We Watch and Wait

Much of the Gulf Coast today is watching and waiting. We are watching and waiting to see where Gustav will go.

Today’s Psalm is Psalm 22 which begins:

Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

We along the Gulf Coast are certainly asking for the Lord’s protection, and we know that it will come. Even if the hurricane hits our particular town, we know that the Lord protects us and gives us refuge in those who serve Him, in those whose commitment to Jesus shows forth in their loves of service to others.

Even if Gustav, the unwanted guest, comes to visit is, so too will Jesus’ many disciples who will provide aid in a time of need.

St. Augustine of Hippo

St. Augustine of Hippo is one of the greatest theologians of all time. He was born in 354 in North Africa. As a youth, he was a wanderer who dabbled in Manichaeism and Neoplatonism. He was a man of the world and about the world. He had a mistress and fathered a son, Adeodatus.

But his mother, St. Monica, constantly kept after him and prayed for him. Finally, at the age of 32, Augustine became a Christian. He was baptized by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, at the Easter Vigil in 387.

In 391, Augustine returned to North Africa, where the people of Hippo made him a presbyter. Just four years later, he became Bishop of Hippo. Augustine’s spiritual journey is recounted in The Confessions, an autobiography, the first of its kind.

As Bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine was a defender of the faith and he wrote countless books, including The City of God, letters and sermons which to this very day provide a rich source of insights into the faith.

He died on 28 August 430 as the Roman Empire was crumbling.

Collect for the Day:

Lord God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the hearts that serve you: Help us, following the example of your servant Augustine of Hippo, so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“What God has made clean, you must not call profane.”

In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, God reminds us that everything that He has made is good. Luke writes:

About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.” The voice said to him again, a second time, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. Acts 10: 9-16

Have you ever heard anyone say that the created order is in some way evil? I know that I have, and I have to ask these people, “How can creation be bad? After all, God made it, and Genesis in the Old Testament tells us quite emphatically: “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Gn. 1:31.

Peter did not quite get the idea, but God sets him straight. Peter followed the Jewish dietary laws wherein some things are considered unclean. Peter, trying to be a good follower of the law, pats himself on the back when he is confronted with eating things that would be considered unclean. But God reminds Peter, and us, that everything that God has created is good. The question for us is, what do we do with God’s creation? Do we profane it by misusing it? How do we treat God's creatures, people? Sometimes we miseuse creation; at times we disrespect and misuse people in our lives. God calls us to deal with what he has created wisely and respectfully, after all, it is all His.

"I will raise them up on the last day.”

In today’s reading from the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to John, Jesus reminds us what is truly important:

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’’’ Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

I had the occasion to visit a parishioner in the hospital this week. She is nearing death. Being present at this sacred time, the time when one of Jesus’ faithful followers will depart this life and step into life eternal, is humbling. It is also a privilege. Standing there in the hospital room beside the bed, I am a witness to Jesus’ love for his own. I can hear the words from today's reading and Jesus saying: “This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

I know with all of my heart the truth in that statement, and I can see the joy and peace that fills the person's face as I repeat Jesus’ words at the bedside. Life is not ended; it is changed as she prepares to enter into the presence of God who is, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Little Boy Who Gave Away His Lunch

Today, we read John’s version of the familiar story of the feeding of the multitude today found in all four of the Gospels. John writes:

After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months” wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

Can you imagine being that little boy with the five barley loaves and the two fish? There he was salivating to take the first bite of his lunch when he saw Andrew walking up to him. The little boy didn’t say no; rather, he readily gave what he had to Andrew, Jesus’ disciple who lacked faith in what Jesus could do with the boy’s generous gift of his lunch. The story reminds us that God blesses and multiplies our giving from the heart. When we give to God freely, not being stingy realizing that all we have comes from Him in the first place, God’s takes that gift and multiplies it beyond our belief and expectations. Plenty will be left over, and no one will be left out when we give from the heart. Just ask the little boy who gave his five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus took his gift and fed a multitude with plenty left over for anyone who stopped by.

You and I have many opportunities to allow God to multiply our meager gifts. We can contribute to a local food pantry, a homeless shelter, a battered woman’s shelter, or even your home church. Take the time to see where you can give your five barley loaves and two fish, and once you give it away, see what Jesus does with it. You’ll be amazed!

There Is Great Joy Even in the Midst of Persecution

In today’s reading from the eighth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about persecution of the Early Church:

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

We often do not think of the persecution of Christians in our day; however, it goes on. All around the world, there are those who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ. Consider the Anglicans living in Zimbabwe who are being targeted by government troops and beaten simply for attending church services.

