"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Revelation 1:4-8
This morning I had the opportunity to preach at Palmyra Mission Covenant Church in Hector, Minnesota.
We hear about authority from all sides. We get bombarded from the news and talk shows. It seems that everyone is an authority on something. However, it is hard to pin-point what true and authentic authority is because we hear different messages from different authorities. We all know someone who has authority. A professor of mine at Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN is a scholar on the Dead Sea Scrolls, but is also an authority on ancient languages, he knows 41 dead languages!
We sometimes neglect that we ourselves have authority. Anyone who has been a parent or grandparent or had some sort of relationship with children knows that children look up to adults. Some how they know to trust and that they will be taken care of. This whole process begins when a relationship is begun with a child. Children come to trust those who are in authority, and thus whether or not we realize it we have authority. Sometimes; however, authority is abused.
I can not be a guest pastor in a church and say to the congregation that they must listen to me and accept my authority as a pastor. Regardless of the call of Christ on my life, my baptism, my seminary degree, or my license from the Evangelical Covenant Church. It takes time and being in the trenches with the congregation to gain their trust and to come to a point that the congregation accepts one's authority.
One only has to look at the events of the past weeks. A student of legal age, legally purchases two handguns only to do something illegal with the weapons and kills 32 people before taking his own life at Virgina Tech.
The radio shock jock Don Imus, who legally exercised his right to free speech was fired because he abused his authority to gain attention and prestige by saying some things that he should have never said.
Despite the attention that abused authority receives we have reason to hope. As Christ has shown us what authority used properly can do.
God the Father laid out through Christ the qualifications that would re-unite humanity with God. The Christ was "the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth" Revelation 1:5. It is through these qualifications of Christ that we are able to accept his authority--that we are loved and freed from sins by his blood, and made to be priests serving God the Father, v. 6. No earthly ruler or authority possesses these qualities because they are too high for us to attain. Only Christ could attain these because of his relationship with God. Because of our acceptance of Christ's authority we can be citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. A kingdom in which all are equal.
However, unfortunately not all will make it. Some will not want to recognize the authority of Christ until it is too late and at that point it is too late. God deals with them justly we are told in v. 7.
Finally, in v. 8 we hear the words that we are all familiar with, "I am the Alpha and the Omega." He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end and we are also reminded here that Christ has bee with God since the beginning before there was time. We can not neglect the three letters, and the two words: "I am." These words speak more volumes about God then all the books in the world. They declare what is, they last and linger. These words are a statement about someone whether declaring a characteristic, a quality, or a qualification. The only time that these statements fail is when they are failed to be lived up to.
Is it not interesting that the events of the last week happened just two weeks after Easter? They demonstrate the power and authority of God. Just as Jesus showed his power over death, so this week we were shown his power through the pictures of people gathering, praying, and in worship; loving one another as we are told to do. The church does have something to say in such events and we are the most looked to when such events happen. We who claim Christ have the authority to proclaim his name and to witness to his power throughout the entire world. When people see our authority and our trust they begin to trust us, and it is through that trust that they come to trust and realize the authority of Christ. Amen.
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Alleluia! Amen!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Blame Game
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Not 24 hours after the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I began to notice how people, mostly media, began to blame somebody or something for the events of that day. They ask the "What if" questions. They ask, "What if the campus had been locked down?" or "What if the student responsible had been taken out of school?" or "What if gun laws were changed in this country?" These are fair questions because they get at the heart of the issue and as reporters and journalists they have the duty to tell us what is going on and to do so responsibly. What ultimately comes of this is that we make our opinions based on their results and conclusions, sometimes blurring the line between reality and someone's opinion.
I wonder though what would happen if instead of blaming someone or something all people would look on the inside of themselves. It certainly is a lot easier to blame an outside factor and not a personal condition. The condition that I am talking about is that we are all born into sin. We have a sinful nature and that sinful nature causes us to be only concerned about ourselves. We are the only one who matters to me the most, i.e. individualism. It is because of Easter and the fact that Christ arose that sin is done away with. Yes, even those of us in Christ still sin, but we are forgiven and we know that what we have done is wrong.
