We All Have Our Demons

Posted on February 5, 2012 by fathered

The title should have captured your attention. Today, we have people at both ends of the spectrum on demons and the devil. Some think that the devil, or enemy, controls us. So, that makes it easy to blame demons when we act badly. Just like Flip Wilson’s character Geraldine, on “Laugh In,” who used to say, “the devil made me do it!” Others think that there is no such thing as demons or Hell for that matter.

From the outset, I have my own biases that shape my world view on the topic. I do believe that we have demons and evil in our world. I do believe that there is a place called Hell. Hell to me is not being able to see God in eternity. I also believe that we contribute a great deal as to whether we experience an earthly Heaven or Hell.

It seems that we are not being accountable when we say that the devil made me do something. This also happens when we are always blaming everyone else for our behavior, or mistakes. It is even worse when people point to others and accuse them of being evil, or what we call demonizing people. I remember something about judge not lest ye be judged. Maybe we think we will take the heat off of ourselves if we can get people worked up over the guy over there.

In today’s gospel, (Mark 1: 21-28), Jesus is the guest speaker at the synagogue in Capernaum. The people were amazed at how He spoke with such authority. Well of course He spoke with authority, He is God! Then appear the man possessed by a demon. I think: the man must have appeared most of the time as a normal Joe, since he was allowed in the synagogue. On this particular day the demon recognized Jesus as God. The demon called Jesus by name and knew that He would destroy the demon.

It is easy today to be afraid of demons. After all they are scary and powerful. Just think of the movie, “The Exorcist.” That movie gives me the creeps and I am thankful that I have never had to help with an exorcism. I think a modem term for demon is addictions. We all have our demons, or addictions. We are familiar with the addictions to work, or sex, or drugs and alcohol and power etc., etc., etc. I do believe that demons do play a part in these addictions, but I do think that we have to accept our ownership in them. The good news is that Jesus triumphed over demons over and over again in the Bible and He does the same over and over again today. I also believe that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit allows us to have more power than evil. We must, however, continually ask and pray for guidance from the Spirit to keep us stronger than, evil. With God’s help we can face and destroy our demons. Without God’s help the thought scares me to death.

Amen.

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Confession of Saint Peter the Apostle

Posted on January 19, 2012 by fathered
A refreshing sermon from Bishop Skip that I thought you all might like to read…

Simon Peter said of Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said of Simon Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Jesus and Peter, as described by Matthew 16:13-19, are using theologically dense descriptors to indentify one another. This exchange of awareness explodes on the scene and, one could argue, shifts human history forever.

It is a seismic moment and has shaped the Church’s theology and mission ever since, for good and for ill. It has been for good when the Church has lived into its mission as a reconciling body to “restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (BCP p. 855). It requires a humility that remembers that the Church as described in the Gospel is an interim arrangement if you will, an in-the-meantime and thereby less than whole expression of the reign of God between the earthly life of Jesus and the fullness of the kingdom. Such a perspective can perhaps release us from dogmatic prisons which too often tend to repress, thwart and constrict God-awareness for God’s people. At its worse it has given death to God’s people. At its best it has given the freedom of life to which Jesus was always pointing.

If I were to be a director in a cinematic version of Peter’s confession and Jesus’ response, to catch the quality of the moment I would be coaching the actors to identify glimpses of awareness when a shift occurred in their own hearts and minds that changed their way of seeing the world. For me it might be in 1972 when as a naïve twenty year old I walked onto the campus of what was then Morgan State College, an historically black school, to meet the campus minister for lunch. I walked into the cafeteria as all eyes turned toward me and I realized I was the only white person amongst hundreds of people. Or it might be the time as an undergrad when I was able to use an electron microscope to peer into the depths of my own DNA and be confronted by the wonder of my own helix. Then maybe it was just a few years ago when one week after I affirmed the election of the first openly gay bishop in The Episcopal Church, I walked into a parish for my visitation and a father walked up to me,
threw his arms around me and sobbed, saying through his tears, “Now I know my son is not in hell.” His gay son had committed suicide three years before.

In all these scenarios and in the account between Jesus and Peter, identity had been given and affirmed from another. A new interpretive lens was given, a shift in worldview occurred as clarity came and purpose was revealed. Unity and freedom were offered. It ought not be lost on us that the conversation between Jesus and Peter was recorded as occurring in Caesarea Philippi, a known center of pagan worship. When we are able to confess Jesus as the one who unifies and marks all of God’s creation as holy, we are living his purpose for justice and peace. Then we are a church God can truly use for the healing of the world.

