An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name (from Luke 1:39-55 ) I consider one of the greatest contributions of the Methodist Movement to be the hymns, both traditional and contemporary. Within that tradition is Methodism's Great Day of Singing when the worship service is composed of music chosen by the gathered congregation which includes scripture and prayer. Give me the blessing of a "Hymn Sing Sunday" and free my soul. What stands out for me in this text is Mary's song, the Magnificat, a she sings about God's unexpected goodness in her ordinary life. Mary is implying we also may encounter God's unexpected goodness during our daily routine, in the ordinary as well as the difficult activities of daily life. Songs are power. Mary’s song is in the...

"There was a man sent from God,  whose name was John.  He came as a witness to testify to the light,  so that all might believe through him."  (from  John 1:6-8, 19-28 ) Light is essential to life. Elaine and I are fans of PBS "Nature" program.   The last three episodes have focused on the Arctic, it's relation to the seasons, and the impact of daylight.   Just as the changing of Daylight-Saving Time impacts the rhythm of our lives, so it impacts all God’s creatures during the cycle of seasons. Daylight’s life force and animating power diminishes, so does its animating force making Winter a difficult time due to the darkness impacting emotions, outdoor activities, and routine work. Our Ancient Ones created essential festivals of light in the darkest and shortest days of the year. Into the darkness of his day comes John the Witness, sent from God, to announce a coming light that darkness cannot overcome. The light John the Witness mentions...

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. from Mark 1:1-8 Hope is a powerful force. The hope of a coming Messiah led John the Baptizer from the wilderness, to the river, and calling for repentance. The hope of justice in 1952 inspired Private Sarah K. Evans on her way home from her first military assignment, to refuse to move to the back of the bus. The hope of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman encouraged, a black teenager, Claudette Colvin, in 1955 to refuse to surrender her bus seat to a white person resulting in being handcuffed and arrested. The Hope in the Civil Rights Movement prompted Rosa Parks to refuse giving up her seat in the "colored" section of the bus when the "white" section was filled. Hope a better life drives migrants from Venezuela. The hope of a future prophetic voice led me to baptized Phoebe Kim, my Pastor's daughter. Hope is a powerful force based on Scrip...

But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. (From Mark 13:24-37 ) But in those days…. On November 25, 2023, three 20-year-old students of Palestinian descent were visiting family and relatives for Thanksgiving break wearing keffiyehs showing solidarity with Palestine during the war in Gaza And then darkness:      The sun will be darkened,      and the moon will not give its light." The students were shot and injured near the University of Vermont in Burlington. A suspect was arrested the following day and the Burlington Police Chief, after arresting a suspect, said the shooting was being investigated as a possible hate crime. This isn’t the Burlington, Vermont I know. After spending 20 years pastoring 3 churches in the Burlington vicinity, raising money for homeless shelters, and providing food and ...

God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. (from Ephesians 1:15-23 ) Fellowship Time after worship is one of my Sunday pleasures as I talk with various people about where they are on their life journey. Sometimes it's about a new direction in life, or a developing medical condition, occasionally kids and school, or community news.  When a political discussion starts, I usually leave. My reasoning is straightforward. Kings, Queens, Dictators, Governments, have limited ability to solve whatever issue facing society is being discussed. The authority of the world's rulers simply can't control the powers of a coming pandemic, not to mention climate change, racism, even inflation. These situations may totally shatter peoples' lives no matter how hard or well-intended are the world's leaders efforts.    Even more depressing is the fac...

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober,  and put on the breastplate of faith and love,  and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (From 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 ) Krisopher Coffman, welcoming the birth of his first son, now realizes how fitting the imagery of labor is. Though he knew that his wife would eventually go into labor, the last days of her pregnancy were full of waiting and watching.  At any moment, they knew their lives would change forever, but could not predict it or escape it.  In Jesus' day, time had two properties: One it was eternal, like death; Two it was cyclical, like New Year's Eve. In 1 Thessalonians Paul is teaching the concept of time heading toward one destiny: The Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord has a catch however: it's hour is unknown coming with a "Great Tribulation". To make it through the "Great Tribulation" means to be, "sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvat...

