John 6:51-53

“The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” vs. 52

Not surprisingly, when people heard that the bread of heaven was actually the flesh of Jesus there was great consternation. Those words were too graphic, repelling even, and they couldn’t imagine that this is what Jesus intended. But that’s what the early Christians believed and that’s what they taught. No wonder then that they were accused by the authorities of cannibalistic practices in their secret eucharistic rituals! So it’s not surprising that through the centuries, as theologians wrestled with the question of the Real Presence, many of them came to believe that this isn’t what Jesus really meant. Instead they came up with alternative explanations, ones that were more palatable to believers, and that did not provide a roadblock to faith. One of the most popular was to suggest that Jesus really meant that the bread of Holy Communion represented his body and that his presence was spiritual and not real. Now that seems entirely reasonable and this understanding is probably the one most Christians hold close to their hearts. The problem is that this explanation robs the sacrament of its radical core and destroys its mystery. To continue using the word “flesh” makes Jesus alive in the present and restores power to the Eucharist. To be with someone in the flesh opens us to the thrill of their presence, and is far better than vaguely remembering something they said or did.

Thought for the Day: How does it feel to be with someone in the flesh?

Ephesians 5:18-20

“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit…giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  vss. 18, 20

One of the options available to us as we consider how to use our hours in these troubled times is drinking. In that choice we have an advantage over the Ephesians. They seem to have had access only to wine, while we have a wide array of alcoholic beverages to choose from, and of course we still have wine. But Paul doesn’t consider drunkenness to be a wise choice, and he recommends the Spirit instead of spirits. And then after advising the Ephesians to engage in singing hymns and spiritual songs, he blows our minds. He tells them and us to give thanks to God for everything at all times, and to do it in the name of Jesus. If we were to take Paul’s words to heart, remembering that he writes them from a jail cell, we would not let external circumstances dictate the mood of our days. Instead, each day we would awaken with a prayer of thanksgiving on our lips and then receive every minute of that day as a gift, giving thanks for everything that comes our way. If you’ve never tried living in a Spirit of thanksgiving all day, every day, it wouldn’t hurt to try. It might even make that glass of wine you have in the evening all the sweeter!

Thought for the Day: What could a Spirit of Thanksgiving do for my soul?

Ephesians 5:15-17

“Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” vss. 15-16

It’s impossible to know exactly what Paul meant when he told the Ephesians that the days were evil, but it wasn’t an unusual perspective. In fact, there are some who use that language in describing the present moment in history–daily reports of some new danger lurking makes talk of evil days seem appropriate. But regardless of whether our times are worse than any other, Paul’s advice is right on. He recommends wise living, making the most of the time that is ours. It’s sad to see how time can be frittered away. There are countless distractions and most folks get hung up on any number of foolish and time-wasting activities. Years can go by, and only occasionally do we ever take stock of how we’ve been using our precious hours. And for all of us, the time we have left is always diminishing–the sand keeps running through the hourglass day and night, relentlessly decreasing the time that is left. And it’s that way for everyone. The question is: how shall we spend the rest of our lives? And what would be the wisest use of that time? It’s the most valuable asset we have left in our portfolios. These are big questions, and there is no right answer. What is important is for us to be mindful of how we are living, and resume control of our hours.

Thought for the Day: How can I best use my remaining time?

Psalm 34:9-14

“Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” vss. 12-13

Some psalms had their origins in the Wisdom Literature of Israel and leaders used them in worship to teach people particular insights about how to live. This psalmist says that the way we use our mouths is the key to a long and fruitful life, that in fact, all happiness depends upon our tongue. The New Testament writer James would agree. Comparing the tongue to the rudder of a ship he writes, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.” He calls it, “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” We would be hard-pressed to disagree. There’s scarcely a person among us who hasn’t been betrayed by the careless use of our tongue. It starts as children as we try to figure out appropriate speech in the home and continues through adolescence as we experiment with profanity and curses. We use it in our courting and loving and then use it to demean and ridicule those we have wooed and won. We pass on gossip and salacious untruths, lie in every conceivable way, and then wonder why our lives have gotten so screwed up. The psalmist says, “It’s not rocket science, you fool! It’s your mouth! Choose words carefully, words of love and affirmation, and life will be good!”

Thought for the Day: How has my tongue betrayed me?

Proverbs 9:4-6

“To those without sense she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.’” vss. 4-6

Every generation professes concern for succeeding generations, frequently castigating the young for their senseless and immature behaviors, even though we all know that foolishness is not the exclusive domain of that sector of the population. Folks of every age are susceptible to outrageous and childish words and actions. According to the book of Proverbs dealing with such people is the particular domain of Sophia or Wisdom. In fact that’s her role, and she invites those without sense to a meal of bread and wine, a supper that will enable them to live with insight and understanding. That same invitation is given to the wandering of our age, youth and adults alike. It’s what Jesus said to the people he encountered, “Come to me, you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In our communities of faith, there is even a meal involved, one in which we are invited to feast on the Bread of Life. The key to the invitation of both Proverbs and Jesus is the insight that Wisdom is always mediated. We don’t just stumble on it–always there will be a mediator–it could even come through a meal with Sophia. Often it comes from Jesus as channeled by a particularly wise friend or acquaintance.

