Two Prayers in the Temple

Frank Wesley, 1923-2002.

To some who were confident of their own righteousness

and looked down on everyone else,

Jesus told this parable:

“Two men went up to the temple to pray,

one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector

(from Luke 18:9-14)

 “A Pharisee and a tax collector walk into the temple to pray.”

The Pharisee, confident in his relationship with God, thanks God by listing the ways he’s more righteous.

He stands by himself to be sure he’s not touched by anyone less righteous than himself.

The tax collector, even knowing he’s a sinner, goes to the temple to pray.

He stands far away, feeling unworthy as a sinner, and prays anyway.

The tax collector doesn’t look to heaven, beats his chest, and prays, “God have mercy on me a sinner.”

The Pharisee is trusting in himself while praying before God.

The tax collector trusts in God.

The tax collector, comfortable telling God the truth, trusts in God’s promise of salvation.

Through God’s promises, Jesus moral teachings, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance the tax collector can see the difference between right and wrong.

Telling God the truth about who we are, remembering God’s love and forgiveness is a gift to be received, and part of our own story of redemption.

Grass Paths and Persistent Prayer

Jesus told them a parable

about their need to pray always

and not to lose heart.

(from Luke 18:1-8)

 Early African converts to Christianity were sincere and regular in private devotions, praying and reading scripture. Each convert had a separate spot in a grove to pour out their heart to God. 

Eventually the paths to the groves became well worn. 

So, if one of these converts began to neglect prayer, others soon noticed. Other converters would kindly remind the careless one, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.”

Each Sunday as I listen to people lift their prayer requests asking God to change something, a sickness or a situation, I notice some of the prayer requests are repeated week after week.

This persistence prayer request carries a sense of hope within it.

Forgetting that God hears and answers prayer in God’s ways and God’s time, grass may begin to grow on the path.

It’s then that a sense of hopelessness can set in.

It’s time to begin walking the path to their grove again and pouring out their sense of hopelessness to God knowing God hears and answers in way most beneficial to the convert.

Beginning to walk the path to the grove again, people long for refreshing words of encouragement while seeking a new hopeful life.

Turning to God in prayer is all it takes for this new and hopeful life.

From Chaos to Christ

From the CodexAureus Cleansing of the ten lepers

 

"Then he said to him,

 “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.”

(from Luke 17:11-19)

The Chaos

Chaos describes a leper’s life.

Lepers, according to Leviticus 13.45-46, were forced to live as roadside beggars with cover their mouths crying out, "Unclean! “Unclean” a warning to others.

This left Lepers feeling the emotional pain of separation and isolation caused by living apart.

The Calling

Fear and shame burdened them since Leprosy was seen as God’s punishment for serious sin.

The only way out of this exile was healing and confirmation by a priest, which was considered as difficult as raising the dead.

It’s no wonder that when Jesus approached, the lepers cry out: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Jesus instructs them to visit the priests, and while obeying, their leprosy is cured.

One leper returns, loudly praising God at Jesus's feet leading to a changed behavior and greater spiritual well-being.

This leper, returning to thank Jesus, is an outward act of profound faith.

Christ’s New Era

The new era Christ ushered in, shown by Jesus's power over what was seen as God’s punishment, is marked by healing, restoration, and acceptance, replacing generations of shame and isolation like that endured by lepers.

Giving thanks in Christ’s new era, brings hope, inclusion, and spiritual renewal to those who were sidelined.

Christ’s new area is about God’s grace for all.

Jesus compassionate intervention shows a significant shift, reflecting a message of hope because God's grace goes beyond social and ethnic barriers.

Christ’s new era changes life.

Giving thanks leads to a continuous relationship with God and changes how we live, showing that faith is about gratitude, not just seeking help.

Acknowledging God as the giver of all gifts and practicing gratitude can deepen well-being and strengthen your relationship with God.

Trekking with Timothy

5th Century Baptism  Font

But you, man of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith.
(from 1 Timothy 6:6-19)

 

Gwendolyn Brooks wrote:

"Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.1"

Trekking: A long-distance adventure to explore remote or rough areas, usually including overnight camping.

50 Miler hikes with Boy Scouts are like this definition. During the hike, scouts have opportunities to learn, develop skills, and interact with others in the group.

The scout who cooled his feet at a lake during a rest learned about blisters. Eager for relief, a younger scout ran to the water’s edge and soaked his feet.

The combination of damp boots and tender feet became a lesson as he soon nursed a painful blister, learning a small but memorable lesson

Trekking daily gave me a sacred time to reflect deeply, to listen for God’s voice in the quiet forest, or in the conversation around a campfire.

My Elder’s Pilgrimage, trekking alongside Timothy’s ancient wisdom, became a sacred time for this kind of growth.

Godliness

Verse 6 says “there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment.”

Godliness, for Jesus' first-century followers, implied living as disciples guided by their awe of God.  

Living as disciples transforms behavior through a sacred spark of God's presence.

God’s presence removes sources of disobedience and separation from God, such as feelings of doubt, distraction, or unhealthy habits."

God’s presence is like a sight-giving balm of wisdom, propelling us to become more like Jesus through active faith.

We are sustained, I believe, in this life-long journey, this “living in the along” through God’s freely given gifts of grace, mercy can peace.

Works of Piety. Wesley divided them into individual practices such as studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting and community practices such as sharing in the Communion and Baptism and Bible study.

Work of Mercy. Such as visiting the sick, prisoners, and feeding the hungry. They wee also divided into communal practices such as seeking justice, ending oppression and caring for the poor.