Contemplating the Kingdom of Heaven

[Jesus] put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." (Matthew 13:31-52 NRSV)


To understand the images in these parables almost requires that we think like first-century Israelites; that we know what they knew...

First the mustard seed and the ‘tree’ it produces: we shouldn’t be mislead by Jesus referring to the mustard plant as a tree – for it never grew to more than a shrub. An annual at that, which would wither and die at the end of the growing season. Those listening to Jesus might have been quite surprised that he would refer to a mustard plant as a tree. The importance of this image is not that a great tree like a mighty oak grew from this tiny seed, but the realization that the kingdom of heaven might not be any more obvious than a garden plant, yet the kingdom will come in God’s power and glory nevertheless!

Then the yeast – not the sanitized powder we know that comes from a packet purchased at the grocery store – but smelly, often moldy, fermenting left-over dough like a sourdough starter – this yeast was a symbol of corruption, something to be avoided by the Jews. Bread which was used in the temple at that time was unleavened – made without the corruption of such leaven. The woman in this text places her leaven in a large quantity of flour – as though she was planning to prepare bread for many, many people – yet the text does not say that she actually finished making that bread. Instead, the yeast is still at work to leaven the flour. In the same way, the kingdom is present now, hidden and working by unexpected and even scandalous means. It is recognized by only a few people, although it will be revealed to everyone in the future.

Both of these images tell something about the kingdom itself. The next two show us two very different ways of discovering it. The hidden treasure is found in a field – probably by someone plowing, intent on doing his regular work, who was not expecting anything special or unusual. He experienced great joy at finding this amazing treasure – and rushed off to do something about it, to claim it for himself.

In contrast, the pearl of great value is found by a merchant who has been searching long and hard for it. He knows what he is looking for, and yet he is still surprised when he finds it! But he too, is willing to give up everything else in order to buy this one pearl.

Isn’t it true that we know some people who are just living their lives, walking and working and not aware of anything missing in their lives? And they are joyfully amazed to discover God – as if he had not been there all along. We know other people who are clearly searching for something – for meaning and purpose, for love and a sense of belonging – who are equally surprised to discover that God is there for them, too. Whether we are surprised at our daily work or as a result of a search, these two images describe the response to the discovery of God! For neither the farmer plowing nor the merchant simply returns to their usual way of life after this tremendous discovery. Instead, they give up all that they have; change everything in their lives; in order to claim the treasure.

Jesus uses another image in this text - fish nets. These are often mentioned in the gospels – James and John were mending their nets when Jesus calls them to become disciples (Mark 1), Peter casts out his nets again when the risen Christ instructs him to and brings in a tremendous catch of fish (John 21). But this time, the parable says the net brings in fish of every kind. Only later are the bad ones sorted out from the good.

Jesus asked the disciples “Have you understood all this?” and they answered “Yes.” From the apostles, who often don’t seem to get it – there seems to be complete understanding on this subject! So do we get it?

I won’t claim to have complete understanding of the kingdom of God, but I do have a better understanding after spending time this week with this text (and a whole stack of commentaries!)
I have learned that the kingdom of heaven is revealed - in God’s own perfect time:

+ from the small and insignificant – like a mustard seed and the bush that grows from it;

+ from something regarded as unlikely or unclean – like the fermented leaven;

+ from the unexpected discovery – like the treasure found when we aren’t even looking;

+ from the hidden which has long been searched for – like the pearl of great value ;

+ from the nets full of every kind of fish – both good and evil; to be sorted later.

Tiny seeds, baking leaven, unlikely treasure, a single incredible pearl, fish nets full of fish…

Yes - we can understand this! We too are like the masters of a household who know where our treasure is. We can recall the stories of all that God has already done, marvel at what God is doing now, and trust in what God promises yet to do. You see, these images all point clearly to God's action in the world through Jesus Christ our Savior:

+ Jesus, born as a tiny, apparently insignificant baby in Bethlehem.

+ Jesus, who died a criminal’s death on a cross.

+ Jesus, who was raised to eternal life.

+ Jesus, who ascended to the right hand of God.

+ Jesus, who will come again to judge.

These images do reveal to us what the kingdom of heaven is truly like … new and old treasure indeed!

God's Timing

So much has been happening so fast that I hardly know where to begin! First, I want to publically announce my excitement that Beth Wrenn from North Carolina has been elected president of the Churchwide Women of the ELCA! Beth is a dear friend and sister in Christ – I have served with her in the past on the North Carolina Women of the ELCA synodical board- and she has been very supportive as Ray and I have travelled this seminary journey. I am confident that she will do a superb job of leading the women’s organization through the next triennium!

Second, I am pleased to report that our call process is continuing to unfold. We met with the congregational council last week and they voted to recommend us to the congregation. We will be meeting with members of the congregation next week and they will be voting on whether or not to call us as their next pastors on Sunday, July 27. We are grateful that the process is proceeding on this path and pray for God’s guidance for the entire congregation and for both of us as this process draws nearer to completion.

Now for more on the topic of God's timing...

I remember – what seems like not so very long ago - telling Ray that I wished I could take a summer off from my business career: to stay home, spend more time with the kids, float in our backyard pool, read, garden a bit, tend the roses, knit, and just relax. It really does seem like a short time ago, but it was probably when our children were 8 and 11. They are now 28 and 31, so quite some time has passed since then!

As you might guess, I never got that long-ago summer off, but we have in many ways had most of this summer of transition “off”! Getting my summer off now includes having time for many of those same things – but now the time at home is spent preparing it to go on the market. Time with my children is spent helping our son and his wife with their daughter and newborn twin sons or helping our daughter plan and prepare for her September wedding.

We no longer have a backyard pool, but I still have plenty of reading to do. The garden consists of two tomato plants and a few flowers in pots that we can move when the time comes. The roses we tend are in the memorial garden on the seminary campus instead of our own backyard. I’ve been knitting and catching up on some sleep, but still not really relaxing.

