My arms and shoulders are a little tired this week from trying to hold back the mighty assault of Christmas commercials and Christmas carols. Yes, that confession is bound to surprise some of you who know that one of the playlists on my iPod is called "Christmas," and it's not uncommon for those Christmas songs to show up in the recently played list. I love all things Christmas, always have.
Please understand, this is not going to be a diatribe against commercialism or an exhortation to hold the line on Christmas cards, Christmas carols, Christmas trees, and Christmas parties against the more trendy and supposedly politically correct "Holiday" this and that or "Winter" this and that. I'm not one of those people who is worried that we're not doing enough to protect God from consumerism. I trust that after eternity plus 2,000 years, God can take care of God's self. I trust that after 2,000 years, Christ is quite capable of keeping himself in Christmas. I'm not even criticizing the merchants who depend on exceptional sales in December to have a profitable year.
No, no, no. I'm not on a rampage. My concern is much simpler.
I'm not afraid about losing Christmas. I'm afraid about losing Thanksgiving.
Not once have I heard "Over the River and Through the Woods" playing in the background of a television commercial. Not once have I heard a radio station asking for people to create Thanksgiving baskets for hungry families. But I have heard dire warnings about what will happen to families that don't have presents under their Holiday Trees!
Look over this week's scripture reading. Doesn't it read like a love letter? An extravagant invitation to feast upon the gifts of God?
I invite each one of you to come worship with us this weekend and offer thanksgiving to our loving, generous God. Then the next week you'll find the sanctuary transformed by Advent colors and cloths and lush greenery. But don't let that fool you.
Though our attention will have turned toward Christmas, we will still be celebrating Thanksgiving--for the greatest gift ever given.
Thanks Be to God!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
God's Closet
If you grew up going to Sunday School like I did, you probably heard the story of the three servants and their talents many times. You probably listened to admonishments not to squander your God given talents. Some of you might have even heard teachers caution you against using your talents in any pursuit that wasn't "holy" or "Godly." Do you remember the criticism Amy Grant endured when she turned from contemporary Christian to popular music?
I don't want to debate those lessons this week, but I do want to broaden the discussion a little. Two things have captured my attention as I've studied this week's Gospel lesson from Matthew. First, I've been struck by the realization of how much money a talent actually is. You see, ever since I was a child I've accepted the interpretation that this parable is about our faithful use of our skills and abilities. No one ever stressed the literal interpretation of this parable and the fact that a talent was equivalent to about 15 years of wages! One of the servants in this parable received an amount of money equal to a full 15 years' wages, another the equivalent of 30 years' wages, and the third an amount equivalent to 75 years' wages. This parable is much more than a child's bedtime story about using the talents God has given us. The stakes in this story are exceptionally high, and I think we should delve into that a bit.
Second, I'm troubled by the end of the scripture. Along with being told that this parable was about skills and abilities, I was taught that the wealthy "master" in the story represented God. This troubles me on two levels. First, it troubles me because the third servant characterizes the master as cruel, and harsh-someone to be feared. Second, it troubles me because the master's response to the third servant is terrifying. "You wicked and lazy slave!" he explodes. Later the master says to the others, "For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Mercy! Where's the grace in that?
I invite you to study this passage during the week and ask God to illuminate the text and the meaning as you study. You might even find it helpful to compare Matthew's version of the parable to Luke's version in Luke 19:11-27. As you pray your way through the passage, I encourage you to share your thoughts and questions with me. It's always a blessing to hear from you!
May God Bless and Keep You,
I don't want to debate those lessons this week, but I do want to broaden the discussion a little. Two things have captured my attention as I've studied this week's Gospel lesson from Matthew. First, I've been struck by the realization of how much money a talent actually is. You see, ever since I was a child I've accepted the interpretation that this parable is about our faithful use of our skills and abilities. No one ever stressed the literal interpretation of this parable and the fact that a talent was equivalent to about 15 years of wages! One of the servants in this parable received an amount of money equal to a full 15 years' wages, another the equivalent of 30 years' wages, and the third an amount equivalent to 75 years' wages. This parable is much more than a child's bedtime story about using the talents God has given us. The stakes in this story are exceptionally high, and I think we should delve into that a bit.
Second, I'm troubled by the end of the scripture. Along with being told that this parable was about skills and abilities, I was taught that the wealthy "master" in the story represented God. This troubles me on two levels. First, it troubles me because the third servant characterizes the master as cruel, and harsh-someone to be feared. Second, it troubles me because the master's response to the third servant is terrifying. "You wicked and lazy slave!" he explodes. Later the master says to the others, "For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Mercy! Where's the grace in that?
I invite you to study this passage during the week and ask God to illuminate the text and the meaning as you study. You might even find it helpful to compare Matthew's version of the parable to Luke's version in Luke 19:11-27. As you pray your way through the passage, I encourage you to share your thoughts and questions with me. It's always a blessing to hear from you!
May God Bless and Keep You,
Monday, November 10, 2008
Veterans of Foreign Wars
I hope you're planning to worship with us this weekend. Along with singing, sharing the Word, and celebrating communion together, we will also honor our military veterans by, among other things, having veterans process in the U.S. flag and the flags of the different branches of the military.
We know that our LGBT brothers and sisters who have served in the military have most often done so with even greater risk and greater personal sacrifice than our straight brothers and sisters. Many of them have "served in silence," and many of them have received silence or censure instead of thanks after their service. We hope all of you who have served or still actively serve in our military will come to church this weekend and allow us to recognize you for your commitment. Invite your friends, too, especially if they are LGBT veterans who have never been publically honored before.
In preparation for worship, I invite all of you to read Joshua 24:1-18 and spend time reflecting on the intentionality, commitment, risk, and rewards of your own service. Truly, in your life, whom or what do you serve? Do you serve God? In what ways? What is your motivation? Does your service to God serve others? Does it have an effect on you? If you'll spend some time answering these questions, you'll be ready when I ask them again in worship, and you'll be able to follow me as I share with you my belief that all of us, civilian and military alike, are "Veterans of Foreign Wars."
Peace...
We know that our LGBT brothers and sisters who have served in the military have most often done so with even greater risk and greater personal sacrifice than our straight brothers and sisters. Many of them have "served in silence," and many of them have received silence or censure instead of thanks after their service. We hope all of you who have served or still actively serve in our military will come to church this weekend and allow us to recognize you for your commitment. Invite your friends, too, especially if they are LGBT veterans who have never been publically honored before.
In preparation for worship, I invite all of you to read Joshua 24:1-18 and spend time reflecting on the intentionality, commitment, risk, and rewards of your own service. Truly, in your life, whom or what do you serve? Do you serve God? In what ways? What is your motivation? Does your service to God serve others? Does it have an effect on you? If you'll spend some time answering these questions, you'll be ready when I ask them again in worship, and you'll be able to follow me as I share with you my belief that all of us, civilian and military alike, are "Veterans of Foreign Wars."
Peace...
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