Remembered by Jesus

Then the criminal said, “Jesus, remember me

when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you,

today you will be with me in Paradise.”

(from Luke 23:33-43)

Who deserves mercy?

On September 30, 2015, the state of Georgia executed Kelly Gissendaner, who in 1997 murdered her husband, Douglas.

While in prison Kelly converted to Christianity and demonstrated that hers was a genuine conversion. 

She earned a theology certificate from Emory University, ministered to other inmates with a message of God’s love giving them hope when they desperately needed it. 

As her execution date approached, a group of former inmates transformed by Kelly’s prison ministry joined many others who pleaded the state for clemency.

The group included correctional officers, Pope Francis, and supporters using hashtag #kellyonmymind, and even Kelly’s adult children who had lost their father because of Kelly’s actions. 

All appeals that Kelly’s sentence be commuted to life in prison were denied. 

Who deserves mercy?

Kelly, after her murderous action?

The Appeals Board for denying the request

Who deserves mercy?

The Jewish leaders heckling Jesus, the soldiers taking his clothes, the criminal on the cross mocking him as Messiah??

When I came to my 80 years past birth, I also came to my Jabbok River, my holy place, and wrestled with my wounds and "thorns in my side" and now limp through life.  

One of those thorns is wondering whom I have unintentionally wounded and left limping.

We each have our story of standing on Jabbok's banks at midnight. Perhaps it's struggling with addiction, seemingly unbearable loss, aging issues,  or figuring out what to do next with my life.

Who deserves mercy?

When the criminal honestly asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom, Jesus said, that today he would be with him in forever in God's presence.

"Today", Jesus said, and gave out endless mercy way beyond what the criminal asked. 

In Jesus kingdom, salvation is available even to people who should receive the most extreme punishment for their sins.

Who deserves mercy? 

In Jesus kingdom, anyone who asks.

Are You Ready?

Therefore you also must be ready, 

for the Son of Man is coming

 at an unexpected hour.

(from Matthew 24:36-44)

Are you ready?

Are you ready for the spiritual journey that's coming?

Jesus says, "Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left."

I was standing in my yard listening to the septic technician explain how the malfunctioning pump system in the turkey mound works. 

It never occurred to me that one of us may be taken and the other left behind.

That's how it was in the days of Noah. 

People went about life as usual, right up to the moment when the floods came: two in a field, two grinding meal.

Are you ready to be on the ark with someone you hoped would be adrift on a raft?

There the person stands, so now what?

Jesus says that's how it's going to be when the Son of Man comes.

Keep in mind, though, that in Jesus day it was better to be left behind than taken prisoner by the torturing Romans.

It's only by Grace that our spiritual journey moves forward when we realize Jesus is talking in twos. Two working in a field. Two grinding meal. Two friends. Two co-workers. 

Jesus is talking about relationships in our spiritual journey, which is a description of God's realm. "Love one another. As I have loved you" (John 13:34).

I get that, but now what?

Well, isn't it finding a way to ask my neighbors how I can help them be ready?

Isn't it about reaching outside myself and affirming God's grace with someone and greeting them saying, ‘Peace be within you” (Psalm 122:8).

Are you ready for this step in your spiritual journey?

By God's grace and Jesus' love, you will move forward.

Rumors, Wars and Insurrections

‘Nation will rise against nation, 

and kingdom against kingdom; 

there will be great earthquakes,

and in various places famines and plagues; 

and there will be dreadful portents 

and great signs from heaven.'

(from Luke 21:5-19)

I for one, rejoiced on November 9 when the mailings, posters, social media posts, and TV ads ended. 

I am finished with the distortions, accusations, and dehumanizing of political candidates.

As a Christian with a core theology of peace, I am deeply disturbed by the violent acts and threats against candidates, poll workers, and volunteers who are simply trying to perform civic duty.

It's in Jesus' Sermon on the Plain that I find hope. 

Jesus is talking to people who are trying to make sense of the destruction of the temple by the Romans in year 70, which was the equivalent of 9/11.

In short, the Jews' world of 70 was a broken world like ours is post-election.

 So, I read this scripture as a reflection on what happened, not a prediction of future events.

Jesus is using apocalyptic literature which uses unsettling language and images to reassure the faithful so that, even in their broken world, they keep their trust in God.

When bad things happen, don't be terrified by conspiracy theories about God's judgement, or other disasters.

Instead, Jesus says, trust in God's presence in our lives even in the midst of hardship and persecution.

Jesus, with his firm belief in God's hope and faithfulness, reassures them, and us, that even when it feels as though the world is collapsing around us, God is present.

Knowing God's presence and power,use this unsettled time to persevere as my disciples by feeding the hungry,clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless and loving your neighbor as yourself.

As I write, the world is still broken, but I believe the world is also full of God’s grace and love.

Therefore, I remain full of hope that no matter the brokenness of the world I see, God is present.

The Unburdened

“But I say to you that listen, 

Love your enemies, 

do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, 

pray for those who abuse you.

(from Luke 6:20-31)

For 30 years I stood before a congregation on Sunday leading worship.

I saw all types of people: the poor, the grieving, the comfortable, the wealthy. 

When the text for the Sunday included the Beatitudes, I felt a little odd trying to reconcile a blessing in being poor, hungry, hated, crying, or outcast.

Since the word blessed comes from the Greek word makarios, meaning “unburdened” or “satisfied” I feel those words make more sense: unburdened are the poor, satisfied are the hungry.

In the same way the word "woe" comes from the Greek ouai, meaning something like "heads up!" "Heads up you rich people!!!

It's as though Jesus is saying, "heads up to you living comfortably, things are about to change."

Heads up and consider what happens if the things you assume are advantages are actually counterfeit blessings.

Don't be tricked by them!

What Jesus seems to be saying to the crowd is that things operate differently in God's reign and you can see how it works by watching me.

The people crying and living with loss, grief and hopelessness, you will not be forgotten but will experience joy.

The satisfied among you can share immediately God's kingdom, but only as much as you take part in Jesus' calling to truly are for those who are poor, hungry, hated, crying, or outcast.

What a blessing that is, to live with people who share the values as Jesus, to "do to others as you would have them do to you".