I’m not sure exactly what all this says about God’s timing – apparently I didn’t need that long ago summer off as much as I thought. And apparently I did need this one to transition between life as a student and life as a parish pastor. Yet it seems that instead of savoring my summer off, I find myself looking forward – trying to imagine and prepare for the next step in our journey. Honestly, I probably would have done much the same thing twenty years ago.

Many of us are familiar with the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NRSV) beginning: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." The verses that follow are ones that we can probably all sing along to a familiar tune.

But now I find myself pondering some other verses in that same chapter. As I read these, I am reminded that it is important for each of us to have things to do, but that we should not forget what God has already done, is doing, and promises yet to do!

"I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; moreover, it is God's gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil. I know that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him." (Ecclesiastes 3:10-14, NRSV)

More side trips

Last Sunday, I preached at a lovely country church outside of Guyton, Georgia. Ray and I took advantage of the necessary trip from Columbia to the Savannah area to spend a day or two away from home, relaxing. We had been to Savannah before, so we weren’t sure we wanted to spend much time in the city. Instead, we found a few places to visit that we hadn’t been before.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Jerusalem Lutheran Church and the museum at New Ebenezer. For those who haven’t had the benefit of a course on the history of Lutheranism in North America at seminary, this was the home of the Salzburgers. These German Lutherans were refugees from their homeland, exiled out by their Catholic ruler, who became very early settlers in Georgia, with the first arriving in Savannah in 1734. The beautiful and amazingly bright and spacious brick church these settlers built near the banks of the Savannah River, in the 1760’s is still in use today. There is an active historical society which will help anyone who may be descendents of this historic colony to track their ancestry. There is also a family retreat center located nearby – all well worth a sidetrip for any history buffs, especially Lutheran ones!



We spent Monday exploring two historic forts in the area: Fort Jackson, on the bank of the Savannah River, near the city; and Fort Pulaski, on Cockspur Island, where the Savannah River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Built as part of the early coastal defense of the United States, both of these brick forts saw action during the Civil War.


We also ate lunch at a prime tourist spot which we saw on our way toward Fort Pulaski – Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House. Only after we were inside did we realize that this is owned by TV chef Paula Deen and her brother, Bubba. Great seafood, in a casual atmosphere, but a bit pricey even at lunch – it was our splurge for the trip. We had each had seafood salads and gumbo or crab stew, and shared a piece of incredible key lime pie.

Tuesday, on our way back to Columbia, we stopped to visit the rose gardens at Edisto Memorial Gardens. This park is located near the Edisto River in Orangeburg.
The rose gardens contain an overwhelming array of different varieties, from minis to tree roses; floribundas to hybrid teas – in every possible color. We really enjoyed our time there and picked out a few we would like to have in our own rose garden in the future.

I can’t help but wonder now that we are home from that sidetrip on our journey. We read in Exodus that the Israelites murmured as they wandered in the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land. Did they also enjoy some sidetrips and appreciate the scenery along the way?

Side Trips on the Journey

One of the hobbies I have been able to spend a little more time with this summer has been Ham radio. On Saturday and Sunday (July 29/30) was an event called Field Day. This is an annual event (always the 4th weekend in June) and is a contest for Ham radio enthusiast to see how many radio contacts they can make under field conditions. For details, see the ARRL website here.

Last year, I was in Mobile, AL and had a brand new Ham license and attended my first field day. This year, I I went to field day with a brand new general class license, and as a member of a Columbia area Amataur Radio Club (MJARC). On Saturday morning, the local clubs set up antennas and equipment, and at 2:00 p.m. EDST, the contest began. I was helping with the 80 meter rig, and within the first couple of hours we had over 20 contacts with other contest stations in NC, SC, VA, GA, and TN. This next picture is of the tent where the 80 meter rig was set up and the antenna we used.

One of the premises of this contest is to communicate under "field" conditions, which means portable field antennas and radios operating only on battery power.

This antenna is a 10 meter setup, made from pieces salvaged from a grocery store display.

Field day is not only a chance to get out and spend some time playing with antennas and radios, it is also the annual event where local amateur radio clubs publicize amateur radio. In Columbia, we had several Scout groups (boys and girls) who came to visit, and some of them even got the opportunity to talk on the radio (supervised by a licensed operator). Others came to complete requirements for merit badges and such.

Each club has a public information officer (like Marvin here) whose job it is to help promote amateur radio to the general public. As most of you know, I go involved in amateur radio because of disaster preparedness, which was our internship project with LDR.

During disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, etc. amateur radio operators provide communications for disaster organizations such as LDR and The Red Cross. After Katrina, there were many areas across the Gulf Coast where cell phones towers and telephone lines were down for weeks. Amateur radio operators provided communications in these areas by relaying shelter information and supply list to relief agencies.

My hope, by being involved in amateur radio, my experience with LDR and the Red Cross, will be to help churches in the ELCA (particularly in the NC Synod) prepare for disasters in their congregations and to have their own amateur radio operators to help with communications during emergencies.

For any Hams that stumble on this page, catch me on Echolink (KI4UDZ) or on D-Star. I don't have an HF rig yet, but I usually am on Echolink a couple of times a week.

For anyone else who reads this, I hope you learn something. If you want more information, the ARRL site is the best place to start and will provide information to help you find a local club. Most clubs would love to help with a Scout program or to get involved with local emergency preparedness plans.

Still wandering

Some time ago, I wrote about our habit of attending Sunday worship in different congregations to experience a variety of worship styles and settings. Well, that has continued, but in a different way.

Since graduation, Ray and I have either preached or led worship in six different churches, in three states. Some Sundays that means one of us preaches and the other does not; some Sundays, we both preach different services in the same place. A couple of Sundays, we have been in two entirely different places. We already have our schedules filled for most of July, continuing in this same pattern. I think we have officially become itinerant preachers!

