JOHN 19:14-30

14 Now it was the day of Preparation for the Passover; and it was about noon. He said to the Jews, ‘Here is your King!’ 15They cried out, ‘Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!’ Pilate asked them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but the emperor.’ 16Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus; 17and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. 18There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.’ 20Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. 21Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, ‘Do not write, “The King of the Jews”, but, “This man said, I am King of the Jews.” ’ 22Pilate answered, ‘What I have written I have written.’ 23When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. 24So they said to one another, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it.’ This was to fulfill what the scripture says,
‘They divided my clothes among themselves,
and for my clothing they cast lots.’
25And that is what the soldiers did.

Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ 27Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

28 After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfil the scripture), ‘I am thirsty.’ 29A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. 30When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

This is probably the most difficult day of the Christian year.  It has traditionally been called “Good” only because without it there is no Easter.  You can’t have new life unless you also have death.  But in addition, it has been the focus of so much substitutionary atonement theology, where blood needs to be shed in sacrifice in order for humanity to be saved.  But as Marcus Borg just pointed out last week at Founders Day at Chapman University, salvation is really about transformation.  It has the same root as the word salve, and is all about healing.  Healing the relationship that we have with the God who loves us, and wants only that we experience the fullness and joy of life.  That Jesus would be willing to give his life up because of that love for us is definitely a transformational experience.

As we come closer to the Easter event, how does this “Good Friday” shape your attitude/thoughts/emotion about the resurrection?

JOHN 13:1-17; 34-35  Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, `Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7Jesus answered, `You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8Peter said to him, `You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, `Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ 9Simon Peter said to him, `Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ 10Jesus said to him, `One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, `Not all of you are clean.’

12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, `Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord-and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

“Where I am going, you cannot come.” 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’

The entire Gospel of John can be summed up in this hospitable act of friendship where the master becomes the servant to his own servants.  Do we understand?  Where do we locate ourselves in the story of the dirty foot washing?  This passage is a good reminder for any church that begins to think too much of itself.  Are we arguing over who is the greatest?  We are not here to lord it over one another… we are here to wash one another’s feet! 

Try not to take this too literally.  It’s not about feet!  “Do not be afraid to stoop down and offer the most humble service imaginable to one another.  It is no more than I have done for you.”  

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog 
(Other texts: Exodus 12:1-4,11-14; Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Isaiah 50:4-9a

4The 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.
5The Lord God has opened my ear,
   and I was not rebellious,
   I did not turn backwards.
6I gave my back to those who struck me,
   and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard;
I did not hide my face
   from insult and spitting.

7The Lord God helps me;
   therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like flint,
   and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8   he who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
   Let us stand up together.
Who are my adversaries?
   Let them confront me.
9It is the Lord God who helps me;
   who will declare me guilty?

The end is coming near, and the Servant holds fast, is seen as patient, follows the guidance of God.  Resilience best describes this scenario.  It is not heroism.  It is all about God.  The inner strength comes from that divine presence, that divine love. 

Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to rely totally upon God?  Have you ever had an experience of God’s presence that sustained you in what seemed like impossible circumstances?  Talk to us! 

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog 
(Other texts: Psalm 70; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:21-32)

Isaiah 49:1-7  The Servant’s Mission

49Listen to me, O coastlands,
   pay attention, you peoples from far away!
The Lord called me before I was born,
   while I was in my mother’s womb he named me.
2He made my mouth like a sharp sword,
   in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow,
   in his quiver he hid me away.
3And he said to me, ‘You are my servant,
   Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’
4But I said, ‘I have laboured in vain,
   I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my cause is with the Lord,
   and my reward with my God…’

I will give you as a light to the nations,
   that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’

If the first step of Holy Week is to behold the light, the next step is to listen.  The Servant’s own voice is now heard.  The call begins in the intimacy of the womb, where a name is bestowed (even now this  happens – a child is named before birth), and the gifts for prophetic leadership are honed. 

No sooner is the identity made and the mission stated, than this mission is widened to include the whole world.  “Listen to me… you peoples far away.”  This message is for everyone.  We are to be a light to the nations.  We are to live with compassion and determination, knowing that God is our strength.  Don’t be fooled, we are called to justice – social, political, personal, religious! 

