Seeing the Face of Christ in Holy Week—Easter Sunday

Philippians 2:1-11

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, ²make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. ⁵Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, ⁸he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death —  even death on a cross. ⁹Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As a child one often would dream of “super powers;” you know, like the ones that super heroes had: vision that could see through walls, strength that could topple mountains and buildings, brains that could solve any question of the universe or invent a cure for any illness, and so forth.   Listen to a child, and you might hear such things as, “If I could fly like birds, then I could….”.  Last week I heard similar stories when talking with adults, but it had a different take.  There was a craze about the Mega Million Lottery: who was going to win all that money?  What would you do with that much money if you won?  Would winning that much money solve all things or would it just create new worries?  It really doesn’t matter what stage of life we are in, or what blessings and talents we possess, or the size of our bank accounts or credit limits; we all have hopes, dreams, and uncertainties to navigate in our lives.  As we explored all of our limitations and opportunities throughout our Lenten journey and “blogging”, at the core was the very real human factor of our limits as being created in God’s image, and God’s limitlessness, being God.

This Philippians passage and the Easter Story, remind us most fully of God’s depth and breadth.  This passage and Easter invite us into the offering of God’s Son on the cross so that where there is doubt, faith; where there is brokenness, healing; where there is despair, hope; where there are dead ends, new life.  To be in full accord with God, with Christ, is to rest assuredly and confidently in a faith that emulates Christ for others.  It is when we ourselves give selflessly as Christ has died for us, that our “faith” is no longer a noun, but is a verb.  It is then that the Gospel of Jesus Christ being risen indeed, is not just a catchy phrase, but Easter is a joy completed within us and shared with others.   Amen.

Pastor Kent 

For reflection:

What does it mean, to name faith a “verb?”

How can you “live the resurrection,” now?

Christ is risen; he is risen indeed.  Alleluia!  Seize the opportunity each day to proclaim this awesome truth!

Seeing the Face of Christ in Holy Week--Saturday, April 7

Psalm 130

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. 2LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
3If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, LORD, who could stand?
4But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
6my soul waits for the LORD more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning. 7O Israel, hope in the LORD!
For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.
8It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Each year in the Lenten season, we hear many of the same Bible stories.  One story that always astounded me was the way in which Peter repeatedly denied Jesus.  Peter denying Jesus comes as a surprise after reading many stories of Peter’s faith in Jesus.   It makes me wonder how many times I deny the Lord in my everyday life by neglecting my relationship with Him or by not listening to His will for my life.  I get so distracted by things of this world that I seem to lose sight of the ultimate goal of this life-- to love and serve God.    

The idea of waiting for the Lord is very present for us this Saturday as we eagerly await tomorrow’s celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  As this season of Lent comes to an end, we pray that we continue to reflect on our relationships with the Lord and give thanks to Him for His forgiveness of our sins and His love for us.

Fer & Emily Guerra

For reflection:

In what ways do you deny the Lord’s claim on your life in your everyday existence?

How is waiting an important part of the Lenten journey?

What are some of the spiritual disciplines that help you to focus, and “wait on the Lord?”

Seeing the Face of Christ in Holy Week--Friday, April 6

Luke 23:39-43

³⁹One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" ⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." ⁴³He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

So this is the face of God?  Broken – bruised – bleeding.  A human face of anguish with a look of abandonment and defeat.  Sounds like the taunts of those around him.  But what was it that the one condemned robber saw in that face?  Was it just a desperate request?  Certainly their fate was clear – they were going to die in an excruciating manner.  Even though he feared God – God didn’t seem too interested at the moment.  He didn’t say “save us!”- like the other criminal.  He only asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into his kingdom.  One can’t say for sure, but it seems that there in the most desperate of moments, the face of God was revealed to him like the answer to a prayer. His confession of sin, acceptance of just punishment and recognition of the guiltless man hanging with them seemed to allow a glimpse of an existence beyond this life.  No bargaining – just a simple request.  Jesus answered with a fact, not a promise, – “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  How much greater a demonstration of God’s grace does one need?  If anyone would seem to be the “least qualified” by our earthly achievement standards to enter heaven, it would be a criminal condemned to death.  But at this point he had more faith in Jesus than all his followers put together.

