Haiku for Herod's Banquet

This coming weekend we will hear the gruesome telling of the story of the beheading of John the Baptist in Mark 6:14-29. It is a tough text to wrestle with. I think it is best understood in its juxtaposition with the Feeding of the 5,000 in the verses that follow it (Which we will hear about for the next six weeks in Mark 6 and John 6). The implicit question seems to be: Do you want to go to this (Herod's) meal that ends in death, beheading and love of self... or do you want to feast with Jesus, at his banquet, that ends in life, where there is food for all?

I offer this Haiku as a meditation on the text.

Herod's Birthday Feast
Quickly descends: gruesome death
Contrast Jesus' Meal

[Image (c) 2009, used with permission, Augsburg Fortress Liturgies, annual license #20800]

Technology and Faith

I just finished reading Flickering Pixels by Shane Hipps last week, in preparation for a preaching workshop I will be attending in July. The first several chapters were review for me, but the last 2/3rds were helpful and insightful reflections on what technology is doing to us--especially if we are not paying attention.

I have ventured into Facebook Land and am even on Twitter. I own a cell phone (prepaid), but am no texting champion.

One of Hipps' central arguments is that the medium and the message are inseparable. In other words, what we are watching on TV is not as important as the fact that we are watching TV and what TV, as a medium, is doing as it shapes our brain and how it receives information.

His argument has enormous implications for preaching and worship.

What are your thoughts on technology and faith?

Ordinary, Green

If my liturgical calculations are correct, we are now officially fully in "ordinary" time (affectionally known also as "the long green season") in the church's year. This makes almost fully one half of the year and will stretch to the celebration of Christ the King at the end of November. Occasionally it is interrupted--in a good way, in my estimation--by a Saint's Day (cf. St. Luke on October 18), but for the most part we get a continuous string of readings from the Gospel of Mark (and John in late summer) and from the New Testament letters. Personally I'm looking forward to the six or so weeks we are in the Letter to the Ephesians beginning July 12.

Ordinary?
This time after Pentecost (used to be "time after Trinity") is called "ordinary" time because of the numbers used to count these Sundays after Pentecost: ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). However, in recent years I've been increasingly convinced that the "ordinariness" of the time makes "ordinary" time a quite appropriate name. For it is in the ordinary, daily lives that our faith in Christ and his redeeming work is lived out. It is the everyday, the humdrum, the ordinary that we encounter the God who is beyond our comprehension.

Green!
Green is the color of this new season. In Rublev's icon of the Visitation of Abraham (above), the angel that suggests the Holy Spirit (right side) is clothed (mostly) in green. For the Holy Spirit is "the Lord, the giver of life," as we confess in the Creed. And so the color the church has chosen for this time is green: the color of growth and new life. I also love that this time of the church year largely concides with the "green" agricultural seasons. Our garden is in and I look forward each day to seeing new growth.

Blessings to you all this green, ordinary time.

Pen to Paper

First, I've changed to the name of this blog (slightly) from "Pastor Matt's Musings" to "Pastor Matt's Meditations." This seems fitting. While I enjoy the work and role of the muse, in Ancient Greek thought they were considered the source of knowledge, spirits that inspired the creation of literature and the arts. And while I love the creative gifts I have been given by the Holy Spirit, I think the vocation of pastor is more one of meditation, of a disciplined turning of our attention to something other than ourselves, something outside of ourselves. It is the hard work of being attentive to the Triune God.

While I reserve the right to "muse" on occasion, I hope what you will find here most weeks are meditations.

+

Early this Resurrection Day morning I'd like to reflect on the good old handwritten letter. Yesterday I purchased something I don't purchase much anymore: stamps. (Are they really almost 50 cents?!) I like chosing stamps with care, and this is partly because I am have a high regard for the handwritten letter.

Like you, most mail I get consists of catalogs, magazines, bills and "preformatted" mail of various kinds: credit card offers and the weekly ad circular. I rejoice, however, every time I get a hand-written envelope. Perhaps it is because they have become so rare. Perhaps it is because they have a "weight" to them that ephemeral email messages do not. Perhaps we are tactile creatures deep in our DNA.

The main reason I love handwritten letters is that they are personal. They are not the same letter copied over and over again and sent out to everyone in town. Instead they come addressed and intended for us personally.

In a world that has mass-produced and mass-marketed just about everything, the handwritten letter is a breath of fresh air.

