An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

Blessed is the one  who comes in the  name of the Lord Psalm 118:26 It may come as a surprise, but there are no palm branches in Luke’s Gospel. None. In fact, comparing Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we only find cloaks and branches mentioned. Palm branches are mentioned only once: John 12:13.  OK, palm branches are fun to wave around, watch kids play "swords", and parade around the church. That's hardly the point though, is it.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke each tell Sunday's story with a different twist, but with two similar themes. First, Jesus is a political activist riding into town on a young donkey. Israel’s kings did this and it's what people were expecting and awaiting. Kings change things. Second, Jesus is making a theological statement declaring himself the long-expected king promised by the prophets. That's why Luke's people cheer, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Ps. 118:26).   God is fulfilling promises. Jesus rides into Je...

For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 There is a joke that asks, "which person in the bible couldn't start a car?" Answer: Zach couldn't find the chaeus.  Moving right along...... To better understand the story of Jesus and  Zacchaeus, it's essential to recognize its tensions.  The tensions begin when Jesus is rejected by the people and delivered to the Gentiles.  Jesus then meets a man blind because of his sin, who is probably outside the community as an example of one who needs to repent. He cries out to Jesus who heals him, he sees Jesus and glorifies God. Jesus next meets Zacchaeus. He's a tax collector, probably corrupt, practicing extortion, skimming extra for himself, and exploiting his fellow Israelites by collecting for Rome. He's a sinner. Big Time. He's one of the people who has sold out to “the man”  and remains outside the in-crowd of the community. Jesus goes to Zacchaeus' house for dinner causing peopl...

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 Unholy, hurtful words have consequences. My definition of unholy, hurtful words are ones that inflict pain on people because of race, religion, or gender. Some of the consequences are violent ones as people are assaulted. Some consequences are emotional ones as people continually strive to maintain dignity and worth in the continual bombardment of degrading speech. In my opinion, unholy, hurtful words reveal a soul stained with loathing towards others.   I believe these stains are learned from other adults or from a personal experiences that generalize a specific race, religion, or gender.  In short, unholy, hurtful words are not pleasing in the sight of the Lord.  I think it is unreasonable, if not impossible, to unlearn or nullify an experience. They are what they are.  In my opinion the way to address the issue is be an imitator of...

So do not fear, for I am with you;     do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;     I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 On Wednesday, January 6th, I was dumbfounded as a mob stormed the Capitol attempting to overturn the presidential election results. The mob included people aligned with far-right groups, citizen militias and white supremacy groups. People were seriously injured, two of our leader's lives were threatened and damage was done. On February 26, the Capitol police discover a plan to bomb the Capitol building during the State of the Union address.  On March 3rd. fences remain in place, legislative sessions postponed, and the National Guard is still on duty because domestic terrorist groups threaten to storm the building again. We live in fearful times with chaos and confusion. But in the broader context, chaos, confusion, and fear are part of life. Sometimes they are brought on by unexpected p...

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 51:3 I was deeply moved by the memorial service led by President Biden. His words of comfort at White House candlelight ceremony spoke meaningfully of grief and loss.  The Whitehouse draped in black bunting, the candles lit, the sign of the cross all spoke to me in the "ruins" of 500,000 Covid-19 deaths. Surely, the Lord provided comfort through the words, images, and rituals of that moment. Coping with loss is no easy thing. Loss leaves space in your soul, an empty place where love used to be that cries out for some sort of filling. That loss may be a loved one, a friendship, a job, a marriage, or a physical limitation due to health. Whatever the loss, it cries out to God for some sort of recognition of the pain of emptiness.  I ass...