The benefits of this (aside from some income from supply preaching fees) are that we are still experiencing worship in a variety of settings and we get to meet and worship with God’s people in different places. We gain helpful experience leading worship in a variety of places. We have been in small country churches and large city churches and everything in between. Another benefit for us is simply the practice and discipline of spending time in God’s word each week, so that we can proclaim it faithfully.

The downside of being non-ordained supply preachers is that these worship services do not include the celebration of the Eucharist. Fortunately, we have also been able to attend a number of other worship services in past weeks. We have attended the commissioning of an Associate in Ministry, two ordinations, a wedding in the seminary chapel, and worship at two different synod assemblies (North and South Carolina). Each of these has been truly a festival worship, with marvelous music and proclamation of the word and celebration of the Eucharist, so we have been regularly and joyously fed at the Lord’s Table.

We do hope and pray that we will soon have a call from a congregation, be planning our own ordination(s), and then be able to both preach and preside in our new home congregation. We look forward to the opportunity to settle into that place which God has already prepared. We know that the process continues to unfold according to his plan and perfect timing, but we cannot help but be anxious for this wandering to be over.

In the meantime, I need to get back to work on my sermon for this Sunday!

Opening the Book(s)

There is an opportunity on campus this summer to take part in a reading and discussion group with two theology professors. I must confess that I did not even consider participating in the group! Partly because I didn’t want to commit to a particular schedule for reading, and partly because I couldn’t quite face scholarly discussion on the two commentaries on Romans that the group is reading – by Martin Luther and St. Augustine.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t ready for such heavy fare so soon after graduation, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not reading. I realized this evening that I had a book in progress in nearly every room of the house! Most of these are checked out from the campus library. I’m very grateful for “courtesy borrower” status which is available after graduation!

On the nightstand beside the bed, an Earlene Fowler murder mystery Tumbling Blocks. She’s one of my current favorite authors – each book in this series is named for a quilt pattern, and those quilt patterns or other folk arts are worked into each novel. (Don’t tell Ray – even though we just checked it out from the local public library, I’m already reading it for the second time!)

On my desk in the office, along with a Bible, various hymnals and a daily devotional, Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg. I’ve made it through Part One, to page 57. While I don’t agree with everything he writes about the Bible, many of his insights ring true. I’ll keep on reading it, even though I occasionally put it down and walk away in frustration over something he writes!

On the end table in the living room, Doreen McFarlane’s book entitled Funerals with Today’s Families in Mind. I’ve previously read a companion book on weddings – this one also seemed like good preparation for parish ministry. Just started reading it this evening, but I’m nearly a third through. Practical suggestions; straight forward writing; and I’m sure I will find it helpful.

And on the kitchen table, a book from the Lutheran Voices series from Augsburg Fortress, which I’ve been carrying around for ‘waiting room reading’: Speaking of Trust: Conversing with Luther on the Sermon on the Mount, by Martin Marty. It’s a small book, and we own it, so it’s handy to carry in my purse and it doesn’t matter how long it takes me to finish. Besides, how can you go wrong with a book written by two Martins?!

Waiting for me on the bookshelf is a new book in the library Disaster Spiritual Care. I'm anxious to see what is included in this book that we didn't have available during our internship year with Lutheran Disaster Response.

Another book waiting for me is Opening the Book of Faith, which Augsburg Fortress was giving away at the North Carolina Synod Assembly. This is written to help all of us participate in the ELCA’s initiative, Book of Faith, which encourages all of us to open the scriptures and read them for ourselves.

So many options! What are you reading this summer?

Passing on Faith

Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 NRSV
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." 18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well." 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. 23 When Jesus came to the leader's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, "Go away; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread throughout that district.

Ray and I spent the last few days attending the North Carolina Synod Assembly, along with 774 of our brothers and sisters in Christ from across the state – and even a few from much farther away. The theme for this year’s assembly was: God’s work. Our hands. Passing on faith. There are some wonderful connections between that theme and today’s Gospel text.

We don’t know why Jesus picked right then to call Matthew – there aren’t many clues in the gospel. The chapters before this text, chapters five and six and seven and eight in the Gospel according to Matthew are not a story about how Jesus met Matthew and taught him or was recommended to him by another follower. Instead those chapters are about Jesus ministering to great crowd of people – teaching them in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount – and then performing many miracles; from healing a leper to calming a storm, from healing Peter’s mother-in-law to casting out demons. And the crowds are amazed by all that he has said and done.

Then suddenly, here in chapter 9, as Jesus continues his travels, he calls out to Matthew –a tax collector, a collaborator with the Roman government, an outcast among his own people. I can’t tell you how Matthew knew that he must simply get up and follow, but he did. Now I’ve changed jobs and moved a few times – it usually requires me a bit more conversation and preparation than that – but Matthew simply got up and followed Jesus.

This text doesn’t even tell us where dinner was held, or who the host was, but it does tell us who was on the guest list: all of those people who weren’t normally invited to a party at any of the ‘right homes.’ For this dinner party was a gathering of tax collectors and sinners, sitting right there with Jesus and his disciples.

The crowds had been amazed by what Jesus had said and done. The Pharisees were amazed, too, but not in quite the same way! They were not impressed by Jesus’ miracles, but instead were scandalized by the company he kept. And so Jesus takes the time to answer their questions. Or does he? He sends them back to the holy writings, to the prophet Hosea, to look for the answers to their questions.

Perhaps before that conversation was even completed to their satisfaction, Jesus is interrupted, by a leader of the synagogue, who is seeking his help. Jesus has been talking about how those who are sick need a physician. But the leader’s daughter isn’t sick – she is already dead. The other leaders of the synagogue probably would not approve of him asking Jesus for help, yet he comes to Jesus for help anyway. He is seeking help in a hopeless situation and Jesus simply gets up and follows him, with his disciples (probably Matthew, too) following along.

