January 2021
"Little Bethlehem"
Rev. Helen Beth Kuhens, Guest Pastor
Based on Matthew 2:1-12 (reading at the end of the sermon)
January 3, 2021
Before wrapping up your nativity scene and putting it away until next Christmas,
I ask you to ponder with me each part of that familiar scene.
Bethlehem
The first to ponder, is not a character, but a place. The Nativity scene, whether described by Matthew or Luke, takes place in Bethlehem:
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Bethlehem is a Hebrew word – “Beth” meaning house, and “Lehem” meaning bread – together “House of Bread” As we share in holy communion later in the service, we can take note that – Jesus, who is the bread of life, was born in Bethlehem, the house of bread.
Mary, Joseph and Jesus
Central to the Nativity scene is the little family: Mary, Joseph and the baby.
Luke says of the shepherds: “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.”
Mary
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.
Mary, loving mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child.
What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Hast, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
Joseph
Matthew tells of two very important dreams of Joseph. The first is an announcement of Jesus’ birth: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him, Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’”
The second dream (you might recall from today’s Gospel reading) comes as a warning… again from Matthew: “Now after the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’” Joseph, Jesus’ father and protector.
Jesus
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes;
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. (No crying? He is a baby!)
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
And from the 3rd verse of “Once in Royal David’s City” (where tears are mentioned.)
Jesus is our childhood’s pattern; day by day, like us he grew;
He was little, weak and helpless; tears and smiles like us he knew;
And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.
Animals
Yes . . . The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes …
and from a 12th century French carol—“The Friendly Beasts”
Jesus, our brother, strong and good, was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood.
“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried his mother up-hill and down,
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town.”
“I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed,
I gave him hay to pillow his head.”
“I,” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn.”
“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high, “I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry,
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I.”
Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
Angels and Shepherds
Angels
As Luke tells the story, angels announce the good news of Jesus’ birth first to lowly shepherds:
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heavens all gracious king.”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Shepherds
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Wise Men and the Star
Many Nativity scenes include both Luke’s story of the shepherds (sometimes with sheep) and Matthew’s story of the Wise Men (often with camels). According to Matthew’s story, however, the Wise Men come not to a manger—but to a house – as we heard in today’s Gospel reading:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came to King Herod asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” After research by the chief priests and scribes, Herod sends them to Bethlehem. So “they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star … until it stopped over the place where the child was. … On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh.
We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
We celebrate today the Epiphany Star that led the wise men to the Christ Child.
We prayed in the Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, You revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer.
(This is where I want you to hold up your baptismal candle as a reminder that you are a part of this story. The light of the star shines on this same Jesus who says:
“I am the light of the world.” And at your baptism you were given a baptismal candle with a reminder that went something like this: “Let your light so shine before others that they might see your good works -- your love and kindness -- and give glory to your Father in heaven.”)
And I share words from my favorite Epiphany Hymn based on a Christmas poem by Howard Thurman, an early African-American theologian, educator and civil rights leader:
“I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me!”
If you follow and love, you’ll learn the mystery of
what you were meant to do and be.
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,
The work of Christmas is begun:
To find the lost and lonely one, to heal the broken soul with love,
To feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
To feel the earth below, the sky above!
To free the prisoner from all chains, to make the powerful care,
To rebuild the nations with strength of good will,
To serve God’s children everywhere!
AMEN.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Matthew 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
I ask you to ponder with me each part of that familiar scene.
Bethlehem
The first to ponder, is not a character, but a place. The Nativity scene, whether described by Matthew or Luke, takes place in Bethlehem:
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Bethlehem is a Hebrew word – “Beth” meaning house, and “Lehem” meaning bread – together “House of Bread” As we share in holy communion later in the service, we can take note that – Jesus, who is the bread of life, was born in Bethlehem, the house of bread.
Mary, Joseph and Jesus
Central to the Nativity scene is the little family: Mary, Joseph and the baby.
Luke says of the shepherds: “So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.”
Mary
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.
Mary, loving mother mild, Jesus Christ, her little child.
What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Hast, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.
Joseph
Matthew tells of two very important dreams of Joseph. The first is an announcement of Jesus’ birth: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him, Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’”
The second dream (you might recall from today’s Gospel reading) comes as a warning… again from Matthew: “Now after the wise men had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.’” Joseph, Jesus’ father and protector.
Jesus
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes;
But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes. (No crying? He is a baby!)
I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
And from the 3rd verse of “Once in Royal David’s City” (where tears are mentioned.)
Jesus is our childhood’s pattern; day by day, like us he grew;
He was little, weak and helpless; tears and smiles like us he knew;
And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness.
Animals
Yes . . . The cattle are lowing; the baby awakes …
and from a 12th century French carol—“The Friendly Beasts”
Jesus, our brother, strong and good, was humbly born in a stable rude,
And the friendly beasts around him stood.
“I,” said the donkey, shaggy and brown, “I carried his mother up-hill and down,
I carried his mother to Bethlehem town.”
“I,” said the cow, all white and red, “I gave him my manger for his bed,
I gave him hay to pillow his head.”
“I,” said the sheep with curly horn, “I gave him my wool for his blanket warm.
He wore my coat on Christmas morn.”
“I,” said the dove, from the rafters high, “I cooed him to sleep that he should not cry,
We cooed him to sleep, my mate and I.”
Thus all the beasts, by some good spell, in the stable dark were glad to tell
Of the gifts they gave Emmanuel.
Angels and Shepherds
Angels
As Luke tells the story, angels announce the good news of Jesus’ birth first to lowly shepherds:
It came upon the midnight clear, that glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to all, from heavens all gracious king.”
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing.
Shepherds
While shepherds kept their watching o’er silent flocks by night,
Behold, throughout the heavens there shone a holy light.
The shepherds feared and trembled when, lo, above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth.
Wise Men and the Star
Many Nativity scenes include both Luke’s story of the shepherds (sometimes with sheep) and Matthew’s story of the Wise Men (often with camels). According to Matthew’s story, however, the Wise Men come not to a manger—but to a house – as we heard in today’s Gospel reading:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came to King Herod asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?” After research by the chief priests and scribes, Herod sends them to Bethlehem. So “they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star … until it stopped over the place where the child was. … On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and
myrrh.
