Holy steps

I visited Jerusalem the summer of 2001 as part of a five-week trip to Israel and Egypt with college students. With those students off doing other activities, I spent one day walking the Via Del Rosa (the Road of Blood) following (sort of) the path that Jesus walked on the day of his execution. I say "sort of" because the path has been changed over time to accomodate commerical enterprises and since there are two different accounts of that event in the Scriptures--we had to visit sites from both those accounts. Despite the fact that it was not "historically accurate"--it was a time of profound holiness for me.

I feel much the same way whenever I read the scripture passages about this moment of holiness in our tradition. Are the stories we have accurate historial accounts of that day? Probably not. Does it matter? Probably not. What is important is that this death--and the resurrection that followed--were the seeds that sprouted into a faith that has sustained, challenged, comforted and shaped a people for over 2000 years. Bishop Joel Martinez, of the United Methodist Church, has said "Jesus is the incarnation of the radical availability of God." That's what matters--not just what happened that day but that because of that event--we are assured of God's radical availability in our lives.

I hope you will find time this upcoming week to take holy steps through the story of Jesus' final week on earth and in doing so will feel God ever so close to you.

The problem with sin

--Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden, but forbidden because it is hurtful.

Benjamin Franklin

Liberals hate to talk about sin. It just feels so judgmental to us--or reminds some of us too much of the religious homes of our youth from which we ran screaming--or just because we prefer to focus on the positive side of being human. I tend to fall in the last category. And--as much as I like to focus on our original blessing (outlined so beautifully in Matthew Fox's book "Original Blessing")--I also believe there are times when we need to acknowledge the presence of sinful/hurtful behavior in ourselves and in our communities so that we can address it head on.

What better time than during the Season of Lent--and particularly during Holy Week--to deeply and honestly examine our lives. Perhaps there are things we do need to change. Perhaps there are ways that we could engage with others in ways that are more life-giving. Perhaps we need a total reformation of our circumstances and our relationships.

May the Cleansing Power of God's Holy Spirit wash over you this day and always

The Journey of Forgiveness

I'm doing a sermon series on forgiveness during this Season of Lent (you can read the latest entry on our website www:sycamorefederatedchurch.org). It's been good for me to focus on the notion of what, who, how and when we should forgive since there are ample opportunities each and every day to take what I have learned into practice!

Andrew Sung Park, in his book "The Wounded Heart of God", states that forgiveness is a process that will wind through the pain in its own time. He also says that the sinned-against should be involved in the process. We often forget those we have harmed--preferring instead to turn only to God whose forgiveness is assured if and when we resolve to change our ways (no cheap grace in this process!)

What a precious, holy world this will be when we engage in forgivness and mercy.

Musings

One of the many things I learned to "give up" when I became a pastor was the sense of order that comes when the appointments in your date book will match the way you spend your day. I schedule appointments and meetings well in advance--but I know that any given moment--I may be called into a new direction. My first career was as an accountant--things like this don't generally happen in a ledgered world like that!

At first, I was less than comfortable with this challenge. Over time, however, I can to understand what a gift it truly can be. I have stood at the bedside of someone I loved and held their hand while they passed into the next life. I have cradled a sobbing widow in my arms. I have been welcomed into the life of a battered woman who found the strength to make a new life for herself. I have sat in silence with youth who are struggling to make sense out of their lives. None of these things can be scheduled but they sure are holy.

I thank God for all these moments and wish for you the chaotic grace of God.