And on the way, he is interrupted yet again, this time by a woman who has been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years. This condition was not just painful or embarrassing. It made her unclean, an outcast from all of the people of Israel. Just as Jesus called Matthew, we read here that Jesus speaks to this desperate woman, encourages her, heals her, restores her to health, and restores her place in the community. And then he continues on his way, to home of the leader, to raise his daughter from the dead. Restoring her life, restoring her to her family.

Sometimes when I have had a busy week, I think I need to read texts like this and remember how busy Jesus was. He and his disciples sometimes didn’t even have time to eat a meal in peace. And Jesus often had to slip off before daylight to find time to pray.

Jesus was busy – doing God’s work. Remember that synod assembly theme? God’s work. Our hands. Passing on faith. Jesus was busy. Busy doing God’s work; showing God’s love; bringing the kingdom of God near; bringing people to faith in his Father, the Almighty God.

Like Matthew, we are called to follow. We are called to listen to Jesus’ words, and to witness his miracles in our lives and the lives of others. We are called in spite of the questions that we – like the Pharisees – always seem to have in abundance. And there is more – we are called to be his hands, doing his work, bringing the kingdom of God into the world now. In the words of the Great Commission, from Matthew 28, which was the gospel text just a few weeks ago…
8 And Jesus came and said to them…"19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”
That sounds to me like a clear command to each of us to do God’s work, with our hands, and to pass on the faith.

In his sermon at the closing worship service on Saturday morning, Bishop Leonard Bolick spoke about this year’s assembly theme. He reminded us that as we have been given the faith, we are to grow in faith, and in turn pass along the faith. As we live out our faith, our faith will grow and will be visible to those around us. This is the best way that we can pass along the faith to others – not just to the next generation, but to everyone we encounter in our daily lives.

This may sound like an overwhelming task – we may struggle with how to accomplish it all. This is why we need to remember that the Great Commission is not just an assignment, something we must accomplish on our own. Listen again to the promise Jesus made to the disciples – and to us: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

What a powerful promise. Jesus is with us always. Jesus is indeed with us. He comes to us in our very own tax booth, our workplaces and classrooms. Jesus is with us when we sit down at dinner. He calls all of us, the loveable and the unloved, to join him at the table. He comes to us in the bread and wine, body and blood, when we gather there.

Jesus is available even when others might be too busy. He will come with us when we need help in the hopeless times, when there is nowhere else to turn. Jesus will be there, to reassure us and restore us when we reach out with trembling fingers to touch the fringe of his cloak. Jesus will raise us up from the dead. Even when others might laugh, He will take our hand and restore us to life.

And just as in Matthew’s gospel, the report of all this will spread. And we will find that in spite of our fears or our questions, we are doing God’s work [with] Our hands. Passing on faith.

Time between the times

It seems that we are indeed living in the time between the times. We are no longer students, yet we aren’t in a call yet. We’ve been reassured by a current seminary student that we are not unemployed. He told us that for the first two months, we are still on vacation – only then should we be concerned about being unemployed. I’m not sure about his definition, but I’ll take it for now.

It’s been a quiet and yet quite busy week. Last Sunday night, when I looked at the calendar for this week, I was a bit dismayed. There weren’t any classes, appointments, deadlines, or even work shifts scheduled! What would a week without any of those feel like?

There were still several books sitting on the shelf waiting to be read, and sermons to write for next week, so we weren't out of things to do, but the usual pace had certainly changed! It has been a good week to catch up some reading and study, and it has actually been pretty exhausting. In addition to picking up a few hours of work on campus, we have spent time tending the rose garden there and have completed – or at least begun - several long-postponed chores here at home. We have now installed the attic exhaust fan we purchased last fall, have a new electrical outlet on the back porch for the freezer, have shredded a couple of years’ worth of old files, and have begun the much dreaded process of painting the railings on our front and back porch and carport. Well, we haven’t actually painted anything yet… but we have been very busy scraping and scrubbing in preparation for the new paint!

The one good thing about hours spent with a putty knife or wire brush in your hands is that you have plenty of time to pray and to think and even begin to prepare a sermon. The bad thing is that you don’t have much to show for your time when you’re done! That sort of sums up how I feel about this whole week – I’ve been plenty busy, and have actually accomplished several tasks, but don’t have much to show for it, since the porch railings still need to be painted. Unless, of course, you count the four trash bags full of shredded paper still sitting in our office!

I am profoundly grateful that we are not judged according to what we are able to accomplish, but that God provides for all our needs - even our need to be busy and feel productive!

Don't Worry

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
May 25, 2008 (Lectionary 8)
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Psalm 131 (2)1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Matthew 6:24-34


Matthew 6:24-34
‘No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

No – I did not preach today, but what a wonderful text it would have been for a sermon – especially as a just graduated seminarian in that “in-between” time from graduation to first call. For most of us recently graduated seminarians, we are in that time where we are coming to the end of budgeted school expenses. Most have probably paid rent through the end of May (or in our case, house payment) and paid most of the monthly bills for May out of the last of the student loan money which is what we have been living on. For June, some of us have reserves to get by and some don’t. Some have to move by the end of May and others don’t. Our lives are unsettled because we don’t know what is in store. We know where we are assigned, but we still have to interview and work our way through the call process. But, for some of us, it feels like time is running out. Money is tight, we face the unknown, and we have too much free time on our hands.

The Gospel text to day is perfect for this time of uncertainty. Why worry? What are we to worry about? God has provided for us, just as He provides for the birds of the air. As the lilies of the field are clothed, so are we. Times are still uncertain, but we need only deal with it one day at a time – “Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

This is good news! We may not know how we are going to buy a tank of gas to drive to our interview, or how we will deal with July – should we still be in the call process, without any income, but we need not worry. Jesus tells us not to worry, tells us all that God has done for us, is doing for us, and promises yet to do for us.

