Pastor Essays

In the Pastor’s  funeral meditation for a superb man whose funeral I attended recently, was a description of Heaven.   I don’t know whether or not the Pastor literally  believed his own words, or was simply being poetic in the hopes that they would be comforting to all the mourners.

The more years I study the Bible, and particularly John and Paul, the more clear it becomes to me that Jesus, His message and His Mind came at an intellectual “cusp” of human faith.        Jesus saw that He was living in a time when something more than pure animal existence could be the lot of humans.

Jesus’ message was so radical:   that life could be lived in an abundance of joy;  that simple daily drudgery was not enough.   That getting the upper hand over one’s rivals was not enough;  that family is not simply those who are “kin” by blood.   Rather, he called us His “brothers;”  He called us his “friends.”

As Paul began to unwind this, he saw that  God’s children and our “brothers” are not limited by being:  “Jew nor Greek,” slave or free, natives or foreigners.

The older I get, the more comfortable I am with Catholics or Jews; Liberals or conservatives, Orientals,  Latinos, or whatever.   WHO we are as persons is far more important than is our ancestry.   A couple of my fellow Rotarians are Muslims.   It would be an obscenity to even let the question of Radical Islamists cross our minds when thinking of these me.  Just about every group has its “lunatic fringe.”   These people comprise a tiny  percentage.

The essence of the meaning of the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection is to convey in dramatic form God’s love for each of us.    That which is Godly is that which is of peace and love, of justice and brotherhood, of good will and generosity.    It is about the indestructible nature of God, and the very essence of God’s outreach to all people.

Let it never die in your mind:   “I am come that you might have life and have it abundantly.”   “I am the way the truth and the life.”  “Greater love hath no man than this; that he lay down his life for his friend, and I have called you my friends.”  “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”

“Go into all the world and proclaim the good news!”

It is important for our children to learn other languages than English.   French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and Russian are among those which most readily come to mind.   Equally important–but on a different plane–is music.   We and our children are enriched when we learn to read music, sing, and/or play instruments.    Music is a special language for love, rejoicing, grieving and for expressing feelings that are too deep for words.

In both the Hebrew scriptures and the Christian scriptures are to be found strong texts lauding music.   For example: “Praise the Lord!  Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!…Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!  Praise him with tambourine and dance; “praise him with strings and pipe!  Praise hum with loud clashing cymbals!  –Psalm 150

“…Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.”  –Ephesians 5:25

Among my goals as your Pastor is to help each of us develop in such a way that each of us is in control of his/her own spirit;  that we focus on  the positive; that we relate to others with courtesy, kindness and generosity; that all our dealings be done honestly, truthfully, and honorably; that we spend time each day in prayer, meditation and reflection.

It is also my goal to stimulate us each to love the fine arts, especially music and dance, that we learn to express ourselves through these media.  I can no longer play the trumpet.   But learning to play it brought an important component to my life.   I cannot sing very well, but I can thrill and find inspiration in the work of the singers who grace our services at Pilgrim Chapel.   Perhaps, this echoes your own story.  Surely, there is great wisdom in the Bible text:  “make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord.” –Psalm 100.  That is, the UN-talented should sing, just as do those who ARE talented.    God loves us as we love our own children.

So, at Pilgrim Chapel, singing, dancing, harps, and drums and the piano and organ and other instruments are loved.

I pray that this day…there wil be a song in your heart, and sunshine in your soul!

In all human history no person has loomed so large as Jesus.   Those who followed Him called him Rabbi, Teacher, Lord and Savior.   And what is it he brought to them and what is it that He gives us today?

1. He modeled inner reflection.  We read how he retreated to the wilderness for 40 days to think, to fast and pray.   So, we, too, should find time to think deeply and listen for the still small voice of God within.

2. He lived resolve.   In the very face of what may have been the greatest empire in the history of the world with the most powerful military, Jesus was willing to face down the authorities and suffer humiliating torture and execution for His cause.   Shakespeare expressed the Lord’s idea thus:

“Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once.”

3.  Jesus modeled and taught us to seize the initiative.   Never let others set the tone of the relationship.   Treat them with courtesy.   Treat them with kindness.  Be honorable.   Be empathetic.   You may win or lose their business.   You may even lose all relationships you had with them, but you preserve your key to happiness, and that key opens the door to new and better relationships and opportunities.