Bishop Skip
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We are called to follow Him

Posted on January 15, 2012 by fathered

Jesus called the apostle Philip in today’s gospel (John 1: 43-51). Jesus told Philip to follow Him and he did. Philip then finds Nathaniel and tells him that they had found the Messiah. It was Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathaniel asked if anything good ever came out of Nazareth? The questions made me recall living in Tennessee. I learned very quickly which side of the tracks to stay away from. But in fact, I became good friends with some of the “BAD GUYS” and found them to be very wonderful people.

It is interesting that throughout the Bible, God chose really rough and broken people to carry His message to the rest of the people. At the birth of Christ, the angels took the message to the lowly shepherds. And for Apostles Jesus picked a rag tag crew that would one the faith forward and all but one, later on, died for the faith.

And so, as in past history, Jesus is still calling us to be His followers. He knows that some of us are not very bright, or have some major character flaws. ANd yet, He knows our heart of hearts and knocks on the door to our hearts. Most of us are familiar with the picture of Jesus knocking on the door to our hearts. He calls many of us, but he have to let Him in.

The question then is how do we live out this call? I think at the core, we must first trust God. Another core is a strong prayer life. We really need to begin everything with prayer. We need to seek God’s advice in all that we do. We seek His advice as individuals, as families, and especially as the church. When there is conflict, when there are hard decisions to be made, when we must discern what the church is to do….All has to be brought to the Lord in prayer. And then we have to LISTEN! Only then should decisions be made. I am afraid that when we rely on our own wisdom, we usually screw things up.

We are also called to be Christ’s presence to the world. Mother Theresa used to say that I am not called to help everyone, just to be faithful! We cannot feed everyone but we can sure feed a bunch at stone soup and through our pantries. We can’t help every fire victim, but we can make a dent with food , furniture and clothing and in some instances gift cards. Most important, we can sure pray for everyone, especially those who don’t like us. Just like Philip and Nathaniel, we are called to listen to God’s word and we are called use our gifts be faithful disciples. AMEN!

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Baptism

Posted on January 8, 2012 by fathered

We are now in the season of Epiphany. Today’s gospel (Mark 1:4-11) is called the Baptism of the Lord. John the Baptist was at the Jordan River and the whole Judean countryside had come out to repent of their sins and be baptized. John said that he baptized with water, but the one to come after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Jesus went to the river to be baptized by John. John protested and Jesus said do it anyway John knew that Jesus was without sin and didn’t need to be baptized. My thinking is that Jesus was baptized to show how important baptism is. Jesus’ baptism must be important because it is mentioned in all four gospels and Acs and Romans.

During Jesus’ baptism we are allowed an epiphany, or having our eyes opened to supernatural things. Mark writes about the Trinity. He doesn’t use the terms Trinity, but as Jesus is coming up out of the river, the dove (Holy Spirit) hovers over His head, and the Father’s voice is heard. The father says, this is my Son, whom I love and am well pleased. Mark’s gospel is the only one where others beside Jesus hear the Father’s voice. Mark is also the only one where others beside Jesus hear the Father’s voice. Mark is also the only one that says that Jesus saw the heavens torn open. This tearing seems to emphasize that God the Father means business. It could be said that God broke into our world to show His Son how much He loved Him…and consequently how much He loves us. Let me try to bring baptism a little closer to home.

I have several thoughts as I ponder baptism. Baptism is a blessing, but a blessing is not necessarily baptism. Recently, Bishop Adams shared an experience with us. He went to the hospital to bless a clergy person’s newborn baby. A nurse was watching the bishop as he held the baby. Before he left she asked if he would bless a little boy who had no family. The bishop was happy to. He said that he could have baptized the baby with his tears for the little boy. I remember anointing a toddler who was very sick with holy oil. The grandmother thanked me later for “baptizing” the baby.

Baptism is the sacrament of entrance into the family of the church I have performed but child and adult baptisms. It was wonderful to see some kids be baptized in the gown that their parents and even godparents wore. I remember working on my family history. My Spanish grandmother had twins on the passage over to America. She died in childbirth and one of the twins also died. The ship records said thank God there was a priest on board to baptize the baby.