"Later the other bridesmaids came also,  saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’  But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’  Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (from Matthew 25:1-13 ) In my youth, I owned an MGB-GT sports car. I drove all sorts of places and had all types of adventures. An MGB-GT has a dual carburetor design which required me to carry a small can of motor oil.  If either carburetor ran out of oil, the car stopped, I would have to get out the oil can, open the hood, pump oil into the carburetor, and be on my way.  This is the sense of the parable of the bridesmaids: keep oil in you lamp as well as some stored away so you don't run out while waiting for the groom. This is what the wise bridesmaids did, prepared for the long, unknown wait since they neither knew the day or the hour. The foolish bridesmaids, who also didn't know the day or the hour, weren't prepared for the long haul and began running out of oil...

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them. (from Matthew 5:1-12  ) It was customary for some Elementary school teachers to post a list of classroom rules at the beginning of the school year. These rules set a code to live by so learning could take place and acceptable behavior defined. When Moses met God on Mt. Saini, God gave him a set of rules, the Ten Commandments, to take to the people as a code of conduct. The Commandments are a set of instructions on how to worship God and ethical behaviors basic to Judaism and Christianity. The first four concern relating to God and the remaining six are how God's people are to relate to each other. When Jesus taught the disciples what is now known as the beatitudes, they were, first of all declarations of God’s grace. When he sat down with the disciples, the beatitudes he spoke were not a list of "Thou Shall" nots, but a descriptio...

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple." (from Psalm 19:7-14 ) It seems to me this is a time of souls under stress.  From Lewiston, Maine to the Israel-Hamas war to the Ukraine war and other areas of turmoil across the world, and personal issues, it's a time of souls under stress.  As an English Lit. major in college I grew to appreciate diverse types of poetry and poets. My appreciation for Robert Frost lies within the imagery, situations, or events, such as The Mending Wall, which examines the contradiction of cultural and physical boundaries. However,  I have come to believe hymns are the poetry which give voice to souls under stress. I have concluded this based on the conviction that music and singing are the voice of the soul and so, together, help release and express the soul under stress.  Music and singing, then, are a Means of Grace. The psalms, which were originally designed to be sung em...

“Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (From Mt. 22:15-22 ) Shortly after visiting my sister in Virginia, I received a notice from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation with a photo of my car. The letter stated clearly, with substantiating evidence, that I exceeded the speed limit for a work zone, but since this was my first violation there was no monetary fine, but I could request a hearing if I so chose. I HAD BEEN TRAPPED AND CAUGHT!!!  This text from Matthew describes the Pharisees and Herodians setting a trap for Jesus hoping he will answer incorrectly and either offend the public or disobey Roman law. The trap is asking Jesus about paying the emperor's' poll tax knowing either "yes" or "no" causes trouble.  Jesus requests a coin inviting them to describe its' inscription. The Pharisees and Herodians reply, "the emperor". Jesus effectively avoids the trap by saying i...

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.  He sent his slaves to call those who had been  invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come." (From Mt: 22:1-14 ) My Niece's wedding was a glorious event held in an outdoor venue with the reception in a decorated, refurbished barn. Dressed in a flowing white gown, she and her fiance' exchanged self-written vows becoming husband and wife. Following dinner, tables were moved aside starting the high-volume, high-energy dancing of young people. Watching people 50 years younger than me do an unrecognizable dance including light sticks is beyond description. As I read the parable of the Wedding Banquet, the similarities were immediately recognizable. Invitations to my Niece's wedding and the one in the parable's Kingdom banquet were sent out in either RSVP or personal invitation. I have no idea, though, how many people responded to her invitation. with a "Sorry,...

