God’s Presence and Refuge

Kerak Castle, al Kerak, Jordan

"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake

 in the heart of the sea."

(from psalm 46)

I am writing this reflection the day after the violent attack on Paul Pelosi which, although is shocking to me, is not surprising.

It feels as though the foundation of the sane society I grew up with is changing and shaking as it becomes more violent, racist, and divided.

Kerak Castle is a mighty fortress atop a firm foundation in al Kerak, Jordan

Built in 1149 CE by Crusaders, captured by Muslims in 1189, it changed hands over the centuries and used in World War I.

It's location, dominating the surrounding area and protected by deep ravines, made it an ideal defense.

Damaged by a recent earthquake, the ravines, part of its strength, could now cause its destruction. 

The mighty fortress with the firm foundation, could now collapse.

As I reflect on the event, Psalm 46 is a source of hope beginning with "God is our refuge and strength".

It proclaims the Word of the Lord, God’s protection, is greater than any fort we build, is a strong, steadfast promise.

That's why, when I'm struggling with something, prayerfully searching the scriptures brings me a sense of God's hope.

Having gained a sense of hope, I read God is "a very present help in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not fear."

Verse 10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!"  Meaning to stop and wait patiently before the Lord. (Psalm 37:7) 

In the midst of the chaos around us, when we stop and wait patiently, God will proclaim, "I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." therefore I will not fear.

I don't know when the next shocking, but not surprising event will happen, but I know God's a refuge and strength therefore I have nothing to fear!!!

Pharisees, Publicans, and Prayers

"He also told this parable

 to some who trusted in themselves

that they were righteous

 and regarded others with contempt: 

‘Two men went up to the temple to pray,

 one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector."

 (from Luke 18 9-14 )

This very familiar parable is not about the good guy and the bad guy. 

It's based on the center of Jesus' teachings, The Great Commandment: "You shall love the Lord you  God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." (Lk. 10:27) 

To understand this, let's be clear about Pharisees. 

They were a Jewish resistance movement emphasizing obedience to the law of Moses in order to make God’s benefits visible and accessible for all who were Jewish. 

Pharisees lived meagerly and shunned excess and so were not legalistic, rigid, and elitist.

Instead, they paid attention to the oral tradition interpreting the spirit of the Torah, so they played an essential role in ensuring the theological and spiritual continuity of Judaism.

We also need to be clear about Publicans (tax collectors). 

Roman officials offered Publicans contracts to collect taxes in places like neighborhoods and markets. 

The Publicans collected taxes as well as their own fees and if you didn't pay these extra fees you may get into a lot of trouble in the form of "accidents".

Publicans were considered dishonest collaborators 

So there they are.

The Pharisee, going above and beyond what was required in fasting and giving, is righteous.

The Publican, showing repentance and humility probably because of his sense of wrongdoing by demanding money unjustly from his community.

Jesus says the Publican is justified, meaning his relationship with God is restored.

In the parable the Publican is justified which must have come as a complete shock to the listeners.

Love of neighbor, then, is an important indicator for recognizing the connection between Jesus and the Pharisees in their conversation.

This parable, then is not about the Pharisee and the Publican. 

It's about us.

Do we in our daily lives keep love of God and neighbor first?

Mustard Seeds and Mulberry Trees

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 

The Lord replied, “If you had faith 

the size of a mustard seed, 

you could say to this mulberry tree, 

‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you'

(from Luke 17:5-10)

I can empathize with the apostles who asked Jesus, "Increase our faith!" as people suffering from Hurricane Ian.

As I watched people wading through floods, surveying damage, and enduring without power, they probably wondered how much faith was needed to make it through their experience.

The apostles had seen the works that Jesus had done and the determination he had to live as the Holy one of God.

As apostles, they knew their mission was to carry on Jesus' work and that they needed more faith to build God's kingdom as he was.

And so, they asked for more faith.

So, Jesus uses the images of a mustard seed and a mulberry tree to help them understand they are asking for the wrong thing.

Jesus understands it's not about having 25% or 50% more faith instead it's about using what you do have such as a seed.

For me the song: "Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow" better describes how faith grows.

It seems to me that a person feels their faith growing as you move forward with a life based on prayer, which leads to action, which proclaims the kingdom of God.

I think about faith as practicing what I know, considering appropriate action, and by grace, my faith will grow in breadth and depth as I work to build God's kingdom.

I don't believe I'll ever plant a mulberry tree in the ocean, but I'm confident that, by God's grace, my faith will grow.

Faith Making Us Well

In the parable of the Ten Lepers, Jesus said to one who returned praising him, “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19)

As I visualize this story, I see Jesus going through a place similar to the southern border towns of Texas.

There are two boarders here. The first is physical: the Rio Grande which separates a safe place from unsafe places.  

The other is a vague area of cultural and social life differing from the physical. The people in this area are the outsiders representing unsafe places.

These people, like the lepers, are crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” because they are suffering mental isolation and poverty. 

 Jesus, who is more interested in healing than physical and cultural borders, tells them: “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”  

They are healed, one returns praising Jesus who says, “Your faith has made you well.

What I see here is that Jesus has changed the meaning of a border. 

He changes it from the people and places we usually consider sacred and worthy to a place where God shows up to heal and liberate.

The outsiders are now part of the community and liberated from prejudice. 

Now I visualize all sorts of people gathering for Sunday worship calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

So, God shows up in our worship as we hear the Word and gather at the Table surrounded by song and music.

All this is bringing us healing and freeing us from spiritual isolation and poverty.

Thanks be to God for the gift of this healing, liberating story.