See, if instead of blaming culture for our woes we placed the responsibility on sin, we would soon discover that most crimes in this country and around the world would go away. They would go away because when we realize that we are capable of sin that will open our eyes to see people as they are, as human beings, made in the image of God. Now I am not enough of a psychologist to say if the person responsible for the Virginia Tech. massacre were aware of his sinful nature that that would have prevented him from doing what he did. I am confident though in the fact that perhaps we as a society would look at people different: Men and women would not be viewed as objects, equality would be the norm instead of an exception, people would think about what they are about to do to another person perhaps even not hurting them. The whole Don Imus issue would not be an issue because it would not have happened. Rap lyrics would speak of the good of society instead of trying to "pass the blame" as has been given as a reason for the vulgarity in the music. Teenagers would not line up people up in an alley and shoot them execution style just to rob them (Star Tribune, 4-19-07). We would see people and love them and care for them and help them through their tough times.
Unfortunately we do not even think about sin because that is considered something religious and how can a society that does not endorse religion talk about a human condition such as sin. However, sin does matter and it does cause problems and the events of these past few weeks are the result of sin. When one confesses that, "Christ is risen!" sin takes on and shows that we are in need of grace and mercy and forgiveness. When that is done we love the people we come into contact with. That is placing the blame where it belongs!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Alleluia! Amen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Not 24 hours after the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I began to notice how people, mostly media, began to blame somebody or something for the events of that day. They ask the "What if" questions. They ask, "What if the campus had been locked down?" or "What if the student responsible had been taken out of school?" or "What if gun laws were changed in this country?" These are fair questions because they get at the heart of the issue and as reporters and journalists they have the duty to tell us what is going on and to do so responsibly. What ultimately comes of this is that we make our opinions based on their results and conclusions, sometimes blurring the line between reality and someone's opinion.
I wonder though what would happen if instead of blaming someone or something all people would look on the inside of themselves. It certainly is a lot easier to blame an outside factor and not a personal condition. The condition that I am talking about is that we are all born into sin. We have a sinful nature and that sinful nature causes us to be only concerned about ourselves. We are the only one who matters to me the most, i.e. individualism. It is because of Easter and the fact that Christ arose that sin is done away with. Yes, even those of us in Christ still sin, but we are forgiven and we know that what we have done is wrong.
See, if instead of blaming culture for our woes we placed the responsibility on sin, we would soon discover that most crimes in this country and around the world would go away. They would go away because when we realize that we are capable of sin that will open our eyes to see people as they are, as human beings, made in the image of God. Now I am not enough of a psychologist to say if the person responsible for the Virginia Tech. massacre were aware of his sinful nature that that would have prevented him from doing what he did. I am confident though in the fact that perhaps we as a society would look at people different: Men and women would not be viewed as objects, equality would be the norm instead of an exception, people would think about what they are about to do to another person perhaps even not hurting them. The whole Don Imus issue would not be an issue because it would not have happened. Rap lyrics would speak of the good of society instead of trying to "pass the blame" as has been given as a reason for the vulgarity in the music. Teenagers would not line up people up in an alley and shoot them execution style just to rob them (Star Tribune, 4-19-07). We would see people and love them and care for them and help them through their tough times.
Unfortunately we do not even think about sin because that is considered something religious and how can a society that does not endorse religion talk about a human condition such as sin. However, sin does matter and it does cause problems and the events of these past few weeks are the result of sin. When one confesses that, "Christ is risen!" sin takes on and shows that we are in need of grace and mercy and forgiveness. When that is done we love the people we come into contact with. That is placing the blame where it belongs!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Alleluia! Amen!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech. & Easter
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Perhaps these are the best words for this time and yet the hardest to say. We all were shocked yesterday when we heard of the terrible act at Virginia Tech. But, you know what? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
"How can you say that?" people will ask. "If Christ is risen then where was he on Monday, in the dorms when the first shots rang out, and later in the classroom building? Where was Christ?"
