(Please read Luke 4:14-30)
Lectionary Epipany 3-C and 4-C
There are those times in our lives that are so important, so monumental, that we will forever say "I remember where I was when." For some, it might be the day when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Many of us drew close to the television and watched with a great deal of excitement (and maybe a little fear) as man took his first steps on the moon. Surely, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy was one such moment. The attack on the United States, which has become known as "9/11", has been burned into our hearts forever. All of these memories are very personal eyewitness accounts to be told to others in ways that only you and I can do. All have made imprints on our lives and are too important to be kept to ourselves. And so we usually begin by saying, "It was one of those moments ..."
Take delight in the Scriptures this day! Surely, the eyewitness account of the hearing of Jesus’ proclamation has, in part, changed our lives forever. We are the recipients of a sharing of "one of those moments". Do you remember that moment in your own life? Can you recall where you were? You do? You remember that day when you found yourself sitting in the presence of Jesus, when the scroll was unfurled just for you and when your eyes were suddenly fixed upon him? You remember when you heard Jesus clearly say to you, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in YOUR hearing"? Just as it was with this eyewitness in the synagogue, so it is with each one of us. The sharing of this personal moment between Jesus and you (and me) and the Good News that Jesus proclaims should be shared! It is far too good to keep to ourselves!
I thank God for this nameless eyewitness in the Scriptures. That moment in his life was "one of those moments" for sure. I should think that he told his children and grandchildren, his friends and neighbors of the account of this day in the synagogue with Jesus. Just maybe he began by saying, "I will never forget the day when my eyes fixed upon Jesus. I will never forget what he proclaimed. I will never forget that I truly saw the Fulfillment in person. I must tell you about it." To read further in the Scriptures (Luke 4:22-30), we see that the majority who heard the proclamation of Jesus that day in the synagogue all too quickly turned on him for Jesus' proclamation was that the Good News was for all, even the Gentiles. Too soon, most wanted to hurl Jesus off the nearby cliff. But oh, this eyewitness told of that day as he saw it. The words were written. They were passed from generation to generation. It WAS "one of those moments" that would never be hurled off the cliff by the anger of the others. Just think what your own witness might mean to some – yes, even to generations to come.
God of the Good News, open our eyes that we may see your Son stand before us and around us. Open our ears that we might clearly hear Jesus’ proclamation of good news for the poor, the captives, the blind and the oppressed. Open our hearts and our mouths so that we might tell others of this moment in our own lives when we first heard and believed. How can we keep this to ourselves? We too once suffered from poverty, blindness and oppression of the heart. Oh God, lift us from our pews. Take us by the hand and walk with us out of our sanctuaries and through the crowds of those who want only to hurl Jesus off a cliff. Give us hearts and yes, courage, to become eyewitnesses of your Love and Promise Fulfilled. Amen.
anna
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
"A WEDDING IN CANA ?"
(Please read John 2:1-11)
It was on the third day
when a mother heard her son
call her "Woman".
It would not be the last time.
It was on the third day
when people gathered
and with a great thirst
cried out, "What are we to do?"
It was on the third day
when the old ways of cleansing
took on a new look and fragrance.
The very best was spilled out for all.
It was on the third day
when a miracle occurred.
"Enough for everyone"was the miracle.
"Enough of the best for everyone!"
It was on the third day
when the glory of the Lord
was revealed ...
and the disciples believed.
And it was on the third day
when there was a great celebration
at a wedding in Cana ...
and at a tomb in Jerusalem ...
and within us all ...
forever more.
Amen.
(c) 2010 anna murdock
(Please read John 2:1-11)
It was on the third day
when a mother heard her son
call her "Woman".
It would not be the last time.
It was on the third day
when people gathered
and with a great thirst
cried out, "What are we to do?"
It was on the third day
when the old ways of cleansing
took on a new look and fragrance.
The very best was spilled out for all.
It was on the third day
when a miracle occurred.
"Enough for everyone"was the miracle.
"Enough of the best for everyone!"
It was on the third day
when the glory of the Lord
was revealed ...
and the disciples believed.
And it was on the third day
when there was a great celebration
at a wedding in Cana ...
and at a tomb in Jerusalem ...
and within us all ...
forever more.
Amen.
(c) 2010 anna murdock
"And You Too Shall Be Called...."
(Please read Luke 3:15-17,21-22, Matthew 1:22-23)
By now, most of us have packed away all signs of Christmas. The family creche has been gently and safely put away for yet another birth announcement in another year. Wreaths on the doors are the sole reminders of Christmas, 2009. Life is back to normal again. But wait! When we seem to fall back into sameness, God tears the heavens apart once again. Just as the heavens parted at the heavenly-host birth announcement, just as the angels could hardly wait to sing, so it was when God parted the heavens once more and declared, "You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased. The miraculous news of Christmas is again declared! God IS with us!
Oh, how we do stumble and falter and question the "why's" of the baptism of Jesus. Don't worry about the "why's". Be immersed in God's Love! Open your hearts to hear the words that it brings to you. If you have never been told, allow me the joy of telling you now - YOU (yes, you) are beloved by God! What joy! What promise! God IS with us, being pushed forward by the crowds toward the river's bank, immersed in the same waters as all others yet rising to walk on a journey to the cross that will eventually whisper "beloved" to us as well.
