On the fourth Sunday of Easter, we look back to an earlier point in the Gospels to Jesus foretelling his departure. Though these stories take place before the events of Jesus' death and resurrection, they are retold here as we approach the Ascension - Jesus' bodily return to heaven. Though Jesus has been raised from the dead he does not remain for long. He must return to heaven. He has shown us the way, and now he must move on.
As I considered the bittersweet tone of this, I was reminded of this song by The Cure. Having gone through my own angst filled years listening to this song, I could recognize the depth of love as well as the pain of impending departure. As the refrain says, "however far away , I will always love you; however long I stay, I will always love you; whatever words I say, I will always love you; I will always love you." In these words, we hear the pain of the parting that will occur, but also the love that will not end and will continue no matter how far apart we may seem to be. This is Christ's love for us - even we we feel alone and feel that Jesus is far away from us, his love for us never waivers. Thanks be to God!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Third Sunday of Easter ~ Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Love Like We Do
So, I recognize I have gotten a little behind here. My apologies to those of you who actually pay attention to what we do here. The last couple of weeks have been crazy. Two weeks ago, I put April and JB on a plane first thing in the morning and then preached at UCRP. Two days later, I got on a plane myself to fly to New Orleans. Got back last Sunday late in the evening and then had interviews at the seminary most of the week. But anyway, that's not why you are here.
On the third Sunday of Easter, the focus is on Jesus appearing to his disciples. This year, we read about Jesus appearing to Saul/Paul in Acts and then we read a story of Jesus appearing to some of the disciples while they are fishing in the Gospel of John. There are two great pieces to the story in John. First, we have Peter getting so excited when he sees Jesus, that he actually pauses to pull his clothes on before jumping into the sea. Though there had been rumors that Jesus had appeared to others (such as Mary Magdalene and the two from Emmaus), Peter becomes so flustered that he can't think straight. Instead of immediately jumping into the water to swim to shore, or disrobing as many would do so as not to get their clothes wet, he actually re-dresses before jumping in.
The second great thing here is the conversation between Jesus and Peter after they have eaten. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and when Peter responds each time that he does, Jesus tells him to care for his sheep. To express his love to Christ, he has to care for others, to continue the ministry that Jesus had begun. This same thing holds as true for us today as it did for Peter nearly 2,000 years ago.
Turning to our song for the week, I am tempted just to post the full lyrics here. At any rate, the song begins with a recognition that life is now better than the days just left behind. That could be something of understatement, from either point of view in our Gospel story. The second line is just as profound - "What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine." This speaks directly to both our inheritance in Christ and our call to continue his mission. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, "any time...is good enough when we love like we do".
Full lyrics:
Love Like We Do
music and lyrics by Edie Brickell
(from the album Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars)
Life is better than the days behind
What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine
No aggravation that we can't get through
A situation for the lucky few
And everyday is just a little more
Of time together to be happy for
I'm happy even when the times are rough
'cause anytime with you is good enough
when we
Love like we do
I don't believe in hatred anymore
I hate to think of how I felt before
When anger overwhelms your very soul
It's hard to realize you'll ever know
Love like we do
On the third Sunday of Easter, the focus is on Jesus appearing to his disciples. This year, we read about Jesus appearing to Saul/Paul in Acts and then we read a story of Jesus appearing to some of the disciples while they are fishing in the Gospel of John. There are two great pieces to the story in John. First, we have Peter getting so excited when he sees Jesus, that he actually pauses to pull his clothes on before jumping into the sea. Though there had been rumors that Jesus had appeared to others (such as Mary Magdalene and the two from Emmaus), Peter becomes so flustered that he can't think straight. Instead of immediately jumping into the water to swim to shore, or disrobing as many would do so as not to get their clothes wet, he actually re-dresses before jumping in.
The second great thing here is the conversation between Jesus and Peter after they have eaten. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him and when Peter responds each time that he does, Jesus tells him to care for his sheep. To express his love to Christ, he has to care for others, to continue the ministry that Jesus had begun. This same thing holds as true for us today as it did for Peter nearly 2,000 years ago.
Turning to our song for the week, I am tempted just to post the full lyrics here. At any rate, the song begins with a recognition that life is now better than the days just left behind. That could be something of understatement, from either point of view in our Gospel story. The second line is just as profound - "What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine." This speaks directly to both our inheritance in Christ and our call to continue his mission. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, "any time...is good enough when we love like we do".