Bishop Sebastian Bakare said, “The police officers do not only prevent but beat, harass and arrest us, having declared our church premises ‘no go’ areas. Our struggle to worship without harassment continues.”

The government officials intimidate any Anglicans who are suspected of not supporting renegade Bishop Nolbert Kunonga, who broke off from the Anglican Communion in 2007 and is a strong supporter of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

Today in Zimbabwe, the government has labeled Anglicans as potential opposition supporters worthy of persecution and intimidation. There, committed Christians are risking their lives just by gathering. Nevertheless in the midst of this persecution, there is incredible joy. It is not unlike life in the early church which was full of life despite persecution just as we read today regarding Philip who went about preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ and performing miracles in His name.

In your prayers, please remember all those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.

William Porcher DuBose

Over the years, most of the great theologians have come to us from outside the United States, but William Porcher DuBose is a home grown exception. He was born in 1836 in South Carolina and educated at the University of Virginia. He was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1861, and became an officer and chaplain in the Confederate Army. Lesser Feasts and Fasts at 296 (1980).

DuBose was professor at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and he published his first major work at the age of 56. Id.

For DuBose, life and doctrine should always be in dialogue. Id. He brought contemporary to his own strong faith resulting in a personal and scriptural universal theology. Id. As the Lesser Feasts and Fasts notes, it is not easy to capture DuBose’s thoughts easily. Id. Here is a sample of his writing and thought: “God has placed forever before our eyes, not the image but the Very Person of the Spiritual Man. We have not to ascend into Heaven to bring Him down, nor to descend into the abyss to bring Him up, for He is with us, and near us, and in us. We have only to confess with our mouths that He is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead – and raised us in Him – and we shall live.” Id.

Jonathan Myrick Daniels

Some of you may remeber vividly the civil rights movement in this country. How many of you remember Jonathan Myrick Daniels?

Jonathan Myrick Daniels was born in 1939 in Keene, New Hampshire. After he graduated from the Virginia Military Institute, Jonathan became a seminarian at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Having heard the invitation from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to come to Selma, Alabama, to support the efforts to register black people to vote and to demonstrate against the deep ingrained segregation, Jonathan answered it. He took a leave of absence from his seminary studies to work in the civil rights movement.

In August of 1965, Jonathan and 22 others were arrested for participating in a voter rightsdemonstration in Fort Deposit, Alabama, and they were transferred to the county jail in nearby Hayneville. Shortly after being released on August 20, Richard Morrisroe, a Catholic priest, and Jonathan accompanied two teenagers, Joyce Bailey and Ruby Sales, to a Hayneville store to buy a soda. They were met on the steps by Tom Coleman, a construction worker and part-time deputy sheriff, who was carrying a shotgun. Coleman aimed his gun at sixteen year old Ruby Sales; Jonathan pushed her to the ground in order to protect her, saving her life. The shotgun blast killed Jonathan instantly; Morrisroe was seriously wounded as he was shot in the back.

When he heard of the tragedy, Dr. King said, "One of the most heroic Christian deeds of which I have heard in my entire ministry was performed by Jonathan Daniels." In just a few short years, Dr. King would find himself joining Jonathan in giving up his life for the transformation of the world and the building of the Kingdom of God.

What a price to pay for following the Gospel! It is, in the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "costly grace." In his book The Cost of Discipleship wrote that “cheap grace was grace without cost; it is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace, on the other hand, in Bonhoeffer’s words is “the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: ‘we were bought at a price,’ and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”

Being a Christian is not easy. Just ask Jonathan Daniels and Dr. King. It is can very difficult, and it can be costly, even to the point of giving one’s life.

Many of us will not be called to give as these Christian witnesses. Nevertheless for us, it is difficult to follow Jesus in a world which rejects the very notion of love of neighbor, in a world which scoffs at giving of oneself for the sake of others, in a world which preaches the value of goods and things over humans, in a world where religion has been replaced by advertising.

Costly grace calls you and me to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it can cost us our very lives, and it is grace because it gives you and me the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. It is grace because we see the depth of God’s love for us in the Incarnation of God and Jesus’ giving his life for us and our salvation.

What kind of a witness have you and I provided?

The First Deacons

If you ever wondered about those people who serve at the altar wearing stoles that go from one shoulder and across the chest, well, today’s reading from Acts tells us who these people are:

Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait at tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

The first deacons of the Church were selected to serve those who were being neglected. They were selected because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and people of wisdom. They could look at the community and discern what they needs were and they worked to make sure that those needs were met.