We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
We celebrate today the Epiphany Star that led the wise men to the Christ Child.
We prayed in the Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, You revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer.
(This is where I want you to hold up your baptismal candle as a reminder that you are a part of this story. The light of the star shines on this same Jesus who says:
“I am the light of the world.” And at your baptism you were given a baptismal candle with a reminder that went something like this: “Let your light so shine before others that they might see your good works -- your love and kindness -- and give glory to your Father in heaven.”)
And I share words from my favorite Epiphany Hymn based on a Christmas poem by Howard Thurman, an early African-American theologian, educator and civil rights leader:
“I am the light of the world! You people come and follow me!”
If you follow and love, you’ll learn the mystery of
what you were meant to do and be.
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the shepherds have found their way home,
The work of Christmas is begun:
To find the lost and lonely one, to heal the broken soul with love,
To feed the hungry children with warmth and good food,
To feel the earth below, the sky above!
To free the prisoner from all chains, to make the powerful care,
To rebuild the nations with strength of good will,
To serve God’s children everywhere!
AMEN.
*******************************************************************************************************************
Matthew 2:1-12
1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
"Beloved is Where We Begin"
Rev. Helen Beth Kuhens, Guest Pastor
Based on Mark 1:4-11 (reading at the end of the sermon)
January 10, 2021
Children’s Sermon
If you were with us last Sunday you may recall that I encouraged you to get out your Baptismal Candle as a reminder that whenever we tell the story of Jesus, we are in that story! We will put to use our Baptismal Candles again this Sunday as we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. As he came up out of the water he heard a voice from heaven saying: “You are my Son, the Beloved.” We, too, our reminded In our baptisms that we are the beloved daughters and sons of God. At your baptism you were marked with the sign of the cross on your forehead and addressed as “Child of God!” These words were spoken: “Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Then, as we reminded you also last Sunday, you were given a candle with the words:
“Let your light shine.” You might say that as a child of God you are called to be a sunbeam – a ray of God’s Light! “Let your light shine!”
One of my favorite childhood songs was called “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.” First, I learned to play it on the piano and then I sang it over and over. No, I won’t sing it for you now, but I will share the words with you:
“Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for him each day. In every way try to please him – at home, at school, at play.”
A sunbeam, A sunbeam – I’ll be a sunbeam for him.
“Jesus wants me to be loving and kind to all I see, showing how pleasant
and happy his little one can be.”
Even now, when I am old, I can be a sunbeam showing love as the song says BECAUSE… because God has first loved and claimed me. As a really important Bible verse says: “ We love because God first loved us!”
I can be a sunbeam, because the light of God’s love FIRST shined on me ...and then, can shine through me.
Beloved is where we begin!
Dearly Beloved! -- young ones, old ones and all in between-- May you know and feel God’s love from head to toe and toe to head and through and through!
Never Forget! Beloved is where we begin!
Sermon: "Beloved Is Where We Begin"
Dearly Beloved! Beloved is where we begin.
Today is The First Sunday after Epiphany-- which is The Baptism of our Lord.
We prayed in “The Prayer of the Day”—what in earlier days we called “The Collect” these words: “Immerse us in your grace. Transform us by your Spirit.
So that…. We may follow after your Son, Jesus.”
I like to think that what we called “The Collect” (the prayer of the day) collects the essence of the Scripture readings for the day. That is certainly true on this Sunday—this Sunday, of the Baptism of our Lord. And so I will let the prayer of the day guide our thoughts through the Scripture readings-- immersing us in grace and transforming us by the Spirit so that we may follow after Jesus, our brother.
Let’s start at the very beginning. The very best place to start.
Beloved is where we begin.
Our Gospel reading introduces us to the scene of John the Baptizer with a great crowd of people—John in the water, clothed with camel’s hair, calling the people to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin—calling the people into the Jordan River where one by one, confessing their sin, they are immersed in the waters of the Jordan to begin a new way of living. We read: People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan.
Among them, among them was Jesus. Jesus, also immersed in the waters of the Jordan, was baptized by John. And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw…he saw the heavens torn apart, and he saw the Spirit…. The Spirit descending like …. like a dove….alighting on him. And then, out of the heavens, over the waters, came a voice… A voice saying: “You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased!
That’s how today’s Gospel reading ends. That’s how Jesus’ ministry begins!
Always. Always if it is to be real, if it is to be lasting, “Beloved, is the only viable place of beginning. Beloved is where Jesus began…… And in the power of that loving affirmation, Jesus’ ministry begins.
Let’s start at the very beginning. The very best place to start.
Our fist reading took as there…. To the very beginning! In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was, a formless void and, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while, while a wind… a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. And then a voice… a voice over the waters as we heard and repeated in the reading of the Psalm for today:
The voice of the Lord is over the waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful.
The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!
Not unlike Mark’s scene at the Jordan, a voice…. A voice in the beginning saying: Let there be light! And there was light. And what did God have to say about the light and all of creation that was to follow? It was good. And then five more times after that proclamation/exaltation in what was made…it was good… until finally (in this creation story) when on the sixth day the animals, including humankind, are created, God surveys and blesses all that has been made. And we read: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
Original Blessing: the very best place to start!
Ah! Yes! I know. There is a second creation story that we often call “The Fall” or “original sin” when disobedience leads to alienation from God, from ourselves and from one another. That too is real. We experience it in our very selves, in our homes, our community, our country, our world. But it is not the Last word and it is Not the first word!!!!