How do you pay attention to what Jesus is telling you?  How does that make a difference in your living? 

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog 
(Other texts for today: Psalm 71:1-14; 1 Corinth. 1:18-31; John 12:20-36)

Isaiah 42:1-9  The Servant, a Light to the Nations

42Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street;
3a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

5Thus says God, the Lord,
   who created the heavens and stretched them out,
   who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
   and spirit to those who walk in it:
6I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
   I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
   a light to the nations,
7   to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
   from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8I am the Lord, that is my name;
   my glory I give to no other,
   nor my praise to idols.
9See, the former things have come to pass,
   and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
   I tell you of them. 

As we enter Holy Week, we embark upon a roller-coaster ride filled with many emotions.  But the week begins with this passage from Isaiah.  Since there are scriptures assigned to every day of Holy Week, this is an indication that the church has long connected Isaiah’s words with the last days of Jesus’ ministry.  It is a servant song, about the Messiah for whom Israel longed.  It speaks of how God’s justice might be accomplished. Certainly, there would be truth spoken to power.  There would be a dramatic redistribution of wealth. 

But it would not happen in ways we expect.  This servant will be a witness, a light to the nations.  Light, to people who have grown accustomed to gloom.  Light enough to open the eyes of those whose vision has failed them.  Light to free those imprisoned in the darkness.  Light to change the human way of relating to this wonderful and troubled world. 

How do you experience that light in your life?  Where do you see your life reflecting the light of justice in our world?

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog 
(Other texts for Monday of Holy Week – Psalm 36:5-11; Hebrews 9:11-15; John 12:1-11)

It is not just through scripture that we hear “ancient” words when we worship. We find scripture and inspired text in the music that we sing.

Sometimes people (no one who is reading this) do not pay attention to the scripture or the words being sung. These people go through the motions of worship and miss some of the most inspirational insights being offered.

Instead of scripture, today, I invite you to reflect on some of the lyrics you will hear this Palm Sunday during the Cantata. Through both the words and the music may you enhance your worship experience as we begin Holy Week together.

Question: Which of these lyrics speak to you?

“Hosanna, loud Hosanna, the little children sang.”
“The Lord in rays eternal, of resurrection light.”
“God formed the creatures with a word and then pronounced them good.”
“And everywhere that we can be, You, God are present there.”

— “Ellecombe” by David Lantz III

“Join all and sing, His name, declare.”
“Humanity doth give to each his right, while those in darkness are restored to light.”
“Bless Him who cometh to bring us salvation.”

— “The Palms” by J. Faure and arranged by Dudley Buck

Psalm 118:28

New Revised Standard Version: You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God, I will extol you.
The Message (Version): You’re my God, and I thank you. O my God, I lift high your praise.

Is there a right way or a wrong way to extol the Lord? (That is today’s question.) This weekend we will be blessed with the Palm Sunday Cantata “Brass….” Many churches, however, do not agree with the use of instruments when worshipping God. There are some that even have very specific rules about which instruments can be used when (including brass instruments).

Often we quickly discard these denominations, but is that the most faithful way to respond? The faithful way seems to be to continue to educate ourselves so that we become closer God as we study all ways to worship our Lord.

Question: Is there a right way or a wrong way to extol the Lord?

Psalm 118:24

New Revised Standard Version: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
The Message (Version): This is the very day God acted— let’s celebrate and be festive!

Sometimes the Bible covers everything that needs to be said. This verse is one most people know (even Disciples) and all you need to do today is remind yourself that this is the day that the Lord has made. Take a moment to rejoice and be glad in it. Make it festive!

Question: What is one good moment that has happened to you in the last few days?

Psalm 118:1-2
New Revised Standard Version: O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever!  Let Israel say, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.”
The Message (Version): Thank God because God’s good, because God’s love never quits. Tell the world, Israel, “God’s love never quits.”

Have you ever had a bad day where you go to The Bible and open it up to see if you just might stumble onto the wisdom you need? Maybe there is one verse that will jump out to you on the page? A few words of wisdom, thankfulness, or comfort would suffice.