To all of the victims and the victims families: God was there, but I do not know why God did not stop the shootings. Still the answer remains: "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" If Christ had not arisen we would have no hope and we would see these senseless acts as yet another another way in which our culture is going to "hell in a hand basket." But Christ is arisen and He is sitting at the right hand of God. Having once and for all taken away our sin cleansed and made us clean that we may have hope.
In times like these we think about our priorities and evaluate what is really important to us. Where do things like money and prestige fall on that list? Where does family and friends fall? As human beings we are made to be in relationship with one another. To come along side those who are hurting or depressed. We are to come along side those who are having bad luck with respect to job and family. We always want to be around the person who has it all together and we forget that Christ died for those who are having a tough time as well as for those who have it all together.
Because Christ is arisen Easter is made all the more powerful. Christ's death and resurrection is sure and true and perhaps your own priorities have not been where they should be. Perhaps the tragedy at Virginia Tech. has caused some "feathers to be ruffled" a bit. You see the truth that God was there at Virginia Tech. as he was with you when you heard the news. The priority becomes clear in that God needs to be on that list of priorities and above all else. Accept Christ and his power over your sin. He is greater then your sin and He is greater then the events that happened at Virginia Tech.
Perhaps now is the time to take some time out and pray. Pray for your own priorities and that God will set them straight. Pray for those who are still in the hospital, and for the college as a whole that healing and restoration may occur. Pray for the families and friends of the victims that they may be comforted, and don't forget to pray for the family of the alleged shooter. They are probably feeling like outcasts and they need our prayers too.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
He is risen indeed!
Perhaps these are the best words for this time and yet the hardest to say. We all were shocked yesterday when we heard of the terrible act at Virginia Tech. But, you know what? Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
"How can you say that?" people will ask. "If Christ is risen then where was he on Monday, in the dorms when the first shots rang out, and later in the classroom building? Where was Christ?"
To all of the victims and the victims families: God was there, but I do not know why God did not stop the shootings. Still the answer remains: "Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!" If Christ had not arisen we would have no hope and we would see these senseless acts as yet another another way in which our culture is going to "hell in a hand basket." But Christ is arisen and He is sitting at the right hand of God. Having once and for all taken away our sin cleansed and made us clean that we may have hope.
In times like these we think about our priorities and evaluate what is really important to us. Where do things like money and prestige fall on that list? Where does family and friends fall? As human beings we are made to be in relationship with one another. To come along side those who are hurting or depressed. We are to come along side those who are having bad luck with respect to job and family. We always want to be around the person who has it all together and we forget that Christ died for those who are having a tough time as well as for those who have it all together.
Because Christ is arisen Easter is made all the more powerful. Christ's death and resurrection is sure and true and perhaps your own priorities have not been where they should be. Perhaps the tragedy at Virginia Tech. has caused some "feathers to be ruffled" a bit. You see the truth that God was there at Virginia Tech. as he was with you when you heard the news. The priority becomes clear in that God needs to be on that list of priorities and above all else. Accept Christ and his power over your sin. He is greater then your sin and He is greater then the events that happened at Virginia Tech.
Perhaps now is the time to take some time out and pray. Pray for your own priorities and that God will set them straight. Pray for those who are still in the hospital, and for the college as a whole that healing and restoration may occur. Pray for the families and friends of the victims that they may be comforted, and don't forget to pray for the family of the alleged shooter. They are probably feeling like outcasts and they need our prayers too.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Monday, April 09, 2007
Resurrection Proof
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
We live in a time when everything has to be proven; whether true or false, and to be found true or false. Almost 2000 years after the resurrection, this event is still at the center of many debates. But why? After all we have the earliest accounts of the resurrection. In the text from John 20 which I quoted from yesterday, Mary, Peter, and John go to the tomb. Both John and Peter run back witnesses to the resurrection. Mary thinks a little more pragmatically though. She asks the "gardener" where Jesus' body had been placed. She had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection by Jesus, but could not believe that the dead could raise themselves. It became clear that the "gardener" was more then a gardener, but the resurrected Christ. He calls to Mary and she recognizes him, another witness to the resurrection.