The Voice of the Lord has spoken all of creation into being and the Voice of the Lord continues to re-create us. Jesus heard the voice of the Lord at his baptism claiming him as God’s beloved Son. We hear the voice of the Lord at our baptism claiming us as beloved —beloved sisters and brothers of our elder brother, Jesus. We, too, have been immersed (though perhaps symbolically—we don’t usually use so very much water in the Lutheran Church)… Still we are immersed, immersed in the waters of baptism… immersed in grace. And from that most gracious beloved place, we are called to a life of transformation --transformation by the Spirit. Yes, as the voice of the Lord spoke over the waters calling all things into being, as Thomas Merton has said: “We are all words spoken by God and our calling is to learn how to pronounce ourselves.” Our baptismal vocation—to learn how to pronounce ourselves. How do we live out this life of love we have been called to? Transformation comes by daily renewal, daily remembering who and whose we are: As the Apostle Paul says: “Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being changed--transformed into his likeness.” For this to happen, we must go back—over and over again-- to the very beginning… the very best place to start: “Beloved is where we begin!” As in the Prayer of the Day -- our Collect -- Your voice, O God, moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your spirit that we may follow after your Son, our brother Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
************************************************************************************************************************
Mark 1:4-114John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
If you were with us last Sunday you may recall that I encouraged you to get out your Baptismal Candle as a reminder that whenever we tell the story of Jesus, we are in that story! We will put to use our Baptismal Candles again this Sunday as we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River. As he came up out of the water he heard a voice from heaven saying: “You are my Son, the Beloved.” We, too, our reminded In our baptisms that we are the beloved daughters and sons of God. At your baptism you were marked with the sign of the cross on your forehead and addressed as “Child of God!” These words were spoken: “Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Then, as we reminded you also last Sunday, you were given a candle with the words:
“Let your light shine.” You might say that as a child of God you are called to be a sunbeam – a ray of God’s Light! “Let your light shine!”
One of my favorite childhood songs was called “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.” First, I learned to play it on the piano and then I sang it over and over. No, I won’t sing it for you now, but I will share the words with you:
“Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for him each day. In every way try to please him – at home, at school, at play.”
A sunbeam, A sunbeam – I’ll be a sunbeam for him.
“Jesus wants me to be loving and kind to all I see, showing how pleasant
and happy his little one can be.”
Even now, when I am old, I can be a sunbeam showing love as the song says BECAUSE… because God has first loved and claimed me. As a really important Bible verse says: “ We love because God first loved us!”
I can be a sunbeam, because the light of God’s love FIRST shined on me ...and then, can shine through me.
Beloved is where we begin!
Dearly Beloved! -- young ones, old ones and all in between-- May you know and feel God’s love from head to toe and toe to head and through and through!
Never Forget! Beloved is where we begin!
Sermon: "Beloved Is Where We Begin"
Dearly Beloved! Beloved is where we begin.
Today is The First Sunday after Epiphany-- which is The Baptism of our Lord.
We prayed in “The Prayer of the Day”—what in earlier days we called “The Collect” these words: “Immerse us in your grace. Transform us by your Spirit.
So that…. We may follow after your Son, Jesus.”
I like to think that what we called “The Collect” (the prayer of the day) collects the essence of the Scripture readings for the day. That is certainly true on this Sunday—this Sunday, of the Baptism of our Lord. And so I will let the prayer of the day guide our thoughts through the Scripture readings-- immersing us in grace and transforming us by the Spirit so that we may follow after Jesus, our brother.
Let’s start at the very beginning. The very best place to start.
Beloved is where we begin.
Our Gospel reading introduces us to the scene of John the Baptizer with a great crowd of people—John in the water, clothed with camel’s hair, calling the people to a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin—calling the people into the Jordan River where one by one, confessing their sin, they are immersed in the waters of the Jordan to begin a new way of living. We read: People from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan.
Among them, among them was Jesus. Jesus, also immersed in the waters of the Jordan, was baptized by John. And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw…he saw the heavens torn apart, and he saw the Spirit…. The Spirit descending like …. like a dove….alighting on him. And then, out of the heavens, over the waters, came a voice… A voice saying: “You are my Son, the Beloved. With you I am well pleased!
That’s how today’s Gospel reading ends. That’s how Jesus’ ministry begins!
Always. Always if it is to be real, if it is to be lasting, “Beloved, is the only viable place of beginning. Beloved is where Jesus began…… And in the power of that loving affirmation, Jesus’ ministry begins.
Let’s start at the very beginning. The very best place to start.
Our fist reading took as there…. To the very beginning! In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was, a formless void and, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while, while a wind… a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. And then a voice… a voice over the waters as we heard and repeated in the reading of the Psalm for today:
The voice of the Lord is over the waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful.
The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!
Not unlike Mark’s scene at the Jordan, a voice…. A voice in the beginning saying: Let there be light! And there was light. And what did God have to say about the light and all of creation that was to follow? It was good. And then five more times after that proclamation/exaltation in what was made…it was good… until finally (in this creation story) when on the sixth day the animals, including humankind, are created, God surveys and blesses all that has been made. And we read: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.
Original Blessing: the very best place to start!
Ah! Yes! I know. There is a second creation story that we often call “The Fall” or “original sin” when disobedience leads to alienation from God, from ourselves and from one another. That too is real. We experience it in our very selves, in our homes, our community, our country, our world. But it is not the Last word and it is Not the first word!!!!
The Voice of the Lord has spoken all of creation into being and the Voice of the Lord continues to re-create us. Jesus heard the voice of the Lord at his baptism claiming him as God’s beloved Son. We hear the voice of the Lord at our baptism claiming us as beloved —beloved sisters and brothers of our elder brother, Jesus. We, too, have been immersed (though perhaps symbolically—we don’t usually use so very much water in the Lutheran Church)… Still we are immersed, immersed in the waters of baptism… immersed in grace. And from that most gracious beloved place, we are called to a life of transformation --transformation by the Spirit. Yes, as the voice of the Lord spoke over the waters calling all things into being, as Thomas Merton has said: “We are all words spoken by God and our calling is to learn how to pronounce ourselves.” Our baptismal vocation—to learn how to pronounce ourselves. How do we live out this life of love we have been called to? Transformation comes by daily renewal, daily remembering who and whose we are: As the Apostle Paul says: “Beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being changed--transformed into his likeness.” For this to happen, we must go back—over and over again-- to the very beginning… the very best place to start: “Beloved is where we begin!” As in the Prayer of the Day -- our Collect -- Your voice, O God, moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your spirit that we may follow after your Son, our brother Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
************************************************************************************************************************
Mark 1:4-114John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
"More than a Dream"
Based on I Samuel 3:1-10 (reading at the end of the sermon)
January 17, 2021
About a month ago, I had a strange dream. In my dream, I’m at a funeral home. It starts with me walking through the front door. Right away, I’m struck by the bareness of the lobby. Most funeral homes have lots of furniture and paintings and flowers, but this one is empty. And everything is white, with a hazy glow.
