Wednesday, March 04, 2020

Old Testament: Jonah 3:1-10

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

Psalm 51:11-18

In Luke’s passage, he mentions “The Queen of the South.” After reading this I had to smile as there is a soccer team from Dumfries, Scotland called “Queen of the South.” This is not the greatest soccer team in the world, but their fans are some of the best behaved. Digging a little deeper, I found out that the Queen of the South and the Queen of Sheba are one and the same person. The ancient Sheba is generally agreed to be on the site of modern Yemen. The Queen of Sheba sought out the wisdom of Israelite King Solomon in First Kings 10:1-13 and Second Chronicles 9:1-12. Luke’s mention of the ends of the earth probably refers to the fact that Yemen is the most Southern point of the known world in the first century BC.

The historical Nineveh was a thriving city on the banks of the Tigris River in ancient Assyria, what is now part of Mosul in modern Iraq. Nineveh repented and was spared God’s wrath as documented in Jonah, 3:1-10. This relief was temporary as Nineveh was sacked and destroyed around 612 BC.

So, what are the messages that we can take from these passages? The Old Testament story behind Jonas’ passage is a bit patriarchal; with the Queen of Sheba seeking wisdom from an Israelite King. Jonas’ passage is a bit dissatisfying as the repentance of the citizens of Nineveh only led to a temporary delay in their ultimate destruction. Luke’s passage starts with Jesus condemning a whole generation “from a certain place” as evil, without defining which generation he means or where they are from. Intergenerational conflict has been the bane of human existence and is a chronic problem today.

Perhaps these two passages are coupled together to make us feel uncomfortable; to bring us out of our comfort zone and repent for things we have inadvertently done that caused pain to others. Which leaves us with Psalm 51: “Create in me a clean heart, O God” is the opening of a very comforting passage of this Psalm. We could all use a bit of comfort after stepping outside our comfort zone. Or, maybe like Queen of the South supporters, we can simply behave ourselves today. 

Ewan Tytler

Tuesday, March 03, 2020

Old Testament: Isaiah 55:6–11

Gospel: Matthew 6:7–15

Psalm 34:15–22

“Jesus said, ‘When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Pray then in this way:

Our  Father in heaven

Hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven…’” from Matthew 6

The Lord’s Prayer as we have come to call this scripture: I have fond memories as a child listening to this as a song. It was a big deal in the 1970s, and it was beautiful. I knew how to recite it from an early age, but neither of these things helped me really think about the prayer, nor use it in my life.

When I was 14, I remember my Mother receiving a phone call from my Grandmother.  She told my Mother she thought our Grandfather had died while we had all been at church earlier that evening. My parents left the house quickly, leaving me and my brother home alone with what we had heard. We loved our Grandfather, and we were sad, and we were afraid. I called my other Grandparents (whom were very close friends with my “other”) Grandparents. They immediately came and took us to the home where my family was gathering. My Grandmother was crying, but what I distinctly remember was she was pacing around the house looking for phone numbers while reciting this prayer and a verse from Psalm 23 very quietly. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”   

So 41 years later, that memory lives on as if it happened a few months ago. However, when I came to the Episcopal Church, and began reciting this prayer every week, I learned yet again how powerful this scripture can be. Then in EfM, we had to write our own Lord’s Prayer.  That was actually very hard. Who was I to mess with Jesus prayer?

Now, I am able to put all of these experiences together, and rarely do I feel closer to God, or more humble as when I kneel during the mass and hear all of us praying this prayer together.  I use it in my studies at home, when I am afraid, or feeling alone, and it immediately brings me back to feelings of comfort, and at the very least, not alone.

Thank you God for hearing us when we pray.

Angela Williamson

Monday, March 02, 2020

Old Testament: Leviticus 19:1–2,11–18

Gospel: Matthew 25:31–46

Psalm 19:7–14

“‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” from Matthew 25

This Gospel has always held special meaning to me. It comes around in a 3-year cycle, but it somehow comes to me at times I need most. It was the Gospel I heard when I visited an Episcopal Church for the first time. It was the Gospel I heard when I visited St. Andrew’s for the first time. I’ve heard various clergy reflect on this though the years, but I especially remember hearing Deacon Gerri Aston preach on it, saying “…this isn’t the stuff we do to rack up brownie points in heaven, it’s what we’re CALLED to do.”

Part of my 2019 Lenten discipline and discernment was to put down deeper roots with The Abbey worshipping community. When the retail coffee shop closed, a daily breakfast ministry began, offering a ‘pay-as-you-can’ breakfast to anyone coming through the doors. I was blessed to serve breakfast and share time with Julian, Josh, Arnold, David, and Jacob. I learned their stories. I told them my story. It was through these breakfast conversations that I truly met Jesus on the margins. 

Individually and corporately, we are called to help those in need. I am overjoyed to see this being put into action in our community — at The Abbey, serving breakfast; at Community Kitchens, serving hot meals; at St. Andrew’s, providing groceries and social services through the Food Pantry project. The EfM community provides a hot meal to the students at Trinity Commons twice during the academic year. 

Although this particular reading only comes around in cycles, the whole crux of this Gospel is reinforced in our Baptismal Covenant:

Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

       People: I will, with God’s help.

       Celebrant: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

       People: I will, with God’s help.

When we stand and say these words in a few weeks at the Easter Vigil, I challenge you to listen carefully, and respond very intentionally. Hold these words in the context of Matthew 25, and step into the margins. 

Gerald Wildes

Sunday, March 01, 2020

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Old Testament: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

New Testament: Romans 5:12-19

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11

Psalm 32

“Therefore, just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:9

These scriptures can be daunting at times, what with the wages of sin, and the rest of it. But I think what we look to is the fact that God realizes our weaknesses and forgives us. In reality, after all, we are not punished for our sins, rather we are punished by our sins. (Elbert Hubbard) 

As we begin our journey into the season of Lent, we focus on temptations, diversions, and choices, and how these can act as barriers to our relationship to God, denying us a contented and fulfilling life. We know the season of Lent is not about foregoing chocolate or French Fries. But what is it about? 

Lent is taking a step out of our current situation and looking objectively at our lives. What are the obstacles between us and God? As I reflect on Christ spending forty days in the wilderness, it recalls to mind the Native American Indian tradition of sending the young males on the brink of manhood out into the wilderness on what is known as their “vision quest.” This experience, this rite of passage, provides a connection between the participant, the Creator, and nature. While extreme in comparison to most of our Lenten practices, the goal does bear similarities, e.g., leaving behind modern life and distractions in order to push back against the force of societal values to achieve spiritual maturity. It is difficult to hear that oh-so-important quiet voice in our ear if we fail to shut out the din surrounding us in daily life.

“Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snows in the fields and woods, if you would keep your spirits up. Deal with brute nature. Be cold and hungry and weary.”  Henry David Thoreau

Bridget Tytler