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Facebook, Memes and Christlikeness
Corcovado jesus (Photo credit: @Doug88888)
Devotional thought of the day:
5 Let your good sense be obvious to everybody. The Lord is near. 6 Never worry about anything; but tell God all your desires of every kind in prayer and petition shot through with gratitude, 7 and the peace of God which is beyond our understanding will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire—with whatever is good and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:5-8 (NJB)
Quite a considerable proportion of the people who go to Church read bad publications… Calmly and with love of God we need to pray and teach them sound doctrine so that they don’t go on reading those diabolical worthless papers, which they claim their families buy—for they are ashamed of it—though perhaps it is they themselves who do so. (1)
It was once said that the one who controls music controls the world. I think we can udate that a little – whoever publishes the “meme’s” controls the world. ( A meme is a picture – usually put on DB or Google+ that has words written over it)
The problem is that most of the “memes” are of the sort that St Josemaria talks about – the “bad publications”. Bad because they lead to us rejoicing in sin, rejoicing in mocking, in backstabbing, in gossip. They divide us, they wreck relationships – they encourage us to disengage from relationships and instead engage in distant criticism. When challenged on them, we try and justify the caustic ways in which we express our opinions. It’s as if we’ve been given permission to ignore the wise words of Philippians 4 – which talk about what we should feed our minds with, that which is true, honorable, upright and pure.
Instead we rejoice in this that tear down, and get offended when the target is us.
During this Lent, may we carefully guard our words, and our “share buttons”, and as we do – may we instead find things that praise the Lord who died to forgive us of these sins… and many many others.
(1) Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 3445-344. Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
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Returning to… the Struggle of Peace!
“Holiness is attained with the help of the Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell in our souls, through grace given us by the sacraments and as a result of a constant ascetical struggle. My son, let us not have any false illusions about this. You and I—I will never tire of repeating it—will always have to struggle, always, until the end of our lives. So we will come to love peace, and we will spread peace around us, and we will receive our everlasting reward.” (1)
It’s time to get back to work, back to the grind of daily ministry, of seeing the list of prayer requests great me from being a week away. Glad to see some praises there as well, glad to see what people are thankful for in their lives. But it is time to get back to work.
It never really left of course. There were those in Rome that struggled with life, and with issues. There were people we met and talked to, who didn’t understand the magnificence of God’s glory, that was testified all around them in the artwork of mankind. But now I am home, with my family, with my church family, the people that have bonded together while we have sought peace.
Holiness is a struggle, and as St Josemarie says, an ascetical struggle. But I’ve come to realize ascetical isn’t about what you are giving up, it isn’t about sacrifice of things noble and good. It is the sacrifice of things which distract us from God, from His love, His mercy, His glory… and yes, the peace that we come to love. it is so counter-cultural to our world that we cannot grasp onto it easily. The televisions and music blaring, the things that crave attention of our senses. Each, if not focused on God, robs us of some of His peace. Each, if focused on God, draws us into that peace, into that life where it makes sense.
It’s good to be back, it’s good to look at Jude and the passage on which I shall preach tomorrow… it’s good, because even more than standing in the Basilicas of Rome, in the chapels, and in the oratory, it is here that I will find peace…. among the people I have been called to share that peace with,
It is a struggle, but a very joyous one. For God gathers us together, as His people, called and marked by His Name…into His presence… may we always recognize the glory that comes in such times.
It is good to be home!
(1)Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 1647-1651). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
The Paradox of Holiness.. and peace
Devotional thought of the day:
I have often heard that the Bible isn’t a reliable book, because it is not logical, because what it says isn’t rational, it doesn’t make sense, indeed it goes so against our grain, that it is easy to dismiss it.
Following Jesus is full of apparent contradictions, for as Paul says, the foolishness of God confounds the wisdom of the wise. The paradoxes are those that just are stunning, yet, as the Holy Spirit brings us to trust in God, what appears isn’t that they are less than logical, but that they transcend it. For example:
It is in dying with Christ, that we find life.
We find peace and hope, not in the absence of trauma and pain, but in the midst of it.
We find righteousness, not in our our works, but in confessing that we are not righteous.
Perhaps my favorite paradox is the road to holiness. For it lies not in seeking perfection, but in realizing our brokenness. To think we can attain holiness by work, by sweat, tears, discipline, that is the road of most religious systems, and every self-help system that I have ever encountered. But while I would encourage everyone to discipline themselves, the goal of that discipline is not holiness, but rather – to keep focused on the fact that we are, in Christ, Holy.
