Real Wedding Vows

People seemed to have a lot of thoughts after church today- many of them inspired by the wedding vows that I read before the lighting of the Christ Candle.

I had commented on the vows that a 23 year old groom offered his bride at a wedding on Saturday – vows that included:

I take your hand, body and soul in marriage today….

I take them with the goal of bettering myself as man

   and us as a couple

I take them with the promise of new adventures

   And good days on the horizon.

I promise to be worthy of your love,

  To be kind, patient and forgiving.

I promise to be everything you've ever wanted

   and everything you expect me to be…

 (this was about ¼ of the total vow).

I think that that kind of unfettered, joyous desire to give a lover everything, even beyond reason,  is the treasure and privilege of being 23.   (maybe even the responsibility)

After the wedding 5 men (including myself), all with more than 20 years of marriage, suggested that 23 year olds should be mentored in writing their vows,  by those who have married for at least 20 years.  Together, as we sipped prosecco and toasted the happy couple, we came up with what we would consider real wedding vows:

I promise to love you

   and keep trying when I get it wrong.

I promise to never tell you “to relax”

I promise to not make fun of your favourite TV shows.

I promise to never make faces when going to visit your family.

I promise to let you complain about your mother

     without joining in.

I promise to understand that when our first child arrives,

   I will no longer be number one in your life.

I promise that, when our third child arrives,

   I will be happy with being anywhere in the top 10.

I promise to not hold grudges, 

      never keep score

            and accept forgiveness graciously.

I promise to keep laughing…  at myself… at us…. at life…

but always with you.

So, what would you include in your wedding vows if you could go back in time???

Keep Psalm and Carry On...

We had a wonderful guest preacher on Sunday, in the person of Maya Brathwaite – so it seems that folks have been reluctant to query a guest.

However, I did get a couple of requests for my interpretation of Psalm 30 and had a brief conversation about why we bother with Psalms in church at all.

Why bother?

For several reasons, I imagine – not the least of which is that it keeps us connected to our tradition.  A tradition nurtured and maintained in our United Church, but reaching back and connecting us to the Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the first Christian Communities, the Jews and the Hebrew Scriptures – pretty good company and not folks that you want to leave behind.

Another, perhaps more persuasive reason, is that the psalms know us.  Yes, the language is often arcane and the metaphors can be trying…  the sentiments are not always agreeable, as we can  be exhorted to “wreak vengeance on the nations” or “bathe our feet in the blood of the wicked”  (149:7; 58:10)… and it can be downright confusing…

God has taken his place in the divine council;

in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

 "How long will you judge unjustly

and show partiality to the wicked?

(82:1,2)

Love the call for justice, confused about who might be attending this meeting… are not monotheists?

However, this is only problematical if you imagine reading the Psalms (or any scripture) as if it was meant to be history or instruction.  If you read the Psalms as poetry or expression of humanity, then it is less of a problem.  From time to time, I have wished horrible vengeance on my enemies… and if God is going to know me, God needs to know that I lose my temper, my decorum and my perspective from time to time.  I also create false gods for myself as well as I find myself worshipping status or wealth, sacrificing my family or my openness to God in order to look good, make a buck or protect myself from others.     Every now and again, it helps to imagine God sitting down and talking to my other “gods” and saying to them, “Look, god of money, I know that Norm has been spending time with you lately, but don’t think that that means he’s giving up on caring about others or that he’s going to really judge himself better because he has more money…. And god of celebrity, sit down and don’t forget that what people think is not nearly as important as what I think…   and god of doing whatever I want just because I want to – grow up!”  In that little drama, I am reminded about what’s important to me and how my actions need to follow my values…    but come on, who doesn’t have a few extra gods wandering around, calling meetings?   The Psalms get that.

The Psalms know who I am… winner, loser, victor vanquished… lover, fighter… faithful, struggling… seeing God in everything all around me… wondering why God has turned away…   Singing to God a new song every day, or slowly walking through the valley of the shadow of death. 

I think that we keep the Psalms because they reminds us of who we are and that God understands… as God puts images of justice in our minds and we put words in God’s mouth… the Psalms bring us together.

At least that’s my thinking today…

As for the other request:  Psalm 30, as it is included in the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, and then as I imagine it.

Psalm 30

A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the temple. Of David.
¹I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
   and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
²O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
   and you have healed me.
³O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
   restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.^*

⁴Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
   and give thanks to his holy name.
⁵For his anger is but for a moment;
   his favour is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
   but joy comes with the morning.

⁶As for me, I said in my prosperity,
   ‘I shall never be moved.’
⁷By your favour, O Lord,
   you had established me as a strong mountain;
you hid your face;
   I was dismayed.

⁸To you, O Lord, I cried,
   and to the Lord I made supplication:
⁹‘What profit is there in my death,
   if I go down to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you?
   Will it tell of your faithfulness?
¹⁰Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me!
   O Lord, be my helper!’

¹¹You have turned my mourning into dancing;
   you have taken off my sackcloth
   and clothed me with joy,
¹²so that my soul^* may praise you and not be silent.
   O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you for ever.

