My sister recently sent to me the notes of a sermon she had just offered in the Ottawa congregation. Great message! And I'm not about to give it all to you in this blog post; a good sermon is what is delivered in the congregation on the day it's given. If you were there, you were blessed by it I'm sure.
But there was a line that caught my attention. I've been sitting on it, letting it percolate, considering what -- if anything -- to do with it. Maybe this week when we've been thinking about preventing child abuse, of ending domestic violence or listening to news of new troops advancing or corrupt elections or the leaked secrets of trusted officialdom is the right time to come back to it.
The sentence I grabbed out of the midst of that Advent sermon was this: Jesus only raised his hand in blessing or in protest. That's it. It stopped me short.
Here we are in the midst of Advent, the "waiting season" and this thought just catches me. We await the coming of Jesus, fully human, fully divine, that great paradox and along with it comes this notion of the fully human Jesus raising his hand.
How often do we excuse even small acts of violence, a slap, a harsh word, an icy glare or injudicious gesture, with the words "I'm only human"?
So might we expect that the fully human Jesus might have fired off a smack with the back of his hand or a gruff toned remark some time when one or other of his only-too-human colleagues did one more stupid thing? But no! Apparently not.
Only in blessing or in protest did he raise his hand.
"Forbid them not."
"Don't stop me Peter; I must wash your feet too."
"Allow her to use her precious perfume. Don't exclude her."
"You have made my house a den of thieves."
"He who lives by the sword will die by the sword."
Where are the injustices that still endure? What would Jesus be protesting today? Where must I draw the line? It's up to me now to either bless or to protest. May I have the wisdom and the courage to do the right thing.
Posted by Marion
Showing posts with label Advent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advent. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Straight
Today I drove straight down Victoria avenue and back--that's right straight both ways! It's been months, maybe years since that has been possible! Our town has been, still is, experiencing a great deal of construction work. We've benefited hugely from the infrastructure stimulus spending of the past year or so. So much so that it has been virtually impossible to get from here to there without navigating through detours, around construction sites, heavy machinery, flag people, teeth-shattering potholes or huge step-downs or step-ups between levels of asphalt pavement dips and rises.
You know that sign "Expect delays" ? Well we did, and we do. It isn't over yet as relatively mild weather makes it possible for several projects to just keep going.
Nevertheless, some things are getting finished! Our Stevenson & Speedvale intersection was completed in time for Mission Conference. The hospital corner at Delhi and Eramosa is open, with some cosmetics to be completed--according to the sign that tells passers-by "We're working on our inner beauty."
We have many of these comforting signs as our city administrators have hired a public relations firm to put these messages of encouragement in the midst of a city torn up and making our driving life miserable.
All this is a long story about what I set out to share. As I was driving down this newly paved and smooth thoroughfare I was singing to myself that wonderful song from Handel's Messiah Comfort Ye My People especially the parts about the crooked straight, and the rough places plain...
This time of Advent, this season of waiting, may feel like a city under construction. So many rough places, so many crooked ways, so much to do, such a long time to suffer without comfort. And yet we wait.
Sitting in a detour or awaiting release from a traffic delay we might be muttering grumpily about what we should be doing, could be doing, ought to be doing. Or we could be reflecting in this moment of grace, provided freely with nothing at all to do but wait.
Advent is meant to be a time of reflection, of meditation and self-examination. It lasts four weeks for good reason. Sometimes it takes that long to shake us out of our normal habits and attitudes. Advent comes at the darkest time of the year. We, with Handel, may spend some time in the writings of Isaiah, remembering that even in our times of exile God is with us, remembering us even when we forget.
Be comforted. But don't be in too big a hurry. The way will be made straight, the rough places plain in God's good time. Slow down so you don't rattle your bones.
Posted by Marion
You know that sign "Expect delays" ? Well we did, and we do. It isn't over yet as relatively mild weather makes it possible for several projects to just keep going.
Nevertheless, some things are getting finished! Our Stevenson & Speedvale intersection was completed in time for Mission Conference. The hospital corner at Delhi and Eramosa is open, with some cosmetics to be completed--according to the sign that tells passers-by "We're working on our inner beauty."