We become so, not by our effort, not by our sacrifice, but in our brokenness, in our realization that we cannot discipline ourselves enough, that we cannot sacrifice enough, that we cannot work hard enough. All of those efforts, on their own, simply persuade us to live a lie, to hide our brokenness, our shame, our…failure. And so, exhausted, empty, broken, we do not refuse the hands that pick us up, the hands that heal our wounds, though they bear nail scars, though the eyes that look on us with tender mercy and love are surrounded by a face disfigured and broken by thorns and beatings. Despire the disfigurement, the eyes look into us, and heal and make whole, and yes Holy.
From His brokenness, we find the healing for our own brokenness. For it is in His death, we find life, abundant, free, joyous, unburdened life….
We find something so mysterious, so incredible, so mind-blowing awesome. In Christ, the broken are made holy.
No more hiding needed, no more facades, no more games, just Jesus. Just His holiness and glory, transforming us into His image. (2 Cor 3:16ff)
That will never make sense to a world that tries to keep its eyes closed, its ears blocked to that which it cannot comprehend….unless they see it, in the brokenness of those Christ has healed… unless they hear the joy of those who found comfort in the midst of brokenness,
For those that found a peace beyond logic, comprehension, understanding, that Jesus brings to them… and keeps us in.
May we find joy in our brokenness, as we cling to the Hope given to us.. in the arms of the One broken, so that we are healed.
The Struggle of Holiness
Devotional; Discussion thought for today.
” Sanctity does not consist in great concerns. It consists in struggling to ensure that the flame of your supernatural life is never allowed to go out; it consists in letting yourself be burned down to the last shred, serving God in the lowest place… or in the highest: wherever the Lord may call you. Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 441-444). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Tomorrow I preach on the topic of “Spiritual Warfare”, not a favorite topic at all, because I think I see so much misunderstanding of it.
The first reaction when it is mention is “gung ho!” Let’s go attack the hordes that would tear down and destroy the church! Let’s go to war with sin and sinners and if God is with us, we shall surely wipe them out! ( Depending on the time period, this is either burning them at the stake or forcing them to submit and tap out because of our superior logic and strength! )The church militant, misapplied! The other reaction is the one that heeds “discretion is the better part of valor” and high-tales at speeds reminiscent of of the USS Enterprise at the sight of Evil, or an encounter with the demonic. (btw – I highly recommend the latter if you resonate with the first – check out the sons of Sceva!)
But the answer, seriously is found in the quote above. Sanctity, Holiness, the struggle, the battle to cling to that which kindled our lives and set us ablaze. Ablaze to the point where our lives become living sacrifices, not on the battlefront, but in serving others. I love how Fr. Escriva talks of God burning us down to the last shred – and in places of great humility or honor – but to the last shred in either place. Being willing to follow God where ever He leads – no matter the personal cost. As I’ve mentioned before – holiness isn’t an attitude – it isn’t some smug feeling that I am purer than those others. It is gratitude that despite my impurities, God has called and cleansed me and given me a vocation – several vocations, where He has put me – not to glorify myself – but to reflect His love to a broken world. With that gratitude comes a sense of joy and fulfillment that only comes when we walk with Jesus throughout out lives. For it is God, the Holy Spirit – that continues to kindle and stoke our fires – that bring people before us, who need, desperately need to know the love and healing that comes from being in Christ.
The struggle of holiness of being sanctified isn’t about preservation, or about becoming pure and devout. It just isn’t. Those are side effects of being in the glory of God, sharing a life of ministry in vocations that God has called us to, and accompanies us on the journey, as we our hearts burn, as He reveals His love and mercy poured out on us.
So hear His voice, walk with Him in His glory, as He loves, guides, purifies you… His children!
AMEN
Look Carefully How You Walk
Look carefully then how you walk!
Ephesians 5:5-21
† In Jesus Name †
God’s gifts of love and mercy are yours in Christ Jesus!
Look carefully then how you walk!
It was too bad, that I didn’t happen to read in my devotions back in February our epistle reading this morning. I left home that morning, having decided it would be a great habit to walk to the office each morning.
I will admit, as I left the house, my mind was in a couple of different places, and I wasn’t doing what Paul advised. Looking carefully then how I walked, o come on, this is Cerritos! About 150 yards from the house, the raised sidewalk and my foot confronted each other. In such that my knee and should a half second later met that sidewalk even more forcefully.
