stand by what I've preached as being faithful to the text and the ministry of Jesus.  

Luke 14: 1, 7-14

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”.

The invitations come at least once a month, more often in the late fall and early winter.  They really ramp up in December.  It’s the Gala.  Or the Big Wig Dinner. Or the Lobster Boil… The seats at these dinners start at around $200 – or buy a whole table and bring your friends for just $3000. 

As you enter the venue, you immediately notice the décor:  shiny marble floors, live plants, original art, an extravagant water fountain.  Wait staff take your outer coat in exchange for a ticket.  You are directed to the event.

When you walk into the room, you notice immediately that the host has decked out everything in their very best.  The tables are nicely arranged. Nice china and a striking array of silverware (remember to start at the outside and work your way in). Several glasses of different sizes and shapes are a part of the setting.  Ornate centerpieces decorate each table.

Off to the side there is a table where Champaign is being poured. Anxious but dutiful wait staff carry trays of butlered hors d'oeuvres  (not canapés before dinner).  The social inequality between guests and the wait staff is palpable.

Before dinner, people mill around the room noticing the place cards on each table, -- beautiful people, lovely food. 

Up in front, the raised platform – the Dias where the important and prominent people will be seated on just one side of the rectangular table – this is the mark of influence and status.  The closer you are seated to these important people, the more important you are. 

The program begins and dinner is served.  As the anxious wait staff clear the dishes and pour the coffee, there is some celebratory talk accompanied by polite applause.  There are stories or a video that’s intentionally designed to cause the tension between the heart strings and the wallet to tighten.  And there are pledge cards.

We have the scene of many fundraising situations – the stewardship drive! – Last Sunday's Tea at Plymouth Place, and, today’s gospel story.

Jesus has been invited to the gala hosted by the most prominent of the Pharisees.  Why on earth would Jesus would eat at a Pharisee’s house? They criticized Jesus for blasphemy when he forgave sins, for uncleanness when he ate with sinners!   As dinner begins, the Pharisees watch Jesus carefully. The crowd is anxious to see if he can measure up to this level of social class. 

The table talk is at first polite… who will be the next leader at the village gate? How about that foreigner that took over Eli’s father’s vineyard.  And then it gets awkward.  Jesus speaks. 

“Is it legal to heal on the Sabbath?”

This is not friendly chatter.  This is confrontational.  Jesus is challenging the accepted and cultural interpretation of the Torah.  Then without anyone asking his opinion, Jesus starts to give advice to the other guests about where they should be sitting. And to the host about who should be invited to these parties.  His opinions are contrary to the social conventions of this crowd and show disregard for the tradition. 

Surely you know someone who has thrown this type of fire bomb into a conversation.  And it’s never comfortable.  People who ask questions that shake the status quo are rarely welcome in any setting.  As one person said, “they are arsonists in the hospitality forest^[i].  They delight in watching social situations become conflagrations.”    They don’t get invited back. 

Can you hear the disciples trying to hush Jesus?  “Com’on Jesus, this dinner is hosted by an influential person. He could be tapped to finance this ministry and give it some status in Israel.  Just be friendly, keep your elbows off the table, and politely eat these appetizers – Just fit in!  Be like them so we can benefit from what they have!”

But everyday of living in faith calls us to ask – or be asked – confrontational questions. 

?      Why do Christians attack people who don’t believe as you do?

?      Why is that Christian leader kowtowing to the whims of that political party? 

?      If you follow a person who claims that God is love, why are you not speaking out against hate crimes?

?      Why is the church silent about gun violence, injustices against people of color, degradation of women?

?      Why won’t you deal with your fear of discussing sex and sexuality and stop dehumanizing LGBTQ people?

?      If you worship the God of creation, why are you not doing more to defend the earth from destruction in the name of corporate greed?

Jesus was politely invited to this gala, watches how things are being done, and promptly offers unasked-for advice all the while he knows full well that he is offending every social grace of the day.  He saw how everyone there jockeyed for the best seats near the dais where they can see and be seen by the important people of the day.  He butts into the conversation and offers an alternative reality for those who are driven by status:  Humility. 

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host;”

Don’t assume you are the best. Don’t assume you have the only correct vision of reality.  Don’t seek out the recognition of others for your correctness. 

That’s an alternative reality butting against the face of a culture that does not want to hear it.  It’s impolite to raise a different perspective of reality to someone who benefits from the current culture; surely the Pharisees and those present in that dinner party expected to measure Jesus by their culture, their understanding of the world, and their standards of expected behavior.  And that did not include humility.  And it certainly did not include inviting those of lesser social status to a meal!