Life for the next several weeks may not be easy, we may not know today how we will pay next months bills, but we know that God will provide – in some way. In conversations with classmates over the last week, it is already obvious that God works in ways that we cannot even begin to imagine. Each day brings wonders, surprises, and even miracles that we do not expect. Even a free meal after church today that was not expected becomes more than just an unexpected pleasure, and much more than a coincidence. Thanks be to God!

Me too!

I know – my response is a bit slow, especially since Ruth Ann responded almost a week ago. In my defense, it has been a busy week and part of it was spent rebuilding our desktop computer, so I have not been doing much blogging or reading of blogs. The only reason I am doing this now is because it is one of those nights where sleep seems to be for everyone else.

The rules for this meme are fairly standard. Simply post the rules at the beginning of your post, answer the questions,, and tag five others to play along. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they need to visit yours for the rules, and of course, link back to the one who tagged you, in this case….me!

Ten years ago:

I was trying to remember today exactly where I was about 10 years ago. I guess I would have to check my passport, since in 1998 I was traveling internationally for Siemens and spent about 40 weeks of the year traveling somewhere, much of it to southeast Asia. May was a popular month for a visit down under, as well, so I could have been in Australia or New Zealand.

Five things on today’s “to do” list:

Well, it is 1:00 a.m., so which day? For Saturday, the list includes installing XP Service Pack 3 on a computer (a couple of hours, at least); walking through the campground inviting people to the lakeside church service on Sunday; possibly mowing the grass; ordering a new video card for a computer I am repairing; take Smokey for a walk (which actually happens most days, not just today).

Things I’d do if I was a billionaire:

I would have to agree with a few things Ruth Ann listed – paying off student loans would be high on the list – ours, our children’s, and our classmates; I would definitely be in favor of establishing a scholarship fund for second career seminarians (no – we don’t come with money in hand to pay for seminary and no – most of us do not/can not cash in retirement funds to pay for seminary); I would work with LDR to establish a way to provide better emergency housing and create volunteer centers that can be self-supporting long-term; and I would establish a fund to help churches set up food pantries and soup kitchens.

Three bad habits:

Staying up too late (I usually get a lot done, but it makes mornings an issue); eating habits (especially the scoop of ice cream during the news); spending too much time on the computer when I should be doing things like sleeping (which I probably could not do right now anyway).

Five places I’ve lived:

For how long? I have lived in Maryland, North Carolina (multiple times/places), South Carolina (Florence and Columbia), Illinois, and Washington D.C. I also have lived in some very fine hotels for up to three weeks at a time, in several countries around the world.

Five jobs I’ve had:

Considering that I have worked in multiple fields, it is hard to decide where to start. I have pumped gas, driven a tractor, managed a restaurant, owned my own business (twice), bagged groceries, welded, driven a tow-truck, flipped burgers, preached a few times, and spent 20+ years testing and designing hardware, writing software, installing systems and training customers – all in the electric utility industry.

I guess that is more than 5, but I would not know how to narrow it down without some parameters. All were interesting experiences, and many of those occasionally find their way into a sermon.

I really don’t have anyone to tag (most of the bloggers I know have already been tagged), but feel free to jump in if you read this and have not been tagged.

I've been tagged!

As soon as I got one post done, I discovered that David had has tagged us with another meme. Here goes:

The rules for this meme are fairly standard. Simply post the rules at the beginning of your post, answer the questions,, and tag five others to play along. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know that they need to visit yours for the rules, and of course, link back to the one who tagged you, in this case….me!

Ten years ago:
I was working full time, completing my bachelor's degree in Business Administration, serving in a leadership role in our home congregation, volunteering as a Girl Scout troop leader and council trainer, preparing for our daughter's high school graduation, unpacking boxes in our new home, and getting very little sleep.

Five things on today’s “to do” list:
Tend the roses in the campus rose garden, go to the bookstore, fill out and submit an application for a part time job, wash dishes, and do laundry. So far they are all done except the laundry!

Things I’d do if I was a billionaire:
Pay off our mortgage and student loans (and our children's, too).
Establish a seminary scholarship specifically for second career seminarians!
Provide funding for a lodge at the camp my Girl Scout troop loved best.
I'm sure that's just a good start, but I'd have to think about what to do next!

Three bad habits:
Procrastinating and then having to finish projects at the last minute.
Eating too much - especially sweets.
Nibbling on my fingernails when I'm nervous.

Five places I’ve lived:
Does the month I spent in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania training for a new job count? I've actually lived in central Illinois and in the Southeast: Chenoa and Mahomet, Illinois among others. In Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina; and Mobile, Alabama.

Five jobs I’ve had:
Wow - where to start? I've worked in several industries and had more job titles than I can count!
Babysitting, then hostess/cashier at my future in-law's restaurant.
Receptionist, then draftsman at a machine tool company.
Construction estimator and project manager for a glass contractor.
From customer service rep to materials manager at a machine tool manufacturer.
Most recently, student worker in the campus library and supply preacher in several congregations.


Now, I just have to figure out who to tag...

Trinity Sunday

Since our approval essay last fall was written on the subject of the Holy Trinity, and mine included a sermon written on the lectionary texts for this year, it was rather ironic to be asked to supply preach this week. For the benefit of those who might have read my essay or heard my laments about writing that essay and sermon, I should report the following: Yes, I did use the exegetical work I had already done on those texts and No, I did not use the same sermon I had written last fall, but I did adapt portions of it.

Ray and I were both asked to supply preach Sunday for the congregation which was our field church during our junior and middler years, so we were familiar with the congregation and it was great fun to be back at Good Shepherd and greet many people we knew. Because they have three worship services – including two held at the same time (a traditional service in the sanctuary and a contemporary service in the fellowship hall) – it actually kept both of us quite busy!

The most unusual part of the day though, was leading worship there while the congregation’s senior pastor was being elected the new bishop of the South Carolina Synod! The fifth and final ballot was actually being held downtown at the assembly about the same time the worship service was taking place.