Next, I look through the double doors of one of the chapels where funerals take place. A large room that’s also empty, with no chairs. The only thing at the front of the room is a white coffin.
In the coffin sits an African American man, in a cream-colored three-piece suit and blue tie. When he sees me, the man waves his hand for me to come to him. As I approach I don’t feel afraid. In the dream, I wonder who he is. Could he be George Floyd or another black man shot in the streets of our cities?
Then the man starts talking with me. What’s funny is I don’t remember anything specific about our conversation. None of the exact words or topics we discuss. What I do remember are my feelings. Feelings of comfort and peace. Feelings of joy—even laughter at some of the things he says. The kind of emotions you feel after a conversation with a good friend. where you’ve shared your hurts and pain, your happy moments and hopes.
Then my dream ended. And I woke up. When I started thinking about the dream, a Bible story came to mind—the road to Emmaus. Where in the Gospel of Luke, two disciples are walking alone on the first Easter, when a stranger appears and joins their conversation. When they arrive at their destination, they invite the man to come in for a meal. And when he sits down at the table to break bread, suddenly the disciples realize that it’s the resurrected Jesus. Then Jesus disappears and they say, “Did not our hearts burn within us, as he walked with us along the road?”
And I realized, like those disciples, that the man in my dream was Jesus. Which to me makes so much sense. For I believe if Jesus were among us today, he would likely be a person of color. And if the civil authorities wanted to put him to death, he wouldn’t die on a cross. He would be shot and killed.
For me, that dream was an epiphany. A nighttime vision that gives me comfort and courage during these difficult days. Now, I know some people might say, “it was just a dream.”
Not unlike the way that Eli in the story from our first lesson, responds to the boy Samuel—who comes to him in the middle of the night, claiming that he heard a voice call his name. “It was just a dream,” I imagine Eli saying. “Stop bothering me, kid! Go back to bed!” I’m sure those of you who are parents have had similar experiences with your child waking you up after a bad dream.
But after the third time, Eli finally realizes that something weird is going on. That it’s not just a dream. It’s an epiphany. An unlikely revelation. For the God of Israel wants to have a conversation with an eleven-year-old boy sleeping on the floor of the Temple.
Earlier the author of the story tells us that the “word of the LORD was rare in those days.” Holy visions and dreams were uncommon. But now finally, the old priest understands. Eli tells Samuel to go back and wait for God to call his name again. And when God does exactly that, Samuel replies, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The story continues beyond today’s lesson. It reads, “Then the LORD said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.”
Then God talks to the boy about punishing the religious leaders and rulers of his country. Eli’s two sons had replaced him as the temple priests. But they were impeached for their evil deeds, including the sexual assault of female assistants. Those accusations lead to a divine retribution. Later, both sons die on the same day that Israel is defeated by the Philistines. A national catastrophe.
Eventually, the boy Samuel becomes a mighty Jewish prophet, who years later installs Saul as the first king of Israel. But when Saul becomes a paranoid and corrupt ruler, Samuel secretly anoints David, a young shepherd, as his successor. All of which started with a strange dream.
Today, many of us long for a prophet like Samuel. A prophet who’s not afraid to speak truth to power. A prophet who would clearly show us what is good and just and true. A prophet who might tell us everything that’s taken place in the past year is just a bad dream. A prophet who could restore our hope that God might act soon and things will get better.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a prophet like that. A prophet whom we honor tomorrow. A prophet who, unlike Samuel, didn’t have an epiphany in the middle of the night. Back in 1959 Joan Thatcher, the PR director of the American Baptist Convention, sent a letter asking King to write the story of his calling to ordained ministry. A week later, Joan received a response from Reverend King, where he wrote the following:
“My call to the ministry was neither dramatic nor spectacular. It came neither by some miraculous vision nor by some blinding light experience on the road of life…. Rather, it was a response to an inner urge that gradually came upon me. This urge expressed itself in a desire to serve God and humanity…. At first I planned to be a physician; then I turned my attention in the direction of law. But as I passed through the preparation stages of these two professions, I still felt within that undying urge to serve God and humanity through the ministry.” *
So, the young man Martin listened to the persistent voice of God and eventually became a prophet of the civil rights movement. In his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington, Dr. King challenged Americans to “make real the promises of democracy” for all people. Prophetic words that still speak to us today. Words that cost Martin his life.
Like Martin, I believe God is calling us to a prophetic ministry in a world still deeply divided along racial lines. In a country where white supremacists still have a voice in our nation’s capital. But God is still speaking prophetic words to us, above the voices of hate. Words that speak to our souls.
Like the boy Samuel, I believe the Holy One is whispering our name in the middle of the long night of this pandemic—reminding us that God is always with us. And like the disciples in today’s Gospel, I believe Jesus is calling us to follow him—wherever that may lead.
For the risen Christ is always by our side. Walking with us throughout our life journey. And gently speaking gracious words to you and me. Words that offer comfort for those who grieve.
Words that give us hope in the midst of chaos. Words that make our hearts burn with love during these tumultuous days.
Words that are so much more than just a dream. Amen.
------------------------------------------------------------------
*https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/my-call-ministry
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
GOSPEL LESSON: John 1:43-51The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Next, I look through the double doors of one of the chapels where funerals take place. A large room that’s also empty, with no chairs. The only thing at the front of the room is a white coffin.
In the coffin sits an African American man, in a cream-colored three-piece suit and blue tie. When he sees me, the man waves his hand for me to come to him. As I approach I don’t feel afraid. In the dream, I wonder who he is. Could he be George Floyd or another black man shot in the streets of our cities?
Then the man starts talking with me. What’s funny is I don’t remember anything specific about our conversation. None of the exact words or topics we discuss. What I do remember are my feelings. Feelings of comfort and peace. Feelings of joy—even laughter at some of the things he says. The kind of emotions you feel after a conversation with a good friend. where you’ve shared your hurts and pain, your happy moments and hopes.