We too face this dilemma.  Our cultural system is at its core in favor of the dominance of EuroAmerican, white, English speaking, “Christian” power structures.  We live in a culture that is as resistant to changes in this structure as the Pharisees were in their day – after all, it favors us, it shapes us, it therefore reflects us.

In Waking Up White, Debby Irving relates a story. 

My family believed that if you don’t have anything nice to say, you don’t say anything at all.  The resulting behavior showed up as silence or swift change of topic in mid-conversation.  People who “pushed” the conversation were thought of as poorly raised and ignorant.  By being socialized not to seek out or listen to perspectives that might conflict with mine set me up to shut out or shut down the experiences of people of color as told by people of color.  Meanwhile, throughout my life the image of happy, thriving white people set against struggling people of color repeated itself in books and media.  The imbalance fed and fed again my misinterpretation of what as normal and superior.”^[ii]

Indeed, Jesus is now seen by the host and the religious leaders as poorly raised and ignorant.  They too were socialized to NOT listen to perspectives that conflict with their own – to shut down the experiences and perspectives of people different from their own.  And, having been raised in that culture, they had grown to see it as normal and superior.

And we are in the same boat when it comes to our innate White Privilege.

In August 9^th’s Christian Century, William Lamar puts it this way:

{Humility} is a profoundly un-American impulse. 

I'm going to interrupt this quote.  In using the term "American," Lamar is showing ethocentricity. America goes from Canada to Argentina. We are Americans, but so are Mexicans and Brazilians and Canadians. It is less ethnocentric to say USAmerican. To say we're American and Mexicans are not is an over extension of our nationalism. So I'm going to edit this quote as I read it.  

This nation is not humble. USAmericans assume that USAmerican political, economic, and foreign policy prescriptions will fix a world much older and often much wiser. Many USAmerican churches—which often seem more USAmerican than Christian—lack humility as well. Chauvinism animated their theological forebears to take the faith of the wrongfully convicted Executed One and use it as a tool for plunder. A similar chauvinism is evident in their own dog-whistling around Muslims, immigrants, sexual minorities, and black and brown people. God knows USAmerica and many of her churches need Jesus’s unsolicited advice.^[iii]

Why does Jesus have to stir up trouble? Why does he criticize people who invite him into their homes? Why can’t Jesus leave a pleasant enough dinner party well enough alone? It is because Jesus understands what is at stake. For him, the reality is that the rectangular table around which the culture of the Pharisees have created their culture excludes the very children of God that they were called to center their life and ministry upon.  The reality of a cultural system that by its very nature elevates some and excludes others is unjust and does not reflect the realm of God. In the culture of God’s realm, there is no need to jockey for position, because all are equally welcome. There are no throwaways when it comes to human beings. Christians are to honor the least among us—the poor and marginalized. The very culture that the Pharisees created -- and that then defined reality for them and their identities -- seeks to exclude those who don’t fit into the created culture. 

Jesus spoke a different reality, gave unsolicited advice on how to turn the dominate culture into God’s preferred reality.  Of course it wasn’t heard with open ears – too much was at stake!  Of course it was not practical – because rationality is based upon the culture from which it is derived.  Jesus turns the reality of the Pharisees on its head.  For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Rev. LaMar writes,

We need the imagination to see beyond what exists. We are not called to be practical. We are called to be the vanguard of a new world, a world where humility is the means of exaltation and quid pro quo is replaced by sola gratis.^[iv]

As disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, we are commanded to examine carefully the culture we call “normal.”  We are commanded to seek out, listen to, and seek to understand the narratives of those who have a different perspective, a different experience of reality, a different identity – and to reconcile our “normal” with the vision of God’s round table.  

Ask the questions:

?      Why do we attack people who don’t believe as you do?

?      Why do we kowtow to the whims of this or that political party? 

?      If we follow a person who claims that God is love, why are we not speaking out against hate crimes?

?      Why are we silent about gun violence, injustices against people of color, degradation of women?

?      Why don’t we deal with our fear of discussing sex and sexuality and stop dehumanizing LGBTQ people?

?      Why are we not doing more to defend the earth from destruction in the name of corporate greed?

?      Why are we acting as legs to hold up a rectangular table instead of welcoming all to God’s Round Table?

Our General Minister John Dorhauer put this more explicitly.  Look at the back of your bulletin.  Read. Imagine.  Be the Church.
(Posted as Graphic below the endnotes)

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[i] Source unknown, possibly David Lose.