We have many of these comforting signs as our city administrators have hired a public relations firm to put these messages of encouragement in the midst of a city torn up and making our driving life miserable.
All this is a long story about what I set out to share. As I was driving down this newly paved and smooth thoroughfare I was singing to myself that wonderful song from Handel's Messiah Comfort Ye My People especially the parts about the crooked straight, and the rough places plain...
This time of Advent, this season of waiting, may feel like a city under construction. So many rough places, so many crooked ways, so much to do, such a long time to suffer without comfort. And yet we wait.
Sitting in a detour or awaiting release from a traffic delay we might be muttering grumpily about what we should be doing, could be doing, ought to be doing. Or we could be reflecting in this moment of grace, provided freely with nothing at all to do but wait.
Advent is meant to be a time of reflection, of meditation and self-examination. It lasts four weeks for good reason. Sometimes it takes that long to shake us out of our normal habits and attitudes. Advent comes at the darkest time of the year. We, with Handel, may spend some time in the writings of Isaiah, remembering that even in our times of exile God is with us, remembering us even when we forget.
Be comforted. But don't be in too big a hurry. The way will be made straight, the rough places plain in God's good time. Slow down so you don't rattle your bones.
Posted by Marion
Monday, November 29, 2010
Season
It is upon us! 'Tis the season!
By any number of markers, it has indeed arrived. The first was probably the commercials on tv, quickly followed by the heavier and heavier piles of paper being delivered to our doorstep. Somewhere in there might be a few pages of news, but mostly it's ads for every potential gift imaginable--and some not so imaginable. (Who gives a furnace filter or bulk meat to show seasonal regard?) Conversation these days is typically some version of "Can you believe they're advertising so early? Does it get earlier every year?"
And of course it doesn't. We're right on schedule. Thoughts of gift giving, office parties, play rehearsals, choir practices, menu planning, tree buying, decorating, shopping, baking, holiday letter writing line up on our "To Do" lists. Festive songs get loaded into cd players, play lists, whatever. Santa lists are being compiled. School parties or seasonal concerts fill up calendar slots. How many things must be done and how can priorities be juggled to fit everything in? How many lists are you working on?
Some of us are trying to find extra time to plan critical parts of important Advent worship--reading, praying, preaching, drama, song. Our challenge may be to find something new to say about something very, very old. How to cast the old, old story in a way that's fresh or different? Or are you the one who loves everything exactly the same old way?
What are your thoughts as we enter this season? Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Four opportunities to slow down for some moments of rest on the race to the finish line. To remember those simple but very profound words that shape our mission, and for just now, that shape our season. Peace, hope, joy, love!
I'm going to try to let those words shape my season. It's too easy to get swept up in the frenzy and to forget what matters most. How are you doing? What are the elements of the season that give you peace, hope, joy and love? Are they the old ones or have you found something new to be excited about?
How do you plan to deal with the challenges of the season? Any tips to share?
Let me wish you all the best of the Season!
Posted by Marion
By any number of markers, it has indeed arrived. The first was probably the commercials on tv, quickly followed by the heavier and heavier piles of paper being delivered to our doorstep. Somewhere in there might be a few pages of news, but mostly it's ads for every potential gift imaginable--and some not so imaginable. (Who gives a furnace filter or bulk meat to show seasonal regard?) Conversation these days is typically some version of "Can you believe they're advertising so early? Does it get earlier every year?"
And of course it doesn't. We're right on schedule. Thoughts of gift giving, office parties, play rehearsals, choir practices, menu planning, tree buying, decorating, shopping, baking, holiday letter writing line up on our "To Do" lists. Festive songs get loaded into cd players, play lists, whatever. Santa lists are being compiled. School parties or seasonal concerts fill up calendar slots. How many things must be done and how can priorities be juggled to fit everything in? How many lists are you working on?
Some of us are trying to find extra time to plan critical parts of important Advent worship--reading, praying, preaching, drama, song. Our challenge may be to find something new to say about something very, very old. How to cast the old, old story in a way that's fresh or different? Or are you the one who loves everything exactly the same old way?
What are your thoughts as we enter this season? Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Four opportunities to slow down for some moments of rest on the race to the finish line. To remember those simple but very profound words that shape our mission, and for just now, that shape our season. Peace, hope, joy, love!