Then my dream ended. And I woke up. When I started thinking about the dream, a Bible story came to mind—the road to Emmaus. Where in the Gospel of Luke, two disciples are walking alone on the first Easter, when a stranger appears and joins their conversation. When they arrive at their destination, they invite the man to come in for a meal. And when he sits down at the table to break bread, suddenly the disciples realize that it’s the resurrected Jesus. Then Jesus disappears and they say, “Did not our hearts burn within us, as he walked with us along the road?”
And I realized, like those disciples, that the man in my dream was Jesus. Which to me makes so much sense. For I believe if Jesus were among us today, he would likely be a person of color. And if the civil authorities wanted to put him to death, he wouldn’t die on a cross. He would be shot and killed.
For me, that dream was an epiphany. A nighttime vision that gives me comfort and courage during these difficult days. Now, I know some people might say, “it was just a dream.”
Not unlike the way that Eli in the story from our first lesson, responds to the boy Samuel—who comes to him in the middle of the night, claiming that he heard a voice call his name. “It was just a dream,” I imagine Eli saying. “Stop bothering me, kid! Go back to bed!” I’m sure those of you who are parents have had similar experiences with your child waking you up after a bad dream.
But after the third time, Eli finally realizes that something weird is going on. That it’s not just a dream. It’s an epiphany. An unlikely revelation. For the God of Israel wants to have a conversation with an eleven-year-old boy sleeping on the floor of the Temple.
Earlier the author of the story tells us that the “word of the LORD was rare in those days.” Holy visions and dreams were uncommon. But now finally, the old priest understands. Eli tells Samuel to go back and wait for God to call his name again. And when God does exactly that, Samuel replies, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The story continues beyond today’s lesson. It reads, “Then the LORD said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.”
Then God talks to the boy about punishing the religious leaders and rulers of his country. Eli’s two sons had replaced him as the temple priests. But they were impeached for their evil deeds, including the sexual assault of female assistants. Those accusations lead to a divine retribution. Later, both sons die on the same day that Israel is defeated by the Philistines. A national catastrophe.
Eventually, the boy Samuel becomes a mighty Jewish prophet, who years later installs Saul as the first king of Israel. But when Saul becomes a paranoid and corrupt ruler, Samuel secretly anoints David, a young shepherd, as his successor. All of which started with a strange dream.
Today, many of us long for a prophet like Samuel. A prophet who’s not afraid to speak truth to power. A prophet who would clearly show us what is good and just and true. A prophet who might tell us everything that’s taken place in the past year is just a bad dream. A prophet who could restore our hope that God might act soon and things will get better.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a prophet like that. A prophet whom we honor tomorrow. A prophet who, unlike Samuel, didn’t have an epiphany in the middle of the night. Back in 1959 Joan Thatcher, the PR director of the American Baptist Convention, sent a letter asking King to write the story of his calling to ordained ministry. A week later, Joan received a response from Reverend King, where he wrote the following:
“My call to the ministry was neither dramatic nor spectacular. It came neither by some miraculous vision nor by some blinding light experience on the road of life…. Rather, it was a response to an inner urge that gradually came upon me. This urge expressed itself in a desire to serve God and humanity…. At first I planned to be a physician; then I turned my attention in the direction of law. But as I passed through the preparation stages of these two professions, I still felt within that undying urge to serve God and humanity through the ministry.” *
So, the young man Martin listened to the persistent voice of God and eventually became a prophet of the civil rights movement. In his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington, Dr. King challenged Americans to “make real the promises of democracy” for all people. Prophetic words that still speak to us today. Words that cost Martin his life.
Like Martin, I believe God is calling us to a prophetic ministry in a world still deeply divided along racial lines. In a country where white supremacists still have a voice in our nation’s capital. But God is still speaking prophetic words to us, above the voices of hate. Words that speak to our souls.
Like the boy Samuel, I believe the Holy One is whispering our name in the middle of the long night of this pandemic—reminding us that God is always with us. And like the disciples in today’s Gospel, I believe Jesus is calling us to follow him—wherever that may lead.
For the risen Christ is always by our side. Walking with us throughout our life journey. And gently speaking gracious words to you and me. Words that offer comfort for those who grieve.
Words that give us hope in the midst of chaos. Words that make our hearts burn with love during these tumultuous days.
Words that are so much more than just a dream. Amen.
------------------------------------------------------------------
*https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/my-call-ministry
First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his room; the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The Lord called again, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. The Lord called Samuel again, a third time. And he got up and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Now the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
GOSPEL LESSON: John 1:43-51The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
"My Story"
By Phoenix, A Youth Member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church
January 24, 2021
Good morning. My name is Phoenix Leiseth, I use both he/him and they/them pronouns,
I am queer, and I am a member of St. Marks. This service marks the 30th anniversary of St.
Marks becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation. St. Marks has always been a safe place
for me, a place I could be myself with no fear of whether or not people would accept me. No
matter the building, I have always been able to find a sense of community at St. Marks.
When I accepted Pastor Joe’s invitation to speak today I originally wanted to speak a bit
about what it’s like to be an LGBTQ+ teen right now, but I have since realized that I can’t speak
to that. I can simply speak to what it’s like to be me. So allow me to tell you about myself.
The first part of my childhood was relatively uneventful. My family first moved to
Moorhead in 2008, however, in 2012 we moved to South Africa. Around the Christmas of 2016,
my brother and I moved back, this was roughly halfway through 6th grade for me following the
American school schedule. My dad had moved back a bit earlier, and my mom moved back a
bit later.
I first started actively questioning my gender late in my seventh-grade year. One day I
had my hair up and out of the way and I looked in the mirror and I knew I wasn’t a girl. I was so
positive, and to this day I’ve never been more sure of something
I did the majority of my coming out as trans in August of 2018, in a bit of a rush to come
out to all the important people before I started eighth grade with a new name and pronouns. The
summer after eighth grade I spoke at the Pride Interfaith Service. In September of 2019, I
started testosterone, and roughly around February I got my name legally changed.