We are not likely to ever repeat that experience! I’m certainly glad that we included prayers for the Holy Spirit to guide the election process at the synod assembly in our prayers for the church. Please join me in continued prayers for the Bishop-elect of SC, the Rev. Dr. Herman Yoos. He has been an important mentor to us during our seminary process and we are certain that he will serve the synod well as their next bishop. We will also be praying for the entire congregation, as they certainly face many changes in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Graduation

We really made it! Friday was graduation and we now have diplomas in hand. As you can see, the weather was perfect, plenty of people showed up (even the overflow room had overflow), and the ceremony was wonderful.

One of the highlights of graduation was hearing Dr. Ridenhour preach again. He had retired last year while we were on internship and we had missed having him on campus and occasionally preaching in Christ Chapel. Our class had decided to have him as our speaker for graduation, and he did not disappoint us. As always, his sermon was to the point, included law, but had clear, unambiguous gospel proclaimed as well. Would that we could always do so well.

There were plenty of photo ops at graduation as well - while we were robing, during the class photo, and then again afterwards. I am still sorting out photos from the last two days. On Thursday, it was Alumni Day here on campus, and so plenty of grads from previous years were here for lectures, workshops, and of course - food. There was an alumni luncheon, and then a picnic in the evening before the Baccalaureate service in Christ Chapel.

One of our activities here on campus has been the choir. The choir sang during the Baccalaureate Service (see photo below) and at graduation.

I think that even harder than knowing we are done with classes and it is time to move on, was the realization on Thursday evening that this would be the last time we would sing together as a choir in this place. It was also the last service in Christ Chapel for Rev. Michael Costello, who has served as an adjunct teacher of liturgical practicums and choirmaster. Michael graduated the spring before we began our internship, so we count him as friend, classmate, and instructor. We will miss our fellow choir members, and especially, hearing Michael on the organ (see right).

Michael leaves LTSS this next week, and we will all miss having him around, just as we will miss singing in the choir.

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I suppose that over the next several days, it will sink in that our time here is done. Some classmates are headed off for vacations, some are packing up and heading home, some are hoping that a letter of call will come soon so they can move to a new place to begin their ministry. A few know where they are going and will soon be packing and headed off to new adventures. For all of us, the next time we gather in this place, it will be as alumni rather than as students. We will see each other at synod assemblies, or churchwide events, or maybe just on Facebook, but it will as former classmates, not someone that we will see on Tuesday morning in Lutheranism in North America class, or in choir, or at lunch, or in the library. The context will change, but the memories will remain.

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As for us, we are in the hopeful waiting category, with several sermons to write in the next few weeks as we fill in for various pastors who are away on synod assembly or vacation, our out-of-town weddings. Good thing, too! Our A/C unit died this morning. Welcome back to the world of home ownership!

And now we rest

We're done! Believe it or not, this journey that began four years ago is coming to a close, and soon a new one will begin. Today, we attended our last class and turned in our last paper as seminary students. As with our classmate, David, it has not really sunk in that on Monday there will be no classes, there are no more books that have to be read, and no more papers to write.

Instead, next week will be some rest, some yard work and house cleaning to prepare for guests on graduation day, and a few errands. On Thursday, the alumni come to campus for a full day of events (some of which include graduating seniors). Thursday evening is baccalaureate, and then Friday morning will be graduation. A long two days, and at the end of them, we will really be done - degrees in hand and everything.

It has been a long journey. Even though this blog has not existed for all four years, many of you who read this have followed our journey from the beginning; others have followed since we went to the Gulf Coast in December of 2005 and began the blog. It has been hard, it has been rewarding, is has been uplifting, and through it all - we continue to be blessed by God and led by the Holy Spirit.

One of the common questions throughout the seminary journey is, "Do you still feel called to ministry?" I think I can firmly state, that for both of us, this continues to be true and has not diminished over the entire four years. Our faith, your prayers, and God's steadfast love have sustained us over many hurdles and through many dark moments. And now - the day is at hand. On May 9, we will be graduates and waiting a call to be pastors.

Oh -you ask. How is the call process going? About the same. We have had a very busy schedule and not really available to do much. Once graduation is over, maybe things will start to roll along. A few preaching opportunities lie ahead of us, and the North Carolina Synod assembly is coming up, so we will be kept busy at least into June.

And now - time to put our feet up and spoil the dog some (he has missed us the last couple of weeks while we were typing our last papers).

The path of the labyrinth

First, time for a quick progress report: We have only two more classes left; one tomorrow morning, then one Friday morning. I have four of the five final papers for the semester complete, one left to finish before Friday morning. That translates to 49 pages done, about 5 left to go!

Ray is still finishing one paper as I type this. We also still have to locate about 35 library books in the chaos of our office and get them turned in by Friday. Then we can begin preparations for our graduation celebration in earnest!

I took time out today to walk the prayer labyrinth on campus. The weather was cool, breezy, and sunny this morning, but half of the labyrinth lay in the shade of several large trees. Each time I turned and took a few steps, I moved from sunshine to shade and the breeze alternated between being at my back or on my face. Plus the labyrinth is placed between most of the buildings on campus and Main Street. So, while you are walking silently, you are surrounded by the sounds of birds singing and leaves rustling, and the traffic rushing by, and activity on the campus. Quite an amazing juxtaposition.

(For more information about the Trinity Labyrinth at LTSS, click on the photo!)

All in all, a marvelous and meaningful experience. Each time I do this - which is not as often as I would like - I am reminded of how similar a labyrinth is to our daily walk of faith. After all, in our daily life we are called to be in the world but not of the world. We can’t ever really block out the sounds of nature or other people.

In case you have never walked a labyrinth, a bit of explanation is probably necessary: unlike a maze, a labyrinth contains only one path. You don’t have to make decisions about which direction to walk; you simply follow the twisting path that lies in front of you. This pattern of the path allows you to spend time in prayer, instead of concentrating on where you are going.