Full lyrics:
Love Like We Do
music and lyrics by Edie Brickell
(from the album Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars)
Life is better than the days behind
What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine
No aggravation that we can't get through
A situation for the lucky few
And everyday is just a little more
Of time together to be happy for
I'm happy even when the times are rough
'cause anytime with you is good enough
when we
Love like we do
I don't believe in hatred anymore
I hate to think of how I felt before
When anger overwhelms your very soul
It's hard to realize you'll ever know
Love like we do
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Five Month Old Jedi
I'm having a hard time believing that my little baby is already five months old (on April 9). In fact I wondered why the three months clothes I bought didn't fit him well. Clearly, I'm in denial.
Julian is a super sweet kid. He's generally very happy and is always smiley. Even when he was sick earlier in the month, he was still such a trooper.
He is totally into what's going on around him, especially the dog and cats. They are his favorite to watch run and play through the house.
I have a ton more pictures we've taken this month, but haven't had a moment to post this month. Here's one for fun...drunk Jedi...on milk, of course!
Julian is a super sweet kid. He's generally very happy and is always smiley. Even when he was sick earlier in the month, he was still such a trooper.
He is totally into what's going on around him, especially the dog and cats. They are his favorite to watch run and play through the house.
I have a ton more pictures we've taken this month, but haven't had a moment to post this month. Here's one for fun...drunk Jedi...on milk, of course!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Second Sunday of Easter ~ Paolo Nutini - Rewind
On this Sunday, we tend to focus on the doubt of the disciples. In particular, we usually look to "doubting" Thomas. But I prefer to think he is merely the one whose words we hear. In some ways, his is quite a mature reaction to the Resurrection. He does not allow himself to be swayed by any sort of emotional appeal or sentimentality; this is a faith that is as easily swayed as one's emotions. Nor does he say that he is unwilling to believe the truth of the claims that are being made about Jesus' Resurrection; this would have been a total rejection of all that Jesus had shown them and taught them.
Instead, I think his doubt is based as much on a lack of perceived change as anything else. If Christ came to change the world, to usher in God's kingdom, then where is it. But on the other hand, his doubt is also based on an inability to accept that change. The Resurrection is not a simple resuscitation; the disciples had seen those. Rather it is at once the proof of all that Jesus had lived and taught about God's kingdom as well as the realization that it is not yet here.
While struggling over all that is encompassed here in the disciples' doubt, I kept hearing the words of Paolo Nutini's song in my head. He sings of his inability to sleep at night and the refrain keeps repeating "Why can't we just rewind? Why can't we just rewind? Why can't we just rewind?" This is where I see the disciples in those early days following Jesus' death. On the one hand, they know that Jesus was taken away and killed as a political traitor. On the other hand, these stories are now circulating that he is still alive. Wouldn't it just be easier to go back to where things were before the Crucifixion? Why do things have to change? Why did Jesus always expect more from them than they truly understood? Now they feel as if they are left to pick up the pieces that have been left behind.
Who can blame them for their doubts?
Instead, I think his doubt is based as much on a lack of perceived change as anything else. If Christ came to change the world, to usher in God's kingdom, then where is it. But on the other hand, his doubt is also based on an inability to accept that change. The Resurrection is not a simple resuscitation; the disciples had seen those. Rather it is at once the proof of all that Jesus had lived and taught about God's kingdom as well as the realization that it is not yet here.
While struggling over all that is encompassed here in the disciples' doubt, I kept hearing the words of Paolo Nutini's song in my head. He sings of his inability to sleep at night and the refrain keeps repeating "Why can't we just rewind? Why can't we just rewind? Why can't we just rewind?" This is where I see the disciples in those early days following Jesus' death. On the one hand, they know that Jesus was taken away and killed as a political traitor. On the other hand, these stories are now circulating that he is still alive. Wouldn't it just be easier to go back to where things were before the Crucifixion? Why do things have to change? Why did Jesus always expect more from them than they truly understood? Now they feel as if they are left to pick up the pieces that have been left behind.
Who can blame them for their doubts?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Sunday ~ Chumbawamba and Alanis Morissette
Christ is Risen!
This is the joy of Easter - it turns out that there is a better tomorrow! And interestingly, the men who were following Jesus were not the first to find out. They had scattered, gone into hiding, lest they be next on the cross. But the women who had been with Jesus, they headed to the tomb to be sure Jesus was properly taken care of. Of course, we have the luxury of recognizing that Lazarus' sister, Mary, had already prepared Jesus for burial when she poured perfume over him a few days ago; but Jesus' followers did not yet know that.