If you open to the middle of The Bible, you will find these types of verses. For the Psalms are “the hymnal of The Bible.” They are the voices from the past who poetically reach out from the page and remind us that the emotions of self-doubt, curiosity, joy, and wanting we have today were present during their lives too.

Today let us give thanks to the Lord for giving us writings we can relate to thousands of years later.

Question: What is the verse in The Bible that speaks to you the most?

Psalm 118:19-20
New Revised Standard Version: Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it.
The Message (Version): Swing wide the city gates—the righteous gates! I’ll walk right through and thank God! This Temple Gate belongs to God, so the victors can enter and praise.

HBO has recently made a movie about Temple Grandin. Grandin is a college professor who has been involved with the treatments of animals prior to slaughter, specifically cows.

When she was young, Grandin had a teacher who taught her the importance of seeing life as a series of doors to go through. As a person with autism, this literally and metaphorical image helped her time and time again.

Question: What metaphors help you to get through life?

40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS

John 12:1-8

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.  3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  5 `Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’  6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)      7 Jesus said, `Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.  8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

We have been reading this story all week, and begins to have it’s way with us.  Place yourself in the story – imagine the atmosphere – this is not long after Jesus has brought Lazarus back to life.   Imagine that you are Mary, and read the story again. (READ)  Now imagine that your are Judas… read the story again. (READ)  Now imagine that you are Jesus…  One of the other disciples.  Lazarus.  Martha. 

The story takes on a different meaning for us as we look at it from different perspectives.  Certainly we could look at it from the perspective of the poor – and it takes on new meaning. 

What strikes you the most about this story?

40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS

John 12:1-8

7 Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.’

Jesus is sharp and clear in his defense of Mary.  In the gospels of Mark and Matthew, she is not even named, but it is clear his defense of all whose voices and gifts are stifled by the church.  He defends her as he did in Luke 10:42.  Mary understands what is coming, and Jesus helps us look forward to what is his fate. 

Often times people are misunderstood or do things that make others angry.  Mary is hardly the image of family values.  Change the names of the characters in this story and Focus on the Family would condemn this as sensuality straight out of Hollywood. 

When have you stood up for someone in a situation like this?  When have you been the minority voice?

40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS

John 12:1-8

4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  5 `Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’  6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

As you can see, this story is not just about Mary and Jesus, but also Judas, who is no less a witness and no less a disciple than Mary.  Judas is outraged that the nard was not sold and the three hundred denarii (perhaps a year’s worth of wages) given to the poor.  But was Judas really worried about the poor?  Or was self-interest playing out here?   And what church serious about discipleship has not struggled with the tension between money spent in beautiful acts of worship (or architecture) and money spent on behalf of the poor? 

On another note, Judas plays just as important a role in John’s story of Jesus’ death as does Mary. Just as without Good Friday there is no Easter, without Judas there is no death/resurrection of Jesus.  In one sense, we are both, the good and the bad, and Jesus’ bright light of new life is cast over all of it.

Most of us would like to identify with Mary, but honestly, how often have you been unfaithful to your calling as a disciple?  Don’t we each embody both?

40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS

John 12:1-8

3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

As John’s story turns to the final days of Jesus’ life, here is Mary, a faithful follower and now model of Christian discipleship.  She doesn’t utter a word, but her extravagant act, the use of costly fragrance to anoint Jesus’ feet, is a faithful witness to the even more costly and extravagant act that is about to occur.  She wasted her perfume on Jesus.  We can speculate on her reasons… maybe she was grateful for the raising of her brother Lazarus; maybe she is aware of what is about to happen to Jesus; maybe she is just outlandish in her behavior.  We don’t really know.  But we do know it did not set well with some of the other disciples.

Evelyn Underhill writes that worship “is summed up in sacrifice;” generosity in the face of God’s grace in our lives.  Is it too excessive?  Can compassion ever be too extravagant? 

When have you been extravagant in your giving?  Your service?  Do you know of other examples of this kind of sacrifice?