On Good Friday as we grieve and remember the death of our brother, Jesus, we can find joy.  If we look to God in our every hour, even our most desperate, we can know that God is with us.  In Christ’s sacrifice the “slate” of our sins was forever dashed into a million pieces and we are set free.  To God be the Glory, great things He has done!

Phil and Amy Whitley

For reflection:

When have you had the opportunity to make sacrifices for another, and what insights does this give you into the depth of sacrifice of Jesus?

What are some of the thoughts and emotions that you bring to the Good Friday narrative?

What words, or urgent plea, do you have for Jesus?  What burdens are on your heart, that you place at the cross?

Seeing the Face of Christ in Holy Week--Thursday, April 5

 John 6:35-40

³⁵Jesus 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. ³⁶But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. ³⁷Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; ³⁸for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And 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. ⁴⁰This 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."

It is my honor, and pleasure to write this blog on this Maundy Thursday. 2012. Let us prepare for Sunday’s Victory Feast.

It’s all in the preparation, you know…Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

Jesus tells us “I am the Bread of Life. It is my Father who gives you the true bread from Heaven.”

It seems to be a wonderful sort of mystery the way a simple loaf of bread is made. It begins with the dry and wet ingredients being mixed together to form a dough. It is then kneaded, and carefully formed into the shape it will be in upon completion. We must wait for the dough to rise before placing it into the oven at just the right temperature, in order for it to bake into an edible loaf of bread. As the bread bakes, an irresistible fragrance begins to permeate throughout the house. Now, close both your eyes and your mouth at the same time, and breathe in slowly…it will force you to smile. Can you smell Him penetrating through your entire being? I bet you want more. I bet you even want more to the point that you need Him…that you just can’t live without Him! That’s what Jesus does for us. He seeps into our entire being, and infects us with the desire to taste His heavenly bounty both now, and for all eternity. “This is my body, given for you.”

He’s inviting us to the table. C’mon, it’s time to eat as much as you want. You’ll never go away hungry. There’s endless amount of Him for ALL who believe that He is our Lord and Savior…our bread that keeps us nourished.

He will accompany this feast with His blood, a rich, red bouquet fortified with ALL that is needed to wash away sin. “This is my blood, shed for you.” “Remember me ALWAYS when you eat my body, and drink my blood.”

Bon-appe`tit! Thanks be to God!

Louise Greenleaf

For reflection:

What does the phrase, “Jesus is the bread of life” mean to you?

What are your thoughts as you approach the communion table?

What does Holy Communion have to do with the way you live each day?  

Seeing the Face of Christ in Holy Week--Wednesday, April 4

Matthew  26:36-46

³⁶Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." ³⁷He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. ³⁸Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." ³⁹And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." ⁴⁰Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? ⁴¹Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." ⁴²Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." ⁴³Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. ⁴⁵Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."

I love the story of Jesus praying in the garden, of his closest friends falling asleep as he was preparing for his most terrible ordeal.  It is such a perfect illustration of the human weakness that is part of us all.  It brings to mind all the times in my life that my intentions were good, but my resolve was weak.  I really meantto do more good, to do less bad; I meantto be more generous, to be less selfish; I meantto be more loving, to be less petty; I meant to do more for others and less for myself; and so on, and so on, and so on.  But knowing that Jesus’ own closest friends and followers were also weak speaks volumes to us today; even they could not follow through with their good intentions, even after Jesus – knowing of his coming ordeal – had implored them to keep watch with him. Of course they meant to keep watch with him; of course, they meant to stay awake; of course, they meant to be there to support him.  But despite the best of intentions, they fell asleep.  Yes, intentions are good, but the body is weak.  As we enter into this holiest of weeks, how comforting to know that God does not judge us on what we meant to do, but accepts and loves us as the weak beings we are.  Thank you, God. 

Virginia Nugent

Reflection questions:

When have you seen the impact of your lack of follow through?

How does reading about the anguish that Jesus experienced, inform your thoughts about the events of Holy Week?

Today, find a quiet space of time in which to admit your sins of omission, and then rest, in the forgiving arms of God.