4. He modeled and taught us that it is not what happens to one that is significant, but how we respond to it.   You may or may not be strong, bright, wealthy, healthy all your life.   BUT, you can choose how you will carry whatever has been given you.    And, many of us know from experience, that if we let the Mind of Christ dwell in us, whatever adversity we face hurts less.

The legacy Jesus has given us is living joyfully and in abundance.   This kind of inner peace and joy IS a form of wealth;  and it is THE most valuable form of wealth.  Money is limited in value to what it will buy, which is a whole array of splendid good and services.    But, the very point of having those goods and services is to be inwardly happy, joyful and in peace.  Hence, there is true power by living in Him.

Some call him Savior, for His way saves us from ourselves and the worst that can exist within us.   Some call Him Lord, for to live in obedience to His way IS to know peace and joy.   “In the world you shall have troubles; but, be of good cheer; for, I have overcome the world.”  Jn 16:33

America celebrates “Presidents’ Day” tomorrow.   Ostensibly this holiday is in recognition of Presidents Lincoln and Washington, who were born in February.   Before 1971, Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays were celebrated.  At Washington’s death, Henry Lee memorialized him with these words:  “first in war; first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”   So he was.

There is a sense that to know America, one must come to know Washington AND Lincoln.  Washington was a slave holder.   Lincoln abolished slavery.  Slavery has been the monumental American issue for 400 years.    Racism still abounds today.   For about a century before the founding of the Republic, political loyalties were to states, not the nation.    The two “pole stars” of that century were Massachusetts and Virginia.

Virginians were members of the Church of England and loyal to the King. The only “royal” to live in America was Thomas LORD Fairfax. a Virginian who was a friend of the Washington family.   Virginia’s economy was built on the slave labor it took to grow cotton and tobacco.   While the Washingtons were not among the wealthiest plantation owners, they were wealthy plantation owners who kept slaves.

Like Virginia, Massachusetts was to give America many of its early leaders. Massachusetts was settled by Separatist tradesmen grounded in manufacturing and trade.  Lincoln’s ancestry has been traced to early Massachusetts.    The doughty New Englanders were 100% for freedom of ordinary people…as well as land owners.    They led the fight to end slavery.    Even people such as Harriett Beecher Stowe of Cincinnati, were transplanted New Englanders, mostly from Massachusetts.

There was fear in Washington’s Presidency that he would become a king.  Happily, such was not to be the case.   What model of governance  DID Washington create for us?  He created the Cabinet model.   He led a government strong in finances and with a strong military.   He led the country to replace the weak Continental Congress with a much stronger legislative body by way of the Constitutional Convention.  He refused to stand for election after two terms.  He modeled a peaceful transition of leadership from himself to John Adams, a Massachusetts anti-slaver.

May it be that we will learn from both “the father of our country,” and “the Great Emancipator.”   No country ever had better leaders!

May we truly be a “nation under God;”  “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

There are many illustrious titles given Jesus:  Rabbi and Master (teacher), Lord, Savior, Messiah (Hebrew word meaning Christ), Christ (Greek word meaning Messiah).  But none surpasses Prince of Peace.   This week’s news has centered on the death of Nelson Mandela.   This South African hero and leader, who–like Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr.–looked to Jesus for instruction.

Early in Mandela’s ONE term as President of South Africa, their world champion soccer team went abroad to compete.   At that time the team was all white.   Mandela’s advisers suggested the adoption of new more “African” colors for the team.  Mandela would have none of it.   He saw no merit in punishing or dis-respecting white people.    He set a new tone for governments in Africa:  take no revenge on your predecessors or on others who have abused you.   He took his instructions from the PRINCE OF PEACE.

Recently, including this very week, some very important Americans and others abroad, have advocated that our country refrain from negotiating with the new (and more conciliatory) President of Iran.   They have advocated ever more harsh sanctions, thereby depriving the people of Iran of much that is needed to live.   And, if it means war, so be it.   I do not know enough about the new treaty with Iran, but I do know it was negotiated by very smart and experienced people, and that it is likely a good thing to try to establish peace with all countries.    I also know that “desperate people do desperate things.”

From the individual to whole nations, it seems to me that it does not require the mind of  “rocket scientist” to know that helping, healing and befriending both persons and nations is more likely to produce peace, trade and prosperity than does a vengeful attitude.