While getting my haircut last week, I heard "Head Over Feet" playing on the radio. As I listened to it, I began to think about the reaction of the Mary's, particularly Mary Magdalene, as they visited the tomb before dawn that Sunday morning long ago. How do you react to the one who was dead, the one you have followed for years, the one whose teachings have totally changed your outlook on life? How do you come to terms with something as irrational as Jesus again standing before you? They clung to him and wanted to stay with him. Instead, Jesus wasn't quite done with the lessons; he sent them with a message and the women became the first evangelists (in the true sense of the word), the first to spread the good news of the Resurrection, the first preachers, if you will.
I will admit that "Tubthumping" was a late entry to this list - and a bit of an irreverent take on the Resurrection. But you have to admit the catchy refrain does speak to this rather well. Can't you just imagine Jesus walking through the garden that Sunday morning singing, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." Well, I bet you can now! Enjoy having that song stuck in your head the rest of the day.
Christ is risen indeed!
This is the joy of Easter - it turns out that there is a better tomorrow! And interestingly, the men who were following Jesus were not the first to find out. They had scattered, gone into hiding, lest they be next on the cross. But the women who had been with Jesus, they headed to the tomb to be sure Jesus was properly taken care of. Of course, we have the luxury of recognizing that Lazarus' sister, Mary, had already prepared Jesus for burial when she poured perfume over him a few days ago; but Jesus' followers did not yet know that.
While getting my haircut last week, I heard "Head Over Feet" playing on the radio. As I listened to it, I began to think about the reaction of the Mary's, particularly Mary Magdalene, as they visited the tomb before dawn that Sunday morning long ago. How do you react to the one who was dead, the one you have followed for years, the one whose teachings have totally changed your outlook on life? How do you come to terms with something as irrational as Jesus again standing before you? They clung to him and wanted to stay with him. Instead, Jesus wasn't quite done with the lessons; he sent them with a message and the women became the first evangelists (in the true sense of the word), the first to spread the good news of the Resurrection, the first preachers, if you will.
I will admit that "Tubthumping" was a late entry to this list - and a bit of an irreverent take on the Resurrection. But you have to admit the catchy refrain does speak to this rather well. Can't you just imagine Jesus walking through the garden that Sunday morning singing, "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." Well, I bet you can now! Enjoy having that song stuck in your head the rest of the day.
Christ is risen indeed!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Songs for the Journey: Easter
A little over two years, ago, I began a musical journey through Lent. You can see the original post here, which will give you a little idea as to why I started that journey.
Much as I guessed at the end of that post, it has taken me two years to put together another list.
Sometimes the hardest part of these lists is figuring out the themes for each post. While there are always overarching themes for the year, the reliance on four gospels and a handful of other writings through the lectionary means that there are at least three different sets of readings for most Sundays. This year, I was fortunate enough to find themes that would work in Stages on the Way: Worship Resources for Lent, Holy Week & Easter from the Wild Goose Worship Group of the Iona Community.
So, here we are at the end of Lent. We again stand in the Saturday between times. Yesterday, Jesus completed his journey to the cross. Today, he is in the tomb and the disciples feel that all is done; their hope for a better world, for a different tomorrow has come crashing down around them.
But the good news for us is that we know how it really ends, we know that there is a better tomorrow. The journey has not ended, but is about to burst forth into a new beginning. We are a Sunday people.
Much as I guessed at the end of that post, it has taken me two years to put together another list.
Sometimes the hardest part of these lists is figuring out the themes for each post. While there are always overarching themes for the year, the reliance on four gospels and a handful of other writings through the lectionary means that there are at least three different sets of readings for most Sundays. This year, I was fortunate enough to find themes that would work in Stages on the Way: Worship Resources for Lent, Holy Week & Easter from the Wild Goose Worship Group of the Iona Community.
So, here we are at the end of Lent. We again stand in the Saturday between times. Yesterday, Jesus completed his journey to the cross. Today, he is in the tomb and the disciples feel that all is done; their hope for a better world, for a different tomorrow has come crashing down around them.
But the good news for us is that we know how it really ends, we know that there is a better tomorrow. The journey has not ended, but is about to burst forth into a new beginning. We are a Sunday people.
