You might have noticed, but we have been looking at the Gospel of Matthew off and on this year. Matthew's Gospel is often filled with the stories about Jesus that are often most difficult because they seem to find Jesus really confronting us at every level of our being. Things get turned upside down, and yet even Jesus has moments when he understands the importance of the widening grace he is here to bring to everyone.
Jesus comes to us with a reminder (click on title above to go to Matthew 25) that we are to keep our eyes open. We are to reach out to everyone making sure that they have food, clothing, shelter, and signs of grace that they are still important to God. The people who get this message and do this are the "sheep" Jesus speaks about in this passage.
Now there are some goats too--you have to love this rural analagoy Jesus gives us. They get a bit confused that they don't remember ever seeing Jesus poor, thirsty, hungry, homeless, etc. After all, as Jesus walked the countryside, didn't some of them offer to help him out and his disciples? But there is a deeper question here about humanity that Jesus is trying to get at.
We walk a thin line between being a sheep or a goat. It takes a change in our own circumstances sometimes when we realize the importance of sharing resources. Lose your home and suddenly your perspective about shelters and living on the street changes. Have your hours reduced, and suddenly going without food and having no where to turn becomes very real.
And so here in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus is reminding those who wish to follow him that it is their duty to always be on the lookout for those who need an extra bit of help. In so helping them, we get a glimpse of God's kingdom, a place of equality for all where the least of these and the richest of these are considered all on the same level. The economic and social strata must disappear and we are encouraged to live in harmony with one another. Jesus obviously knew that such a message would be confusing to people without something very stark to get their attention. In this story, he starts by inviting us in to an awareness of human needs and then reminds us that we all forget sometimes to reach out to our neighbor.
He states that the sheep get to come in to God's pasture, while the goats have a quite different fate. You might say that if we can have a burning desire to follow and see Jesus in our world, and in one another, that we will never have to worry about getting burned. But we also need to consider how graceful our God is too. There are going to be times when we are "the least of these" and there are going to be times when we will have it all together. The reality is that we should be the same person in all circumstances if we follow Jesus. The question is are you a sheep or a goat, or perhaps, how baaaad are you going to be?
Or maybe the real question is, do you think God's grace is big enough to let the goats come along anyway?........Amen.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
November's Deepening Spirit
As a kid, November was for me the dreariest of months. The reason was simple: I loved October and did not want to see it come to an end! October was the month of so many of my favorite things: my favorite color (orange), my favorite friends in the natural world (trees, in all their glory), and my favorite day (Oct. 27, my birthday, of course), just to name a few.
While that kid in me is still alive in full force, the grown-up in me sees a bit more going on in November. I see the dreariness, the darkening, the dying taking place in nature… and it makes me more aware of the deeper, darker things going on inside me and around me. I look out on my beloved trees naked and unadorned, and I think about who I am when all my decorative layers are stripped away... and who I will be when my life comes to an end.
There’s an honesty to this month that can be compelling. One of the things November reminds me to be honest about is death. Death is a part of life, whether I deny it or accept it, run from it or face it head on.
I was just about to write about why death is especially on my mind: that I have an uncle who is in the last stage of his battle with stomach cancer, and I’m wondering when the phone call will come. Before I could type the words, the phone call came.
My Uncle Art died this morning. It’s really true, I’m trying to convince myself. And I’m suddenly a mess of emotions… from gratefulness for all I’ve received from this dear person in my life… to anger that cancer eats away at our loved ones… to peacefulness in knowing his pain is over and he’s resting in God’s arms… to intense sadness for each person I know who will miss him so much. Including me.
Would you be willing to stop whatever it is that you were doing and pray with me? These words capture some of what I'm praying now:
O Living God, my listener, my savior… I don’t want to believe that death is real. I want to keep pretending I am invincible and so are the ones I love. But reality tells me otherwise. And so do you.
With your powerful Spirit, connect me to all those who grieve, all who are facing death, and all who are willing to care and to heal.
Hold us close. Give us strength to keep following Jesus, even when that way is painful. Fill us with confidence that through Jesus’ gift of life, we will live again after death… with you and those who have gone before us.
In Jesus’ name we pray…
Peace to you in your struggles and in your joys. Please feel free to share them, on this blog or over a cup of coffee… anytime. Thank you for your prayers, your spirit given in love.
~ Kari Henkelmann Keyl
While that kid in me is still alive in full force, the grown-up in me sees a bit more going on in November. I see the dreariness, the darkening, the dying taking place in nature… and it makes me more aware of the deeper, darker things going on inside me and around me. I look out on my beloved trees naked and unadorned, and I think about who I am when all my decorative layers are stripped away... and who I will be when my life comes to an end.
