Psalm 71:1-14

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” vs. 9

None of us can avoid the process of aging, but we tend to do whatever we can to slow it down. We eat natural and organic foods, take our vitamins and supplements, and make sure we get plenty of exercise…and hope that we can get a few more healthy years under our belts. It does seem to work to some extent. We’re living longer than our parents and many are able to find great joy in those extended years of retirement. But just living longer really isn’t enough…we’d also like to be appreciated and valued in our communities. Our greatest fear is that expressed by the psalmist, that somehow we would be cast off or forsaken in the time of old age. We hate the idea of being discounted or considered a burden when our bodies begin to fail us…as they will always do, in spite of our best efforts. What a blessing it is to live among those who appreciate the wisdom of their elders and who love to hear their stories…even for the hundredth time! Our faith community has always put a premium on that kind of loving…and even had a commandment designed to insure it. “Honor your father and your mother,” we remind our children, and sometimes forget that those words were included in the law to protect the aged.

Thought for the Day: What does aging feel like for me?

Isaiah 42:1-9

“He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” vss. 2-3

As Israel took stock of its situation in Babylon, their land of exile, the prophet reminded them of their calling. Using the image of a Suffering Servant, he says that they have a mission to all people and to all nations. They will not be a dominating power, one that seeks to exercise control by force of arms or coercion. Instead they will bring forth justice in quiet, humble, and gentle ways, by loving kindness and walking humbly with the Lord. It’s that mission that became incarnate in Jesus and that continues in the Church, a calling that transcends the bigotry and narrow thinking of national religions and that encompasses people of faith from every corner of the globe. How sad it is then to see religious folks blithely discard that commission while endorsing narrow political agendas. In the last century we’ve seen millions of Christians waving the banners of exclusion and bigotry, even endorsing the legitimacy of war and torture in achieving parochial national goals. In that context it’s a blessing it is to see people of faith returning to the simple truths of Isaiah and Jesus and working on behalf of justice for all peoples. The hope of the world lies not with bombastic bullying leaders but with quiet gentle servant leaders with a heart for the poor and the oppressed.

Thought for the Day: What is a national religion?

Mark 15:25-39

“‘Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.” vs. 32

According to Mark’s account, as Jesus’ crucifixion wore on to its sorry end, there was no end to the mockery and insults. The entire crowd, even the two thieves alongside him, were united in their taunting and scorn. Jesus was utterly alone, feeling forsaken even by God. Yet, among those bystanders there were still some who hoped that there might be a miracle, that by some divine power the nails would be pulled out and Jesus would hop down from the cross. If that happened they said to one another, then they would become believers. That’s a common feeling for those who stand by as death draws near. Particularly when the one dying is a dear loved one we hope against hope for a miraculous deliverance. In our prayers we make the offer, “O God, let there be a miracle now so that we might see and believe.” We’ve heard that such things can happen…but most of the time death is not delayed. As with Jesus there is no miracle; a last breath is taken, and all we can do is prepare the body for burial. For some that’s reason enough to discard faith and to conclude there is no God. But for others there is no loss of faith. They understand death as the gateway to new life. For them death can never be the end of the story!

Thought for the Day: What is my prayer when death draws near?

Mark 15:16-24

“And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” vss. 17-18

Bullying has been getting a lot of press lately. People are rightfully beginning to pay attention to the horrible treatment children receive from their peers on a regular basis and many schools have attempted to develop a “no bullying” culture. But it’s hard to overcome! We humans have an amazing propensity for cruelty that is difficult to understand…and it’s not limited to children. We see it full force in the way Jesus was treated by the soldiers. They went out of their way to mock and humiliate their defenseless prisoner…and probably got a kick out of it. It seems that under the right circumstances any one of us will gladly participate in abusive, heartless behavior…with no sense of empathy or caring exhibited for the victim. It’s a part of human nature that repels us and there doesn’t even seem to be any kind of evolutionary benefit. Because such sin is rooted deeply it is doubly important for us to be attentive to its presence. The best antidote is regular and thorough confession, acceptance of forgiveness, and an opening of our hearts to the work of the Holy Spirit. Our better nature is not a cesspool but a fountain that overflows with compassion and works of love…and in Christ, that’s who we are!

Thought for the Day: When am I most likely to act like a bully?

Mark 15:1-15

“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.” vs. 15

Pilate has been tough for historians to figure out. Aside from the gospel references there’s not a lot of information available about his time as governor. What little we have from contemporary sources indicate that he was capricious and cruel in his dealings with the people. In Mark’s gospel he is pictured as sympathetic to Jesus and inclined to release him, but when the chief priests stir up the crowd he accedes to their cries and releases Barabbas instead, while turning Jesus over to be crucified. While it’s not likely that Pilate was inclined to be a follower of Jesus, his actions are typical of many who hold political power in any age. There is little attention to the merits of particular cases  or causes. Everything is measured politically…and the loudest lobbyists get their way. It’s stunning to see how this is acted out in our state and national governments. Little attention is paid to morality or justice…everything is measured politically. Of course there are exceptions, and we can be grateful for those politicians who regularly exhibit integrity. Pilate wasn’t one of those…and when the crunch came, he let Jesus down! The chief priests were motivated by misplaced religious convictions…and they knew how to manipulate political stooges…and ultimately they got what they wanted.