To be sure there were horrible things done to the graves of the dead. Bodies were stolen and perhaps even the gardener could have moved the body to another tomb. There have been many theories that even the disciples had moved the body of Christ to make it look as if the resurrection had taken place. There are even some who contend that the resurrection took place in a spiritual form, but not bodily. However, in 2000 years time people are still trying to ration their way around this "problem." After all if the resurrection had taken place then that would prove the authenticity of the Christ. People like John Dominic Crossan, and Marcus Borg are trying to ration away the work of Christ by saying in effect that it is what goes on in one's mind and what they believe as opposed to any kind of truth that happened thousands of years ago. As Jessie Ventura, the "venerable" one-time governor of Minnesota once said, "Religion is for the weak minded, and a crutch for those who find strength in numbers." There is no difference between this kind of thinking that is supported by Crossan, Borg, and re-iterated by Ventura and the old heresy of gnosticism, where head knowledge far out weighs any kind of truth. In effect, if it doesn't make since, it didn't happen.
Just a few weeks ago we were bombarded with another part to this heresy when the film director James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici "claim" to have found the bones of Jesus in a box in Jerusalem. They "claim" to have used the latest in DNA technology to have figured out that these bones were in fact the bones of Jesus. I am no DNA forensic expert, but I do know that in order to find a match in DNA one has to have a known sample. So where did the DNA sample for Jesus come from? They do not say because they do not have an answer. I do have an answer to this question, they can not have the DNA of Jesus because in order to do so they would have to have the DNA from God. People have a hard time believing what can not be proven.
To counter all of these objections we have the Bible. There are accounts in their of people meeting the resurrected Jesus and of personal encounters with him. The Bible nor the church would have survived two-millennia or the horrible persecutions if it were not true. The Bible is the most printed book in the history of the world, there are more fragments of the writings in the Bible then any other ancient book. Of-course in the end, what would be the point of life if Jesus or the resurrection had not occurred? There are countless people who have been martyred for the faith and a church that exists beyond borders and throughout time that has not gone away even though it has been outlawed and persecuted against by people and politics. If anything these all point to the truth of the resurrection and the lengths that people go to defend its authenticity. Mary questioned, but then believed. Thomas doubted, but he too believed. Paul persecuted the early church, but he became a convert for the cause of Christ. Two thousand years later Christ called a young man to ministry, and he too followed. No one who has a call to ministry whether it be in the form of pastoral ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, visitation ministry, or whatever can attest to the fact that that call has been placed on them by the resurrected Christ, not by human influence or rationing out in one's mind that they have to do this thing. It is a proof of the resurrection. The proof is in the pudding, the resurrection is true!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Amen! Alleluia!
He is Risen Indeed!
We live in a time when everything has to be proven; whether true or false, and to be found true or false. Almost 2000 years after the resurrection, this event is still at the center of many debates. But why? After all we have the earliest accounts of the resurrection. In the text from John 20 which I quoted from yesterday, Mary, Peter, and John go to the tomb. Both John and Peter run back witnesses to the resurrection. Mary thinks a little more pragmatically though. She asks the "gardener" where Jesus' body had been placed. She had witnessed Lazarus' resurrection by Jesus, but could not believe that the dead could raise themselves. It became clear that the "gardener" was more then a gardener, but the resurrected Christ. He calls to Mary and she recognizes him, another witness to the resurrection.