Sometimes, however, deacons suffer for their ministry because they exercise a prophetic voice, meaning that like the prophets of the Old Testament, they call us to action and accountability. Stephen is a wonderful example of that. Stephen finds himself in the middle of an argument with some people from the synagogue who do not understand the depth of his wisdom and his being filled with the Holy Spirit. In short, it sounds like he told them something they didn't want to hear. So feeling threatened, they plot to do away with him. Sometimes when we stand up for what we believe in, we find ourselves at odds with others, even family and friends. Welcome to the deacon’s world. Yet, if we rely on the Holy Spirit and persevere in doing what is right and standing up for those who have no advocates, our faces will shine like those of angels as well.

Florence Nightingale

Who doesn’t remember the story of Florence Nightingale from their elementary school days? Today, the Episcopal Church takes time to remember her life of service among the sick and her tireless work to reform nursing.

Although English, Florence was born in Florence, Italy on May 12, 1820 because her wealthy parents were travelling in that country at the time. And as one might imagine from her name, her parents named her after the city of her birth.

Florence was brought up a Unitarian, but later she joined the Church of England.

Florence led a group of nurses who served in the Crimean War. During that time, she worked to improve the conditions that wounded soldiers experienced and was successful in her efforts. She returned to England after the war in 1856 as a national hero.

Florence died on August 13, 1910 having lived a life dedicated to improving conditions in hospitals. The stories associated with her wrok during the war are numerous, and they have, no doubt, been an inspiration to many who went into the nursing profession.

Today, please remember in your prayers all nurses who work in hospitals and clinics throughout the world serving the sick. Especially remember our nurses in the armed services at home and abroad who are ministering to the war wounded.

Clare of Assisi

Today the Church remembers Clare of Assisi, the daughter of a wealthy family, attractive, and in a word, she had it all. Nevertheless, once she met Francis of Assisi, who had given up everything to follow Christ, she too heard the Gospel’s call to sell all that she had and to come and follow Jesus.

Her family and friends protested, but she remained steadfast, and soon, other women joined her. She became the head of a religious order of women called the Poor Ladies of St. Damian. The order’s practices were austere and they lived according to the rule established by Francis for his brothers. As succinctly put by Lesser Feast and Fasts, “Clare herself was servant, not only to the poor, but to her nuns.” Lesser Feasts and Fasts at 290 (1980).

Clare served her community as leader for forty years. Her biographer said that Clare “radiated a spirit of fervor so strong that it kindled those who but heard her voice.” Id.

She died in 1253 having devoted herself to a servant ministry and followed Christ by giving all that she had to the poor.

Clare's life is a challenge to all of us who are distracted by the world with its constant lure to a life of the constant acquisition of things. Clare, who had it all, gave it up in order to follow Jesus. Although it is unlikely that we can or would do the same, the collect of the day reminds us where our hearts should be:

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Dominic, Founder of the Order of Preachers

Today the Episcopal Church remembers Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, or more commonly, the “Dominicans.” In England they were called the “Blackfriars.”

Dominic was born in Spain in 1170. He was ordained a priest in 1196, as was a sub-canon on the Cathedral of Osma where there was a strict rule of discipline practiced by the clergy there.

According to the Lesser Feasts and Fasts, Dominic began preaching in Languedoc in Southern France in 1203. There, he preached against the Albigensian heretics who were essentially Manichaeans, that is, they held the view that there were two equal powers of good and evil and that God was not omnipotent or perfect. The Albigensians took from the Manichaeans the idea that the body and the created order were evil.

In 1215, Dominic sought recognition of the Order of Preachers, which was granted in 1217.

Thereafter, Dominic established many friaries and he himself continued preaching until his death in August of 1221. he lived a life of austerity and was reputedly a wonderful preacher.

The order that he founded, focused on teaching and preaching, establishing universities throughout Europe, and contributed such intellectual giants and theologians as Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus) (1206-1280), Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), and in more recent days Yves Congar (1905-1995) and Edward Schillebeeckx (1914- ).

The Collect for the day:

O God of the prophets, you opened the eyes of your servant Dominic to perceive a famine of hearing the word of the Lord, and moved him, and those he drew about him, to satisfy that hunger with sound preaching, and fervent devotion: Make your Church, dear Lord, in this and every age, attentive to the hungers of the world, and quick to respond in live to those who are perishing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Can Anything Good Come from Houston?