Family Devotions in the Home: Bowling Green, May 15-16

I will be leading a workshop, "Family Devotions in the Home: How and Why" this Friday (5:15 - 6:16 pm) and Saturday (11 am - noon) at the NW Ohio Synod Assembly in the Student Union at Bowling Green State University. You are welcome to come and join the conversation.

And, if you'd like, we have a wonderful keynote presenter: Dr. Mark Powell from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus.

If there is enough interest I may adapt and repeat this workshop for an evening during our Vacation Bible School week (June 15-19) at Bethlehem.

Summer and Fall Bible Studies

I'm putting together some ideas for summer and fall Bible studies. For this summer it is a three-way tie between Ephesians, the book of Acts and a study of what the Bible says about poverty and the poor using this booklet from the American Bible Society.

For the fall I'm considering a study of the Chronicler but need to come up with a catchy title. My thought is that we would preview the books of 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings for 2-4 weeks and then dive into 1-2 Chronicles for several weeks, finishing in the late fall/early winter with Ezra and Nehemiah.

If you have any more suggestions, please let me know.

Faith Incubation and Other Sundry Items

Faith Inkubators
This afternoon I had a chance to preview some of the new material the Faith Inkubators crowd has produced at their 75-city road tour. They have made some nice revisions to their confirmation resources and are doing some good things with family ministry, but I was most intrigued by their Bible Song Sunday school curriculum, which integrates song, Bible stories and American sign language.

Prophets, Poets, Preachers
In other news, Rob Bell, Shane Hipps, et al. are putting on what will likely be the best preaching workshop of 2009.

New Songs for Worship
One of my favorite bands, Lost and Found, has produced some great worship tunes and made them publicly available. My favorite is "Give Us Ears," which could easily be used as a gathering song or Gospel acclamation.

i love my wife

Inspired by the book, The Love Dare, and the movie Fireproof, I bought a shirt that reads: "i love my wife" (yes, lower-case "i").

It is telling that when my sister saw it she said, "What's the back say?" We are in our culture so steeped in sarcasm and innuendo, that of course there had to be a catch, right?

As I got dressed for Good Friday, I chose this t-shirt as my undershirt for it captures for me what is at the heart of Good Friday. Jesus willingly goes to the Cross: suffering, bleeding, dying. And why? For what? Many of us have heard the standard answers: John 3:16... or: for our sins... or: for our salvation. But, it seems to me, one powerful and potent answers is that He loves his dear Wife, His bride, His forever Love: the Church.

May we together contemplate the richness and depth of Christ's love for his Holy Bride, the Church, for you and for me.

i love my wife.

"What's the back say?" you ask?

The. Same. Thing.

4 Jars

If you have not yet read it, pick up a copy of Three Cups of Tea and read it. The story of Greg Mortenson and his journey to build schools in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan is inspiring. The associated organizations are the Central Asia Institute and the Pennies for Peace initiative.

Inspired by all of this, we've started a Pennies for Peace jar in our house. That got me thinking, however... what to do with all those nickels, dimes and quarters. After a week of the best minds in our family working on it, here is what we have come up with:

Nickels for New Pastors: Supporting the work of our alma mater, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary

Dimes for Dinners: Supporting the work of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger appeal and local food banks

Quarters for Quarts: Supporting the work of WaterAid and other charities that provide clean drinking water, especially in the developing world

Perhaps you can come up with other creative ideas for directing our resources to those who are poor and suffering. I am also always interested in hearing about charities that are important to others and the reasons why.

New Year's Resolutions

The danger of posting your New Year's Resolutions semi-publicly is that a lot more people will hold you to them (or at least give you a hard time about not keeping them). I suppose the upside to doing so is that there is another level of accountability. In any case, for 2009 mine are (in no particular order):

1.) Practice the virtue of being present in all situations.
2.) Read through the New Testament each month.
3.) Strive for 7 hours of sleep each night (10:30 pm - 5:30 am).

It seems to me that New Year's Resolutions and growth in faith have a lot in common. It's easy to be too ambitious and quite early. The best course seems to be slow and steady growth over the long haul.

Bible Reading - The "E"ssential 100

The American Bible Society has launched a new initiative called e100. It is a journey through 100 "essential" passages of the Bible, with an eye toward giving the reader a good sense of the grand sweep of the Scriptures.