And today we are giving the gift of being able to welcome an adult into the faith through the sacrament of Baptism. I didn’t even realize that this Sunday is known as the Baptism of the Lord. Coincidence? I don’t think so. AMEN!

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I Am the Bread of Life

Posted on April 3, 2011 by fathered

And so we are deep into Lent. I hope we have all been faithful with our Lenten discipline. You know, extra prayer time, reading of Holy Scripture, giving up something significant, giving of ourselves in significant ways, or being of service to God’s people. I know it is a pretty tall order, but then how better to prepare for Easter than through these. Just think two weeks from today will put us midway in Holy Week.

As the parish priest I don’t usually choose the hymns. Usually the organist chooses what they want from a list of recommended hymns. Today however I have chosen 2 of my favorites; “Here I am Lord: and “I am the bread of Life.” It is interesting that the second hymn goes right long with today’s readings from the Daily Offices. Here I am Lord reflects our discipline, at Lent, to be Our Lord’s eyes and ears and arms and heart to help everyone. It also allows us to take responsibility onto ourselves for our faith communities. And today’s second favorite hymn speaks volumes as to today’s gospel reading from St. John (6:27-40). The people asked Jesus to always give them that bread that He was talking about. They thought that Hew was talking about the kind made out of wheat, or oats, or rye. To those thoughts Jesus said, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will not thirst.” At the end of today’s gospel Jesus said, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and Believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” I would say that both statements are very powerful truths that show us how to attain eternal life. Both of these sentences will be sung later on in the service. And the chorus will say, “and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

And lastly, for today, I want us to consider that it is by God’s grace, freely given, that we are able to do what we do. Today we are grateful for God’s gifts to us, of a place to worship freely, and soon to be able to share a wonderful meal and fellowship together. We are thankful for the gifts of friends and beautiful voices and that spring has finally arrived. We give special thanks today that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. And that following His beloved Son allows us to enter into eternal life. AMEN!

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Spiritual Water: Worship and Food

Posted on March 27, 2011 by fathered

In today’s gospel (John 4:5-42) we hear a lot about physical vs. spiritual things. The first item is water. Water is crucial to life. It is more crucial if you live in a desert environment. We tend to take water for granted since we have plenty of fresh, clean water available. Water is also crucial to our spiritual life. We are baptized into the faith community with water and the Holy Spirit.

The Samaritan woman didn’t realize who Jesus was. Jesus asked her for a drink from Jacob’s well. A very peculiar request since Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along, and men and women weren’t supposed to mingle in public. So from the beginning the woman must have known something was up. The woman asked Jesus if He was greater than Jacob? He answered her in a strange way. He said, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst.” To me it seems that she believed Jesus because she replied, “Sir give some of this water so I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

Jesus doesn’t stop there. Next He starts telling her about her about her husbands. She realized that He must be a prophet, or something. Then they talk theology where the Samaritans worshipped on the mountain, but the Jews worshipped in Jerusalem. The spiritual answer that Jesus gives is that soon the true worshippers will worship the Father not on a mountain or city, but IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH. Next she thinks that Jesus might be the messiah. Jesus then reveals himself to her as the one she speaks of.

So we’ve talked water and worship, and we can move on to food. The disciples return and don’t dare ask Him why He is talking to a Samaritan woman. They try to get Him to eat some food. He lets them know that He has spiritual food…manna from heaven, so to speak. Jesus tells us that His Heavenly Father will take care of what we will eat and what we will wear. here He practices what He preaches. Jesus knows that His Heavenly Father gives Him spiritual food to do Jesus’ earthly work.

We all have the opportunity to be baptized by water and the Holy Spirit. We assemble together to worship God in our hearts as well as publicly. we are able to come to the Communion Table to be fed.with Our Lord’s body and blood. AMEN!

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Going Through the Motions

Posted on March 20, 2011 by fathered

We all know people who seem to be going through the motions. There seems to be some who are walking around but really have died inside. For some reasons they have stopped growing, learning, and loving. They are like zombies who have become numb because the world has beat up on them. We all have parts of our lives that could make us feel that way. In another sense there seems to be a major difference in always doing what we want to do and learning to enjoy the things we have to do. The major difference is the love of God for us and what we choose to do with that love.