Psalm 30… my way.

I’m more than half way through my life, God… (well, unless I live a very, very long time)

I think that I’m finally getting some perspective…  and I laugh at myself.

When I was younger, it was tough… people got in my way, tried to crush my dreams, put me in boxes and categories that didn’t fit… but I often felt that you held them off for me – held them off, so that I could be me.

And I became ME… with capital letters.

I worked tirelessly to achieve… I studied, practiced, innovated…. Had my shoulder to the plow and my eye always on the prize.

While others may have shirked or rested… while they may have been satisfied with a Participants Ribbon, I pushed myself to win… overcome… take the prize.

And I knew that you were always in the stands cheering me on.

When I finally made it… I really made it!!  Top of my class, best house on the street, best neighbourhood… I had reputation, security, satisfaction and everybody loved me… but nobody loved me more than YOU loved me.

I always figured that you loved me more because I tried so much harder…. I was your favourite because I earned it… with dedication, wit and, I don’t know… brilliance??

I rested and congratulated myself on a race well run… I was set for life… a self-made success.

And then it happened…

Cracks began to show

Things began to crumble

The bottom fell out

In short order, it all went sour… and I lost all that I had worked for… all that I had earned and deserved!

I looked around and realized that you were no longer in the stands cheering me on… In FACT, it felt like you were angry with me… maybe, even jealous?

How else could I explain everything falling apart… you were out to get me.

I remember my childhood prayers:  “Now, I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…”  And I cried… I actually cried… “Please God, keep my soul…. Don’t be angry at me for my arrogance… I get it… don’t damn me… keep me alive and I will preach… I will praise… I will tell everyone of your goodness and mercy… (even in my tears, I still imagined that you needed my praise… and that others might care what I had to say)

And then… in my losing everything, I discovered how much I actually had.
In my vulnerability, I found your love…

As dark as things may have been… I realized that just as dawn follows night, so, too does life follow cycles… and nothing stays the same… not fortune, not misfortune…

And in acceptance of my life as it is… and I have found such joy, peace, wisdom…   Serenity… and You.

Hallelujah!!!

Amen.

O Canada or NO Canada

On Sunday we recognized Canada Day in our worship service with the Bulletin Cover, pictures in the bulletin, a Prayer for Canada Day and two hymns- including “O Canada” as our final hymn.  It was all very well received.    But not all churches would agree with our choices…

Some faith communities feel strongly that National Anthems and Flags have no place in church.  Their inclusion suggests a partisan God – the God of Abraham and Jesus becomes the God who favours Canada over Portugal, and we can easily imply that God has blessed us more than others thus revealing our “favoured status”. 

Others will object because we seem to be praising Our Nation, rather than worshiping God.  Our focus is on the wonders of Our Land and not all of God’s creation.  They would argue that worship is a time for us to humbly submit ourselves to the Divine Love of God and praise the One who’s Spirit moves within and around us.  Not really sure how Hockey and Poutine figure into that dynamic.

Still others will worry about the visitor who is not Canadian – how does that person feel welcomed and included as we talk about Canada, a great nation, built by great people – and you ain’t one of us!!  (I have had the experience of celebrating the 4^th of July in the U.S and feeling very conspicuous in my “non-American-ness”)

So, for many it’s just better to leave it out.  Let Canada Day be celebrated on July 1^st; let it celebrated in the Park or even in the Parking Lot, but not in the sanctuary.   Or, if you do include it, let be part of the Announcements, something separate from the “Worship” part of the service.  Perhaps sing "O Canada" before the “Call to Worship”… and then, having rendered unto Caesar (or Canada) that which is Caesar’s, focus on rendering unto God, that which belongs to God.

I happen to understand and appreciate all the above sentiments. 

But I still included the Prayer, the Pictures and the “National Anthem” as final hymn.

Allow me to tell you why:

First, as I mentioned in church on Sunday, I've never really cared to belong to a “proper” church.  I like that we colour outside the lines from time to time; that we make mistakes… I think that when we try or do something that doesn't work, but identify it as such – we encourage others to risk a little and we provide a context for people to understand, love and forgive.   Now, I don’t suspect that I will be claiming this Sunday Service in such a way  “Ooops, we made a mistake…” but knowing that this is part of our shared culture, I’m not worried about always getting it “right”.

I included Canada Day as part of our worship because it is of concern to our community.  I also included Pride Weekend, prayers for Turkey, and a number of people who are in hospital, because these celebrations and concerns are part of who we are as a community.  In worship we engage God as we are, not as we imagine we should be…. And we do our best to engage God as God is, not as we would like to imagine God to be.  This relationship that we celebrate and nurture in our worship is one of honesty and integrity… we are the people who are celebrating and wondering about our Nation, we are people who are confused and worried about people around the world… we are the people who are worried about friends and relatives in hospital – if we deny such things, than we risk God one day saying to us “we never talk any more… why can’t you ever talk about what you really feel?”  and that’s nearly always the conversation that precedes a break up!