After getting through the maze of our medical system, I started therapy two weeks ago. Bbecause I hadn’t looked carefully at how I walked afterwards, I didn’t realize how odd my way of walking had become – because my left knee and hip were compensating for an much weaker right knee and hip. Literally one step I was taking was 2 feet shorter than the next, and imbalance from the damaged side having 40 percent of the strength of the other side. The “therapy” (I think that’s Greek for torture) will last a couple of months, rather than a week or two. I should have watched how I walked!
If it is important to watch where we are walk physically in this life, it’s more important to watch how we walk spiritually. As Paul describes our journey of faith in our reading, he mentions consequences that are worse than anything a physical therapist can do to torture us! The danger of walking with those who walk in darkness, partnering with them, allowing them to deceive us and draw us into their sin, is that it leads to suffering God’s wrath. Why would we risk that, in view of what awaits us with Him?
That is why Paul talks about looking carefully at how we walk! He urges us to analyze how we walk – and walk as those who are wise, and not unwise.
The Challenge of Walking in Darkness
Though I was walking in broad daylight when I wasn’t paying attention, how much harder is it to pay attention in the dark? How many of us, on a trip have tried to walk around in a strange house, or hotel room in the dark? Usually its because we woke up, need to use the restroom quickly, and we get out of bed and look like a fool as we walk into a chair, a couch, a wall! Which doesn’t make our body any less needing to go!
People wandering in spiritual darkness remind me of a children’s game – pin the tail on the donkey. Like the game, spiritually those in the darkness are spun around, and their ability to navigate is highly compromised! That’s what living life dominated in sin, and caving into our desires does. We can’t tell which direction we are supposed to be heading, and while we know where we would like to go, where we would like to be, we have no ability to get there! The journey is worthless, it does us no good, and indeed, that life is lived with more and more frustration, and less and less peace.
Even that which God writes in all hearts – the natural law which most people acknowledge, those directions to live life can’t be followed, for our hearts were hardened and in the dark confusion, our instincts for self-protection and for pleasure override common sense. Every religion, even atheism indicates that certain actions, certain attitudes are wrong and evil – yet those lost in darkness seem to choose them over and over. This is not to forget, that in the darkness, you can’t see who is talking, and it is easy to be deceived, to be seduced into a relationship that damages us, for it ignores the warnings God provides to keep us safe.
Wandering in the darkness, not a good idea…
Entering the Light is a Challenge!
There is a challenge though, for to not walk in the darkness means that we have to struggle learning how to deal with walking in the light! Which is easier said than done! When you were walking around in that dark house, and someone turned a bright light on, didn’t it take a little bit before you really could see?
As we awoke from our sleep, and arose from the dead because Christ’s light shown on us as it says in verse 14, we had to learn to walk spiritually, to walk with God. It is a whole different life, a complete change of how we do things, and to be honest, we need to remember that – it’s too easy to slip back into doing things the way the world does, its do easy to be deceived and enticed into sinful thoughts, and evil deeds. For this world encourages us to be narcissistic, to look out for #1, even to do things unethically and immorally, if it makes our life better, or is just more pleasurable.
As we walk in Christ, that life we see for what it is – evil, immoral, shameful, and we struggle even more! We see it for what it is, even as we “see” deeply into things that are not so visible, such as the Lord’s Supper and Baptism, and the benefit of hearing that our sins… our individual sins are forgiven, and we are cleansed from every sin and all unrighteousness.
We learn that the light shows us what to flee from, what to let God sever us from, cleanse us from, freeing us so that we can learn to live life with what is beautiful. It takes a little to get used to! We realize that being in the light is more a blessing, and less that which we should fear. We learn as well that analyzing how we walk is also a blessing – as we become wise, and we learn to redeem the time, to make it profitable, not in the world’s views perhaps, but definitely in Gods view.
Our lives encounter healing! God heals them spiritually with therapy that is not full of pain, but rather a feast that causes us to rejoice!
Walking in the Light
We can discern what is pleasing to the Lord
We can understand what the will of the Lord is
I love that Paul linked worship, in a variety of ways, to this idea of looking at how we walk in the light. As we sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to each other, giving thanks and praise to God the Father for everything, everything that has been poured out on us, by Jesus, because of Jesus, in the Name of Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is how praising God is link to walking in Christ light. Read with me the end of verse 8 and 9 – without what’s in parenthesis .
Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
And then in verse 17,
16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What pleases God? What is His will, what does He desire above all? Peter tells us it is this:
3:9 The Lord is not being slow in carrying out his promises, as some people think he is; rather is he being patient with you, (desiring that no one would ) wanting nobody to be lost and everybody to be brought to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NJB)
And Paul guided by the Holy Spirit wrote:
2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV)
As we realize that God’s desire is to have a relationship with us, to establish us as His people, to have us know that He will care for us! He cares as the best Father could care for His children, we find ourselves renewed, rejuvenated, relieved of burdens and sins. We come to trust that our journey is not just in the light of a star we call the sun, but in the light of God’s glory. That His promises are all true, that all things will work out for good, that He will never forsake us, nor abandon us. “Us” isn’t just the people in this room – it includes all who have heard of His love, and those with whom God has sent us to share His love!
As we realize that – we sing – we praise Him, from simple psalms like Jesus Loves Me and Change my heart o God, to incredible hymns like A Mighty Fortress and Just a Closer Walk with Thee, to the spiritual songs that call us to realize we dwell in the presence of God, that plead with God, confident that He will shine on us… each different yet coming from the same place – a place of joy, a place of peace, a place where hope is incredible.
For God would calls into His light, into His glory, into His peace which surpasses all understanding, even as Christ keeps our hearts and minds there…with Him. AMEN?
The Saints and Angels in our lives
Discussion thought of the day:
Recently a number of people I know have passed away. All of them, in simple yet very profound ways, people of great faith.
As I listen to people talk about them, they were described with terms like “saint” or “angel”. People were in awe of the lives they lived, the strength they appeared to have, the way in which they were able to stick to their convictions regarding right and wrong. Such people are an obvious blessing in our lives. But as I have heard people talk of them, the awe also seems to contain an idea, which each of them would find… troubling.
The idea that what made them special could not be duplicated or emulated, that they were so far “beyond” us. That how they lived is impossible for us mere mortals, whose sainthood is suspect, whose halos are bent and a bit corroded. We know they were special, and I think we, for some reason, have put them on a pedastel that they would find… uncomfortable, and it would bother them, and indeed, we would go – “see – proof of their holiness”. In knowing a couple of them, as only a pastor can, I think if they had a moment, they would refer those people to two passages. The first, from St. Paul, would talk about the reason God chose to work in their lives:
1:14 And our Lord poured out his abundant grace on me and gave me the faith and love which are ours in union with Christ Jesus. 15 This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them, 16 but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 To the eternal King, immortal and invisible, the only God—to him be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.
1 Timothy 1:14-17 (TEV)
You see, saints, and angels serve a purpose far different than we think they do. It’s not that they are so far beyond us, but that they demonstrate the effect of God’s love, something they trust in more than life itself. (see Rev. 12:11) The reason for their holiness is simply their trust in God’s work accomplishing it, a spirit that says like Mary, “may it be done to me according to your word”. (and even that acceptance is something generated in all of us by the work of the Holy Spirit!) It is not that they are more special, and they know it, indeed – put them in a room with Paul, and perhaps an argument would break out about who is the chief of all sinners. But they would all agree – that in saving them, in sanctifying them, God was showing what He could do, is doing in the rest of us. (or as I occasionally say…. if God can save a (insert colorful phrase) like me – the rest of you are a piece of cake!) But each of these people, each childlike in their joy and faith in God – oh – how they would desire that each of you know that how God walked with them on their journey, He will walk with you – and often – they believe in ways much more incredible.
That’s where the other quote comes in…
10:31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (NLT)
I would draw your eyes to that italicized part first – Whether it be any of my friends who are now with God, or St Francis, or St Paul, there is humble sense that says, yes – imitate me, copy my journey – its okay to think I am a saint, as long as you make that journey walking besides God as well. Their desire to reflect God’s image in their lives, despite their propensity to sin, is what we witnessed, and seeing their actions and attitudes that were born in their relationship where they were united with Jesus, yes – know that God would have you imitate them, show the love they had for you and those around you. FOr the strength and saintliness that you witnessed was not any more natural to them, than it is to you.
But I would also have you notice the context again – of both passages – there is a sense that their work, their words, what God gave them to do and the workmanship with which He shaped them (and now us) results in others (including us) being saved, in others (including us) realizing that God can and does work in our lives. Gotta end this one with something that testifies of that work.