To be sure there were horrible things done to the graves of the dead. Bodies were stolen and perhaps even the gardener could have moved the body to another tomb. There have been many theories that even the disciples had moved the body of Christ to make it look as if the resurrection had taken place. There are even some who contend that the resurrection took place in a spiritual form, but not bodily. However, in 2000 years time people are still trying to ration their way around this "problem." After all if the resurrection had taken place then that would prove the authenticity of the Christ. People like John Dominic Crossan, and Marcus Borg are trying to ration away the work of Christ by saying in effect that it is what goes on in one's mind and what they believe as opposed to any kind of truth that happened thousands of years ago. As Jessie Ventura, the "venerable" one-time governor of Minnesota once said, "Religion is for the weak minded, and a crutch for those who find strength in numbers." There is no difference between this kind of thinking that is supported by Crossan, Borg, and re-iterated by Ventura and the old heresy of gnosticism, where head knowledge far out weighs any kind of truth. In effect, if it doesn't make since, it didn't happen.
Just a few weeks ago we were bombarded with another part to this heresy when the film director James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici "claim" to have found the bones of Jesus in a box in Jerusalem. They "claim" to have used the latest in DNA technology to have figured out that these bones were in fact the bones of Jesus. I am no DNA forensic expert, but I do know that in order to find a match in DNA one has to have a known sample. So where did the DNA sample for Jesus come from? They do not say because they do not have an answer. I do have an answer to this question, they can not have the DNA of Jesus because in order to do so they would have to have the DNA from God. People have a hard time believing what can not be proven.
To counter all of these objections we have the Bible. There are accounts in their of people meeting the resurrected Jesus and of personal encounters with him. The Bible nor the church would have survived two-millennia or the horrible persecutions if it were not true. The Bible is the most printed book in the history of the world, there are more fragments of the writings in the Bible then any other ancient book. Of-course in the end, what would be the point of life if Jesus or the resurrection had not occurred? There are countless people who have been martyred for the faith and a church that exists beyond borders and throughout time that has not gone away even though it has been outlawed and persecuted against by people and politics. If anything these all point to the truth of the resurrection and the lengths that people go to defend its authenticity. Mary questioned, but then believed. Thomas doubted, but he too believed. Paul persecuted the early church, but he became a convert for the cause of Christ. Two thousand years later Christ called a young man to ministry, and he too followed. No one who has a call to ministry whether it be in the form of pastoral ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, visitation ministry, or whatever can attest to the fact that that call has been placed on them by the resurrected Christ, not by human influence or rationing out in one's mind that they have to do this thing. It is a proof of the resurrection. The proof is in the pudding, the resurrection is true!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
Amen! Alleluia!
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Easter--2007
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
The sounds of the week have gone from honor and praise, to shouts of condemnation; ultimately leading to the death of the celebrated King and the Scapegoat. Today there are no crowds around the tomb. Those at Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem have gone on with their lives. The religious establishment and those at Jesus' condemnation are moving on. They have more important things to worry about, such as Rome. However, the text of the day finds us at the garden tomb in the early morning of that third day. We find ourselves with Mary, and John, and Peter, and an all to mysterious, yet comforting gardener. John and Peter cannot believe their eyes, so they run back to the others. Our interaction is between the gardener and Mary. Mary finds herself wondering where Jesus has been put because as Peter and John find out, the grave clothes are there, but no body. It soon becomes clear in this interaction what is actually going on:
"'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)" John 20:15-16.
Mary recognized Jesus he had indeed risen, risen from the dead and that gives us hope and cause for celebration. I was reminded of this rejoicing attitude this morning as during the last hymn "Christ Is Alive!" was being sung. A little girl about 1 1/2 to 2 years old came into the center aisle and started to dance and jump. As the congregation started to sing she got more and more excited and kept on coming forward, jumping and dancing all the way to the front from the middle of the congregation. When the choir sang a solo her mom came and got her. To myself I thought, "What joy she has!" That is what Easter is about. Being joyful, and recognizing that Jesus has risen from the dead. The dirges of Friday gave way to the celebration of Sunday! I was particularly moved this morning when we, the choir, sang for the first time ever in public, a new hymn. It is by Joseph Adams and was written in 2005.
"He is Risen Indeed!"