I included Canada Day because I did so in a way that attempted to be sensitive to the issues raised above.  I did it in inclusive celebration (although I recognize that it was through the narrow lens of Norm Seli that much was filtered)… I did it in the same way as I pray for our leaders in church – not because they are the “best leaders” but because they are the leaders that we have elected and who have great impact on our lives and the lives of my immediate neighbours.  Surely, praying for Rob Ford isn't the same as saying that he's the greatest mayor in the world and we are blessed by God in having him as ours?  Maybe he's good, maybe not... but he's ours and so we pray. 

I included Canada Day because its absence would have seemed peculiar to many (or most) of the congregation.   We did not have a flag in the Chancel; we were not worshipping Canada, but we did have a flag picture in the bulletin as a reflection of our identity and our concerns as we engage with God in worship.  Many would have felt left out of worship had we not included and honoured their feelings as Canadians.

I included Canada Day because we are the United Church of CANADA… and it’s kinda hard to ignore that.  (yes, I know that it’s not the same as being the United Church of O Canada)

Finally – the most contentious part of it all – I included our National Anthem as a closing hymn.  We finished the service with a rousing “Hurrah!” for Canada, rather than an Amen.  Had I been in worship in an American church and they concluded with the “Star Spangled Banner” I would have been very critical… however, the text to O Canada is a prayer: Amid the national pride and promise to stand on guard is the simple prayerful request:  God keep our land glorious and free! 

I haven’t changed text or context… I’ve simply included a prayer in worship,  a prayer that also serves as a National Anthem, but a prayer regardless… and who would argue about including prayer in worship??

And I did continue with a Benediction and Amen, as one does after a prayer. 

Incidentally, I am prepared to be wrong and go before the community and say so… so, let me know your thoughts, if you would like to. 

And because people keep asking and sharing, allow me to include my Prayer for Canada Day…

Loving, God,

  Not because Canada is greater than any other country,

  (It be would very unCanadian to say so)

  Not because we are home to Hockey, fantastic Women’s Soccer, a better brand of Football and the best side of Niagara Falls…

Not because we are the land of Butter Tarts, Clamato Juice and Poutine…

Not because we have been serenaded by songs from outerspace by our own Chris Hadfield…

But simply because we are thankful for this life we enjoy… we pray.

We pray in celebration with natives and refugees;

     People born here;

          those who came to visit, and could not bear to leave.

To be Canadian is to celebrate and struggle

  with people of the oceans, the mountains, the prairies,

  the Canadian Shield, the valleys, the red sand and the white snow.

None of us the same

     and yet all of us Canadian.

We give thanks that as Canadians we

  get emotional when we hear about our armed forces:

  we hold our collective breath  when Dieppe, Vimy and Juno Beach; Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, and the North Atlantic are mentioned.

We do not forget Korea, Cyprus, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam or Afghanistan… and the men and women who represented us, wore our colours, in those faraway lands.

We give thanks for the men and women

   who served in the last century

  and we pray for those who serve in this one.

We give thanks for the warm feelings that arise when we remember

     Mr. Dressup inviting us to find something in the Tickle Trunk. 

     Chez Helen teaching us French

      and Romper Room seeing us through the Magic Mirror

We fondly recall Don Messer and Tommy Hunter,  Wayne and Schuster, the Beachcombers, Street Legal, Flashpoint… the voices of Loren Green,  Knowlton Nash and Foster Hewitt…   Front Page Challenge, the Pig and Whistle, This Week has Seven Days, and This Hour has 22 minutes.

We dance to Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, 

Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, Leahy, Sheepdogs, Arcade Fire, Anne Murray, Celine Dionne, Sarah McLauglin, Drake, Justin Bieber and Great Big Sea.

We’ve heard our stories put to music by Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Neil Young…

We’ve read our lives in the prose and poetry of Lucy Maud Montgomery, Margarets Atwood and Laurence, Farley Mowart, Timothy Findlay and so many more…  We have been connected by Music, Theatre and Dance… Elmer Isler Singers,  Nathaniel Dett Choral,  Mendellsohn Choir, Montreal Jubilation Choir, Men of the Deep…Ballet and Opera Companies that rival the finest in the world scattered about our country like gardens of grace.

We swell with pride when we talk about  Sam Steele, Terry Fox Stephen Lewis, Tommy Douglas, David Suzuki, George Best

We know that Bobby is always followed by ORR… The Giant is always Friendly…  Tom is always Stompin’ and Great One is Gretzky… or Howe..  and the Rocket is always Maurice.

We are proud that we always recognize the opening bars of the Hockey Night in Canada Theme

  Have seen the Northern Lights

  Tasted the Champagne of Ginger Ales

  Heard the call of a Loon,

  Apologized when we didn’t have to.

We have at times, welcomed the world, challenged the world and lead the world…

 

This morning we pray in thanksgiving with all those who revel in being Canadian…

We pray for those who struggle and have not found the support and delight that we have found in this vast diverse country….

We pray for the imagination, strength and courage to hold on to what really matters…

  And to strive for better… for all….

