Wednesday, February 14, 2018 

“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:13) 

                It is the first time since 1945 that Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday have had the same date.

                One website asked the question  can one be a believer and still celebrate the day with champagne and chocolate.  At first glance it may seem somewhat contradictory – the light and romantic side of Valentine’s Day in contrast to the serious, more somber atmosphere of Ash Wednesday and Lent. Of course, secularists and other types of believers and non-believers could care less.

Well, I have always struggled with the idea that Lent has been somewhat trivialized by the tradition of having to give something up like chocolate, coffee, smoking, or some other indulgence or personal habit, even though it, sort of, pertains loosely to some superficial understanding of the idea of sacrifice that is linked to the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. But barely!

                Perhaps, at best, the fact that Lent is beginning, and it may help to inspire someone to forfeit some unhealthy practice, addiction or habit and that would be good indeed. Perhaps, I need to give up being so picky.

                But I have no problem connecting Valentine’s Day with Ash Wednesday and Lent whatsoever. Indeed, it seems a natural fit in light of the scripture verse quoted above from John’s Gospel.

                Love is at the core of Lent.

                Jesus is embracing the precious last few hours with his friends. He has so much he wants to say to them, to tell them, to show them. And so little time.

                Does this rag tag outfit of disciples get anything he has been saying, teaching or doing? What will happen when he is arrested and crucified as he knew he would be? Is he leaving them equipped enough to deal with all that is ahead? Do they understand his mission and the tasks that he is leaving behind for them to accomplish? Do they understand the Love that he has for them, the compassion for their hearts and souls, the caring concern for their well-being?

                Every word he speaks to his followers at the Last Supper here in John’s Gospel exudes his love, his encouragement, his deep-felt protective feelings towards them, his reassurances, his prayers for them, his gift of Spirit to help them cope in the days ahead. And if this is not Love, I don’t know what is.

                Beyond all the theories of atonement represented buy this supreme, personal sacrifice of Love i.e. to die for one’s friends, is the supreme gift of Love that comes with following him.  “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 14:34) Or as he said when he submissively washed his disciples’ feet, “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)

                Surely, anyone can understand that it is this holy and sacred style of Love that we should be bringing into our marriages, our families, our communities, our churches, our workplaces, our pulpits, our ethics, until it permeates our very character.  Loving is not always easy or convenient and not without its trials and tribulations, but it always the best we ought to try to do. Even enemies, Jesus says, deserve our Love.

                So, if you need to knock back a little champagne and nibble on some chocolate or nibble on your partner’s ear, for that matter, go for it!

It is the Season for Loving. As Jesus would say, “Go and do likewise!”

Dale

Wednesday, February 7, 2018 

“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

                I’ll have a large fries and supersize it!

                There are reports that there is an ingredient in McDonald’s french fries that may be a cure for baldness. Dimethylpolysiloxane (try staying that three times fast!) which Newsweek reports is a silicone added to McDonald's fries to stop cooking oil from frothing, was used to regrow hair on mice. Now hairy mice are nice, but a few more follicles on my head would be nicer. After all, I am not giving God much of a challenge in counting what I have left up there up on my noggin.

                I’m not sure whether to eat the fries or smear on them on my scalp. Maybe both, just to cover all my bases.

                Jesus is using hyperbole in his comment that all the hairs on our head have been counted by God. I am pretty sure that God has better and far more important things to do than actually counting hairs on people’s head. Maybe God has an angel Department of Hair Counting but that too would seem rather a waste of time and effort.

                Jesus has been teaching about the difficulties that fall our way when we try to follow him in the world. Some of it is just downright nasty persecution: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves…” (Matthew 10:16)  Now, I don’t know about you, but I am not too keen on becoming a nice piece of mutton for anyone, even if I have provided a bountiful meal for the ”wolf”. I am not sure that is what Jesus meant when he challenged us to feed the hungry.  But I digress.

                This is some of the hardest teachings that Jesus leaves us with. Many of us would-be followers of Jesus don’t want to hear about the hardships, the challenges, the sacrifices, the costs of being a follower, “and you will be hated because of me.”  (10:22)

Look Jesus, I just want my comfortable pew, and prefer that the secular world like me, really like me or, at least, leave me alone. Let the world pretend that I am not here. Let it go pick on some other religion or faith group. We and the world used to get along so well. Why is everybody always pickin’ on me? I thought that my faith put me on easy street; nothing bad is supposed to happen because I am a believer.  I just want my ticket to heaven stamped and I’m outta here.