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee to the river Jordan. The hem of his robe was dusty and dirty from the journey. It was the same dust and dirt as was found on the others' robes. He came to stand among them, not apart from them. It is written that"the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem" went out to hear the words spoken by his cousin, John. "Repent", John shouted. "Repent!" The baptizings began. Jesus shuffled along with the pressing crowds. No HELLO, MY NAME IS tag set him apart from those who were waiting to step into the murky waters of the river Jordan on that day. He was one among hundreds. He entered the cool, muddy waters,wading out toward his cousin. Their eyes met. Perhaps, Jesus found that he had to lean closer and whisper with authority, "Baptize me". He was baptized as were the others. There was a peace and quietness under the water that would last for only a few seconds. A quietness that was interrupted by the muffled sounds of the throngs of people standing along the river's edge. Jesus surfaced again. The heavens ripped apart. The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form "like a dove." And a voice from heaven proclaimed, "YOU are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And they shall call him "Immanuel, which means "God with us." THIS is the moment of clarity for us when the birth announcement and the affirmation at Jesus' baptism merge into one great truth. God IS with us.
This moment of affirmation for Jesus at his baptism was about the words of"belovedness" and the holy delight in him that tore the heavens apart with great force. The Holy Spirit settled upon Jesus with the gentleness of a dove and his ministry immediately took flight. This moment branded the name "Beloved" on his heart as he would soon find himself walking among those who shouted names of accusation at him. This very moment placed the name "beloved child" on his lips as he shared this new name with those he has come to walk among. Those then and us now. Just as Jesus was sent out at his baptism, so are we - sent out to tell others, "YOU are a beloved child of God. Nothing can separate you from God's love." Believe it! Reach out and claim your "beloved child" status! Remember your own baptism and keep it holy for it is the gift of the grace of God that is poured over you, dear beloved child that you are!
God of the torn heavens and of gentlenesses, of communal waters and of new names, you have washed us with the waters of your love and said, "It is good". You have renamed us, "beloved child". Knowing this precious truth flows over us like the waters of our baptism, making us gasp for air at the thoughts of such unimaginable Love. With the assurance of this name that we carry, and in your soaking love, give us hearts that want to share your love. Give us opportunities this day and every day to walk alongside others and say, "And you too shall be called beloved." Amen.
(c) 2010 anna murdock
(Please read Luke 3:15-17,21-22, Matthew 1:22-23)
By now, most of us have packed away all signs of Christmas. The family creche has been gently and safely put away for yet another birth announcement in another year. Wreaths on the doors are the sole reminders of Christmas, 2009. Life is back to normal again. But wait! When we seem to fall back into sameness, God tears the heavens apart once again. Just as the heavens parted at the heavenly-host birth announcement, just as the angels could hardly wait to sing, so it was when God parted the heavens once more and declared, "You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased. The miraculous news of Christmas is again declared! God IS with us!
Oh, how we do stumble and falter and question the "why's" of the baptism of Jesus. Don't worry about the "why's". Be immersed in God's Love! Open your hearts to hear the words that it brings to you. If you have never been told, allow me the joy of telling you now - YOU (yes, you) are beloved by God! What joy! What promise! God IS with us, being pushed forward by the crowds toward the river's bank, immersed in the same waters as all others yet rising to walk on a journey to the cross that will eventually whisper "beloved" to us as well.
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee to the river Jordan. The hem of his robe was dusty and dirty from the journey. It was the same dust and dirt as was found on the others' robes. He came to stand among them, not apart from them. It is written that"the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem" went out to hear the words spoken by his cousin, John. "Repent", John shouted. "Repent!" The baptizings began. Jesus shuffled along with the pressing crowds. No HELLO, MY NAME IS tag set him apart from those who were waiting to step into the murky waters of the river Jordan on that day. He was one among hundreds. He entered the cool, muddy waters,wading out toward his cousin. Their eyes met. Perhaps, Jesus found that he had to lean closer and whisper with authority, "Baptize me". He was baptized as were the others. There was a peace and quietness under the water that would last for only a few seconds. A quietness that was interrupted by the muffled sounds of the throngs of people standing along the river's edge. Jesus surfaced again. The heavens ripped apart. The Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form "like a dove." And a voice from heaven proclaimed, "YOU are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
And they shall call him "Immanuel, which means "God with us." THIS is the moment of clarity for us when the birth announcement and the affirmation at Jesus' baptism merge into one great truth. God IS with us.
This moment of affirmation for Jesus at his baptism was about the words of"belovedness" and the holy delight in him that tore the heavens apart with great force. The Holy Spirit settled upon Jesus with the gentleness of a dove and his ministry immediately took flight. This moment branded the name "Beloved" on his heart as he would soon find himself walking among those who shouted names of accusation at him. This very moment placed the name "beloved child" on his lips as he shared this new name with those he has come to walk among. Those then and us now. Just as Jesus was sent out at his baptism, so are we - sent out to tell others, "YOU are a beloved child of God. Nothing can separate you from God's love." Believe it! Reach out and claim your "beloved child" status! Remember your own baptism and keep it holy for it is the gift of the grace of God that is poured over you, dear beloved child that you are!
God of the torn heavens and of gentlenesses, of communal waters and of new names, you have washed us with the waters of your love and said, "It is good". You have renamed us, "beloved child". Knowing this precious truth flows over us like the waters of our baptism, making us gasp for air at the thoughts of such unimaginable Love. With the assurance of this name that we carry, and in your soaking love, give us hearts that want to share your love. Give us opportunities this day and every day to walk alongside others and say, "And you too shall be called beloved." Amen.
(c) 2010 anna murdock
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