Today from the Gospel according to John (1:43-51) we read:

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you come to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Yes, good does come from Nazareth, and yes, the disciples would experience far greater things as they journeyed with Jesus.

Imagine, Phillip's very first impression of Jesus was that he was the Messiah, the one the Prophets wrote about. Jesus’ presence as he walked the roads of Israel some two thousand years ago must have been so overwhelmingly divine that God’s very presence was palpable.

Nathaniel was impressed by a small thing, the fact that Jesus saw him under the fig tree. He did not know what was in store not only for him and his friends, but for the world, the Resurrection of Jesus.

How do we manifest the presence of the Risen Christ in the world? Are we kind to those whom we meet? Do we provide for those who have less than we do? Do we offer a drink to cold water to someone who thirsty? Do we share with others our joy in Jesus’ redemption of the world?

Can anything good come from Houston? Yes, living disciples of Jesus of Nazareth who spread the Good News of Salvation to all they meet when they treat all whom they meet as being loved by God as His sons and daughters, and redeemed by the blood of Jesus of Nazareth.

From the Mountaintop to the Valley

Today the Church celebrates the Transfiguration when Jesus’ disciples, James, John and Peter, accompanied Jesus to the mountaintop and witnessed His clothes becoming dazzling white as Jesus, the Son of the Most High, speaks with Moses and Elijah, the two preeminent figures of Judaism. The disciples are amazed and revel in the experience, but then it is time to come down from the mountaintop.

The reading appointed for today from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians (4:1-4) is especially appropriate for us after the mountaintop experience:

Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

No doubt we have each experienced a time of sheer joy and peace, a mountaintop experience. This can happen during prayer or while on retreat or at other times. But we always have to come down from these mountaintop experiences and do the work that needs to be done in the valley, that being the work of ministry. In the day to day living out of Jesus’ command to love God, neighbor and self, we can, at times, lose heart.

Paul knew that all too well. He reminds the Corinthians that it is by God’s mercy that you and I are engaged in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ, the very image of God. Paul encourages us to live in the truth of God’s transforming love in the light of the Gospel.

Mountaintop experiences are wonderful, but working in the valley doing the work of Jesus has its blessings too.

“I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.”

One of the readings in the Daily Office today comes from the Acts of the Apostles (3:1-11). Luke writes:

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried in. People would lay him daily at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful Gate so that he could ask for alms from those entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them for alms. Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and they recognized him as the one who used to sit and ask for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s Portico, utterly astonished.

Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade, he sat there. The beggar, who was unable to walk from the day of his birth, could do nothing in his society but rely on people for financial help to survive. Peter and John, though, have no money either, but they are rich beyond measure. Why? They are filled with the knowledge that Jesus, the Son of God, gave his life for us out of love, and that he rose from the dead so that we might not just survive, but live.

Peter says, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” The lame beggar’s response is wonderful. He can’t stop praising God for what He has done for him, restored him to wholeness.

Sometimes we are like that lame beggar. We can be paralyzed by our fears, anxieties, and our lack of love. But like the lame beggar, Jesus restores us to wholeness bringing us into the wake of God’s life giving and creative love.

So, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, stand up and walk! Go forth leaping and praising God for His wonderful love for us.

It Is Simply Mind Boggling

The Daily Office reading for today is the beginning of the Gospel according to John, and they are some of the most beautiful ever written in the New Testament:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Jesus Christ, the Word, is the perfect communication, the perfect expression of who God is. God speaks that Word and it transforms the world; the Word redeems the world. I am forever struck by God’s tremendous love for you and me; God become one of us, one with us, one with his creatures. The creator becomes the created. I don’t know about you, but this simply boggles my mind, and I rejoice in it.

Joseph of Arimathaea

The Episcopal Church remembers Joseph of Arimathaea today, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, who was, according to John, a secret disciple of Jesus. John 19: 38. We know very little of Joseph of Arimathaea, but what we do know of him from the Gospel account in John, depicts him as a courageous disciple. While Jesus’ followers were hiding for fear of the Roman and Jewish authorities, Joseph stepped up to the front offering his tomb for Jesus’ burial. Within a few short days, Jesus rose from the dead! What a joy for Joseph to have given his tomb to Jesus, a tomb that would become the empty tomb and which transformed the world. May we lead lives of courage by giving all that we have in sharing the Risen Christ.

The Collect for the day:

Merciful God, whose servant Joseph of Arimathaea with reverence and godly fear prepared the body of our Lord and Savior for burial, and laid it in his own tomb: Grant to us, your faithful people, grace and courage to love and serve Jesus with sincere devotion all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.