But if we are doing our Christ-like thing really, really  well  - and not, instead, being noted or  critiqued for our hypocrisy – we will be noticed for our compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, inclusiveness, love, grace and forgiveness. These can be annoying behaviours. These can be bothersome traits.  These can be meddlesome habits. When we are sticking our nose into places where Jesus’ Love needs to shine, operate and make a difference we may just get it thrown back in our faces and told to go mind our own business.

                But Love is our “business”.  Love is our politics. Love is our “science”. Love is our currency. Love is our modus operandum.  Love is our performance model. And sometimes this style of Love hurts and as Jesus himself showed is personally costly.

                But this brings us back to what all that has to do with the hairs on your or my head. Jesus is making the point that when we practice this radical, intrusive discipleship we are not alone, not doing by ourselves, not defenceless or merely sacrificial lambs. God  is very aware of the dynamics of following  Jesus and just as a sparrow does not fall to the ground without God’s awareness, so too you and I are counted as  valuable to our sacred Father. “So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.) (10:31)

                Now that is  a supersized portion!

Dale

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, RSV)

                Someone plastered a poster on the outside of the sign board at my wife’s church workplace reading, “Sign Frozen”. There is still a Christmas message on that side of the sign but apparently, they can’t get into the sign board to change it because it is frozen shut.  There is another church sign in the city which reads, “Too cold to change the sign. Message inside.” Clever!

                Signs are important to us.

                The beleaguered King Ahaz and the war-torn people of Jerusalem were overwhelmed by their enemies. We are told, “the heart of Ahaz and the heart of the people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind.” (Is. 7:2) They are quaking in their boots at the future that seems to be before them.

                God attempts to re-assure them: “Take heed, be quiet, do not fear and do not let your hearts be faint…” (v.4) The future is not as bad as it seems, but there is a dire warning about what will befall them “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you shall not stand at all.” (v.9)

                Perhaps Ahaz was still not convinced for God, seeing that their faith still wavered, promises a sign. That text about the sign (noted above) of a child being Immanuel has become one of the classic texts of Advent, leading into Christmas.

                Now I know what you are thinking, Christmas has been over for a month. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner as so is Lent.  I am as frozen with my Christmas message as is the church sign.

                Is that such a bad thing?

                This is far more than just a Christmas text. Any good sign will point us in the right direction. A good sign will indicate the road we need to be on. A good sign will give us hope that the future, although currently in doubt or seemingly under attack, has renewed possibility and better options and a way forward. And if we don’t stand firm in that faith and have courage and trust God in the process we are at risk of not standing at all. “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

                Immanuel, as most know, means “God is with us.” This is the mantle that has been thrown on Jesus. He is the living, breathing, personal embodiment of what it is means to have God with us. His incredible display of love, grace, forgiveness, truth, inclusiveness were signs of how God reaches out to all people with his Love. Jesus, too, spoke the same message as we heard in Isaiah: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

                A frozen faith may not be much good, nor a frozen heart, but a bold, stalwart, perseverant trust in what God is doing in the world and leaning into such a future may be the way forward and through.

Dale

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

“Therefore, consider whether the light in you is not darkness.” (Luke 11:35) 

                The corner of the living room has seemed a little dark ever since we took down the Christmas tree that once filled that corner with its light. I had found it very peaceful and contemplative to sit, every evening after supper, in the dimmed-down living room and watch the changing array of lights on the tree. For an hour or so I would sit there and shut out the crazy news I had just watched on TV. No music, no reading, no noise, just me and the tree and my favourite beverage in hand.

                Somehow it does not feel quite the same to sit there without the lights. It becomes just a darkened room. Heaven knows that there is more than enough darkness in the world right now. So, instead of the Christmas tree, now safely tucked away in the closet until next year, I have co-opted a small, decorative “tree” of white-painted branches and twigs covered in white mini-lights that one of our daughters left behind some time ago. It shines very nicely in the corner and I can go back to my post-news reveries.

                It is not a bible verse although it sounds like it could be one but I have always found strength in the Chinese proverb, “It is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness.” Mind you the Bible has its own comprehensive expressions about the power and influence of lights and lamps, not the least being Jesus who said to us “I am the Light of the world.”

