An Elder Pilgrim's Reflections

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” (From Mark 9:2-9 ) My mountaintop experience began when a good friend of mine, John, asked if I’d hike with him on an overnight to the Lake of the Clouds hut on the Appalachian Trail. Sure. We drove up the Mt. Washington Toll Road, it’s own exciting adventure! An extremely dense cloud at the summit made the trail to the hut a challenge. We began the 1.5-mile hike over a clouded, rocky trail arriving at the hut in about 45 minutes. After spending the night among other hikers, we returned to the fogged in summit. I’m not sure how we would have reacted if a voice came out of the wind and clouds, but I can guarantee you, we wouldn’t have pitched a tent!   It is no accident that this story takes place on a mountain.   This story takes place on a mountain top because ancient civilizations understood mountains as heaven and earth’s meeting place. The ...

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (from John 16:4b-15 ) Our family had experienced a financial crisis. We had to move into our summer cottage, have it winterized, and begin a new school. My Dad knew I was anxious about entering high school, from my new elementary school. So, Dad said to me that when I get off the school bus, and before I enter the building, stop, take a deep breath and say to myself, "you can do this." Weird as it felt, I did as Pop said. It was a good day. The words, their source, the deep breath, brought comfort to my anxious heart. Jesus, was aware of the tensions created by his ministry realized the disciples would be facing a crisis after his death. To care for his disciples, Jesus promised he would pray to God to send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, that would comfort them in their anxiety. (John 14:1...

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." (From 1 John 5:9-13 ) Elaine's mother had a household rule: never call between 7:00 and 7:30! Jeopardy!  is on! I wonder if her mother got to the pearly gates, asked St. Peter which room  Jeopardy!  was on at 7:00. There's a big difference between heaven's’ pearly gates and eternal life  The Bible describes heaven as mainly God's dwelling place. As Cleland Boyd McAfee describes in his hymn, “There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.” It’s where Elijah was taken in a whirlwind and the Spirit in Revelation 14:13 says, “they will rest from their labor.” In heaven, God is surrounded by angels in a community of peace, love, and worship. Eternal life is something very different. In John 3:16 and in 1 John 5:13, eternal life isn’t referring only to life beyond the grave. Eternal life is full life, now and in th...

O sing to the Lord a new song,  for he has done marvelous things.  His right hand and his holy arm  have gotten him victory. (from Psalm 98 ) When The Faith We Sing, a new songbook, was published I discovered there were several types of new songs. Some of the new songs, such as "Down to the River to Pray", had been around for a long time, but singing it was a new experience to me. Other songs, such as "Where Children Belong" were new because they were recently composed, so I had to learn them. The oldest “new” song to me is the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32:1-42 because I hadn't realized it was a song. Psalm 98 is an extremely important psalm anchoring the collection of “the LORD is king” enthronement psalms so it’s considered “the theological ‘heart’” of the Psalms. The possible origin of Psalm 98 was a response to the exile crisis with the “marvelous things” referring to God leading the people out of Babylon in what amounts to a new exodus. The m...

"But whenever you pray,  go into your room and shut the door  and pray to your Father who is in secret;  and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6) As my fall risk increased, my doctor prescribed physical therapy. My first appointment concluded with the therapist saying, “We’ll start by building up your core muscles which are the basis for stability." So, I wondered what core spiritual practices are the basis for strengthening my faith? Four core spiritual practices are clear: Bible reading and study, prayer, worship., and acts of justice. Centering prayer is a core practice which is not an obvious way to deepen your relationship with God.  Centering Prayer, based on Matthew 6:6, says “But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Centering prayer works like this: First, “enter your room”, meaning finding a quiet place.  Choose a sa...

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.    He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;    he restores my soul." (from   Psalm 23 ) Lectio Divina , is a method involving reading, meditating, and praying Scripture verses aiming to help people connect more deeply with God.    There are four basic steps:  1.     Reading the Scripture passage several times slowly listening for God's small voice. 2.    Thinking about how it applies to your life. 3.    Praying and opening your heart to God 4.    Being still and listening for what God is saying to you. As I read Psalm 23, two words stand out for me; water and soul. Places where I have been quiet and listening for what God may be saying are the shore and waterfalls. At the rocky shore of Acadia, N.P., God speaks through the rhythm of the waves rolling against the rocks in sets of three. God says, the rhyt...

While they were talking about this,  Jesus himself stood among them  and said to them,  “Peace be with you.” (from L uke 24:36b-48 ) Each Sunday my pastor tells us to turn to a person near us and say, “Peace be with you,” a greeting we all say. Some disciples were discussing the facts about the risen Lord and how they saw a connection between Moses, the prophets, and the Scriptures. Their conversation included Jesus’ ministry, focus on table ministry, and their experience of the resurrected Jesus.  When Jesus walked with the disciples and said,” peace be with you,” it was more than a customary welcome. Jesus standing with them continues sharing the message salvation to disciples gathered after his death. This greeting connects a wish for common well-being, and is also related to the Hebrew notion of shalom, indicating social relations and justice. “Peace be with you” is also a reminder Christians are commissioned to forgive sins which can sometimes mean salvation. So...