President Teddy Roosevelt outlined a foreign policy that has governed America in much of the past century:  “Walk softly…And, carry a big stick.”   Wars kill and maim young men and women who fight the wars and kill others including children and the elderly.    They destroy property, despoil the earth.

We are now in a season that remembers and honors “the Prince of Peace.”   Give yourself a Christmas gift:  drop all temptations to retaliate or punish others.   Seize the initiative in relations with others.    Set a tone of friendliness, kindness and generosity.   You WILL be rewarded!

I love Christmas!   I love the music of Christmas.  I love the annual presentations of THE MESSIAH and A CHRISTMAS CAROL.   I love the Christmas Eve worship service by candle light, and with it the singing of Christmas carols.

I love the re-telling of the story of the young couple from Nazareth walking to Bethlehem where the young bride is to give birth to her “first born son.”  I love the elegant song sung by this peasant girl and declaring that  her son will be the promised new revolutionary leader who will overthrow the oppressors of the Hebrew people.   What more beautiful story exists?

I love underlying resolve of the Christian Church that in this “New Messiah” we experience the very incarnation of the love of God, and that—symbolically—we demonstrate God’s love through gift giving.

I don’t like shopping!  But, I do like much of the extraneous and non-Christian trappings that now accompany  the Christian celebration of the Love of God in the world:  decorations of holly, ivy and fir branches; parties and feasting.

I love the motivation to remember the unfortunate and to give that there may be some comfort and beauty in their lives.

I love Judaism: the source of Christianity.  Jews are our special “brothers and sisters” in the religious quest for justice, peace and liberty.   Jesus was born a Jew, and never resigned his Judaism.   To this day, many Jews model the quest for excellence, and they often model generosity to charity that is rarely matched by others.   Jesus was a Jew, as were all his early disciples.  Much of Christianity is Jew-“ish.”  Most of our Christian “Holy Bible” is Jewish.

For Christians, the Jewish notion of a Messiah has taken on new meaning.   Jesus’ personal courage and humiliating death move us.   In the Resurrection  story is seen the eternality of Divine Love.   In the life, teachings, thought, and Spirit of Jesus we find salvation from the little devils which attack us daily:  selfishness, stinginess, narrow-mindedness, fear, and doubt.    From this understanding of Jesus, we claim a special kind of faith, joy, courage, and reverence.

Some of the poetic expressions of Negro Spirituals make it so powerful when we understand ourselves as being sustained in “the bosom of Jesus.”

Let there be Christmas in your soul….”stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.”  “Let the same Mind which was in Christ be in you.”    “Let My joy be in you and let your joy be full.”

BUT….dear one….do not let social pressure originating in profit- seeking merchants cause you to  “bust your budget,” wear you out, or frazzle your soul!   Worship God. Love others.   Eat and drink to Life!

There is something very profound and very relevant in the Bible:  a word that speaks to your every mood, problem or situation.    Some Bible truths are whimsical.  Some are profound.  Some are eloquent, such as “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”  (Prov. 25:11)

The Bible book of  ECCLESIASTICS (“the preacher) is filled with wisdom.  Here follows a passage on aging:    Eccl 12-3-5, 7

“…in the day when those who watch the house tremble (limbs quiver), powerful men are bent (legs bowed) the women (molars)

who grind stop because they are too few those who look through the windows dim (eye sight fails,) when the  doors onto the

street are shut (constipation) the sound of the mill becomes dim (the voice weakens), one rises at the sound of a bird (sleep is

difficult). all the daughters of the song become low (hearing fails, and the joy  of music is diminished) when one fears heights

and terrors in the road  (mobility is difficult) the almond tree blossoms (hair turns white), the locust tree droops (erectile

dysfunction) and the caper fails (Viagra doesn’t work)…Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall

return unto God who gave it.”

Life is a challenge.  Life is miraculous.  Life is wonderful.  That there  is such a reality as life, itself is miraculous and wonderful.   Childhood can be filled with terrors and dragons born of shyness.  Youth becomes a struggle for identity and competition for a mate.   Young adulthood demands skills and answers to major challenges:  how to rear children keeping them off of dope and out of jail.   Maturity presents the window to fulfillment…but also opens onto the courtyard where one’s aging parents are starting to fail and need to receive from their children.    Age is a time for the erotic dance of serenity and pain; for enjoying fine wines of memory, and satisfying opportunities to love and give… together with the need to glide out of life into the hands of God and mother earth.   Prepare for the next stage!