40 DAYS and 40 NIGHTS

John 12:1-8

1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

There are few passages so packed with beauty and truth as this anointing scene at Bethany. Jesus has resuscitated Lazarus, which often gets misinterpreted as resurrection. But the very fact that Jesus could do this points to “the resurrection and the life” that Jesus embodies. And let’s be clear – Lazarus will die once again. The fact that he has been brought back to life however is a threat to the established order of things. No longer can the Roman authorities threaten dissidents with death. Without death as a threat, the followers of Jesus are free to live life to the fullest.

Life to the fullest is dramatized here with a beautiful domestic scene with a family again reunited, and where the one who had no place to lay his head experiencing a home with all the fixings. Nowhere else is Jesus more “at home” than with his three beloved friends.

Where do you find home? Where do you find life in it’s fullness?

THE SEASON OF LENT
40 Days and 40 Nights

John 12:1-8

Mary Anoints Jesus
1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.  2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.  3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,  5 `Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’  6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)      7 Jesus said, `Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.  8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’

(Other texts:  Isaiah 43:16-21;  Psalm 126;  Philippians 3:4b-14)

The order of the three parables is not haphazard. Jesus begins his stories talking about shepherds and women, those on the lower end of the social ladder. He then moves to a family that the Pharisee’s listening can relate.

For some people, it is difficult to relate to biblical events and stories that happened so long ago. The pattern in this story reminds us that Jesus wants to find ways to relate to all of us from the shepherd to the landowner or the single struggling mother to the picture perfect family.

Question: How do you find ways to relate to Jesus in 2010?

Luke 15:8-9
New Revised Standard Version: Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’
The Message (Version): Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’

Did you know it currently cost more to make a penny than $.01? There are lobbyist groups who work to have the penny put out of a job. They have very good arguments saying, “The penny is now worth so little that nobody even picks it up off the ground, despite the old “lucky penny” adage.”

I wonder what they would say to the woman in today’s story if she was searching her house for 10 pennies? Would they say she was silly to rejoice over such a “worthless” find? Or… is the story not really about money at all?

Today, remember that you may feel at times as insignificant as a penny is to some people. God, however, is constantly trying to light your way, clean your life, and seek you out so that you know your real priceless worth.

Question: What are you worth?

Luke 15:32
New Revised Standard Version: But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
The Message (Version): “…but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’”

All three parables in this week’s lectionary end with one important word, “Rejoice!” As we continue to spend this time in Lent wandering lost and feeling unworthy, let us remember how the story ends. It ends with rejoicing!

Those of us, however, who find ourselves relating more to the well behaved son may question such a quick turn of events. We may find ourselves wondering, why do we do get a party thrown for us? Let us remember that the father in the story still reminds the eldest son, that he gets so much more than a party, and that fact causes for even more rejoicing.

Question: Who do you relate to in the story of the “Prodigal Son?” Do you see yourself as the rebellious son, the father, or the son who behaved? Why?

Luke 15:4
New Revised Standard Version: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?”
The Message (Version): “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?”

Many people I know cherish this story. We teach it to our children, we reflect on Jesus the Good Shepherd, and find hope in its message. Like many stories we teach to our children, we sometimes leave the story in our childhood, and do not “see” the story with adult eyes. We do not realize that our role in this story is not just part of being Jesus’ flock, but that at times we find ourselves in the role of the negative Pharisees. Even scarier, we find ourselves needing to be the Good Shepherd and seeking out the lost sheep.

Question: What do we do to find the “sheep” that are lost?

Luke 15:1-2
New Revised Standard Version: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The Message (Version): By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.”

As we read this week’s text, it is important to understand to whom Jesus is speaking. The Pharisees were people of law. Jesus knew there was something greater than law, love.

It is the message of love that still speaks to us today. Those who do not follow the law, still have room to be loved. Even those who do not seem worthy of love are still are worthy to Jesus.

Question: Why is it so difficult for many people to believe they are worthy of love?