The New Testament in a Month

Our Bible in 90 Days local group will cross over into the New Testament this Sunday (11/23), Christ the King Sunday. I am encouraging anyone who did not join in the Bible in 90 Days study to join us for the last 21-day home stretch: reading through the New Testament in 21 days. If you would like to join us, see this schedule and begin on day 68.

All this Bible reading has prompted me to consider a new spiritual discipline for 2009: reading through the New Testament each month for several months. One schedule for doing this is posted below (31 days). A 30-day schedule in pdf format is also available.

1 Matthew 1-9
2 Matthew 10-18
3 Matthew 19-28
4 Mark 1-8
5 Mark 9-16
6 Luke 1-8
7 Luke 9-16
8 Luke 17-24
9 John 1-7
10 John 8-14
11 John 15-21
12 Acts 1-9
13 Acts 10-18
14 Acts 19-28
15 Romans 1-8
16 Romans 9-16
17 1 Corinthians 1-8
18 1 Corinthians 9-16
19 2 Corinthians
20 Galatians and Ephesians
21 Philippians and Colossians
22 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians
23 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy
24 Titus and Philemon
25 Hebrews 1-7
26 Hebrews 8-13
27 James
28 1 Peter and 2 Peter
29 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude
30 Revelation 1-11
31 Revelation 12-22

Faith, Works, Change

I have been (slowly) reading through Volume 35 of Luther's Works (English edition). I came across this gem of a sentence:

Faith, however, is a divine work in us which changes us and makes us to be born anew of God, John 1[:12-13]. It kills the old Adam and makes us altogether different men, in heart and spirit and mind and powers; and it brings with in the Holy Spirit. (p. 370)

This is from his preface to the Book of Romans. I think it breathes fresh life into the Lutheran church, which has often neglected the changing power of God's grace in us.

The Politics of Jesus

The following post is reprinted from my 7 Day Devotions blog:

By now many of you have noticed the "Elect Jesus" signs that grace our front yard. I've had the chance to reflect a lot on these signs and the reaction of most people to them. Because many in our community are Christians, they have been well-received and probably come across as a bit less offensive than the signs for McCain or Obama. Who is not for Jesus? And herein lies the problem, for the politics of Jesus are far more offensive than whichever candidate we don't like. Jesus calls us to a far more radical politics than either the Democratic or Republican Parties. For the Carpenter from Nazareth commands us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us and a whole host of other radical things (Matthew 5-7).

And so as I contemplate taking down these signs sometime this week, I'm a bit saddened that they were so well-received, that they did not offend more people. For the Gospel that we proclaim is far more radical than most of us dare consider. And the Jesus whom we follow demands not just party allegiance, but every single ounce of our being. His way is the narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14).

In 1 Corinthians 1:23, St. Paul writes, "but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." Indeed, the biggest scandal or stumbling block (skandalon in Greek) in the ancient world was the Cross.

My prayers go with you as you vote tomorrow. Perhaps Jesus' words in St. Matthew's gospel are instructive as we vote: Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's (Matthew 22:21).

By the way, if you want one of those signs, go ahead and take one. I think we have a half dozen left. Thanks to Grace Lutheran Church in Elmore who printed them.

Haiku

This week I thought I'd try my hand at Haiku. I know that traditionally Haiku has a focus on the seasons and/or nature. I think this can be adapted liturgically to the Seasons of the Church year and the "nature" of worship.

English Haiku is usually three lines: 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables. I know I have an extra syllable in the second line... but here it is:

Haiku for All Saints Sunday

Ah, the holy ones!
The Lord, glorious in his saints
Shines with radiance

Monastery Musings

I'm reading How to Be a Monastic and Not Leave Your Day Job by Brother Benet Tvedten. It is a fascinating invitation to the oblate life. Several years ago I read Spirituality for Everyday Living by Brian C. Taylor. Both books in different ways wrestle with how to apply the Rule of St. Benedict to those of us living outside the monastery: in our vocations as workers, family members, and friends.

Three things struck me as significant:
1.) The invitation to structure our lives around the "hours" of prayer (rather than vice-versa)
2.) The encouragement toward moderation in all things
3.) The desirability of work.

It strikes me that all of these practices are remarkably counter-cultural in North America these days. What a wonderful chance to be salt and light!