The sounds of the week have gone from honor and praise, to shouts of condemnation; ultimately leading to the death of the celebrated King and the Scapegoat. Today there are no crowds around the tomb. Those at Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem have gone on with their lives. The religious establishment and those at Jesus' condemnation are moving on. They have more important things to worry about, such as Rome. However, the text of the day finds us at the garden tomb in the early morning of that third day. We find ourselves with Mary, and John, and Peter, and an all to mysterious, yet comforting gardener. John and Peter cannot believe their eyes, so they run back to the others. Our interaction is between the gardener and Mary. Mary finds herself wondering where Jesus has been put because as Peter and John find out, the grave clothes are there, but no body. It soon becomes clear in this interaction what is actually going on:
"'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)" John 20:15-16.
Mary recognized Jesus he had indeed risen, risen from the dead and that gives us hope and cause for celebration. I was reminded of this rejoicing attitude this morning as during the last hymn "Christ Is Alive!" was being sung. A little girl about 1 1/2 to 2 years old came into the center aisle and started to dance and jump. As the congregation started to sing she got more and more excited and kept on coming forward, jumping and dancing all the way to the front from the middle of the congregation. When the choir sang a solo her mom came and got her. To myself I thought, "What joy she has!" That is what Easter is about. Being joyful, and recognizing that Jesus has risen from the dead. The dirges of Friday gave way to the celebration of Sunday! I was particularly moved this morning when we, the choir, sang for the first time ever in public, a new hymn. It is by Joseph Adams and was written in 2005.
This Joyous Day
O sons and daughters, let us sing!
The King of heav'n the glorious King,
O'er death today rosetriumphing.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
On the third mourn he rose again,
in glorious majesty to reign;
O let us swell thejoyful strain:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Lord, by the stripes which wounded Thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free.
That we may live, and sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Death thought his pow'r forever brought down,
yet Jesus doth all hell confound;
let voice of joy and laud resound:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And we with holy church unite,
as evermore is just and right,
In glory to the King of light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
On this most holy day of days,
to God your hearts and voices raise,
In laud and jubilee and praise.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The message is clear and true. The creed confesses it!
"Christ is Risen!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
"He is Risen Indeed!"
Amen! Alleluia!
Friday, April 06, 2007
Good Friday-Holy Week 2007
The crowd that cried, "Hosanna!" on Sunday is today crying "Crucify him!" Why the change? What made the crowd turn from honoring Jesus to wanting him dead? Perhaps the crowd discovered in the intervening days that Jesus was no king that could get them out of the problems with Rome. Perhaps it was the chief priests and other religious politicians that incited the crowd to crucify him. Or perhaps it was something much more simpler then that, something more personal--my sin, and your sin. Our sin is what sent Jesus to the cross. It was the sentence that he had to bear on our behalf; because left to our own devices we would not make it. Our failure is too great, but the promise is true: "God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).
"Crucifixus etiam pronobis: sub Pontio Pilato passus et se pultus est." ~Antonio Lotti
"He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and was buried.
"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis. Suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis; Dona nobis pacem." ~Sir. Edward Elgar
"Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Receive our supplication; who sits at the right hand of the Father. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; Grant us peace."
The Light is gone. The great silence.
"Crucifixus etiam pronobis: sub Pontio Pilato passus et se pultus est." ~Antonio Lotti
"He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate and was buried.
"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis. Suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: Miserere nobis; Dona nobis pacem." ~Sir. Edward Elgar
"Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. Receive our supplication; who sits at the right hand of the Father. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; Grant us peace."
The Light is gone. The great silence.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Maundy Thursday-Holy Week 2007
While the crowds have dispersed from Sunday's triumphal entry into Jerusalem to prepare for the great feast of the Passover. Jesus and the 12 disciples are preparing for the Passover themselves. Only Jesus seems to know what is going to happen next as they begin the feast. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples and then they begin the Last Supper.
Jesus raises a loaf of bread, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says, "Take and eat, for this is my body." Jesus then raises the cup, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says while offering the cup, "Take and drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood."