 "Let me sing for my beloved  my love-song concerning his vineyard:  My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill." (from Isaiah 5:1-7 ) Living a sacramental life describes my pastoral ministry. Baptism, I have concluded, through study and searching the Scriptures is when a person enters a covenant, by water and the Spirit, to Serve the Lord by resisting evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever form it presents itself. Reflecting on these statements, I conclude baptism is a one-time event with the church offering Christians periodic opportunities to renew their vows. It is, as one of my professors stated, a "ritual with responsibilities." The Eucharist, sharing the loaf and cup in Jesus' name, is what sustains us as we strive to live out our baptism vows. When we bless and share the cup we are proclaiming the mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.  I was given a coffee mug from a church that had inscribed on it, ...

I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. (from Philippians 3:7-14 ) Each Summer Elaine and I would load our car with food, outdoor gear and stuff and head to Southwest Harbor, ME. for a seaside, spiritual retreat. Sometimes we traveled scenic Route 2 through New Hampshire and Maine, other times Interstates 84, 495 and 95.  Each Route provided vistas of hills and valleys as well as urban buildings and traffic. Yet there was an "are we there yet?" sense to the journey. As a Pastor, Elaine and I had been on the move for many years knowing there would be another move to another church, so there really wasn't a sense of having arrived or finally getting there. The Apostle Paul describes his relationship with Christ as one of being "on the move" writing, "I press on toward the go...

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. (from Psalm 25:1-9 ) A Certified Lay Speaker in my first appointment wanted to preach, so together we designed a worship service. The Lay Speaker said, "I'll do the Pastoiral Prayer." I replied, "Actually, it's pronounced "pastoral", there's no "i" in the word. "No", the Lay Speaker said with certainty, "it's Pastoiral.  It quickly became apparent this wasn't a teachable moment because the Lay Speaker was insisting on "pastoiral"  Jesus faces something like this going into the temple and begining to teach. The priests and chief elders want to know Jesus' source and authority to teach, and who gave Jesus permission. Jesus answers: "the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”  Why this answer? Because these sinners experienced a teachable moment by believi...

Then Peter came and said to him,  “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me,  how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”   Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but,  I tell you, seventy-seven times.  From Matthew 18:21-35   Twenty two years have passed since I watched the destruction of the Twin Towers and attempt of the Pentagon.  Instantly, the world and everything i knew was different and the world as was changed forever. September 11, 2001, feels like a lifetime ago. A calamity like that provides a major historical divider, but it's impossible to understand and use in my daily life. So, I find other opportunities to use as markers othat are evidence of God's sustaining grace my daily life.  Peter’s question here is one that may cause us to look in two directions. One direction is looking back at 9/11 trying to understand it and grieve the destruction and violence.  The other is looking forward by celebrating the cou...

"Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” From Matthew 20:1-16 By way of explanation, last Monday I ran into unexpected technical issues while trying to send "Reflections" from my phone.  Basically, Maine isn't necessarily the hub of hi-tech communications and I'm a novice at sending group emails from my phone. Thus when this sentence started my research, "Describe in a word or two what you think is the meaning of parable of the laborers in the vineyard about," I learned Jesus was teaching about the 9th commandment, thou shall not covet. Meaning, don't covet what God chooses to bless. For example, God chose to give Elaine and I the blessings of the scenes below. Notice the ships, lighthouse, pond. pond w.mountains Scenic Harbor  Lighthouse view on boat ride  After 5 days of fog views, we would have preferred different blessings. I ...

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (from Mt. 16:21-28 ) My college life included taking a rural bus to town and walking to nearby Asbury Methodist Church. Asbury was a large church in the center of Greeneville, Tennessee seating about 6-700 worshippers. In 1958 it had a traditional service; hymns, scripture, preaching, and choral anthem. The enduring memory I have of that worship was the closing chorus: verse 1 of Hymn 424: "Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free; No, there's a cross for everyone and there's a cross for me." I felt that being 800 miles away from home, on a floor with students having very different morals from mine, (I don't get drunk on moonshine) was my cross to bear.  My life journey opened new meanings of "self-denial...