My full name is Phoenix Micah Leiseth. The phoenix is sometimes used as a symbol of
rebirth, as it is reborn from its own ashes, and while I like the symbology of that, the way I chose
it is slightly less glamorous. The way I found this name is I went on a baby-naming site, clicked
on the androgynous names list, and eliminated the names I didn’t like or didn’t want to be
named. Once I had narrowed it down some I tried imagining myself having each name, and
found that Phoenix fit. My parents chose Micah because of Micah chapter 6, verse 8.
While being trans is a big part of who I am, sometimes it shows up when I least expect it.
For example, my mom was recently elected bishop. Some people found it meaningful or
empowering to see me, as a trans person, stand on the stage when my mom had just been
elected, or see me read the gospel at her installation. And while I love that I can be that for
someone, in that moment I just was her son.
I find advocacy and education important as a vast majority of people aren’t up to date on
some of the more recent developments in the LGBTQ+ community. For example, some people
aren’t up to date on some of the newer labels for sexualities and genders. As well as that, some
people are unaware of shifts within pre-existing labels, like how while some trans people do want
to appear cis, or not trans, it’s not necessarily every trans persons’ goal.
I love when people ask me questions about the LGBTQ+ community because then I’m
able to educate them and they are then less likely to accidentally say something hurtful due to
ignorance, but being trans is exhausting. I constantly stress about how people perceive me,
about whether it’s safe for me to use a public restroom, and I worry a lot about politics, and
some of the laws that have been passed and are trying to be passed regarding LGBTQ+ people.
Finally, I’d like to talk a bit about the opening hymn for today, All Are Welcome. This is
one of my favorite hymns, and I’d like to point out the first line. Let us build a house where love
can dwell and all can safely live. I take this to be talking about a place where people can truly be
themselves without fear of being called names, assaulted, or ostracized. I am lucky to have a
place like this. My house is this place for me, but I wish there were more places like this. My
school, the grocery store down the road, Fargo Moorhead, I do not feel fully safe in these
places. I want a future where I can check the news without being worried about a new law being
passed that makes it legal to discriminate against me or exclude me from something. I want a
future where I can go to the bathroom without worrying whether the people around me are going
to beat me up. I want a future where I don’t have to stress about whether or not my health class
is gonna mention the existence of people like me. I want a future where I can exist
unapologetically in this world without fearing other people condemning my existence.
So I will leave you with the encouragement to help make spaces like this. Educate
yourself, listen to people’s experiences, vote, preferably for someone who will advocate for the
rights of minorities, and hold yourself and your elected officials accountable. We are all human,
we will make mistakes, but we need to recognize our mistakes and work to better ourselves.
Amen.
I am queer, and I am a member of St. Marks. This service marks the 30th anniversary of St.
Marks becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation. St. Marks has always been a safe place
for me, a place I could be myself with no fear of whether or not people would accept me. No
matter the building, I have always been able to find a sense of community at St. Marks.
When I accepted Pastor Joe’s invitation to speak today I originally wanted to speak a bit
about what it’s like to be an LGBTQ+ teen right now, but I have since realized that I can’t speak
to that. I can simply speak to what it’s like to be me. So allow me to tell you about myself.
The first part of my childhood was relatively uneventful. My family first moved to
Moorhead in 2008, however, in 2012 we moved to South Africa. Around the Christmas of 2016,
my brother and I moved back, this was roughly halfway through 6th grade for me following the
American school schedule. My dad had moved back a bit earlier, and my mom moved back a
bit later.
I first started actively questioning my gender late in my seventh-grade year. One day I
had my hair up and out of the way and I looked in the mirror and I knew I wasn’t a girl. I was so
positive, and to this day I’ve never been more sure of something
I did the majority of my coming out as trans in August of 2018, in a bit of a rush to come
out to all the important people before I started eighth grade with a new name and pronouns. The
summer after eighth grade I spoke at the Pride Interfaith Service. In September of 2019, I
started testosterone, and roughly around February I got my name legally changed.
My full name is Phoenix Micah Leiseth. The phoenix is sometimes used as a symbol of
rebirth, as it is reborn from its own ashes, and while I like the symbology of that, the way I chose
it is slightly less glamorous. The way I found this name is I went on a baby-naming site, clicked
on the androgynous names list, and eliminated the names I didn’t like or didn’t want to be
named. Once I had narrowed it down some I tried imagining myself having each name, and
found that Phoenix fit. My parents chose Micah because of Micah chapter 6, verse 8.
While being trans is a big part of who I am, sometimes it shows up when I least expect it.
For example, my mom was recently elected bishop. Some people found it meaningful or
empowering to see me, as a trans person, stand on the stage when my mom had just been
elected, or see me read the gospel at her installation. And while I love that I can be that for
someone, in that moment I just was her son.
I find advocacy and education important as a vast majority of people aren’t up to date on
some of the more recent developments in the LGBTQ+ community. For example, some people
aren’t up to date on some of the newer labels for sexualities and genders. As well as that, some
people are unaware of shifts within pre-existing labels, like how while some trans people do want
to appear cis, or not trans, it’s not necessarily every trans persons’ goal.
I love when people ask me questions about the LGBTQ+ community because then I’m
able to educate them and they are then less likely to accidentally say something hurtful due to
ignorance, but being trans is exhausting. I constantly stress about how people perceive me,
about whether it’s safe for me to use a public restroom, and I worry a lot about politics, and
some of the laws that have been passed and are trying to be passed regarding LGBTQ+ people.
Finally, I’d like to talk a bit about the opening hymn for today, All Are Welcome. This is
one of my favorite hymns, and I’d like to point out the first line. Let us build a house where love
can dwell and all can safely live. I take this to be talking about a place where people can truly be
themselves without fear of being called names, assaulted, or ostracized. I am lucky to have a
place like this. My house is this place for me, but I wish there were more places like this. My
school, the grocery store down the road, Fargo Moorhead, I do not feel fully safe in these
places. I want a future where I can check the news without being worried about a new law being
passed that makes it legal to discriminate against me or exclude me from something. I want a
future where I can go to the bathroom without worrying whether the people around me are going
to beat me up. I want a future where I don’t have to stress about whether or not my health class
is gonna mention the existence of people like me. I want a future where I can exist
unapologetically in this world without fearing other people condemning my existence.