Loving God,  we pray that we may continue to be a welcoming people,  with our hands on  the plow, eyes on the stars, hearts on our sleeves, tongues in our cheeks and feet on solid ground.

In short, 

God:  It is good to be here.  

Thank you.

Amen.

Life, Death and Prayer

This will not become my habit for a number of reasons - chief among them, that I reserve the right to change my mind and contradict my sermon the very next day, but I don't want others to be able to prove my lack of consistency.  HOWEVER, there were a lot of requests for this sermon - some to argue points, others to ponder, perhaps...
What follows is pretty close to what I preached - not exactly - but darn close.
The texts referred to are: 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 7:11-17 and, albeit briefly, Galations 1:11-24  (for those following along at home.

Two stories about bringing people back to life…

Elijah is sent by God to be fed and sheltered by a widow… judging from the story, it doesn’t seem like God told her about the assignment… but maybe.  Regardless, she’s not too happy about having to feed this prophet… a prophet from another country, of another God… she gets him water in  a time of drought and then he asks her to make him a biscuit… she replies “I don’t have any more than this little bit of flour… I was going to get a couple of sticks to make fire, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die”

Now, that’s passive aggressive!!

But she relents and Elijah promises her that her supplies will not run out… meager, but free groceries  (!) are guaranteed.  Then her son gets sick… to the point of death.  So sick that he’s not breathing… which is pretty sick.  Elijah seems stunned by this- but prays to God and the boy is restored to life…. And the woman now knows that Elijah is a man of God.

Luke, wanting to remind us of Elijah… no, trust me… when Justin Beiber moon walks and buys a monkey, he wants you to think that he’s the next Michael Jackson…    Jesus encounters a widow with a son who has died, and although he doesn’t pray out loud, he touches the bier and tells the young man to rise… and the boy is restored is restored to life.

So… Jesus is as cool as Elijah. 

Even more, because he kinda did it himself. 

Powerful message for those raised as Jews:  It’s okay to believe in Jesus, because he’s just like the great prophet… this isn't a new religion, this is more of the same faith. 

That’s what this story gets us… that and a lot of very uncomfortable questions about why some children are restored to life and others aren't;  questions about the power of prayer… questions that are asked deep in the hearts of those who fear for their children, those who grieve…  and those that we just don’t really want to be around.  

Because we don’t want to engage in those questions.

Do you remember last week?

Last week when I suggested to you that the Word of God isn't found in the text of the Bible as much as it is revealed when we engage in the stories… that the importance is not blindly following an example or edict, but engaging in the question with faith… experience… and imagination??

Well… preacher… heal thyself!

Allow me to engage the story… and our collective imagination a bit.

(and maybe avoid the tough questions)

Picture it:  Jesus and his followers are on the road.  They’re singing songs and being holy… Peter likes the old ones while Simon the Zealot only wants to sing the new songs and thinks that Peter sings too loud… but they sing.  They laugh… they listen to Jesus… and his words make them wonder and hope…  Judas is doing card tricks and James and John are planning a great fundraiser for the group…  Every now and then people come and ask to join, and as long as they can keep up, they are welcome to become members of the God Squad… singing happy songs, sharing smiles and stories and basically being holy.

As they are approaching a new town...excitement mounts as they start thinking about getting off the road for a day: Sleep inside some city walls… maybe grab a double/double at a walk through, or a sandwich at a YahWay…  As the anticipation is building, they see a crowd coming toward them… walking away from the town gates.  The only reason such a crowd walks out of the town is to remove the dead… so they pretty much know before they meet this group that it’s a funeral procession.  The jokers in the group stop telling jokes… the singers stop singing songs… everybody puts on a serious face, looks down to the ground… avoids eye contact and looks forward to getting past these folks and into town.

Come on… you  know that it’s true.

Because we’ve all done it.

Maybe not all the time; maybe no often... but at least once or twice... it's the reason that Caller ID was invented!

Someone we know… someone we love, even… has a tragedy… loss of a job, accident, someone gets convicted of a crime, bankruptcy, a death in the family, perhaps… and we don’t know what to say.  We don’t want to make it worse – somehow believing that our poorly chosen words would actually make the worse thing that’s ever happened to these people worse - so, we say nothing.  We avoid them when we can… and when we can’t avoid them… we do our best to avoid talking about whoever they are mourning, or whatever it is that has happened to them.

So we don’t engage. 

We have nothing to offer… we’re not doctors or experts… we don’t know why or how… we don’t know… 

So, you understand Jesus’ group of followers avoiding the funeral and especially the widow who is burying her son.

But… Jesus!

I mean… Jesus.

He has to talk to her.

He has to engage.

He has to look her in the eyes…. Have compassion for her and say to her “Do Not Weep”

Never mind what happens next… I think the real message has already been shared.

Jesus, by his example, is showing his followers…

Luke, by his telling of the story is telling us…  It’s not enough for us to laugh and smile together, to sing songs and plan fundraisers… it’s not enough for us to be a community for ourselves and others who can keep up… when we see pain in the world… when we see hurt…  we are called to have compassion and engage.

Even when we aren't experts.

Even when we don’t know what to do.