Seeing the Face of Christ in our World--Tuesday, April 3

Ephesians 4:1-6

4I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

“Where there is peace there you find Jesus.”  In considering the text of Ephesians 4:1-6, I am drawn to the part of the verse that emphases “there is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.”  The focus is not on our worth but on the worth of our calling. In Ephesians 4:3 the way to lead a life worthy of our calling is to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". Verse 2 tells us how to maintain spiritual unity: "With all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love.  Eph. 4:3 calls this the unity of the Spirit. It's the Holy Spirit who frees our hearts from irrational, self-defensive prejudices so that we are willing to own up to true convictions about Christ (1 Cor. 2:14-16). It's the Holy Spirit who enables us to have faith in Christ and to cry out to God with confidence, "Abba, Father." And it is the Holy Spirit who bears the fruit of love in our lives and gives us a common care for each other .So our common convictions and confidence and care are all from the Holy Spirit. Therefore Paul calls it the "unity of the Spirit".  So the face of God is seen when there are efforts of peace, in negation table, in governmental chambers or in churches.  Our mission should be to bring peace to all people, places and things.
Tray Smith

For reflection:

What is “the calling to which you have been called?”

How does your attitude and demeanor affect the world around you?

What might be the fruits of a church that displays “unity of the Spirit?”

Seeing the Face of Christ in our World--Monday, April 2

Matthew 25:31-40

³¹When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, ³³and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. ³⁴Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; ³⁵for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? ³⁸And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? ³⁹And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' ⁴⁰And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

The problems in the world seem insurmountable.  The headlines in the Sunday Miami Herald spoke of the terrible outbreak of cholera in Haiti; there is political turmoil throughout the Middle East, and now, in our own country, there are heightened racial tensions due to the death of Trayvon Martin.  Chronic issues of poverty and malnutrition in Africa seem intractable, and the gap between rich and poor in our own country is the widest it has been in decades.  Problems…seem so vast…such that our eyes can simply glaze over, and we become immobilized.

Today’s verses argue against such a mindset, for they remind us that while problems might be large and complex, helping our neighbor is not.  Through simple acts of compassion, we can make an impact in our world; what’s more, when we reach out, we are responding to the call of the Lord.  When we see the face of Christ and help anyone in need, we are bringing his love to our hurting world.  Mother Teresa once said, If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.  Don’t wait until you have big solutions in order to serve your neighbor—then, you may never start.  Just go out, and help someone—bring some cans of food to church, or make a Lenten Denial offering.  Donate some items for the White Elephant Sale, or swing a hammer at a Habitat site.  When you do it for the least of these, you do for the Lord.

Pastor Katie

For reflection:

What are some examples of “a neighbor in need” in your local community?  Our country?  Our world?

What is a simple act of kindness that you can take on this week, to enhance your journey through Holy Week?

What does it mean to “inherit the kingdom of God?”

Seeing the Face of Christ in our World--Sunday, April 1

Matthew 5:1-10

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
⁵"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
⁶"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
⁷"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
⁸"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
⁹"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

That’s a lot of blessings!  Called “The Beatitudes”, they are beautiful yet their meanings can be unclear. The bible has been translated into English and many languages and then revised many times.  If I wanted to know the deep meaning ofthese blessings, I could think and pray and think some more, and Lent would be over before I could figure it all out.  So I went to a higher authority, (no, not that one!) a reference book, Willmington’s Bible Handbook for answers.  A biblical scholar, he suggests the following meanings:

They are eight sayings that speak of blessings or happiness.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said genuine happinesscomes when you….

1.       recognize your need for God

2.       mourn over your sin

3.       Submit to divine authority

4.       desire justice or righteousness

5.       show mercy

6.       maintain a pure heart

7.       work for peace

8.       rejoice in the face of persecution

This pretty much works for me, and I can wrap my mind around them.  Yet questions remain:

Do you agree with these meanings?  If not, which ones and why?

Which one do you think would be the easiest for you to do?  (for me it is #1, a universal need)

Which would be the most difficult to do?  (Definitely #8, only for the brave)

In today’s world, do these blessings help or hinder our dealings with other peoples or countries?

With so many different beliefs in the world, can we truly reach others on common ground and still keep our Christian beliefs?

OK folks, let’s hear your questions and comments!

Jody Gache