There’s an honesty to this month that can be compelling. One of the things November reminds me to be honest about is death. Death is a part of life, whether I deny it or accept it, run from it or face it head on.
I was just about to write about why death is especially on my mind: that I have an uncle who is in the last stage of his battle with stomach cancer, and I’m wondering when the phone call will come. Before I could type the words, the phone call came.
My Uncle Art died this morning. It’s really true, I’m trying to convince myself. And I’m suddenly a mess of emotions… from gratefulness for all I’ve received from this dear person in my life… to anger that cancer eats away at our loved ones… to peacefulness in knowing his pain is over and he’s resting in God’s arms… to intense sadness for each person I know who will miss him so much. Including me.
Would you be willing to stop whatever it is that you were doing and pray with me? These words capture some of what I'm praying now:
O Living God, my listener, my savior… I don’t want to believe that death is real. I want to keep pretending I am invincible and so are the ones I love. But reality tells me otherwise. And so do you.
With your powerful Spirit, connect me to all those who grieve, all who are facing death, and all who are willing to care and to heal.
Hold us close. Give us strength to keep following Jesus, even when that way is painful. Fill us with confidence that through Jesus’ gift of life, we will live again after death… with you and those who have gone before us.
In Jesus’ name we pray…
Peace to you in your struggles and in your joys. Please feel free to share them, on this blog or over a cup of coffee… anytime. Thank you for your prayers, your spirit given in love.
~ Kari Henkelmann Keyl
Monday, November 3, 2008
What Season is It?
Nothing deeply theological today due to the past busy week in my own life. But with all the things going on in our world and country it seems we do not know where to turn for a glimpse of the season.
We just passed Halloween and I have to say I am always surprised at the way this little holiday of candy grabbing has grown into a holiday to rival Easter and Christmas, commercially at least. I drove by many homes decorated with stuff as much as one would expect at the Christmas season. Need I mention that which we have all seen, Christmas trees and decorations up already. I swear I saw one Christmas tree decorated in hanging pumpkin lights!
In the midst of all this is the political season. It seems like we have been in this season forever but it comes to a quick close this week---hopefully. It seems crazy to flip channels during a commercial break and manage to catch the same commercial airing on the next channel! Other than the actual programming of a network, commercial time seems to be indistinguishable from one channel to the next. How are we supposed to get a break from that to clear our head?
Sunday marked another important day in the church calendar as well. It is referred to as All Saints Day. It is a day for us to reflect on the lives of members of the community who have died in the past year. There are no big speeches for each person, just a moment to remember them by the reading of a name and a time of silence. Sometimes a bell rings after the name is read. It is an interesting feeling of letting go of that person. As the peal of the bell subsides we are able to recall fondly or sadly the loss of the loved one we held dear while being supported by the spirit of those around us. It can be a moving experience.
It in some effects kicks off a month where we move inexorably closer to Thanksgiving. A time that can be filled with preparation for a wonderful feast. A time which celebrates bounty and harvest. A time meant to celebrate the importance of community. It can also be a time of painful memory for indigenous peoples of North America who saw their way of life being subsumed by the new immigrants to this country. Perhaps the resonance of that memory widens in this time when things are changing and in which we see our own way of life being challenged and stretched beyond our own comfort zones.
Regardless of these calendar seasons, we can take time to rejoice in the many blessings we have received in the past year as we begin this month of November. We can take time to reflect on what we have lost in the process as well, remembering that we have a God that can turn mourning in dancing and create abundance from our own perceived scarcity. What an amazing month November is after all!
I invite you to stop by for a cup of coffee or tea this month to just reflect together about God's moving through and in our lives in this amazing season filled with abundant grace.
We just passed Halloween and I have to say I am always surprised at the way this little holiday of candy grabbing has grown into a holiday to rival Easter and Christmas, commercially at least. I drove by many homes decorated with stuff as much as one would expect at the Christmas season. Need I mention that which we have all seen, Christmas trees and decorations up already. I swear I saw one Christmas tree decorated in hanging pumpkin lights!
In the midst of all this is the political season. It seems like we have been in this season forever but it comes to a quick close this week---hopefully. It seems crazy to flip channels during a commercial break and manage to catch the same commercial airing on the next channel! Other than the actual programming of a network, commercial time seems to be indistinguishable from one channel to the next. How are we supposed to get a break from that to clear our head?
Sunday marked another important day in the church calendar as well. It is referred to as All Saints Day. It is a day for us to reflect on the lives of members of the community who have died in the past year. There are no big speeches for each person, just a moment to remember them by the reading of a name and a time of silence. Sometimes a bell rings after the name is read. It is an interesting feeling of letting go of that person. As the peal of the bell subsides we are able to recall fondly or sadly the loss of the loved one we held dear while being supported by the spirit of those around us. It can be a moving experience.