Words of Jesus in Red

A local church's latest sermon series/emphasis is on the "Red Letter Teachings of Jesus." Author Tony Campolo and other evangelicals who distance themselves from the evangelical right consider themselves Red Letter Christians.

Both refer, of course, to the Bible versions that highlight the New Testament words of Jesus in red. As I understand it, the argument goes something like this: Since Jesus said it, these words have greater weight for our faith and practice.

Some biblical scholars, such as those who are part of the Jesus Seminar, criticize these "Red Letter Bibles," arguing and debating which sayings of Jesus are more authentic than others. They essentially argue, then, that there are fewer "real" Red Letter Sayings of Jesus.

The Church, however, has always pushed in the opposite direction. That is, the problem with the Red Letter Bibles is not that there are too many words or sayings of Jesus in red but that there are too few. For if Jesus is the divine Word spoken by the Father from eternity, then the whole Bible is a word about Christ. We find "red letter" sayings of Jesus even in the Old Testament, for it too is a word about Christ. As St. Irenaeus says, all the pieces of Scripture, when assembled properly, form a beautiful mosaic of the Handsome King who is Christ (cf. Psalm 45).

So with all due respect to the Church on Strayer, Tony Campolo and all who claim to be "Red Letter Christians," I think the subtitle of a children's Bible I saw a year ago says it best: Every story whispers his name.

Finns, Lutherans and Faith

This post is primarily for those who shared in a time of Bible study and reflections this past week at Camp Luther, to provide some resources for further study and reflection.

On participation in Christ, the book I recommended was Union with Christ: The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther (1998).

For more on Sanctification, see Frank Honeycutt's Sanctified Living: More Than Grace and Forgiveness (2008).

For more on the parables, I think one of the best studies for the parish is Harry Wendt's The Parables of Jesus from Crossways International.

Finally, I was reminded as I picked up my copy of Lutheran Woman Today (a fine magazine, by the way, that all Lutheran women and men should subscribe to) of where I got some of my reflections for my few paragraphs on Bible study. They were originally published in Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study in the chapters by Mark Allan Powell. I did not want to pass off his work as my own. He also has an article in the September LWT magazine.

Thank you all for some wonderful insights into the Parables of Jesus!

Books

I probably love books a little too much, so I've decided to embark on an ambitious project: not buying any books for a year. I have yet to work out the details (e.g., Does trading used books at my favorite coffee shop count as a violation? What about required textbooks for a class or work?)

Anyway, I will be cataloging my journey at my blog: No Books for a Year.

In other news, I've posted books I'm reading or want to read (and in some cases have read) in a list below the archive section to the right.

Lucy Joy

Welcome Lucy Joy! We are so glad you're here.

Bathed in Resurrection Light

Last week we mourned the death of one of our members. His funeral was last Thursday. Normally there is a chance for family and friends to pay their respects with an open coffin in our narthex before the worship begins.

Because we had Vacation Bible School in another part of the church building, it made sense for this funeral to place the coffin in the rear of the sanctuary itself. This placed the body squarely beneath a huge stained glass window with three scenes: the Crucifixion, empty tomb and Risen Christ (see photo on right). Though I see the window on a regular basis, the whole scene took on a whole new meaning as the body was bathed literally in Passion and Resurrection Light.

May we walk all of our days in the single Light of Christ, the Crucified and Risen One, and may we rest in the same Light.

Small Catechism and Daily Devotions

I was reading something by Martin Luther several months ago (I believe it was in his introduction to the Small Catechism or Large Catechism) in which he encouraged everyone--including himself--to be daily a student of the catechism: to approach it, to learn from it, to sit and learn.

In this spirit, I have added portions of the Small Catechism to my daily prayer routine. For those interested, I offer this as another possibility for daily devotions. Here is the schedule I use:

Mondays: Ten Commandments and explanation
Tuesday: Apostles' Creed and explanation
Wednesday: Lord's Prayer and explanation
Thursday: Sacrament of Holy Baptism and explanation
Friday: Confession and explanation
Saturday: Sacrament of the Altar (Holy Communion) and explanation
Sunday: Review of all parts or "Daily Prayers," "Table of Duties" and "Christian Questions with Their Answers"

It is a great way to review the basics of our Faith and doctrine and to be a student of the catechism, as Luther encourages us to be.

The version of the Small Catechism I use is published by Concordia ($10).