What always fascinates me is that even after doing this several times, whenever I try to guess which way the path will turn next, I am rarely right. I'm learning that it doesn’t really pay to guess what is coming around the next turn. It is much simpler to trust that the path has already been planned out to take you to your destination, so that you can relax, follow the path, spend time in God’s presence, and savor the journey.

Also much like life, if I get distracted and raise my eyes away from path, I inevitably take a wrong turn. It is much simpler if I can stay focused on the path before me.

Finally, and also much like my everyday life - it is much easier to walk this stony path in practical, comfortable shoes!

Blessings on each of you in your journeys today. May you feel the sun and the breeze; may you hear the sounds of nature and of those around you, and may you always be wearing the appropriate shoes for the path you travel!

Seminary Meme

No, it is not like we really have time to be posting here, but it does take our minds off of the many papers yet to write.

I have not gotten too involved in meme's (from Dictionary.com : –noun - a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes), but this one seemed interesting - especially as it applies to life at seminary. The text below is from http://www.goingtoseminary.com/ (who knew - here I am almost done and I just found this website).

This Seminary Meme is part of a competition sponsored by Going to Seminary and Eisenbrauns. If you’d like to be entered, simply answer the 7 questions below and tag 5 other people. You’ll also need to post this paragraph (links included) with your answers as the links will be tracked back to your blog and will count as your “entry” into the competition. On April 30th, 2008, one blogger will be selected at random to win a $100 gift certificate to the Eisenbrauns online bookstore.

Please feel free to modify the question so as to make it appropriate to your situation as a pre-seminarian, seminarian, or seminary graduate (example given on first question).

1. Where do (will/did) you attend seminary?
2. What class do you think has most impacted your spiritual life?
3. What seminary professor has been the most influential while in seminary?
4. What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced in seminary?
5. What has been the greatest reward you’ve experienced in seminary?
6. What are your plans after seminary?
7. How many times have you been asked question #6?

Here are the answers for me:

1. Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS)
2. Ethics
3. Tough question, but probably Dr. Ridenhour (homiletics professor, now retired)
4. Internship - being a student worker after many years in industry
5. Internship - this is what ministry in the parish will be like
6. Plans after seminary - not up to me - except to find the place that God has prepared for me/us to serve Him.
7. Hundreds, if not thousands during 4 years.

Tagging 5 people is a little tougher, since they need to be seminary students - David, Ruth Ann, Nathan, Carolyn, and Annette are the 5 seminary bloggers that I can think of.

I look forward to your answers, and I know that any of the 5 of us would love $100 worth of books!

How much?

This little video was made by some of our classmates, and while made in the spirit of fun, does give you an idea of how much a 4 year seminary education costs.

Seeking the place

Several people have asked us lately about how the call process is proceeding. That is a tricky question to answer, especially in a public forum, but I’ll try. Yes, we have been in conversation with the NC Synodical office; yes, our names and paperwork are with a congregation right now; and yes, this is potentially an opportunity for us to serve in ministry together. We are excited by the possibility of serving in one congregation – and I realized as we travelled – by the opportunity to return home to North Carolina.

I certainly can’t announce where that congregation is, but I can tell you that Ray and I met with their call committee earlier this weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the members of the call committee, in both a formal interview and more casual conversations over meals. We appreciated the opportunity to become acquainted with them, the local community, and their beautiful facility and grounds. The committee members were gracious hosts. We felt truly welcomed and engaged in what I think was a helpful conversation for all of us.

Ray and I have talked about how surprisingly relaxed we felt during our conversations this weekend. I attribute that both to the hospitality we experienced and to our faith that God has already prepared a place for us. Our job now is not to impress a call committee and convince them to hire us (like many job interviews), but rather to engage in honest dialogue so that we can all prayerfully discern together if this is the place where God intends for us to begin our ministry of word and sacrament.

It is far too soon to tell that for certain, but I am glad that the process has begun. The only real problem is that being involved in the call process and anticipating life after graduation makes it even harder to concentrate on the work that needs to be done in the next couple of weeks! Graduation is now less than three weeks away, but all of our homework is due by May 2, so that our grades can be completed before graduation day.

So now, I'd better get back to the books...

Commencement Contemplations

The announcements went in the mail yesterday. It’s official – commencement is only a month away, on May 9!

Our friend and classmate, David, who commutes quite a long drive every day for classes, announced this afternoon that there are only 17 more days of classes – not that he’s counting or anything! (For more on his calculations about commuting, visit his blog.)

For now, I am just amazed how little time is left and how much work still remains to be done. It seems at bit, well, presumptuous to send out announcements about graduating, when I still wonder how we can possibly get everything done in time!

The To-Do list for just next week looks like this:

+ a 1000 word essay for Christian Ethics on offering advice to a parishioner troubled by her career as an engineer for a weapons manufacturer is due on Tuesday;

+ a one page paper written in response to the book Open Secrets is due in Lutheranism in North America – also on Tuesday;

+ a two page paper on the Lutheran doctrines concerning Mary, the mother of Jesus, is due for Ecumenical Theology on Wednesday;

+ the outline for the final research paper in Lutheranism in North America is due Thursday;

+ there are also several articles and two entire books which need to be read BEFORE these papers are written;

+ plus continuing the research and completing the reading for the final papers and book reports in all our courses.

Did I mention that income taxes are due on Tuesday?

It’s going to be a very BUSY 30 days….

Sermon for Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 (Ps. 116:13)
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35

The Road to Emmaus – how many times have we heard this story? It is one of those stories that we have heard so often that most of us can probably recite the major points from memory. The question is, have you heard it so many times that you don’t even think about it any more?

We have all heard the various explanations of the story, as well. We know that the location of Emmaus is not known. There are two or three possible locations, but not much proof to make it the town in the story. We know that this story is unique to the Gospel of Luke, and that Cleopas appears nowhere else – only here. We also know that Luke often uses food, and events surrounding meals to make his points. We also know that this story is very similar to Old Testament stories where strangers are entertained, only to later find out that they were angels! So what is new to tell about this story, here and now?