[ii] Debby Irving, Walking Up White: Finding Myself In the Story of Race,  Cambridge MA:  Elephant Room Press, 2014;  p65.

[iii] William H. LaMar IV, LIVING BY THE WORD  August 28, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Christian Century, Aug 09, 2016, accessed online: http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2016-07/august-28-22nd-sunday-ordinary-time

[iv] Ibid

Nydan dell' Amore Vero Sather, 9 years, 7 months.

Nydan dell' Amore Vero was born January 25, 2007, Sugarbear of EC Leonardo Rosa Glauca CZ  (European Champion) and GIC Annamaria dell' Amore Vero Grand Champion in the home of Drazenka Jurisic in Greece as part of the 7th litter of dell' Amore Vero Breeders of fine Russian Blues.  He was the sire of numerous champion Russian Blue litters under the care of Big Creek Cattery in Kansas City, Missouri USA  until retirement in January, 2011.

In early 2012, Nydan became Royal Owner of one Judy Sather of Waverly Ohio. His daily routine included awakening Judy each morning, rearranging Judy's coif, riding on the seat of the walker, being dutifully swathed in human arms, and taking numerous naps upon the throne of a warm lap.  He loved his human subject dearly and brought great joy to Judy and all who met him.

Nydan will be remembered as one who welcomed all human subjects to his palace, warmly embraced all who scritched his ears, entertained the avian masses who visited his feeders, and dutifully watched for invaders from under the refrigerator.

After several years of persevering through illness, and with the good care and love of his human Judy, Nydan is now free from his suffering. Nydan’s beautiful personality, his loyalty, and his charm will be painfully missed. We love you Nydan and because of your love, we have known even more joy. Thank you Nydan, Sugarbear, sweet Russian Blue. We will miss you.

Kick, Stroke, Breathe, Change Direction

I can find any number of distractions from getting certain things done.  I sat down to write this  column…. oh look, my desk needs to be cleaned off.  Oh, I need to call so and so about visiting next week.  Oh, I need to complete such and such before that meeting next week. Oh, another email just arrived – I wonder if so and so responded to my question.  Did I make that change in next week’s worship bulletin?  Did I get those plans done for the Women’s Retreat?  Oh my, there’s a text message from Dan saying he’s left his office and will be home in an hour…oh my, how did it get to be 5:30 already.  What did I get done today?!

I’m not always a procrastinator; I primarily put off things that I’m not certain about.  I’m at the gym and swimming by 5:30 every morning.  I’m confident about my ability to swim laps while pacing my breathing, knowing to watch ahead of me so I can flip over at the end of the pool to change direction.  I know when I need to swim on my back so I can slow down my breathing and let my heart rest a bit.  I instinctively know when my 45 minutes of pool time is over and it’s time to move on with the day. I have a solid handle on the pace of this routine: kick, stroke, breathe, kick, stroke, breathe, kick stroke, breathe, change direction, kick, stroke, breathe.

Once I’m out of my routine, outside my comfort zone, or creating a new pattern, I struggle to focus and be productive. Patterns and routines help us to stay on task, to work toward the visions and goals we’ve set.  Kick, stroke, breathe, kick, stroke, breathe, kick stroke, breathe, change direction, kick, stroke, breathe. The pattern keeps me moving forward through the water and through time toward the end goal.

What are your thoughts about the future?  Have you ever wondered what your life will be like in 5 years? Ten years?  Twenty-Five years?  It’s difficult to make plans when we don’t know what else will be happening in the world around us.  Yet each of us has an idea of what we’d like to happen.  We have hopes, dreams, and often a vision for the future.  What are the patterns we need to develop to get there?  Are we kicking toward the future, or putting it off, distracted by this moments whims?  Are we taking time to breathe in God’s Spirit so we can regain our sense of direction and re-orient ourselves toward the goal?  Are we making strokes that are productively moving us or just waving our arms? 

Kick, stroke, breathe, kick, stroke, breathe, change direction, kick, stroke, breathe.

In our congregation, we’ve worked through the basics of swimming in these unknown waters of the 21^st Century: the Alban Plan has filled the pool with hopeful waters and provided excellent orientation and direction; our staff, leadership, and ministry teams are working together to make efficient strokes that propel us forward to the goals of healthy, life-giving ministries that move us to be the voices for grace-filled justice and extravagant love; engaging opportunities to nurture and grow faith; and a plan for a self-sustaining building so that our resources can be put into reaching out to others.  And worship offers us the breath and revitalization to nourish our bodies and rest our souls.

Kick, stroke, breathe, kick, stroke, breathe, change direction, kick, stroke, breathe.

