An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

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 teachi...

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 gro...

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 spirit...

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 for...