I'm going to try to let those words shape my season. It's too easy to get swept up in the frenzy and to forget what matters most. How are you doing? What are the elements of the season that give you peace, hope, joy and love? Are they the old ones or have you found something new to be excited about?
How do you plan to deal with the challenges of the season? Any tips to share?
Let me wish you all the best of the Season!
Posted by Marion
Monday, December 7, 2009
Feathers
Clearly the angels have been shedding. As I walked into the fellowship hall the white tree in the corner had been well and truly trimmed by a team whose decorating principle is "fill every single inch with something bright and shiny."
The floor around was covered with white feather fluff. It trailed through the room into the next, up the stairs, into the sanctuary. Much angel activity has been going on as the children are getting ready for their roles in programs that will be unfolding over the next few weeks of Advent.
A couple of questions about the source of the "mess" were answered with a stern look and a clear message that there will be feathers where there are angels, and there are definitely angels present here. (The feathery wings lay on the table along with tinsel halos, several shepherd and wise man robes and a baby!)
That settled it. No more questions. Where there are angels there may indeed be "mess" but that's just the way it is.
It was part of the message of the morning as well. Although we are in the business of preparing the way, we still have issues of real life to deal with. We will still need to forgive each other, make way for one another, be patient with those whose perspective does not exactly match our own. We will need to come to the table, in repentance and seeking healing and reconciliation.
But other signs are also there. Jesus is coming. There are angels here. Ignore the stray feathers. With real life some feathers will be shed. At some point the vacuum will come out. But for now, sing Hallelujah! Make ready to receive Him.
The floor around was covered with white feather fluff. It trailed through the room into the next, up the stairs, into the sanctuary. Much angel activity has been going on as the children are getting ready for their roles in programs that will be unfolding over the next few weeks of Advent.
A couple of questions about the source of the "mess" were answered with a stern look and a clear message that there will be feathers where there are angels, and there are definitely angels present here. (The feathery wings lay on the table along with tinsel halos, several shepherd and wise man robes and a baby!)
That settled it. No more questions. Where there are angels there may indeed be "mess" but that's just the way it is.
It was part of the message of the morning as well. Although we are in the business of preparing the way, we still have issues of real life to deal with. We will still need to forgive each other, make way for one another, be patient with those whose perspective does not exactly match our own. We will need to come to the table, in repentance and seeking healing and reconciliation.
But other signs are also there. Jesus is coming. There are angels here. Ignore the stray feathers. With real life some feathers will be shed. At some point the vacuum will come out. But for now, sing Hallelujah! Make ready to receive Him.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Brink
We're on the brink, the very edge of some new thing about to happen! Do you feel it?
Our CPI pastors began our week together with this announcement from Isaiah 43 and all week we felt it stirring among us as we studied and explored and prepared to go home and be engaged in something new.
As the Christian world has embarked on Advent we're feeling the same sense of immenence. Something is about to happen, something new!
Story after story is being shared about this sense that we're not where we once were. At times we've perceived this as loss, but increasingly we're recognizing that the changes we're noting can mean quite the opposite. We're recognizing that spiral is taking us up to a higher vantage point.
How are you feeling as you enter Advent, as you assume new responsibility, as you consider your next assignment, your next sermon, your next camping season?
Do you see it? There's the brink. Are you stepping up to it or beating a retreat?
The message is hope, anticipation, no fear! Imagine a new thing!
I'll meet you at the brink.
Our CPI pastors began our week together with this announcement from Isaiah 43 and all week we felt it stirring among us as we studied and explored and prepared to go home and be engaged in something new.
As the Christian world has embarked on Advent we're feeling the same sense of immenence. Something is about to happen, something new!
Story after story is being shared about this sense that we're not where we once were. At times we've perceived this as loss, but increasingly we're recognizing that the changes we're noting can mean quite the opposite. We're recognizing that spiral is taking us up to a higher vantage point.
How are you feeling as you enter Advent, as you assume new responsibility, as you consider your next assignment, your next sermon, your next camping season?
Do you see it? There's the brink. Are you stepping up to it or beating a retreat?
The message is hope, anticipation, no fear! Imagine a new thing!
I'll meet you at the brink.
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