For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her waste places, and will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song. (from Isaiah 51:1-6 ) Maui's images are apocalyptic.  The disastrous wildfire sweeping across the village destroying buildings as it burned. The scenes of people fleeing into the sea for safety as the fire burned furiously with smoke choking them as they sat in the water. The harrowing scenes of devastation left by the wildfire leaving survivors with questions about housing and recovery. The "places of waste" with burned houses, historic buildings, and motor vehicles. The widely admired community banyan tree's canopy is scorched, its leaves dead, and its burnt bark and limbs give it an ashen appearance. The recovery and rebuilding are estimated to take years. When you've lost everything, what is the source of stamina to rebuild and recover fro...

"She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly." (from Matthew 15:21-28 ) My hearing aids make sounds louder, but they aren't perfect.  That's why I have to say "What?" frequently and why Elaine asks, "Did you hear what I said?" Other times Elaine raises the volume of her voice several decibels and I reply, "well, you didn't need to yell!" Folks who don't understand how hearing aids work, wonder why I give strange answers to questions such as, "would you like water or coffee?" and I respond, "yes". The Canaanite woman was shouting at Jesus, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David”,  since she knows of Jesus' power and willingness to show mercy on all who approach. She seeks a personal mercy because her daughter is tormented by a de...

Taking the five loaves and the two fish,  he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves,  and gave them to the disciples,  and the disciples gave them to the crowds.  And all ate and were filled (from Mt.14:13-21 ) Hedding United Methodist Church in Barre, Vt. recently remodeled its kitchen enabling them to host and feed anyone coming to their "community dinners". Their mission of "Feeding the community: body and soul" is lived out with a nutritious, hot meal as well as musical entertainment. Understanding the significance of their mission is best grasped knowing Barre's context. Barre is a diverse city economically and culturally including the affluent, working class, and destitute.  Understanding Matthew's story of Jesus feeding the 5000 also requires understanding the setting and context. Before Jesus feeds the 5000, Herod is hosting a birthday party including elite, powerful attending. At this event, one of the powerful demands the head of Joh...

When evening came, Jesus was there alone,  but by this time the boat, battered by the waves,  was far from the land, for the wind was against them.  And early in the morning Jesus came walking toward them on the sea. (From Mt 14:22-33 )  Chesuncook Lake, the third-largest lake in Maine, is approximately 22 miles long, 1–4 miles wide, and about 150 feet deep. As Scoutmaster, I was leading older scouts on a canoe trip on Chesuncook because it qualified as High Adventure 50-mile trip. On the second day, the wind became strong threatening to swamp the canoe in the widest, deepest part of the lake. The solution to staying afloat was having the scout in the bow, paddle hard and using a cross-bow stroke.  The unmotivated scout just didn't feel like it. Until God sent the wind catching the canoe, turning it sideways, broadsiding the canoe with a wave drenching us in cold water. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit inspired the scout to "feel like it". There's a deeper story in the...

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air  come and make nests in its branches.” Two years ago, I planted several Peony bulbs. The following Spring when one shoot sprung forth, I was delighted and feeling a sense of satisfaction. I waited for other bulbs to send a shoot forth, but they were operating on their own time-frame.  I waited patiently for any shoot to produce a bud which produced a flower. This is year two and I wonder which will come first, a flower or the Apocalypse?   Reflecting on Jesus' parable of the mustard seed, I see a description of the Kingdom of God. Jesus stresses the seed grows into something majestic and unimaginable becoming a sign of God's Kingdom. For me, it's not the plant's size or growing into a shrub and then a 60' tree, but the kingdom-like qualities. Hea...

