An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

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...