Thought for the Day: Who are some politicians with integrity?

Philippians 2:5-11

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…” vss. 5-7a

There is no doubt that Paul considered Christ Jesus as an object of worship. Indeed, he hoped that all humanity would one day bow down and give him praise and glory. But he also believed that Jesus was a model for faithful living, here praying that the Philippians would adopt the mind of Christ as they related to the world. Paul is particularly impressed by the fact that Jesus voluntarily lived in this world as a slave rather than as a lord. In Paul’s words he had emptied himself, he had surrendered all of his claims to privilege and glory in order to live as a human being. But more than that, he chose the path of servanthood rather than that of domination and power. It’s when we do that, when we gladly offer ourselves as servants to others, that his mind is in us and we become the light of Christ for others. Self-surrender is never easy but it’s essential if we are ever going to achieve our full potential. It’s at that point of giving up that the Holy Spirit can begin the work of transformation and others will see the mind of Christ in our words and actions.

Thought for the Day: Signs that the mind of Christ is in me.

Psalm 31:9-16

“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.” vs. 9

At times it may seem as though our lives are charmed, that by some sweet combination of genes and luck we’ve been able to skate through the minefields of existence unscathed and unharmed. We see the hurts of others and are grateful that such calamities have not visited us. For one reason or another we’ve been spared the pain and loss that have ravaged other households and peoples. And then it happens! In a moment, sometimes with the ring of a phone, everything changes. There’s a horrible diagnosis, a deadly accident, a twist of fate, and our lives are changed. Time stands still and it’s as though we’ve been enveloped in an ugly nightmare of pain and tears. Suddenly we know what life has been like for others and we wonder if we have the capacity to endure…we wonder if there will ever be a day when we are not assailed by grief. The psalmist had been caught up in such a time, perhaps an extended time, and gives vent to the anguish he was feeling. He cries to God for relief…perhaps out of desperation…and so do we! There is nowhere else to go…all human resources have been exhausted and still the pain continues…so we echo the psalmist’s words, “But I trust in you, O Lord…‘You are my God.’” And we are heard!!!!

Thought for the Day: How do we know that God hears our cries for help?

Isaiah 50:4-9a

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.” vs. 4

We get tired of the same old news as we interact with our world. Each day there are stories of disaster, conspiracy, cruelty, disappointment, terror, discontent…and it’s easy to lose hope for humanity. We long for the quiet, assuring, hopeful voice of a teacher, one who can sustain us with words of good news and peace. Such persons are like the desert rain and provide life-enhancing nutrients that keep us connected to our gracious and loving God. Such persons never come to us as know-it-alls, ones who are quick with easy answers to our heartfelt questions. Rather they present themselves with humility and kindness, and give evidence that they have listened hard to our weighty concerns. Perhaps they have even engaged in similar struggles and have emerged bearing the scars of their encounters. As they speak we hear in their gentle tone the wisdom of the ages and the conviction that the Spirit of God is alive and well in our world. In their presence anxiety flees and is replaced by the sure and certain knowledge that God’s love is more powerful than any other force in the universe. Morning by morning, as we absorb their convictions, we are awakened to the real joy that life in God can give…and we are blessed.

Thought for the Day: Who is my teacher?

Mark 11:1-11

“Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” vs. 11

In the book of Zechariah there is a reference to the entrance of a triumphant king into Jerusalem. Instead of riding a war horse this king would be mounted on a donkey, a symbol of humility, and he would usher in an era of peace. It’s likely that this is what Jesus had in mind with his entry into the city. He came with a purpose and not an army and aimed to conquer not with a sword but with a gentle and humble spirit. That first afternoon, Mark says, he just looked around, and then went back to his friends’ home in Bethany, just across the Mount of Olives on the main road from Jericho. As he reconnoitered he was making a plan to cleanse the temple that would demonstrate his vision for change and reformation. It was a bold strategy, one that would show clearly the strength and convictions that undergirded his humility…and ultimately it got him killed! That’s how it is with prophets! But the prospect of opposition never deters them…their message is just too important. The world needs to know that there is another way, a way that leads to peace and serenity, the way of Jesus, our humble and triumphant king!

Thought for the Day: Where does humility get its power?

John 12:27-33

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” vs. 32

For the Romans crucifixion was designed to strike terror into the hearts of those that they ruled. It was cruel, painful, and violent…and lasted for hours, even days. Bodies were left hanging on crosses on the main thoroughfares to remind passersby of the consequences that awaited any form of insurrection. But when Jesus was crucified there was an entirely unexpected response and the cross was transformed into a symbol of salvation and hope. In our time it has taken on a kind of magnetic quality…people are drawn to meditate on the love and forgiveness that it represents. All around the world it stands and hangs in Christian churches, sometimes showing the suffering body of Jesus, other times empty as a reminder of resurrection, but always the weekly object of worship for millions. And its message of gracious and triumphant love is not just for believers…it’s for all people…even for those who have rejected him! In a week or so we’ll be moving through our annual observance of Holy Week and we’ll have yet another opportunity in our prayers and meditation for reflection on the amazing triumph of good over evil that took place on that hillside outside the walls of Jerusalem. What humans intended as cruel repression has been transformed into a universal message of love and acceptance. “In the cross of Christ we glory, tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time!”

Thought for the Day: What message do I receive from the cross?