By one social measurement there are four aspects to our lives.   First, there is the interior dimension of our being: thinking, remembering, praying, and musing.

Second, we relate in intimate circles.   This includes the frequent contacts with family, co-workers, and special friends.

Third, there is that group whom we may see irregularly, but who have an impact on us. or on whom we have an impact.

Finally, there is the element of the wider world. This encompasses our roles as voters, volunteers, reporters of crimes or accidents, etc.

Religious faith and values inform us in every aspect of life.    This past week the Congress passed a bill (which will not become law) cutting food stamps for the poor and cutting taxes for the wealthy.   This angers many Christians and Jews. Echoing in our minds are the words of the Prophets demanding mercy, justice, and kindness to the poor.   Jesus called the very poorest “My brothers.   One news source had a Congressman quoting St. Paul “Let him who does not work not eat.”  This is a distortion of what St. Paul actually wrote;  (2 Thessalonians 3:10).   The whole verse is predicated on an UNWILLINGNESS to work.   It follows an admonition to be good examples to others, and concludes  “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that IF any WOULD not work, neither should he eat.”

Jesus said “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17).  In a democratic republic, such as the United States, this means pay your taxes honestly, vote, support a party in which you believe.   It also means to work hard, be honest and truthful, reverent, and compassionate.   It means that you should give generously to church and to organizations of helpfulness to those who need help.

Our relationships to both our intimates and all others outward to all in the commonwealth begins in the inner man.   Who AM I?

Do I really claim my inheritance as a “child of God” and a “brother (sister) of Jesus?

Do I seek to be cleansed of selfishness, jealousy, meanness, smallness of mind, every temptation to lie or cheat or steal?

Do I fulfill my responsibilities to family, friends, employment and to the republic?

Do seek the love of God and listen for inner guidance.   Do claim God’s love and let it flow through you.   Be richer and happier!

 

There is no one on the face of the earth who looks like you.   Nor, is there anyone who has your book of personal experience.   Nor is there anyone who mentally processes information and values exactly as you do.  Each of us is, in a sense, unique (i.e. “one of a kind”.)

When I read the Bible or creeds or theological documents, I sense that many of their writers struggled with this issue.   They sense this, and they try to convey their insights, experiences and values to people who do not have precisely the same set of “tools” as they do.   In fact everyone who would communicate with others confronts this problem.   Communication is not always easy.            It is said that all learning is “analogical;” that is, we learn some new thing by comparing it to and contrasting it with something previously experienced.   But, sometimes there is no analogue!

St. Paul, seems to me to have been a driven man.   His personal faith experience was so powerful and so all consuming that he spent his life totally driven by it.  He wanted EVERYONE to hear and respond to the claims of the Divine, as he had experienced it., a unique “Christ” event.  To the Corinthians he wrote words that are usually translated with some variation of “I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some.”   Were he writing in our time, no doubt, he would have included women.  His concern was for EVERYONE.   Many other great Christians have been “driven:”  Martin Luther, John Knox, John Brown, Billy Graham and more.  John Newton, who wrote the great hymn, Amazing Grace, had also had a radical conversion experience which changed his life.   It was so thrilling to him that he wanted to share it in such a compelling way, that others would be brought “on board.”  His poem was surely inspired!

In his great book, VARIETIES OF RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE,  William James argued that Christians come in “varieties.”    Some, such as St. Paul or John Newton, have an instant of cataclysmic and totally life-changing experience.   He called them “twice born.”    Others  are reared from small children never knowing anything but Christian living, he called “once born.”

Today, many persons who seek Divine guidance and experience appear to me to be neither “once born” nor “twice born.”    They are “seekers.”    Born into a secular, and technology dominated world, they are both hungry for meaning, for transcendence, and are suspicious of any spiritual “hocus pocus.”

My prayer for each of us is that we be sensitive, sincere, discriminating, open, reflective, and wise;  and that in our innermost parts there is a compelling response to the “ultimate:”  to God, and that fruitfulness and joy fill us.