So I will leave you with the encouragement to help make spaces like this. Educate
yourself, listen to people’s experiences, vote, preferably for someone who will advocate for the
rights of minorities, and hold yourself and your elected officials accountable. We are all human,
we will make mistakes, but we need to recognize our mistakes and work to better ourselves.
Amen.
"Facing Our Demons"
Based on Mark 1:21-29a (text is available below)
January 31, 2021
When I was a sophomore in college, I went to Mexico during January term to study Spanish. It was my first trip out of the country. And having grown up in a small town, I was nervous. I was going to a place I’d never been before. A classmate and I took a plane from Minneapolis to Mexico City. From there, we had to take a bus to Cuernavaca, where our school was located. A two-hour ride on treacherous mountain roads.
The bus was full, so I ended up sitting next to a stranger. As evening approached and the bus grew dark, I got into a conversation with my seat mate. A young Catholic priest from Chicago who was also going to learn Spanish. When Father John found out that I was a Religion major with plans to go to seminary, we started talking about theology. Out of the blue, he asked me if I believed in demons. When I responded with a vague, “I guess so,” Father John started telling me about an experience he had early in his ministry. With a woman in his congregation who claimed she was demon-possessed and asked him to do an exorcism.
Eventually Father John agreed to do it—not really believing that the woman had a demon. But he contacted another priest in the diocese who was authorized to do exorcisms. Together they went to her house. I don’t remember all the details of the story, other than Father John describing how disturbed he was by the experience of hearing a demon speak through the woman. A scene straight out of the movie The Exorcist. At the time, I don’t know which was more scary about that bus ride—either a young priest telling a spooky story about demons, or the bus driver passing cars on mountain curves at break-neck speed.
I was reminded of Father John’s story after reading today’s Gospel. Another story about demon possession. Which also takes place early in the ministry of Jesus. In fact, in the Gospel of Mark, this is the very first thing Jesus does.
Which is significant. There’s also a nice parallel structure in this story, which makes it almost poetic: First, Jesus comes into the synagogue. There, Jesus teaches “with authority”—amazing the listeners. Next a man with an unclean spirit cries out. So, Jesus heals the demonic.
Then the unclean spirit cries out one more time and comes out of the man. And the people again express wonder at Jesus’ authority. And, finally, Jesus comes out of the synagogue. The central focus of this story and its structure is Jesus casting out the demon. Everything else revolves around that.
Today, I think lot of us Lutherans don’t give much thought to demon possession. Although, when we were talking about this passage during my Progressive Clergy text study this week, one of the participants had a different perspective. Pastor Paul grew up in Liberia in Africa. He shared with us that many Christians in his country are very concerned about demons. He told us if a clergy person doesn’t spend a lot of time on exorcisms, “you won’t last there long as a pastor.” Of course, that attitude is true in some American congregations, as well.
Pastor Paul, however, doesn’t believe that anymore. He told us that focusing so much energy on demon possession takes our eyes off what really needs attention. And keeps us from seeing and naming the real demons in our world today. Like the demons of the rich getting richer, while the poor lack housing and medical care. Like the demons of police abusing people of color, while white supremacists are free to spread hatred and lies and violence. Like multi-national corporations whose practices degrade our environment, while wealthy countries use up natural resources.
Those are some of the demons that possess us as a nation and community. Demons who take our attention away from all that is good and healthy and life-giving. Demons who fear anyone who names them and points us toward the sacred.
The name the demon uses for Jesus—“the holy one of God”—reflects that fear. It’s the same name used for the prophet Elisha in Hebrew scripture (II Kings 4:9). The editors of the Jewish Annotated New Testament (including Amy-Jill Levine, whose book we are reading this Lent) suggest that when the demon in this story calls Jesus “the holy one of God,” it means that Jesus, like Elisha, “would restore the correct boundary between the demonic realm of death and the world of life created by God.” *
For by casting out the demon, Jesus restores a sick man to wholeness. Jesus returns a disturbed man to his community. Jesus renews the man’s broken spirit to its original state of being created in the divine image. And though we never hear the name of the man in this story, Jesus does name his dignity by healing him.
I believe Jesus does the same for us today. Jesus gives us the courage and strength to face our demons and cast them out. And we can begin facing our demons by naming them for what they are. Perhaps the biggest demon we face today is unbelief. Not unbelief in the sense of not believing that demons are real. But unbelief in the sense of losing one’s faith in terms of not seeing God, “as a sacred force.” ** And unbelief in terms of losing trust in our fellow human beings. And unbelief in terms of doubting that people are still capable to working together to confront the problems in our lives and world.
Along with unbelief, there are other demons that walk in lockstep with the forces of evil. Demons with familiar names—like homophobia and transphobia, racism and sexism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia. That list of demonic names goes on and on. and confronting those demons and their followers can sometimes feel frightening. Yet, unless we name our demons, they will name us. And control us. And destroy us. But believing in the name of Jesus as the holy one of God can restore our faith. And put our focus where it needs to be. On things that bring healing and wholeness.
Today, I believe Jesus is calling us to do what Jesus did. To see those in our community who are overwhelmed by the demonic voices around them. Individuals who are afraid to come out of their isolation and depression. People in need of love and healing.
This week, we started our grief and loss group, led by Linda Hamann. During which, each of us shared a personal experience of grief, related to the death of loved ones, loss of relationships and other pain.
We’re calling the group “Experiencing Grief and Loss in Sustainable Ways,” because while each person will have the opportunity to share their grief experience, we also want to think about what we’ve learned over time. And how we might help one another cope with grief. And live with all the demons we face together in today’s world.
In his book, Christianity Rediscovered, the author Vincent Donovan, talks about that. He writes the following: “Do not leave others where they have been. But do not try to bring them to where you are either. Rather, invite them to go with you to a place neither you have been before.” ***
I believe grief is like that. And faith is like that. A journey that can lead us to a country where we’ve never been before. Where Jesus calls out the demons of this world.
Where the Holy One of God calls us each by name. And where the love of this community can make us whole again. Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
*Amy-Jill Levine and Mark Zvi Brettler, ed. The Jewish Annotated New Testament, (Oxford University Press, 2011), 61.