It in some effects kicks off a month where we move inexorably closer to Thanksgiving. A time that can be filled with preparation for a wonderful feast. A time which celebrates bounty and harvest. A time meant to celebrate the importance of community. It can also be a time of painful memory for indigenous peoples of North America who saw their way of life being subsumed by the new immigrants to this country. Perhaps the resonance of that memory widens in this time when things are changing and in which we see our own way of life being challenged and stretched beyond our own comfort zones.
Regardless of these calendar seasons, we can take time to rejoice in the many blessings we have received in the past year as we begin this month of November. We can take time to reflect on what we have lost in the process as well, remembering that we have a God that can turn mourning in dancing and create abundance from our own perceived scarcity. What an amazing month November is after all!
I invite you to stop by for a cup of coffee or tea this month to just reflect together about God's moving through and in our lives in this amazing season filled with abundant grace.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Just Keep Your Head Above
Last time I wrote (Oct. 6, see below) I was imagining how our lives can be like a swampy struggle to keep our heads above water. And I got more responses to this post (through emails or in person) than any other.
One person told me how much it reminded her of a song by Jack’s Mannequin called Swim. And when she showed me the lyrics, I was blown away. They acknowledge how tough life can be — like choking on the salt water of a tidal wave — but also hint that you can keep swimming when there’s someone beside you, promising that the other side is not as far away as you think.
Then she played the song for me, and as compelling as the lyrics were, the music was even more so. It was such a gift to me to know — not just “head” knowing but the “deep in my bones” knowing that music conveys so well — that I truly am not alone in my need to have someone walk (or swim) beside me.
I’d love to hear what songs keep you going. Maybe we can share that with each other here on the blog. Give it some thought.
The song Swim ends with words that I can imagine God singing to me when I’m feeling pulled down:
You gotta swim
One person told me how much it reminded her of a song by Jack’s Mannequin called Swim. And when she showed me the lyrics, I was blown away. They acknowledge how tough life can be — like choking on the salt water of a tidal wave — but also hint that you can keep swimming when there’s someone beside you, promising that the other side is not as far away as you think.
Then she played the song for me, and as compelling as the lyrics were, the music was even more so. It was such a gift to me to know — not just “head” knowing but the “deep in my bones” knowing that music conveys so well — that I truly am not alone in my need to have someone walk (or swim) beside me.
I’d love to hear what songs keep you going. Maybe we can share that with each other here on the blog. Give it some thought.
The song Swim ends with words that I can imagine God singing to me when I’m feeling pulled down:
You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's an ocean to drift in
Feel the tide shifting away from the spark
Yeah you gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just follow the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
All kinds of currents drag me away from God’s love, but God’s pull is stronger. And God’s faithful love holds my head up while I swim toward that shore where I can rest a while.
Plenty of the songs/poems of the Bible (aka “psalms”) are similar to Swim in a way. They’re creative expressions of anguish... of sickness or depression or grief. It’s like digging out all your inside ugliness and artistically rearranging the pieces until the whole becomes something with a strange beauty of its own.
Don’t expect the Psalms to be articulate research papers of what to believe. They’re pretty much raw expressions of everything from ecstatic joy to homicidal anger to suicidal grief. They can be companions, friends to let you know you’re not the only one breathing fire or feeling high on life.
You can click on the title of this post to read Psalm 46, where the lyricist sees God in the natural world and in politics as well. But the most profound experience of God comes in the sense of safety in the middle of it all. And that link, BibleGateway, may be one you want to keep handy to find other psalms to check out (there are 150 of them, so you won't run out fast).
Just keep your head above
Swim
All kinds of currents drag me away from God’s love, but God’s pull is stronger. And God’s faithful love holds my head up while I swim toward that shore where I can rest a while.
Plenty of the songs/poems of the Bible (aka “psalms”) are similar to Swim in a way. They’re creative expressions of anguish... of sickness or depression or grief. It’s like digging out all your inside ugliness and artistically rearranging the pieces until the whole becomes something with a strange beauty of its own.
Don’t expect the Psalms to be articulate research papers of what to believe. They’re pretty much raw expressions of everything from ecstatic joy to homicidal anger to suicidal grief. They can be companions, friends to let you know you’re not the only one breathing fire or feeling high on life.
You can click on the title of this post to read Psalm 46, where the lyricist sees God in the natural world and in politics as well. But the most profound experience of God comes in the sense of safety in the middle of it all. And that link, BibleGateway, may be one you want to keep handy to find other psalms to check out (there are 150 of them, so you won't run out fast).
And if you'd like to read the rest of Swim's lyrics, here's one of many sites you could go to: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jacksmannequin/swim.html
~ Kari Henkelmann Keyl
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