"For great is your steadfast love toward me;  you have delivered my soul  from the depths of Sheol." (from Psalm 86:11-17 ) On June 23, 2018, a junior association soccer team chose to explore Tham Luang Nang Non, a karstic cave with complex deep recesses, narrow passages and tunnels. Twelve members of the team aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old assistant coach went missing after setting out to explore the cave after a practice session. Shortly after they entering the cave, team was stranded in the tunnels by sudden and continuous monsoon rains partially flooding the cave system, blocking their way out and trapping them deep within. They were stranded and out of contract for over a week since all rescue attempts to locate the group were hampered by rising water and strong currents. Rescue efforts grew into a massive operation amid intense worldwide public interest which involved international rescue teams involving nearly 10,000 people. Between July 8 and 10, all 12 boys...

"For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hand" (from Isaiah 55:10-13 ) Vermont is experiencing a catastrophic flooding event. As my District Superintendent described it, "the rain falls and the flood waters rise". Barre, where I lived, and Montpelier, were inundated with rain causing the flooding and covering streets with mud. Montpelier, for a time, evacuated residents, two of whom I know. Montpelier cancelled a boil water order  due to contaminants and closed the main streets. Small towns, such as Weston and Londonderry, were flooded and temporarily isolated. Roads and bridges have been washed away including the historic Queechy covered bridge Reflecting on the impact of this catastrophic event, two thoughts occurred to me. First, there is an economic consequence to local businesses and the towns and cities as they attempt to recover. The co...

"Come to me, all you that are weary  and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,  and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (from  Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 ) The evening news stresses my soul. I watch the 6 O'clock news and the 8-10 O'clock analysis and commentary of major events including on-location of the Ukraine War. It's possible to disconnect from the evening news by pushing a remote button and watching "Jeopardy". For me, that's irresponsible discipleship because I would also be disconnecting from those weary and carrying heavy burdens such as the traffic director on a road crew in the summer heat or the undocumented worker in a Florida citrus grove. After all, Jesus taught the disciples, the weary ones were the sick and the lame, the lepers and demon-possessed, the tax collectors and sinners, the poor in spirit, th...

and whoever gives even a cup of cold water  to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple —truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” There's something holy about sharing a cup of cold water.  Surely there's holiness in the simple act of compassion when one person takes the time to recognize thirst in another and quench it.  Certainly, it's a gesture refreshing a thirsty soul wandering in a spiritual desert. Sharing a cup of cold water facilitates a holy hospitality in our ever-increasing society of disrespect.  Probably it's a way of teaching holiness to new disciples, "little ones", regarding the meaning of caring for others in Jesus' name. Clearly, it's a sign of hope in a world that doesn't seem to have a sense of justice and longing for the new age Jesus talked about.  These types of holy actions are definitely a something and individual can do as part of being a disciple of Jesus. Jesus reminds the disciples he represent...

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground  unperceived by your Father.  And even the hairs of your head are all counted.  So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. (from Mt.10:24-39 ) Fear is a powerful emotion. Trust me, I know first-hand. I took a youth group to the observation site on Place' Ville Marie with its awesome view of Montreal.  The elevator doors opened revealing the observation site as glass from ceiling to floor.  The youth ran right to its edge and looked out upon this incredible scene. Terrified, I leaned against the wall as far from the edge as possible. Now imagine Jesus gathering the disciples around and describing their mission. Their mission? Proclaim: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons' The disciples, eager to continue Jesus' mission, realize it is dangerous and may cost their lives. Jesus understands...

“Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself." (from Exodus 19:2-8a ) I met the 17-year-old and his family were walking past our house with luggage and plastic bags.  I asked about this odd procession, a single mom with three boys, and discovered they recently moved into the neighborhood and were walking to the laundromat because they had no car.  When I met the family again on the way to the laundromat, I asked the teen if he would help me with yard work for a little cash. "Yes, sir," he replied. He arrived on the set day and I showed him how to use the trimmer.  When he finished trimming, I invited him to share some water as we sat on our deck.  As we chatted, I asked him if he knew how to play dominos. "No, sir, but I'd like to learn." We set up a time, he arrived, learned how to play, and we played several games. During the gam...