**Osvaldo Vena, “Working Preacher”, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-after-epiphany-2/commentary-on-mark-121-28-5
***Adapted from Vincent Donovan, Christianity Rediscovered (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 2003). Adaptation by Brian, D. McLaren, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? (Jericho Books, N.Y., 2013), 254.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 1:21-19aJesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. As soon as they [came out of] the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
The bus was full, so I ended up sitting next to a stranger. As evening approached and the bus grew dark, I got into a conversation with my seat mate. A young Catholic priest from Chicago who was also going to learn Spanish. When Father John found out that I was a Religion major with plans to go to seminary, we started talking about theology. Out of the blue, he asked me if I believed in demons. When I responded with a vague, “I guess so,” Father John started telling me about an experience he had early in his ministry. With a woman in his congregation who claimed she was demon-possessed and asked him to do an exorcism.
Eventually Father John agreed to do it—not really believing that the woman had a demon. But he contacted another priest in the diocese who was authorized to do exorcisms. Together they went to her house. I don’t remember all the details of the story, other than Father John describing how disturbed he was by the experience of hearing a demon speak through the woman. A scene straight out of the movie The Exorcist. At the time, I don’t know which was more scary about that bus ride—either a young priest telling a spooky story about demons, or the bus driver passing cars on mountain curves at break-neck speed.
I was reminded of Father John’s story after reading today’s Gospel. Another story about demon possession. Which also takes place early in the ministry of Jesus. In fact, in the Gospel of Mark, this is the very first thing Jesus does.
Which is significant. There’s also a nice parallel structure in this story, which makes it almost poetic: First, Jesus comes into the synagogue. There, Jesus teaches “with authority”—amazing the listeners. Next a man with an unclean spirit cries out. So, Jesus heals the demonic.
Then the unclean spirit cries out one more time and comes out of the man. And the people again express wonder at Jesus’ authority. And, finally, Jesus comes out of the synagogue. The central focus of this story and its structure is Jesus casting out the demon. Everything else revolves around that.
Today, I think lot of us Lutherans don’t give much thought to demon possession. Although, when we were talking about this passage during my Progressive Clergy text study this week, one of the participants had a different perspective. Pastor Paul grew up in Liberia in Africa. He shared with us that many Christians in his country are very concerned about demons. He told us if a clergy person doesn’t spend a lot of time on exorcisms, “you won’t last there long as a pastor.” Of course, that attitude is true in some American congregations, as well.
Pastor Paul, however, doesn’t believe that anymore. He told us that focusing so much energy on demon possession takes our eyes off what really needs attention. And keeps us from seeing and naming the real demons in our world today. Like the demons of the rich getting richer, while the poor lack housing and medical care. Like the demons of police abusing people of color, while white supremacists are free to spread hatred and lies and violence. Like multi-national corporations whose practices degrade our environment, while wealthy countries use up natural resources.
Those are some of the demons that possess us as a nation and community. Demons who take our attention away from all that is good and healthy and life-giving. Demons who fear anyone who names them and points us toward the sacred.
The name the demon uses for Jesus—“the holy one of God”—reflects that fear. It’s the same name used for the prophet Elisha in Hebrew scripture (II Kings 4:9). The editors of the Jewish Annotated New Testament (including Amy-Jill Levine, whose book we are reading this Lent) suggest that when the demon in this story calls Jesus “the holy one of God,” it means that Jesus, like Elisha, “would restore the correct boundary between the demonic realm of death and the world of life created by God.” *
For by casting out the demon, Jesus restores a sick man to wholeness. Jesus returns a disturbed man to his community. Jesus renews the man’s broken spirit to its original state of being created in the divine image. And though we never hear the name of the man in this story, Jesus does name his dignity by healing him.
I believe Jesus does the same for us today. Jesus gives us the courage and strength to face our demons and cast them out. And we can begin facing our demons by naming them for what they are. Perhaps the biggest demon we face today is unbelief. Not unbelief in the sense of not believing that demons are real. But unbelief in the sense of losing one’s faith in terms of not seeing God, “as a sacred force.” ** And unbelief in terms of losing trust in our fellow human beings. And unbelief in terms of doubting that people are still capable to working together to confront the problems in our lives and world.
Along with unbelief, there are other demons that walk in lockstep with the forces of evil. Demons with familiar names—like homophobia and transphobia, racism and sexism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia. That list of demonic names goes on and on. and confronting those demons and their followers can sometimes feel frightening. Yet, unless we name our demons, they will name us. And control us. And destroy us. But believing in the name of Jesus as the holy one of God can restore our faith. And put our focus where it needs to be. On things that bring healing and wholeness.
Today, I believe Jesus is calling us to do what Jesus did. To see those in our community who are overwhelmed by the demonic voices around them. Individuals who are afraid to come out of their isolation and depression. People in need of love and healing.
This week, we started our grief and loss group, led by Linda Hamann. During which, each of us shared a personal experience of grief, related to the death of loved ones, loss of relationships and other pain.
We’re calling the group “Experiencing Grief and Loss in Sustainable Ways,” because while each person will have the opportunity to share their grief experience, we also want to think about what we’ve learned over time. And how we might help one another cope with grief. And live with all the demons we face together in today’s world.
In his book, Christianity Rediscovered, the author Vincent Donovan, talks about that. He writes the following: “Do not leave others where they have been. But do not try to bring them to where you are either. Rather, invite them to go with you to a place neither you have been before.” ***
I believe grief is like that. And faith is like that. A journey that can lead us to a country where we’ve never been before. Where Jesus calls out the demons of this world.
Where the Holy One of God calls us each by name. And where the love of this community can make us whole again. Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
*Amy-Jill Levine and Mark Zvi Brettler, ed. The Jewish Annotated New Testament, (Oxford University Press, 2011), 61.
**Osvaldo Vena, “Working Preacher”, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-after-epiphany-2/commentary-on-mark-121-28-5
***Adapted from Vincent Donovan, Christianity Rediscovered (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 2003). Adaptation by Brian, D. McLaren, Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? (Jericho Books, N.Y., 2013), 254.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 1:21-19aJesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. As soon as they [came out of] the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.