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. ²And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ³So he told them this parable: ⁴“Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ ⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ⁸“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ ¹⁰Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

¹¹Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. ¹²The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. ¹³A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. ¹⁴When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. ¹⁶He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. ¹⁷But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! ¹⁸I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ ²⁰So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. ²¹Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²²But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. ²⁵“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. ²⁷He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ ³¹Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG   Week 3   Friday, 3/5

Is 55:1-9;  Ps 63:1-8;  1 Cor 10:1-13;  Luke 13:1-9

“My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
   and my mouth praises you with joyful lips…
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”    Psalm 63:5, 8

This Psalm is meant to inspire us to surrender our wills, so that we can become enveloped by and in God. Like the proverbial mustard seed, God works with what is – even if we are completely lost.  God works with us, and the whole time we are thirsting and seeking for God, we are held in God’s hand.  It’s a nice thought, and hard to hold on to when things are going rough. 

What were your most difficult times, when you could not sense God’s presence?  What sustained you?

LENT 2010    “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG   Week 3  

Is 55:1-9;  Ps 63:1-8

“O God, you are my God, I seek you,
     my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
     as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”   Psalm 63:1

Psalm 63 is a leaf taken from the songbook of the Second Temple.  We don’t know who it is who is speaking, but this is the collective voice of the worshiping community.  Here is God the redeemer delivering the oppressed people who are in exile in Babylon.  Here is our help in times of trouble. 

How does God help you?  Do you believe God is accessible? 

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG   Week 3    Wednesday, 3/3
Is 55:1-9;  Ps 63:1-8;  1 Cor 10:1-13;  Luke 13:1-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts
   Nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.”  – Isaiah 55:8

Lent challenges us, to look at our own life and attitudes and beliefs, in order to focus more upon what God wants us to be and do.  It seems so easy for us to wander away.  We are easily lured by false promises and shallow appeals.  But Isaiah calls to us to recommit ourselves to God’s offer of steadfast love and relationship – that we will be much more satisfied.  And this is of course counter-intuitive.  If we order our lives according to conventional wisdom, then none of this is going to make sense.  The life that God calls us to is not a “drop-in” life.  It’s not fast-food religion.  God asks for nothing less than everything.

The poet Mary Oliver asks: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”   Well?

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG   Week 3    Tuesday, 3/2
Is 55:1-9;  Ps 63:1-8;  1 Cor 10:1-13;  Luke 13:1-9

“Come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.”  Isaiah 55:1c

This seems like a funny statement.  How can you buy without money?   How can you purchase without price?  I picture Isaiah sitting in a marketplace, busy with commerce, people rushing to by, struggling to sell, and some with no assets at all, standing on the sidelines, perhaps begging for a handout.  Never are we free from want.  Give us this day our daily bread…   But Isaiah is proclaiming that all of this belongs to God, and God is near to us with everything we need.  In fact, what we really need is God.  But we rush around seeking something that can never fully satisfy. 
God has the best wine and milk, the best bread and richest fare available.  But to often we rush past, seeking to buy what God has already provided us freely. 

How often are you distracted by things, material things, that keep you from seeing God who is very close to you?  Are we looking in the wrong place?  Working for the wrong goal?  But I suppose the real question is why do we keep stuffing ourselves with things that don’t nourish? 

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG   Week 3   Monday, 3/1
Isaiah 55:1-9;   Psalm 63:1-8;   1 Cor 10:1-13;   Luke 13:1-9

“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…”   Isaiah 55:1a

Isaiah 55 is a central passage in a series of passages proclaiming hope and salvation to the exiles in Babylon. 
“In the modern world, even on Sunday, even in Lent, people crave satisfaction.  Perched alertly and anxiously on their pews, the devout seek a word from the Lord.  We seek God’s face.  Afterwards we will rush out to Sunday brunches or loll around poolside regrouping, re-creating, and re-composing ourselves after the helter-skelter hustle of the weekday.”  (Feasting on the Word) 

All week long we work and struggle to earn our sustenance and paychecks.  We do what is necessary to buy what we need and produce what we can.  We believe that this will give us satisfaction.  Yet on Sunday, we find ourselves thirsting for more.  Isaiah’s words are like a sign in a dry climate – “Stop! Drink Water. You are thirsty whether you realize it or not!” 

How thirsty are you?  How do you even recognize your thirst?  What do you need? 