2:8 Because it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith; not by anything of your own, but by a gift from God; 9 not by anything that you have done, so that nobody can claim the credit. 10 We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus for the good works which God has already designated to make up our way of life.
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NJB)
We have been blessed to witness lives where it is obvious that God’s mercy was at work, for those lives are “works of art”. May we imitate them as we trust in God, as they, trusting in God, imitated Christ.
The Forging of Holiness, and thinking through what we read…
Discussion/Devotional point of the day…
“Certainly our goal is both lofty and difficult to attain. But please do not forget that people are not born holy. Holiness is forged through a constant interplay of God’s grace and the correspondence of man. As one of the early Christian writers says, referring to union with God, “Everything that grows begins small. It is by constant and progressive feeding that it gradually grows big.”12 So I say to you, if you want to become a thorough-going Christian—and I know you are willing, even though you often find it difficult to conquer yourself or to keep climbing upward with this poor body of ours—then you will have to be very attentive to the minutest of details, for the holiness that our Lord demands of you is to be achieved by carrying out with love of God your work and your daily duties, and these will almost always consist of small realities.” Escriva, Josemaria
There is a reaction in us, at times -to immediately react to what we read. So it was this morning, as I read this quote – I love the beginning – and the idea that holiness is forged in us, as Escriva uses something in his life, the forge, to replace the illustration of the potter’s wheel.
The I have to start and think – for surely the forge includes the interplay of God’s grace in our lives – it is that grace that constantly hammers away our impurity, but what about this correspondence of man? How much do we have to do with becoming holy, becoming the tools of God – set apart for His usage. Surely it will happen in communion, in unity with God, yet, do we have a role?
The apostle Paul talks of a race – of striving to grasp that which took hold of him. The author of Hebrews talks of laying aside every burden, and every sin which would hold us, even as Christ starts and completes the race in us.
But what is this correspondence of grace? Perhaps it is found in not in our maturity leading to independence, that somehow our maturity results in our needing God less, but precisely the opposite, by becoming more dependent, to desire His presence, to yearn for the times we spend with Him. That communion with God, confidence of His make us His craftsmanship – leads us to be that new creation, to be the ones who do walk in the works (vocation) that God has prepared for us to walk in… to walk in that love…even as we exult in His presence, as we remember what He accomplished in our baptism, as we rejoice in the Feast that He invites and welcomes us to, to feast upon His Body and Blood and know we have life. To rejoice as we hear – “your sins – your sins – they are forgiven. To be so filled with joy as we read of His incredible love and mercy, the gifts of peace and comfort that are ours and are found in scripture, to rejoice at the times of fellowship we have in prayer…
These may seem little to us, the details… and perhaps we see them now as only duties..but continue in them – they will soon be revealed to be something more, the very charisma of God…as they bring us more and more aware of His presence in our lives… of the peace in which we truly dwell, that results in a manner of Holiness which is somewhat foreign to us at first – and truly foreign and needed in this world…
Lord, Have mercy… my friends, know He has!
Why Church?
When the topic of my occupation comes up, I have heard one answer pretty frequently over the years.
“A Pastor? That’s cool, but I don’t need a building to worship God. My worship time is just He and I”
It is, in our day and time – seemingly logical. After all, many talk about their relationship with God as if it is individual, as if God’s purpose is to help a person through life, so that he/she can survive it, and then gain access to paradise, where everything will be perfect, and then we’ll find peace.
Makes for a nice movie, and some great stories… yet.. heaven is so much more.
Scene’s like the one from Isaiah 6, that we will hear tomorrow together in church – leave you filled with wonder and awe. The scenes from Revelation of Jesus Christ ( you know – the last book in the BIble and yes – there is no “s” at the end!) show crowds beyond number, over and over, entering the presence of God and adoring Him. It is a grand celebration, a feast beyond compare, a celebration thrown by God our Father, because His children are finally home…
That is as well, a description of what church is, and how we should see it – an appetizer, a foretaste of that feast, a celebration where we with the whole company of heaven – sing our praise, voice our adoration of the God. Church is a gathering of His family, to celebrate the love that He has for us, the work, the crafting of our lives – which to some may seem hypocritical and sinful at times – yet after He is completed with it – shine in the reflection of His glory.
That’s a lot to celebrate… that is a lot to feast upon, and as the ultimate Host, may we return our thanks.. to Him, with our voices, and our lives… together!