Thought for the Day: Where have I received wisdom and insight?

Proverbs 9:1-3

“Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table.” vss. 1-2

Many are familiar with the ode to the capable wife that is found in Proverbs 31 but some don’t like it very much. They claim that it perpetuates a patriarchal attitude toward women. That may be true, but it’s also true that Proverbs also implies that the source of wisdom in the home is the mother. In fact, in this passage Wisdom is clearly described in female terms, and she not only sets the table, she built the house. More than that, she butchered the animals and produced the wine for the meal! She does it all! Obviously, even in the highly patriarchal Hebrew society, there was a sense that wisdom was a female trait. Among the Greeks the word for wisdom was Sophia, definitely a feminine noun, and in early Christendom her name was chosen for the largest and most beautiful church in the world, Hagia Sopia, in Constantinople. How sad it is then, that the voices of women have been so regularly silenced in the Church. So it’s been a blessing in the last 75 years to begin to hear female pastors proclaiming the gospel as leaders in the church! Women have always been the voice of Wisdom–now they can be publicly heard.

Thought for the Day: Why is wisdom thought to be a female trait?

John 11: 47-51

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” vs. 51

There are a number of passages in scripture that tell stories about miraculous feedings. Obviously there was the experience of the Israelites with manna in the wilderness, and everyone knows about the feeding of the 5000 at the hands of Jesus. But John here goes beyond the mere satisfaction of hunger that was at the core of other stories. His words, “Whoever eats of this bread will live forever” tell us that in Jesus we can experience true life. He calls it “eternal life” and implies that it begins now and endures forever. And even more significantly, he says that this new life isn’t just for believers, but for the whole world! Of course we can only imagine what this new life might entail. It’s almost too much for our minds to comprehend. Certainly it’s much more than the notion that if we believe in Jesus we’ll go to heaven when we die. That conditional sense of eternal life puts all the emphasis on us and leaves little room for the extravagant grace and mercy that is God’s passion. But it does feel good to know that life is more than what we’re experiencing from day to day on our journey around the sun. And sometimes we can actually feel that new life ooze into our pores. And someday that new life will be ours forever.

Thought for the Day: How do I understand the new life?

John 6:35, 41-46

“They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”’?” vs. 42

The religious folks were having a tough time with Jesus. He’d come from Nazareth where he was known as the son of Joseph–his mother was Mary, a good woman who everyone knew. And now he was claiming to be the Bread of Heaven?! They just couldn’t buy it! We know what that’s like. Those wondering feelings pop up frequently in our lives. Is there really a God? With all the advances in science there’s really no reason to believe in a Creator. We even wonder right in the middle of worship. How can it be that the ordinary bread of Holy Communion is the Body of Christ? And this book in the pews–it was written completely by human beings. Sure, the stories are interesting, but why do some say that it’s the Word of God? And while we’re on that subject, why do some think the preacher is proclaiming God’s Word during the sermon? If it were God’s word, why is it sometimes so boring? And so we wonder–and some wander off in search of certainty. But others continue to believe. In spite of the wondering, in some sort of miraculous irresistible way, they are drawn to God, and find connections with God in Jesus, the creation, Holy Communion, the bible, the community, and yes, even in boring sermons. And those believers trust that in God there is eternal life! What a gift!

Thought for the Day: What do I wonder about?

Ephesians 4:30-5:2

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” vss. 1-2

Those who wonder how they shall relate to others in these cantankerous times have an abundance of guidance from scripture. These words from Ephesians capture perfectly the actions and attitudes that will govern our words and behavior. Paul says, “Be imitators of God…and live in love, as Christ loved us…” We might not like to hear such words, mostly because they’re calling us to a higher standard, but Paul is deadly serious. And lest we think, “Oh well, of course, I can love all people, but I can still say nasty things about them,” Paul has already put that notion to rest with his plain admonition, “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” When we finally get our heads on straight and actually start imitating God, the resulting spirit of kindness sets us free. We don’t have to correct all of our acquaintances’ faulty political conclusions. We don’t have to win every debate. We can simply listen and smile, say “Thanks for sharing,” and then tell them how much we love them! It’s an absolutely wonderful way to live!

Thought for the Day: When is it easiest to say nasty things about others?

Ephesians 4:25-29

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” vs. 29

During the election cycle it’s interesting to see how many politicians clamber to paint themselves with a Christian veneer. They make campaign speeches from the pulpits of churches, talk about their love for the bible, and claim that by their policies they will return Christian morality to America. Surely they must know that no one is impressed by their hypocritical behavior! We are not fooled because of the other things they say on the campaign trail. Once they drop the religious posturing, they let loose with both barrels, lambasting the opposition, repeating salacious stories, and doing everything they can to tear down the reputations of their opponents. What comes out of their mouths isn’t even close to grace filled speech–it certainly isn’t useful for building up! Now some will say that this is just politics. It’s the way campaigns have always been conducted. But there has to be another way! At the least those who take the low road in their speeches and campaigning should stop pretending that they are followers of Jesus. People of faith know that those who truly walk in the way of Jesus are always in the business of building up and not tearing down. It’s always been that way, and always will be, regardless of our political affiliation.

Thought for the Day: Why do politicians take the low road?