One can almost imagine what the disciples were thinking at that point. Were these the actual body and blood of this Jesus whom they had been following, or is it something else? Is there another meaning?
Jesus, by sharing the bread and the cup, is preparing a new way, a new way in which the Paschal lamb will serve throughout eternity and for all who come to him. All, who through faith, trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may draw near to him and participate in the sharing of the bread and the cup. By doing so, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Tonight the streets of Jerusalem are quite, but soon comes the morning.
Jesus raises a loaf of bread, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says, "Take and eat, for this is my body." Jesus then raises the cup, blesses it, and gives thanks. He then says while offering the cup, "Take and drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood."
One can almost imagine what the disciples were thinking at that point. Were these the actual body and blood of this Jesus whom they had been following, or is it something else? Is there another meaning?
Jesus, by sharing the bread and the cup, is preparing a new way, a new way in which the Paschal lamb will serve throughout eternity and for all who come to him. All, who through faith, trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may draw near to him and participate in the sharing of the bread and the cup. By doing so, we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
Tonight the streets of Jerusalem are quite, but soon comes the morning.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Voices--A Tribute to Herb Carneal
As we follow this Holy Week, I have been struck by the word, "voices." "Voices" are a very prominent part of the Gospel message. John the Baptist's cry in the wilderness. The Voice from Heaven. The crowd shouting, "Hosanna!" These voices do not end here, the will continue through out this week into the morning.
I have been thinking about "voices" on another level as well. We get used to those familiar voices in our lives. We get used to hearing our parents and other relatives voices and we turn our attention to what they have to say. A voice gives familiarity to friends and long lost colleagues. Voices also display mood and emotion. Those of us who attend church know the voice of the preacher and certain phrases and inflections can send goose bumps up our spines. Such as hearing one proclaim, "This is the Good News." or "This is the Gospel of the Lord."
When we live in certain cities or towns we get used to hearing the voices of those who do the most talking. Whether it be politicians, radio announcers, or television personalities we know when we are home or feel comfortable when we hear those voices.
Having lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota all of my life, I too have familiar voices that comfort me in the local media. Dave Moore who used to be a local television anchor is one of those, for me. John Gallos announcing the beginning of the Little Rascals and Three Stooges hour after church on Sunday or the Saturday matinee movie. On the radio side hearing Garrison Keillor and his flat voice with the occasional intones and hearing him breathe is another. Steve Cannon and his show "The Cannon Mess" with his his pals: Backlash LaRue, Ma Linger, and Morgan Mundane is another of these. When we would go to the Metrodome and watch the Minnesota Twins play baseball everyone knew the stadium announcer and his famous calls: "Noooooo Smoking! No smoking is allowed in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome." or "Now botting for the Twins, number 34, center fielder, Kirbeeeeeeeee Puckett!" Unfortunately, the announcer Bob Casey died just before the start of the 2005 Twins season. Last year, Kirby Puckett died just before the start of the season. This year another great Minnesota Twins personality died.
It was announced yesterday that Herb Carneal the radio voice of the Minnesota Twins has died. Like Casey who was the only Twins P.A. announcer, so too Carneal was the only Twins play-by-play announcer. Although that role had been diminishing in recent years. Carneal was famous for such phrases as: "The winner of this Snapper mow-down inning is. . .", which was based on whether or not the Twins pitcher struck out 3 players in an inning, "3 up, 3 down" as he would say. He was also known for his play calls such as: "The wind-up and the pitch, a deep long ball, headed for center, way back, way back, it's gone! A home run for Kent Hrbek. Touch 'em all Hrbey!" Another great voice is silent in baseball.
This has me thinking about the voices that I listen to. I can wrangle off quotes from many local personalities in both television and radio, and trust their interpretation of events. As I listen to all of the familiar voices in my life, the question remains: Do I, do we, listen to the voice Jesus? This voice telling us about love and grace and peace. This voice that comforts us when we are weak and in need, and joyful, and tempted, comes from One who makes his voice known through the reading of the Bible and the work of the Holy Spirit by the work of God. Let us all take some time out today and everyday to listen to what God is saying to us.