How about this - have you ever put yourself in to the story? Tried to get a new feel for one of the characters in the story? I would guess that the unnamed companion of Cleopas would be our place. We are not given this companion’s name, nor are we told if it is a man or woman! In fact, it has been speculated that this person’s name is not given precisely so that we can insert ourselves into the story!

Now - Imagine – you are the unnamed companion – you have just experienced what you feel has been the worst 48 hours of you life. After celebrating the Passover with your teacher and friends, you go out for a walk, and you are suddenly surrounded by soldiers as Jesus is arrested. Then, there is the trial, and the beating, and everyone is crying out for him to be crucified! Finally, Pilate gives in and Jesus is sent to the cross. Tensions are high, and anyone who was associated with Jesus is hiding in fear that they might be next. From a distance, you watch him die. He is taken down from the cross and put in the tomb just before the start of Shabbot – the Sabbath. From sundown to sundown, you hide, you try to pray – as a good Jew should, but you do so with a heavy heart. Your friend – the teacher, the prophet, who you thought was going to redeem Israel, is dead. Finally, Shabbot is over, but now it is dark and there is nothing you can do. Some of the women begin preparing spices and wrappings and other things so they can go to tomb first thing in the morning – to finish preparing the body, which they were prevented from doing during the Sabbath. Everyone else is still hiding, waiting till morning when they might be able to slip away without being noticed – or arrested.

Then, it is morning. Some of the women have already gone to the tomb. You and Cleopas decide that it is time to head for home, back to the life you gave up to follow this prophet, sure that things were about to change. Then suddenly – the women burst back into the room – “He is gone” they shout. “An angel told us that He is alive!”

Simon Peter – the one who had denied Jesus – ran to the tomb with some of the others, but came back to report that it was empty, and that he had seen no one. Now, you are going back home, not quite sure what to make of things but absolutely certain that the events of the last few days are not what you expected. Your hearts are heavy, and puzzled. As you walk along with Cleopas, a stranger begins asking questions, and you wonder, “How on earth can you have missed the biggest thing to have happened around here since the Romans took over Jerusalem?”

Then you begin telling your new companion about all the things that Jesus had done – his mighty deeds and profound words - and about your great expectations of what he was going to do – how he was going to save Israel! But now, he is dead, and his body is missing, and the women are talking about angels, and you are just tired and confused and on your way home to sort things out.

Then, this stranger begins to tell you – you who were there – about Jesus, and his ministry, and what the scriptures said about him and why he had to suffer and die. For someone who did not seem to know what had happened, he sure seems to know a lot of scripture to explain it! Then, just as you get home, the stranger heads on down the road, but you – being the good host that you are – call him back and suggest that he come home for supper. As you lay out supper, the stranger takes his place at the table and as soon as everything is ready, he takes the bread, he blesses it, and he then breaks it and gives you a piece. Suddenly - you realize that you have seen him do this before! This is Jesus – just as he was the last time you saw him, when he blessed bread, and broke it, and gave it to everyone to eat. Just as you realize who it is, He disappears! But you and Cleopas have shared this vision, this conversation, this revelation – Jesus is alive!!!

What a story! You have just been part of one the most told and re-told resurrection stories that we have. Just like the disciples – whom we are told “just didn’t get it” – we don’t get it either, until our eyes are opened. Jesus explains, very patiently and in great detail how all the scriptures foretell that Jesus will come to live among us, will teach us, and do mighty deeds, and then he must suffer and die. Jesus, and later Martin Luther, explains that all that we read in scripture is part of God’s plan for us, and that the key to the plan is that Christ, the Messiah, would come, and be rejected, and be put to death as were many of the great prophets of Israel. Christ leads us from the garden in Genesis to the Cross in Jerusalem; Christ leads us from the cross to meet the Holy Spirit which the Father has sent; Christ prepares us for the coming of the kingdom.

Now, imagine yourself in your daily lives. Imagine that a stranger comes up and ask, “what are you talking about?” We know the story; we can even place ourselves in the story and make it personal. How do we share it with others?

One of the commentary writers, in talking about this story, speaks of us as Easter people. We are just like Cleopas and his companion – and the rest of the disciples – we are “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe” but we keep trying. We may not fully understand this kingdom of God stuff, but we understand enough that we offer hospitality to the stranger – who turns out to be Jesus. We may not understand all that the prophets wrote about Jesus and why he must suffer and die – but we are here every week to learn more. We don’t understand the words of Jesus when he gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples and said “Take and Eat,” but we do it every week anyway. We know, as Easter people, that Jesus came and lived among us, that he suffered and died, that he was raised from the dead – so that somehow – through some miraculous work of God - we might have eternal life.

Now the question is, what do you do? A couple of weeks ago, we heard about Mary, who after seeing Jesus, ran to tell the others. Here, in this story, you and Cleopas do the same thing – you run to tell the others what you have seen. You run, because the news is so great. You run, because you can’t hold it in any longer – you have to tell someone! Anyone! Everyone! And so, you run back to Jerusalem – that place where it all started – and ended – and you tell the story. As Luke describes it – you tell the story of the mighty deeds and words of Jesus. You recount all that He has done – in your life, in the lives of the disciples, in the lives of those you know. You tell the story, and you tell it again, and again, and again. You tell it till you don’t think you can tell it anymore, then you tell it again.

In this story, in this walk to Emmaus, we hear this story acted out. We hear Jesus recount God’s salvation story so that the disciples may understand how God’s salvation really works – not by the sword, but by God’s redemption of the world – through the cross.

Here - we hear the story of what it really means for God to have sent His only Son to die on the cross, so that we who believe may have eternal life.

Here - we hear the story – so that we can run and tell it to others.

Here – we come to the table – to meet Jesus in the bread and wine.

Here – we are redeemed.

Thanks be to God!

Amen.