Blogging Towards Sunday

This Sunday my focus scripture is Matthew 4:1-11. The world is full of things that could be labelled as “evil.” There isn’t a day that goes by when some new form of evil isn't discovered or when we’re reminded of it. Recently there are the two children who were found frozen on the Yellow Quill First Nation. There are the hundreds of thousands who are dying and have died in the Congo. There are children who go to school hungry at our local schools. There are children, women and men who live in abusive relationships. There are racial, economic, gender, religious, social, age and violent rooted evils reported in every news cast - from printed word to podcast. Yes, evil seems to be all around us, yet today’s gospel reading tells us that there is a way to overcome this kind of systemic evil. It is rooted in Jesus reactions to the “tempter” or “devil” – who represents evil personified. It is also rooted in how the angels “minister” (Greek: diakoneo) which informs how we are called to live as disciples.
Every Jewish person in Jesus day grew up deeply rooted in the understanding that each person is called to love God with "all their heart, all their soul and all their might." In his response to the devil - the evil that manifests itself that day in the desert - Jesus responds with quotations rooted in his love of God with heart, soul, and might. The Greek word diakoneo that is translated here as "waited upon" also means to minister or serve at table.
What would happen to the evils of the world if we equally stood rooted in the love of God with all our heart, soul and might? What would happen if we turned the popular ideology of hierarchical entitlement on its head and understood that, like the angels, we are called to minister to one another, to wait on one another, to serve one another at table?
Its an interesting set of questions to ponder as we begin a new season of Lent.

In Memory and Celebrating the life of:

Rev. Dr. Shelley (Sheila) Elsie Grace Finson

B.A., M.R.E., Dip. Ed., M.S.W., D. Min., Honorary Doctorate, Companion of the Centre for Christian Studies

March 2, 1936 – February 3, 2008

These words appeared in Shelley's obituary, "After a six month journey following the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, in the early morning hours of February 3, Shelley yielded her place in the universe."

Today I have been reminded yet again of the shortness of our earthly journey. Shelley was simply an amazing person whom I had the privilege of getting to know over the last four years. While I'm told I met the "mellower" Shelley, its hard to imagine anyone more full of life, vigor and commitment. She was a courageous woman and a remarkable human being at a time when the church and the world was in desperate need of people like her. Shelley changed lives, for the better. Its amazing really what you remember when you hear about someone returning to the Creator. My initial memory was standing with her inside a tepee on a particular cold Winnipeg day when the thermometer read -52 degrees centigrade. How she delighted at the invitation to be in that holy space. I still marvel at the depths of her humanity and of her faith. There was so much more she had to share.
And so today I am reminded once again that someday I too will be called upon to yield my place in the universe and I'm left to ponder will I have occupied that space well?
To a dear friend and colleague, shalom Shelley - until we meet again.

Shelley was very open about her journey with cancer and you'll find a link to her blog - for as long as it stays active - where you can read about her journey. http://journey-shelley.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html

Blogging towards Sunday

Sunday February 3rd, has the focus reading of Matthew 17:1-9. Its what's known as the transfiguration story where Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus. It also has God speaking to the disciples from a cloud telling them to "listen to him [Jesus]" and Jesus saying to the disciples "be not afraid." Again this week there are two challenging ways to look at this story. Its possible to focus on the first part - the transformation of Jesus and acknowledge that in each of our lives there is a need for some transformation. In the Greek text of this passage the word metamorphoo is used which means a deep and significant change in a person. One could ask what deep changes did Jesus need to make or ignore this point and see Jesus' metamorphism as a sign to the disciples and to us as current day readers. Either way, the truth remains that in each of us there is a component that needs deep and significant change. It could be in our approach to relationships, or finances, or prayer, or faith, or addiction, or life in general.
A second approach would be to examine what it means to obey/follow the directions of Jesus - to listen to him. Its important to acknowledge that here listening isn't passive nor is there a distinction between listening/hearing and doing. To listen is to do and the two go hand in hand. Its also not a directive to engage in selective hearing and only follow that part of Jesus message that we agree with or find easy to live out. It also means living out the tough and sacrificial aspects of the gospel as well. Yet, even in our following Jesus tells us not to be afraid. Don't hold back could be another way of hearing these words or don't be afraid to commit yourself body, heart and mind with all of your time, talent and treasure.
Either way you and I are called to live out the gospel through both personal and communal metamorphosis while engaging our whole being in our expressions of discipleship. The only question is: are we willing to take that leap of faith?