I have been thinking about "voices" on another level as well. We get used to those familiar voices in our lives. We get used to hearing our parents and other relatives voices and we turn our attention to what they have to say. A voice gives familiarity to friends and long lost colleagues. Voices also display mood and emotion. Those of us who attend church know the voice of the preacher and certain phrases and inflections can send goose bumps up our spines. Such as hearing one proclaim, "This is the Good News." or "This is the Gospel of the Lord."
When we live in certain cities or towns we get used to hearing the voices of those who do the most talking. Whether it be politicians, radio announcers, or television personalities we know when we are home or feel comfortable when we hear those voices.
Having lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota all of my life, I too have familiar voices that comfort me in the local media. Dave Moore who used to be a local television anchor is one of those, for me. John Gallos announcing the beginning of the Little Rascals and Three Stooges hour after church on Sunday or the Saturday matinee movie. On the radio side hearing Garrison Keillor and his flat voice with the occasional intones and hearing him breathe is another. Steve Cannon and his show "The Cannon Mess" with his his pals: Backlash LaRue, Ma Linger, and Morgan Mundane is another of these. When we would go to the Metrodome and watch the Minnesota Twins play baseball everyone knew the stadium announcer and his famous calls: "Noooooo Smoking! No smoking is allowed in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome." or "Now botting for the Twins, number 34, center fielder, Kirbeeeeeeeee Puckett!" Unfortunately, the announcer Bob Casey died just before the start of the 2005 Twins season. Last year, Kirby Puckett died just before the start of the season. This year another great Minnesota Twins personality died.
It was announced yesterday that Herb Carneal the radio voice of the Minnesota Twins has died. Like Casey who was the only Twins P.A. announcer, so too Carneal was the only Twins play-by-play announcer. Although that role had been diminishing in recent years. Carneal was famous for such phrases as: "The winner of this Snapper mow-down inning is. . .", which was based on whether or not the Twins pitcher struck out 3 players in an inning, "3 up, 3 down" as he would say. He was also known for his play calls such as: "The wind-up and the pitch, a deep long ball, headed for center, way back, way back, it's gone! A home run for Kent Hrbek. Touch 'em all Hrbey!" Another great voice is silent in baseball.
This has me thinking about the voices that I listen to. I can wrangle off quotes from many local personalities in both television and radio, and trust their interpretation of events. As I listen to all of the familiar voices in my life, the question remains: Do I, do we, listen to the voice Jesus? This voice telling us about love and grace and peace. This voice that comforts us when we are weak and in need, and joyful, and tempted, comes from One who makes his voice known through the reading of the Bible and the work of the Holy Spirit by the work of God. Let us all take some time out today and everyday to listen to what God is saying to us.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Palm Sunday-Holy Week 2007
Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! ~Mark 11:9
Today we begin that crazy, up and down week known as Holy Week. A week of Jesus riding into Jerusalem as a king and leaving Jerusalem carrying his own cross. A week where death and life have new meaning because of the one riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. One could say that a donkey is hardly a mode of transportation for a king especially since they can be stubborn and they are small. One might expect a horse or even the "Cadillac of the desert" known as a camel. This final ride into Jerusalem was hardly a royal event, despite the peoples homage of laying down palms and blankets. What these people laid down does not compare to what the rider of that donkey will lay down.
Tune in to hear the rest of the story!
Today we begin that crazy, up and down week known as Holy Week. A week of Jesus riding into Jerusalem as a king and leaving Jerusalem carrying his own cross. A week where death and life have new meaning because of the one riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. One could say that a donkey is hardly a mode of transportation for a king especially since they can be stubborn and they are small. One might expect a horse or even the "Cadillac of the desert" known as a camel. This final ride into Jerusalem was hardly a royal event, despite the peoples homage of laying down palms and blankets. What these people laid down does not compare to what the rider of that donkey will lay down.
Tune in to hear the rest of the story!
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