                Some of you will remember the children’s hymn, Jesus Bids Us Shine: “Jesus bids us shine with a clear, pure light, Like a little candle burning in the night; In this world of darkness we must shine, You in your small corner and I in mine.” (Susan Warner) I am going to presume this hymn was inspired mainly by Jesus’ words, “You are the light of the world.”

I am intrigued by The Message Bible’s spin on the whole text:  "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”  (Matthew 5: 14 -16)

Now look, we all have days in which we may feel more like a candle in the wind than a torch bearer. We flicker, we sputter, our spiritual wicks seem short and about to drown in life’s waxy problems. But it may also be that your determination, faith, hope, joy, love, patience, endurance during the dark times make your light shine not only for yourself but for others around you. Another old Sunday School song pops into my head – Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.

Go out and brighten up somebody’s day; it’ll probably also brighten your own. Go out and reflect the Light of the words, works and compassion of Jesus. Go out and walk on the sunny side of the street and lighten the load of others who find the world a very dark place. Go out and be a pure clear light, you in your small corner and I will try to do the same in mine.

“The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.” (Proverbs 20:27) 

Dale

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

“For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end.” (1 Corinthians 13: 9 - 10)                

One piece. One piece of 2000 pieces. Only one little piece but without that one little piece my jigsaw puzzle is incomplete. It is lost!

And incompleteness sometimes drives me crazy. I am not so much a perfectionist as I am a completist. For example,  I have gaps  in some of my various years of  baseball card collections that have me pining for their completion somehow. Another, I hate not being able to finish a crossword puzzle. Another, I will read every book in a fantasy anthology series even it contains multiple books. That happened recently with Robin Hobb’s excellent fantasy series about the Farseer royal line - 12 books in all.

(The irony is that being a completist is in direct opposition with one of my many others sins - procrastination, and maybe laziness, too, but that’s another story for another time.)

I have made like the woman who swept her house until she found her lost coin in one of Jesus’ parables, but so far, I have not found my lost puzzle piece. It is not complete! All my long, hard work does not feel finished without that one piece. It is not the end of the world, by any means, but just the same it is irksome.

The above scripture verse comes from Paul’s famous words about love. He has just described love in precise, poetic, inspiring ways concluding that love never ends. Then he segues into his thinking that there is much about life that does end, that remains incomplete. We can never get to the whole of it. I suppose he is saying that there are things that remain mysterious, puzzling, questionable and inexplicable.

We are constantly in the process of growing, maturing, learning, adapting, figuring some of the stuff out but never putting all the pieces together. Elsewhere he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained this [i.e. becoming like Jesus Christ] or have already reached the goal, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own.” (Phil.3:12)

We never stop trying, never give up, never quit to find wholeness, completeness, harmony, fullness, balance and answers to important life questions.  For some it remains a muddle and they need our help, prayers and nurture. For others they are never satisfied and they need our encouragement, support and patience.  Many of us find not so much all the answers as we exercise our faith in God through Christ as we simply find reassurance, hope, peace, love, forgiveness, grace and a spirit of joy even when there a few pieces missing. Jesus speaks to us, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

I am not totally convinced that this spirit of completeness means some sort of finality or being done with something. I think it has more to do more with living the abundant life that comes with a relationship with Christ and striving to be more like him. I am most and best complete when the Love of God pulls the pieces of my life together and we set out to complete the task that God has given each one of us in becoming sons of Adam and daughters of Eve in a new creation, to “make you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21)

Dale

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

“For the laborer deserves to be paid…”(Luke 10:7)

One of the first regular paying jobs that I had as a young adult was at one of the old Towers chain stores, the then equivalent of today’s Walmart. The pay was awful even at minimum wage, if that, but I had no choice; I needed the job. They hired me as a stock boy over the Christmas rush. But I was a jack of all trades, amateur electrician, floor staff, floor display decorator. But then they put me on cash but didn’t train me. It was a disaster, as I didn’t understand that my mistakes – and I made many and often - needed to be voided.  At the end of my first day on cash, my immediate supervisor was horrified at the task of trying to balance my register. It was surprising they didn’t fire me then and there. But they were nice enough to wait until after Christmas!