Even when don’t know the person…

Elijah engaged and prayed for a woman who was a foreigner to him… didn't even share his faith! 

And please note that both of these women are widows.

In a time and place where a woman had her identity, security and value bestowed upon her by a husband.  The women in these stories are people out in the margins… they have no security… no identity in the community, no voice…. And with the death of their sons, no real hope for any kind of change in the future.  Things are very bleak for these women indeed.

And those of us who have grieved… deeply grieved the death of a child or partner… know how isolated and alone you can feel.

Surely, this story… if nothing else…is an example… an invitation for us happy followers of Jesus to engage with those who are feeling left out… those who are in need… those who look around themselves and see no hope… only death.  Death of promise… death of hope… death of dreams…  So, engage!

Yeah… but what about prayer?

What’s going on there?

Can we pray for healing?

Can we pray for miracles?

Is there any point?

Are we supposed to believe in some kind of God that reaches down and saves some kids and not others… your loved ones but not mine?

I don’t know.

I really don’t.

But I also realize that this is the question that many people carry with them as the walk away from the town gates, hearts heavy and hurting…   And if I’m going to take this engagement thing seriously, I can’t avoid the question.

If I’m going to take Jesus seriously, I need to at least try…

Prayer means something.

Prayer makes a difference.

I know this….  Many of us do.

But it seems to be one of the many mysteries of our faith.

Why doesn't God save the person that I’m praying for? Is it because my prayers aren't good enough… I’m not doing them right…  we need more prayers…  I started too late…  or, God has answered my prayers, but the answer is “No”?

The God that I have come to know… the God that holds this whole universe and all realities together… is the God that Jesus has revealed to me.  When I want to know something about God, I look to Jesus… if I want to know God’s agenda, I listen to Jesus… if I want to know about the nature of God, I consider the nature of Jesus:   Jesus loves the world… he reveals that love by pouring out his life for us…  whatever your understanding of the cross and/or the resurrection, Jesus nature is to love and give his life for us. So, with some confidence, I say that God loves me… and you… all of us.  God’s life is poured out to us in creation – a creation that continues through all time… it ain't done yet. 

God loves me, presently... creatively... actively...
But love is not controlling…

You don’t love somebody by controlling them.

Contrary to what you may have heard, my wife does not control me…  her love is revealed in so many ways, but control is not one of them.

I love my kids… and as tempting as it is to make them do the right thing (because I always know what is right… it’s kind of my gift)… As tempting as it might be to control their lives… my love for them is revealed in a myriad of other ways.

God’s love for us… for all humanity and creation… will not be revealed in control.  Even when we wish that it would… It doesn't make sense to me or to Jesus… that God would control our lives by saving one person here… and another one there… but not this one over here.

So, why pray, then?
Why pray if God isn't going to do what you ask?

I pray,

Because it connects me God…that compassionate matrix that holds the universe together.

Because it brings me into the lap of the one who can hold me and assure me that there is more… and that grief will not be forever.

Because it connects me to thousands of years of tradition… of a relationship with God that began with Abraham, carries though Moses and Jesus and continues in my kitchen… a relationship of struggle and sharing…

It opens my mind, sparks my imagination and invites me to be at one with the Divine.

It makes me feel better…

And yet, I’m going tell you that I believe that it’s also more.

I think that the world is affect by prayer… even if I can’t tell you how.

But somehow prayer matters…  It makes a difference.

For me, sometimes it is all that I have… a little bit of prayer…. I’m not a doctor, I’m not a miracle worker… sometimes, I’m not even a good friend… and all that I have is this tiny morsel, this little prayer… and I know that it can’t be enough… it just can’t be... It doesn't make sense… it can't make sense in this modern world.

But just as Elijah assured the widow that her morsel was enough… for her, for her family, for the stranger even..… I find that prayer is, too.

For me… for family… friends… strangers even.

And so, I have prayed with parents… with loved ones… I've prayed with my friends and my family…  I have prayed through tears…  and very often, it did not precede a miraculous turn of events.

But it was nearly always a way to healing.

To connection.

To an awareness of something more… something holy… something that I recognize as God… the same God that Jesus reveals.   The same experience that Paul had - a Gospel that can't describe logically, it isn't an ethical deduction - it's a revelation... he can't explain it, he just trusts it.

And so I pray...  because sometimes it is not the only the best that I can do, it is the only thing that I can do as I am traveling along on a mission and run into someone with a need.

How’s that for engagement??

I don't know if it's enough... I hope that it is... because it's all that I've got. 

Thanks be to God.

What about the Trinity?

So, I've been away for a bit... and now, I'm catching up. 

I had an excellent question offered after the sermon on Trinity Sunday.  

Here it is:

At the risk of committing heresy, doesn't the Trinity allow Christianity to connect with and inspire a wider group of people?

Those who need God the Father: A director, creator, loving parent

Those who need Jesus: A living example of God’s love active in human form.

Those who need the Holy Spirit:  A spirit connecting us all to each other and God; a guiding presence or common understanding; a gentle drawing into goodness.