To offer reflections on this day, go to www.fccorange.com/blog

SCRIPTURE TEXTS FOR WEEK THREE OF LENT

Is 55:1-9
1 Ho, everyone who thirsts,
   come to the waters;
 and you that have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
   and your labour for that which does not satisfy?
 Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
   and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
   listen, so that you may live.
 I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
   my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
   a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
   and nations that do not know you shall run to you,
 because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel,
   for he has glorified you.

6 Seek the Lord while he may be found,
   call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake their way,
   and the unrighteous their thoughts;
   let them return to the Lord,
   that he may have mercy on them,
   and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
   nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Ps 63:1-8
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah.
1O God, you are my God, I seek you,
   my soul thirsts for you;
   my flesh faints for you,
   as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
   beholding your power and glory.
3Because your steadfast love is better than life,
   my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live;
   I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
5My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
   and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
6when I think of you on my bed,
   and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7for you have been my help,
   and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
8My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me.

(In addition: 1 Cor 10:1-13;   Luke 13:1-9)

Scripture for the day: Genesis 15:4-5
New Revised Standard Version: But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” ⁵He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”
The Message (Version): Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Sometimes God answers us so clearly and so normally, that we fail to see that God has answered. We find ourselves looking for big “burning bush” moments. God, however, uses all different ways to work in our lives.

Family is everything to those writing in Genesis. Abraham is worried about how God will provide a successor for him. He feels like his legacy and his success will have no meaning without a successor. Even with the promises of God in this chapter of what will to come, we know that Abraham still tries to take matters into his own hands.

As most of us know, the story eventually does bring a son to both Abraham and his wife Sarah and the promises are fulfilled. God will find ways to carry on your life’s work, like Abraham, if you work to be in relationship with God and let God guide you through your life.

Question: What would you like your legacy to be in either your family, your church, or your world?

Scripture for the day: Genesis 15:12
New Revised Standard Version: As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him.
The Message (Version): As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.

We associate visions with biblical prophets, not with patriarchs in The Bible. Even some of my 4^th-6^th graders know that prophets, like Ezekiel, had some crazy dreams and visions.

Of course, as I reflected on this section of scripture, I am reminded that not only did Jacob have his dream with the ladder and Joseph had his gift of dreams, but that Abraham had his vision experience with God as well. Strange encounters with the Divine are not really all that uncommon. They are, however, overwhelming, terrifying, and life changing.

Question: Have you ever had an experience where God’s presence and response changed everything?

Scripture for the day: Genesis 15:1-3
New Revised Standard Version: After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.”
The Message (Version): After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

There are those words, again! “Do not be afraid.” These words are found all over The Bible (Genesis 21:17, Deuteronomy 7:18, 20:1, Joshua 11:6, and again to Abraham in Genesis 26:24). Many times this phrase is said to all those who are a part of the nation of Israel. It, therefore, seems to make sense that God also says these words to Abraham, the father of the Israel nations.

What does Abraham have to fear? One aspect of his fear may come from the risk of military reprisals following his recent battle. His success at winning a battle may put him at danger of losing a larger war. He needs to feel that God, his God, can protect him. He needs to know that God is his shield and all is not for naught.

Question: Do you have a moment in your life when God has been your shield and given you comfort even in a time of unrest?

Scripture for the day: Genesis 15:15-16
New Revised Standard Version: As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
The Message (Version): You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.”

I sing a silly song with my best friend’s little girl. We call it the “Want Song.” It goes (with no real tune), “I want, I want… I really, really want. Break it down (dance time)!”

All of us live in a world where we always want something (a new computer, a new phone, a new dishwasher). We find ourselves in line at the grocery wanting a candy bar that five minutes before, did not seem important.

Abraham wanted from God promises of a good future for his family. God, being a good parent, provided that “Promised Land.” The only problem? Abraham never got to be a part of this land in the way that he wanted. His son never got to be a part. In fact, it wasn’t until 400 years later that this want was fulfilled.

W. Dennis Tucker says, “This text reminds us all that being shaped into a faithful life is not about immediate gratification or even our own benefit, but instead, living a faithful life is about leaning forward into the vision of God for the world even when the horizon extends far beyond our own lives.”