But my two months in that crappy job made me appreciate the trials and tribulations of workers today who labour for just minimum wage, with few or more likely no benefits, and working long hours, and maybe holding down two jobs to make ends meet and put food on the table for their families, pay for housing and barely eke out a sustainable living.  So, I applaud any and all efforts to increase the minimum wage.  And I scorn those who in Scrooge-like fashion begrudge these, the working poor, every nickel and dime and take away their dignity and pride in the process. Shame on you – you know who you are. You sit on growing profits and enjoy a good lifestyle because these good folk toil for you, but you begrudge them even a 15-minute coffee (!?!) break.

Charge me an extra quarter for my coffee, and I will gladly pay it if it means that somebody gets a little closer to a decent wage.

Jesus would be appalled, I think.

One of his most controversial parables considers the issue of fair and just wages. (Matthew 20:1-15). In this case the vineyard owner turns out to be a very generous individual, and it is the co-workers who struggle with wage parity. Much work needs to be done in the vineyard and through the day the landowner keeps hiring more and more workers.  At the end of the day he pays the workers who came on late in the day exactly the same amount he paid the workers who toiled all day. Human nature being what they cried “Foul!”.  “Taking the money, they groused angrily to the manager, 'These last workers put in only one easy hour, and you just made them equal to us, who slaved all day under a scorching sun.” (Matthew 20: 11 – 12, The Message Bible).

But as the parable points out everybody got a fair and equitable  wage in the end; nobody went home empty handed; nobody was going to go hungry and that amount of money was equally going to cover the costs of daily living for one and all. “Can't I do what I want with my own money? Are you going to get stingy because I am generous?” (Matthew 20: 15, The Message Bible)

There are many ways to apply some of the lessons from this parable. But today, for me, at least, it speaks to the necessity and grace and a spirit of justice that rich folk, affluent business people, company presidents and CEOS, uccessful businesses, lucrative companies, governments who go through money  like water sometimes, assure that  the working poor and those who are doing their utmost to provide for their families are treated more than fairly , justly and generously. Nor should any of us begrudge or complain when they get a helping hand. We all benefit when this happens. There is plenty to go around and then some.

“Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns,” (Deuteronomy 24:14)

Dale

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

“And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something— now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means.” (1 Corinthians 8:10 -11)

                If there is a problem being retired is that I have the best of intentions to start some project and then I instantly find or make an excuse not to get started, never mind complete it. This past year I intended to build some book shelves. Didn’t do it. I was going to re-stain the dining room furniture. Didn’t do it. There were several small repairs that I was going to get around to doing. Didn’t do it. I was going to start walking more for exercise. Didn’t do it.

                So here in a brand spanking new year, am I doomed to repeat the same old pattern or can I not only desire to do something but finish doing it? Time will tell.

                I have been working on a 2000 piece jig saw puzzle for the last month. It is turning out to be one of the harder puzzles I have ever tackled. The puzzle takes up a good part of the dining room table. (There – that’s why I didn’t get around to the re-staining.) I am bound and determined to finish it. I have never given up on a jigsaw puzzle, including one that was two-sided with the same picture.  I am not a particularly patient person, but I will persevere when it comes to jig saw puzzles. There is much satisfaction in finishing a hard one.

                So why can’t I start and finish a more meaningful task? Do you have that problem?  Are there things you have started and can’t finish? Are there commitments you have made and can’t complete? Are there promises you have made and now can’t or won’t carry through on them?  Have you the best of intentions and little desire to act on them? Is the spirit willing but the flesh weak?

                One of my favourite parables from Jesus concerns the little fig tree that wouldn’t bear figs (Luke 13: 6 – 9). I am not sure why the man was planting a fig tree in his vineyard but he waited for three years and the tree was still very unproductive. So, he told his gardener to cut the tree down. “Why should it be wasting the soil?”  But the gardener wants to give the tree another year in which he will try coax a little fruit from the tree with some manure and TLC, with the promise that if it doesn’t produce he will chop it down.

                We don’t know whether the tree ever ended up bearing  fruit. But we get the point that faithful lives are meant to produce fruit during the  year. It is not enough to simply be a person of faith in words only but we should strive to finish the work that Christ has placed on our shoulders and in our hands – to make a difference, not just take up space and wasting the good soil of his Kingdom Garden. “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

                May your 2018 be a meaningful, productive, fruitful year and may you finish well those things that you start.

Dale