Wait, change direction?  The future of Christianity requires us to keep swimming and constantly change direction. We will need to take our heads out of the water, look around to see where we are, take a deep breath, and redirect ourselves toward God’s future so we don’t knock our heads against the wall. If we don’t take time to breathe in God’s Spirit, we will drown in these moving waters. We need to lift our heads above the surface and breathe deeply of God’s life-giving Spirit so that we have the energy to turn ourselves around again and again. 

Kick, stroke, breathe, kick, stroke, breathe, change direction, kick, stroke, breathe.

In the heat of this August day, I invite you to take the plunge with me.  Let’s move back into the waters of growing faith – Accepting All, Reaching Out, and Touching Lives – breathing in God’s guidance as we go.

The Fluid of Life

So it has begun.  I walked into the lab and they took all the information they would take if I were donating blood.  In fact, except that some people were receiving liquids via their veins, it looks like any blood bank set-up to me.   

There were the usual "blood donation questions:   have I been out of the country and to where, have I been "around" any people with HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis, how much water I'd had in the last 24 hours and if I had taken the prescribed aspirin, and which arm would I prefer the needle go into.  As I climbed up on the bench/recliner, I thought of the many times I'd given blood and asked myself if this could be any different. 

Somewhere in my dresser, I have a 10 gallon blood donation pin from the Red Cross.  But it has been over 13 years since I've given blood.  I remember that last time: it was in Mount Airy, Maryland at the gym where we were members.  We'd joined the gym not only for the health benefits, but because it was a great place to network as part of our planting a new church.  I was the last pint of the day.  In those days, they pricked the finger and used a pipette to gather the precious drops and placed them into a test tube of blue liquid to watch the rate at which they descended to the bottom.  If it moved fast enough, your iron count was sufficient and you could give blood.   Mine dropped like a lead balloon -- as it always had.  Looking back, that was evidence of what is now a marked reality: I had too much iron in my blood.  Six months later, I had a heart attack.  Yet another bit of evidence of what is now reality:  When the fluid of life contains too much of a good thing -- Iron overload -- the heart, pancreas, and liver try to hoard it and cause life threatening problems. Heart medications brought an end to my donation days which in turned added to my system hoarding the iron and causing further problems. 

Looks like a Donation setup.

The lab tech made small talk as he scrubbed my arm.  "Just a small pinch."  The needle was in place and the "phlebotomy" was underway.  That's such a strange word: from the Greek roots for vein cutting.  In other parts of the world, it's called "venesection" from the Latin roots of the same words.  Both feel like misnomers to me.  What they are doing involves cutting the vein, but only to extract its contents: iron rich fluid of life.

I'd never had any issues with blood donation. I was always on and off the table in less than 15  minutes. It seemed my blood was anxious to leave my body and move on to give life to someone else.  But not this time.  Despite my faithfully pumping that sponge ball, the blood was slow to descend to the collection unit.  Formerly bright red, it now has a brown tinge to it.  My veins are filled with the mud of irony existence.  Like my "older" body, the substance of life is slow to move, harder to bring into new possibilities.  I drank 2 quarts of water while pumping the sponge ball in the hope that more liquid will help move it along; it only increased my need to get off the table.  Adding to the urgency, I was nauseous and had a pounding headache. 

After an hour of trying to reach to goal of 750 ml, the technician said it is time to give up; next time will go better.  Ironically, when he removed the needle, we had a difficult time getting the vein to stop bleeding.

I set up another appointment for a week later. I sat in their waiting area drinking water and snacking on a bag of salty corn chips.  I hoped I would feel better in time to make dinner at home.  I did my best to make a healthy supper for the two of us.  Then I collapsed into my recliner and struggled to stay awake through the evening's television shows.  

And so it begins, this journey toward "management" of my hemochromatosis, a chronic blood disorder.  I wish I could say I feel better already.  I can't.  I'm tired.  My brain, while having moments of clarity, feels like there's a haze of thick fog between my present and my objectives.  When the haze does lift, I'm overwhelmed by the need to accomplish everything only to have the haze fall deeply and thickly again.  

I long for the day when I will have the energy to climb to the third floor of the house and work on my wood projects, when I will feel like I can go to the gym and still make it through the rest of the day, when I will again see musical notation and hear it in my head, when I will have a long enough moment of clarity to write a thought provoking article or sermon.  

But for now, these are the goals toward which I journey. For now, I can just place one foot in front of the other and make progress in that general direction.  For now, I will lean upon those who journey with me in love, who help to lighten my load, and who are my fluid of life:  Love.   

 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.