Reviving Our Souls

"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 employ beautiful imagery, playful poetry, and elegant prayer-petitions.

Contemporary forms of psalms to be sung can be found in the United Methodist Hymnal both in the Psalter section and in other locations, such as Psalm 23 at #734.

Our hope beyond souls under stress lies in Sunday worship as hymns and songs are sung no matter the accompanying instrument.

Trapping Jesus

“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 if it's the emperor's give it to him and as a citizen of Rome, act accordingly and obey Roman laws. 

But by avoiding this trap, Jesus sets up a situation in which each person must decide what belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar.

Jesus is teaching us to thoughtfully analyze the world, fearlessly determine the result, and then morally engage in the world based on what we believe is true.

The goal of life is not just defeating the empire with a "yes or "no" answers.

The goal of life is giving to God the things that are God's which means to love people, including enemies, strive after God's kingdom and righteousness, and live in hope between now and the future. 

Until the end, as citizens of heaven, our goal is continuing to pursue the way of God, gradually and completely.

Think about it: as a citizen of heaven, how are you giving to God the things that are God's?

Gods' Dining Invitations

"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, can't make it" RSVP.

The king, though, gets "Sorry, can't make it" responses so he sends messengers to invite again because the banquet is ready. 

The messengers come back with "Sorry, we don't have time. We have better things to do" responses.

The banquets' ready the king sends messengers into the main street to invite anyone but the messengers are mocked and killed.

The outraged king sends his messengers into the streets to get anyone, good or bad, filling the banquet hall.

I am impressed by two aspects of God Jesus revealed in this parable.

First, Jesus implies, dining invitations to God's heavenly banquet are constantly sent.

God, Jesus implies, invites and invites and invites.

Second, dining invitations to God's heavenly banquet, means you are worthy of a place at the table.

With God's dining invitations finally based on justice, you may be seated next to someone you consider "bad" but God has decided is "worthy".

 God's dining invitation says that no matter what you may think or feel, there is a place for you at the table.

Think about it: Comparing the different two dining stories, where do you see God's Grace?

One Loaf, One Cup

 "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, "feeding the community, body and soul".

Baptism and Eucharist form my core beliefs and practices.

Thus, when I donate an item to the Food Pantry, I do it not only to feed a hungry person, but also as a way of "resisting injustice and oppression."

When I receive communion, I am proclaiming my Christian faith, as well as having my soul nourished by the Holy Spirit.

Communion asks us, will we produce the sweet wine of justice as God expected or produce the foul smell of injustice that ultimately offends God?