Aren't the Father and Son, by definition, not equal?  Although at times they may be equal, the relationship necessitates one coming BEFORE the other and being MORE (at least for a while) – stronger, more powerful, etc.    For me, this underlines one of the major difficulties for religion: Finding language that makes Faith more, not less, available to those searching for meaning.

I love these questions.

I have no answers… but, boy oh boy, do I have a lot of love.

The struggle with the Trinity is that every time someone tries to explain it, it becomes a heresy.  For me, the Trinity is to Theology (and Faith) as an irrational number is to mathematics and physics.  You can’t resolve the square root of two, nor can you resolve Pi… and yet, we rely on even numbers and we use circles all the time.  When you think of if it, it’s as if every circle in our finite reality has, at its core, an infinite component.  A number that never ends….

My understanding of God, is satisfying, rewarding and understandable to me, but at its core lies an infinite mystery. 

And it does work for many, just  -as you describe it.  Some need an awesome God who directs, creates and loves – anything less is a “minor deity” and hardly worthy of commitment or passion.   However, there are also people who do not respond well to being “controlled” or overseen by another… they feel that their freedom of choice is infringed. Others also struggle with God the Father, because their own experience of “Father” has not been good or helpful.   A distant, violent or horrific Father can drive people away from the love of God, when we insist on the term Father.

At present Jesus is what is needed for a great many people – as we try to figure out what God’s love looks like; what God’s will requires… we look to Jesus and we can understand how the Cosmic God responds to a nagging next door neighbour.  Without the “human” expression of God, that would be quite challenging.

And a bunch of us need a Holy Spirit… present and intimate, active in the world right now, at home in my kitchen and inside my heart and head.  That still small voice giving me courage, reminding me of my responsibility for the world… giggling in times of joy when it’s best that I keep a straight face.

And the mystery of our faith is that they are all onyou e… one and the same.  Same substance.  They are the same “What”… but they are different “Who”s.   In practical terms, I don’t know how to think of them as one – I pray to God, I talk to Jesus, I feel the Spirit – they’re kind of different.  But my theology pushes me to imagine them as one…  no priority or subordination.  And maybe in this contemplation, I just be able to imagine the people in my life as one… without priority or subordination.  Or my place in Creation: without priority or subordination.    I don’t know..

What I do know is that the Great Schism: the first major division of the church into East and West: Orthodox and Catholic (Roman) was officially over the translation of the Creed that said that the Spirit proceeds from the Father.   Now, you’d think that the problem is that the Spirit proceeding FROM the Father would make the Spirit subordinate to or at least younger than the Father.  That wasn’t the problem.   There was no problem because the Spirit desired to proceed from the Father – the desire comes before the proceeding, so linear time is already messed up… and so the Spirit can proceed from and yet still be contemporary with the Father.  Follow that??

The problem is that the Spirit should proceed from the Father AND the Son.  By not including the Son; be having the Spirit proceed only from the Father, you have subordinated the Son. 

And so the church split.  One Church got the Pope and other got really long beards.   Did it really matter that much? 

It did to some.

Trying to understand God is like sculpting a great chunk of marble.  Every day you try to cut away all the bits that aren't “GOD” and reveal the beauty beneath… but every now and then, someone thinks that you've cut away the most important “God” part:  In this example, it’s the lack of Hierarchy that must not be cut away….

Which brings us back to your final comment  - our struggle is to go deeper and deeper, discovering new ways of thinking about God; new ways of being open to the Sacred and Divine.. but also to, provide a language that is communicative and inviting to others – others not immersed in 2600 years of Faith history.

I think that the best that we can to is to keep trying… becoming heretics and then trying again… Remember that Jesus was a Heretic and that yesterday’s Heresy is tomorrows Orthodoxy 

Thoughts?

When does Worship begin and why won't people be quiet for the Prelude?!

No questions came to me, no emails or singing telegrams arrived with questions arising from Sunday’s time of Worship.  However, in Tuesday morning Bible Study a spirited discussion was had about the Prelude and “Why can’t people be quiet?” during three minutes of reflective, musical time…

It was suggested by some that it’s simply rude to talk during the prelude: Rude to our Organist, Art Wenk, who puts forth great effort and shares incredible gifts with his music; rude to those who take the “Prelude” as a time to let go of the “outside” world, and prepare for the inner world, a transition from the mundane to the holy.  

“Why don’t we have some kind of signal, like the taping of the conductor’s baton before a symphony, to indicate that people should be quiet and pay attention”

“It bothers me that people are still talking as Lee-Ann begins the Call to Worship… they should be quiet and ready to participate”

These are all important concerns (and, it should be noted that neither Lee-Ann or Art were part of the discussion)

Allow me to opine…  I agree that there should be a time of transition; a time when we exhale, let of the world, let down our defenses and allow spirit, emotion and unspoken wisdom to inform us.   Formally (and formerly) the context for this time was created by a musical performance… a “Prelude” to worship, so that we would come to worship prepared.  The Apostle Paul encourages us to let go of our concerns with our brothers and sisters before we come to worship… the musical prelude is that “Spiritual Air-Lock” where we do that… let go and come into a new time and place.