Question: Even though we are in a time where we only have to prepare ourselves for 40 days, what would you want if you were to prepare the future 400 years from now? What would your “land of milk and honey” be like?

Scripture for the day: Genesis 15:6
New Revised Standard Version: And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
The Message (Version): Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

This scripture verse is a turning point in Abraham’s journey and is the main idea for the entire chapter. Within this one sentence the relationship between God and Abraham becomes one of deepest trust. Prior to this sentence, Abram (whose name has not been changed to what we general refer to him), still questions God. These are not just the overwhelming questions of day-to-day life. These are specific requests that are personal to Abraham.

During the Season of Lent, we try to find ways to really journey. This journey involves personal questions when in conversations with God. It also requires simple belief even when we do not understand the responses. That simple belief still creates a righteous relationship even in the midst of doubt and lack of understanding.

Question: Do you agree that “everything happens for a reason?”

Genesis 15:1-18

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

²But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.” ⁴But the word of the Lord came to him, “This man shall not be your heir; no one but your very own issue shall be your heir.” ⁵He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” ⁶And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.

⁷Then he said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess.” ⁸But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” ⁹He said to him, “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” ¹⁰He brought him all these and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. ¹¹And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

¹²As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. ¹³Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years; ¹⁴but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. ¹⁵As for yourself, you shall go to your ancestors in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. ¹⁶And they shall come back here in the fourth generation; for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

¹⁷When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. ¹⁸On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”

DAILY BLOG Week 1 Friday 2/19

Deut. 26:1-11; Ps 91:1-16; Rom 10:8b-13  LUKE 4:1-13

The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’

One of the most popular notions of Lent is to “give up” something. Red meat, sweets, television, your Blackberry (Opps, not possible!). Have you given up things in the past? Or are you more inclined to take something upon yourself with intention and grace? What about taking on “intentionality” and “receptivity?” Certainly this 40 Days and 40 Nights covenant is intentional!  So what are you giving up, taking on?

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG   Week 1  Thursday 2/18 

Deut. 26:1-11; Ps 91:1-16; Rom 10:8b-13
LUKE 4:1-13

 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.  The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’  Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.”’
 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” ’
 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,“He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’  Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’  When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time

40 Days and 40 Nights.  A long time to be in the wilderness!  If given a choice, most of us will not choose a path filled with difficulty – trials, trouble, temptation, and testing.  Think about temptation.  What have you been/are tempted by?  Jesus wasn’t just “dropped off” in the wilderness to fend for himself. The Spirit continues to abide with him.  How does the Spirit abide in your life?

LENT 2010 “40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS”
DAILY BLOG    Week 1
2/17 Ash Wednesday

PSALM 51
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin…

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you.
This Psalm is a treasured expression of the need for God’s forgiveness.  We need that.  So today we will wear ashes on our foreheads, to remember that some day we will stop living and become dirt.  This is the time we have to make my choices. To remember that we are not the Creator, but the dust, picked up lovingly from the earth, that God breathes into to make us live.  And how we have been forgiven and offered yet another chance, set free from the body of the past and returned to the present moment, and by God’s amazing grace, we are becoming light.
Think about what this season will bring to you.  Think about what you have given up, and will give up, that you may be renewed once again.

THE SEASON OF LENT

40 Days and 40 Nights

Welcome to the day before Lent. The Day of Not Yet Lent. It’s today. It is Shrove Tuesday, or “Fat Tuesday,” or “Mardi Gras,” the day we clean out our cob webs and baggage. The name is derived from the word “shrive” meaning to confess. The tradition is to eat pancakes, feasting on all the leavened flour and eggs in the house. Time for cleaning. The point of course is self-examination, repentance, and spiritual growth. So stand still and watch. Reach out, and the universe falls into your hand.

Each morning those who have covenanted to be a part of 40 Days and 40 Nights will be sent a Reflection for the Day. Beginning tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, you will be able to offer your own reflections as comments, which will be posted for all to view. Please be mindful that this is a public forum designed to enhance your Lenten experience.