Easter Vigil
K-Os - Sunday Morning
Easter Morning ~ Resurrection
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
Easter Morning ~ The Role of Women
Alanis Morissette - Head Over Feet
Easter Week 2 ~ Thomas and Doubting
Paolo Nutini - Rewind
Easter Week 3 ~ Jesus Appears to His Disciples
Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians - Love Like We Do
Easter Week 4 ~ Jesus Foretells His Departure
The Cure - Lovesong
Easter Week 5 ~ Promise of the Holy Spirit
Indigo Girls - Love Will Come to You
Easter Week 6 ~ Gift of Peace
Carl Thomas Gladstone - Mother Jesus
Ascension ~ Jesus Returns to Heaven
Ben Harper - Amen, Omen
Easter Week 7 ~ Jesus' Prayer to God for His Disciples
Collective Soul - Shine
8th Sunday of Easter ~ Pentecost
The Doors - Light My Fire
K-Os - Sunday Morning
Easter Morning ~ Resurrection
Chumbawamba - Tubthumping
Easter Morning ~ The Role of Women
Alanis Morissette - Head Over Feet
Easter Week 2 ~ Thomas and Doubting
Paolo Nutini - Rewind
Easter Week 3 ~ Jesus Appears to His Disciples
Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians - Love Like We Do
Easter Week 4 ~ Jesus Foretells His Departure
The Cure - Lovesong
Easter Week 5 ~ Promise of the Holy Spirit
Indigo Girls - Love Will Come to You
Easter Week 6 ~ Gift of Peace
Carl Thomas Gladstone - Mother Jesus
Ascension ~ Jesus Returns to Heaven
Ben Harper - Amen, Omen
Easter Week 7 ~ Jesus' Prayer to God for His Disciples
Collective Soul - Shine
8th Sunday of Easter ~ Pentecost
The Doors - Light My Fire
As it is now getting dark here on Saturday evening, I feel that I should say a word about the Easter Vigil song. This is the one carryover from my previous posts for Lent. Just as I could not end the Lenten list with Jesus in the tomb and the disciples experiencing that loss, I can't just jump into Easter without the hint of what came before. So here are the words I posted 2 years ago.
I must say that it was this song (Sunday Morning) by K-Os that pushed me to finally put together this playlist. The refrain repeats over and over "Everyday is Saturday night, but I can't wait for Sunday morning." It is such a happy and upbeat song, and I realized it fits perfectly into that transition between the emptiness of Saturday and the joy of Sunday. I heard or read part of an interview with K-Os, who spoke of the night life of Toronto and how everyone is so focused on the Saturday nights - the parties, the clubs, the hook-ups, etc. But there is just something different about Sunday morning that calls to us. Sunday hearkens back to memories of our grandparents' church and family meals. For us as Christians, there is also the sense that too often we get caught in the pain of Friday or the emptiness of Saturday. Every day of the week becomes a Saturday night - a time of excessive living in this world. But week after week, I find I can't wait 'til Sunday morning - Sunday when everything is made new, Sunday when we become aware of the risen Christ all around us, Sunday when we celebrate the joy of God's promises fulfilled.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Welcome to the family!
On March 21st, Julian was baptized into the family of God. Of course, he was already a part of that family, but we just thought we'd do that outward and visible sign of that inward, spiritual reality. (All the Methodist are with me on this one!)
It was a great day! Friends came from near and far. Tia Courtney came the farthest...all the way from Oregon! She got to hang with JB all week.
Jeff and Bridget (JB's godparents) and Casey and Sam came from Detroit. Jeff even did his baptism poem that he wrote on the day before Casey was baptized. (We still want a copy, J.)
Our friend Barbara made his baptismal outfit out of the skirt of my wedding dress. (I'd post a picture of the dress so you could see the transformation, but our other computer crashed, and we haven't gotten the data off it if yet!) But it was super special for us!
Julian had a good time and was completely calm for the entire baptism...that was until the ice cold water hit is naked head! No pictures of that unfortunately.
Pastor Catiana walked him around the church and showed him to everyone.
It was a great day. But he didn't take it all that seriously!
The Holy Spirit will make the hair on your hair stand straight up!
It was a great day! Friends came from near and far. Tia Courtney came the farthest...all the way from Oregon! She got to hang with JB all week.
Jeff and Bridget (JB's godparents) and Casey and Sam came from Detroit. Jeff even did his baptism poem that he wrote on the day before Casey was baptized. (We still want a copy, J.)
Our friend Barbara made his baptismal outfit out of the skirt of my wedding dress. (I'd post a picture of the dress so you could see the transformation, but our other computer crashed, and we haven't gotten the data off it if yet!) But it was super special for us!
Julian had a good time and was completely calm for the entire baptism...that was until the ice cold water hit is naked head! No pictures of that unfortunately.
Pastor Catiana walked him around the church and showed him to everyone.
It was a great day. But he didn't take it all that seriously!
The Holy Spirit will make the hair on your hair stand straight up!
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