Except that nobody seems to get it…

Except that we are no longer a group of villagers who see each other every day and so have no need to converse before the time of worship…

Except that we very explicitly place high value on establishing “Community” in worship and welcoming the “Stranger” as part of our ministry… and conversation enables the former as dramatically as “Hushing” and admonishing inhibits the latter.

Except that music is no longer a rare commodity… there was a time, that to sit and hear an organ play was a unique experience; now such music is readily available on my satellite radio or Ipod and therefore less often perceived as “special”

At Jubilee, with respect to all of those who share their gifts, often without proper appreciation of the community, we seem to get where we need to go, without following the old established traditions.

I would suggest to you that rather than performance we see Worship as a transformative event.  So, the church crier enters in the market place and calls the people to worship…. It makes perfect sense that people would still be speaking when Lee-Ann begins the Call to Worship, because it is a CALL… to WORSHIP.  It’s not Worship… it’s the call.  Worship has not yet begun.  

We call people…  we shake hands and great one another and then, a hush falls over the congregation as we retake our seats (kind of the desired effect of a musical prelude).  Next,  we share the announcements – the comings and goings of our community, settling business and matters with our brothers and sisters, as Paul recommended and prepare ourselves for worship.  Finally, we light the Christ Candle and share a Prayer of Approach….

In a very real sense, the hand shaking, ensuing hush and announcements are our “Prelude”; our transition from the outside to the inner world.  So, I don’t think that we are lacking in any way.

Having said that, I am happy to hear Art play anytime and anywhere… in complete reverential silence or in the midst of joyful welcoming conversation…. So I don’t want to change a thing. 

But that’s just me…  What about you?

Favourite Hymns - about time??

Not much controversy with the sermon on Sunday – no questions about the content of the worship service at all… but there was one comment about an Announcement.   It was the Announcement that we would be welcoming hymn suggestions from the congregation – let us know your favourites so that they can be included in Worship, I requested. 

   

The comment that I received on the subject was simple and to the point:  About time!!

I think that the comment cuts to the heart of worship and the tension that provides the best worship experience.  Is it really about time that we took requests?

Do we view worship as dinner theater?  Seated by a nicely dressed waiter, we put in our order and then watch the show, with the expectation that we will be fed stuff that we like.  On the way home we assess the service and decide if we will visit again.   Is that the purpose and nature of worship – to be served and get what we ordered in a timely, friendly fashion?

Some would see worship as something that we give to God in response to our experience of God’s love.  We say “Thank You” as we stand up and sing our best songs to God our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.  We dress in our “Sunday” best, speak politely and put on a lovely show for God: Much as we used to do when we visited Great Grandma and read our speech from school while wearing itchy long pants.   Is that the purpose and true nature of worship – to be polite, respectful and do a lovely show the old lady?

What if we imagined Worship to be something else… Neither spa nor thank you note… not theater or spectacle…  what if we imagined that Worship was something to equip us to live in the world aware of and sharing God’s love?  What if Sunday was our nurture and training to be the Kingdom of God? Or if the language and metaphor don’t speak to you – what if the purpose of church was to connect us to one another and inspire us to actively love and change the world??

In the first example, a familiar favourite hymn makes sense because we requested it… it helps us to feel at home and provided a sense of succor and comfort.  Exactly what we ordered.

In the second example, a familiar favourite hymn might make sense if it is a good hymn – but only because it is good enough for us to offer it to God in thanksgiving… you don’t give Grandma a T-Shirt from Giant Tiger, when you could afford to give her Chanel  (at least that’s what my Grandma told me…)  You give your best  - the “best” is the criteria for offering a hymn; not favourite or familiar.  Bach nearly always beats Fanny Crosby.

In the third example…  well, a familiar favourite might provide nurture and comfort, which gives us rest and strengthens us to love the world.  But, an unfamiliar hymn challenges us and invites us to look beyond our own comfort zone and realize that Faith, God and the World are not all about us.   A new hymn offers new ideas in ways that are not intellectual, but might stick with us for months as we hear the tune in our heads…  it might be a year before it comes out as a thought or inspires a new action of love… but it does equip us to engage with the world and share the Kingdom of God.

About time?

Maybe… maybe for you because you need some comfort to strengthen you for the world… Maybe for somebody else because the hymn is new and challenging and they were starting to get complacent in their faith…  Maybe for the choir because they sing is so well and the need an affirmation today…  

I, personally, think that it’s a good thing when worship reflects the personality of the community – to that end, a familiar favourite hymn is a great idea (we are offering who we are to God)… but I also believe that worship is meant to lead and inspire- so every now and then, it’s also a good idea to let go of the “favourites” and discover that God also reaches out to us in minor keys; dissonant harmonies and music both excellent and edgy.

But that’s me… what about you?

I posted too soon... more Psalm 23 response.

I got carried away and blogged before this question (or questions) arrived in my email.   I should really work on patience...

 How do I move forward with Psalm 23 in my back pocket?  How do we bring that hour of watching TV with your dad to grown-ups?  How do we move away from the always wanting?  How do we inspire people (maybe kids, but grown-ups too) to BE those helpers you talked about in Boston, not necessarily in crises, but in everyday situations?  How do we start to change the normalcy of fear and encourage people to be open, trusting and charitable?  You mentioned that goodness and mercy were in short supply in Boston this week, but I disagree.  I think in the aftermath of tragedy is where we most easily find goodness and mercy - in the form of those helpers.  People who respond, despite the personal dangers, inconvenience, fear and revulsion.  But I was at the mall the other day and I came out into a horrible rainstorm to see about ten people standing around watching an elderly man in a wheelchair try to push himself slowly toward a Wheeltrans vehicle.  Where were the helpers that day?  It shouldn’t take a bomb to motivate people – but how do we get that message out?  It seems like that was part of your message today – goodness and mercy shall follow me – maybe if we work at it, we can leave a trail of goodness and mercy in our wake.  And you do that.  You are working to get that message out there.  But you get to give a sermon at least once a week.  And I get to teach children everyday, so I have a bit of an audience there too.  But how can we pass that message on to other people and make it grow?  How do we take it to heart ourselves in this media-controlled, narcissistic and materialistic society?  We need to develop language to talk about this stuff in everyday life, not just in church.  We need to develop practical suggestions for “paying it forward” as it were.  And that is a conversation I’d like to be part of.

I wish that I could give a complete and conclusive answer to the questions you raise… I don’t that I can, but I can try and at least play my part in the conversation with you.  

I hear a few questions:

1.       How do we find ways to free ourselves from want…

I referenced my “Batman” moment in my sermon, but it’s not the only moment that I have had.  I think that we need to intentionally value those moments, seek them out and create a context for them to occur.  That, to me, is what Sabbath is really about.  A time to be free of the pushes and pulls of the world and to reflect… It’s not a big lavish meal, it’s a simple cold meal… it’s not out on the town, it’s quietly sitting and talking with loved ones… it’s not answering the phone and doing “work” it’s quietly examining all that you have and appreciating it.  The people who intentionally embrace a time of Sabbath are, in my experience, more relaxed and attuned; less materialistic and often more open.  As if they have discovered that they already have “enough”, they just require the time to embrace it.   Now, I appreciate that work and kids and other responsibilities make a life of “Sabbath” hard to accomplish… but God gave us one day in seven as a Sabbath… so maybe we could try that… or 2 hours every day in reflection, meditation, yoga, etc…  Or an evening a week without TV or computer sitting with a partner having dinner and talking..  I think that we can intentionally build these peaceful moments in our lives and thereby keep the promise and reality of “peace” nearby.  (I say this fully aware that when my schedule gets full the first thing that I sacrifice is my Sabbath time… but I’m getting better)

2.       How do we inspire people to be helpers?  I think that you’re right when you note that a major disaster or tragedy inspires people – I know folks who quit jobs or took a leave of absence to respond to a Tsunami; others how traveled to New York over a decade ago, and Boston just last week… but they might also have failed to notice the man in the wheelchair getting soaked in the rain.  Some people talk about faith setting them free… believe in God and be free.  However, that doesn’t really mean that as a person of faith you are free to do what you want to do… it means that you are free to be “for the other”. Free to care; free to reach out.  No longer afraid of death or ridicule, no longer feeling limited in love – no longer needing to be selfish, because your “self” is cared for by the Divine – you can spend your life on somebody else… and we call that Freedom.    So, maybe part of what we do is establish a sense of security in our children and friends, that they are “free” to be for somebody else. 

I think that we can invite people into small acts of kindness, allow them to be for somebody else while we watch their backs… until they discover that the risk is less than they imagined; and worth it.  Most people who work in Food Banks or Soup Kitchens, were invited there by a friend… and they were unsure and a little bit afraid of who they would meet… we can take away their fear, accompany them; assure them, until they are doing it with less worry and eventually with joy…  I’ve seen it happen.  But I think that we have to meet people where they are – not excpect them to be “Good” as we imagine “Good”.

I think that we respond to a media driven, often shallow and narcissistic society, but gently presenting an alternative and then inviting others to join… not by guilt and not because it will make them “better” people – but because we enjoy it and experience benefits.  I think that a great many people want to be more helpful, but they are afraid and/or just waiting to be invited.

And you’re right about needing a language… a vocabulary that doesn’t carry all the baggage of  “the church”… but there are so many good words and concepts that have been carried and honed by the church over millennia, it would be a shame to just let them go.  It’s hard to find another word for Grace… or Presence… or Faith… but we do need to talk to those outside the church in words that they will understand.  It might be a good idea for us to simply start talking, however…

Also, I think that you are right about the abundant Goodness and Mercy in the moments and days immediately following the bombs going off in Boston.  I was responding to some media who were trying to fill air time and ascribe responsibility before they had anything to actually say… and my own hurt that made me want to curl up, turn off the tv and just let the world go away…  It was in me that Goodness and Mercy were initially lacking… I’ve improved since then.