As I was working on this message I kept hearing “Piano Man” by Billy Joel, in my head. One verse goes like this: “Now John at the bar is a friend of mine; He gets me my drinks for free. And he’s quick with a joke or light of your smoke, but there’s some place that he’d rather be. He says, ‘Bill I believe this is killing me,’ as his smile runs away from his face. ‘Well I’m sure I could be a movie star, if I could get out of this place.’ Strangely this song reminds me of today’s gospel (John 3:1-17).

Nicodemus is living the good life. He is a well respected Pharisee. He is a law abiding man who realizes that something is missing. He also realizes that this Jesus guy has it and Nicodemus wants some of it (don’t we all?). Seems like Nicodemus is going through the motions. Nicodemus fits in well with John’s gospel. It has been said that John’s gospel is “Shallow enough to wade in and deep enough to drown an elephant.” Nicodemus struggles with what Jesus is trying to tell him. Remember that he sought out Jesus, not the other way around. On the surface, it seems that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night because he is afraid of what the official clergy will think. Some suggest that John conveys the message that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because it denotes our lack of understanding of Jesus’ message. The opposite of this is that Jesus is the light of the world. Brian P. Stroffregen suggests that Nicodemus teaches us that even the most moral people can be in the dark in their relationship with Jesus.

I want to end this message with the end of today’s gospel, which is John 3:16. I didn’t realize that Nicodemus’ story was just before this piece of scripture. Many people can recite this piece of John’s gospel, and that is totally appropriate. 3:16 is the message of God’s powerful love for us earthlings.Even we earthlings who seem to be stuck and going through the motions. AMEN!

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First Sunday of Lent

Posted on March 13, 2011 by fathered

Sermon March 13, 2011

First Sunday of Lent

Today is the first Sunday in Lent. I hope you have already begun your Lenten discipline of giving up something significant, doing something significant, prayer, scripture reading, and maybe even fasting and being of service to others. Just as we begin our preparation for Easter, Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit in Matthew 4:1-11. We have 40 days of Lent just as Jesus was in the desert for 40 days. We have 40 days for Lent, just imagine being lost in the desert for 40 years like the Israelites.

So we hear about Jesus being flung into the desert by the Holy Spirit. He spends 40 days there, with no food, no company, no nothing, almost! His heavenly Father was with Him all the time. Jesus endures three major temptations: could be likened to a trial period of a really tough job. Only this job has far reaching consequences for the world. The three temptations seemed to be working in an upward spiraling motion. The first had the Devi to ask Jesus to turn the stones into bread. This one is at the ground level in our spiral upward. next he devil takes Jesus to the top of the Temple in Jerusalem, which is pretty high up or midway. The third temptation is where the devil takes Jesus to the mountain top to survey the world. And so what can we make of these temptations?

The first temptation seems simple, but it was not. In first century Palestine most people lived day to day. Getting enough food was a full time job. I have not eaten for a couple of days and it was mildly unpleasant. Jesus is famished with 40 days of no food. Ah, just one little miracle, just a couple of rocks into bread. Instead Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, where it is written “one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of the Lord.”

Next Jesus is at the pinnacle of the Temple. This could be compared to being on the roof of Canterbury Cathedral, or St. Peter’s in Rome. Jesus knew that the angels would protect Him, but didn’t want people to believe in Him because He saved Himself. Jess may have thought, ah I have the chance to be successful in the eyes of the world, instead of suffering and dying a horrible death. Instead He again quotes Deuteronomy, here 6:16 “Do not put your Lord God to the test.”

Next Satan takes Jesus to the mountain top. Mountains seem to be important in Scripture. The Ten Commandments come from God on a mountain top. Jesus explains God’s kingdom, in the Beatitudes, from the mountain. In last week’s gospel, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the mountain top where they witnessed the Transfiguration. If Satan had his way Jesus would have become ruler of all the earthly kingdoms. Instead Matthew has Jesus saying, “Get behind me Satan.” (Matthew 16:23)

Back to the beginning if today’s gospel, the devil asks Jesus “if  He is the Son of God?” Jesus knows that He is God’s Son. To begin this Lent we may have to answer people’s doubts, with we know that Jesus is Lord and Savior and indeed God’s only begotten Son. AMEN!

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Ashes and Lent: What’s That All About?

Posted on March 9, 2011 by fathered

Many people today don’t have a clue about ashes and Lent. I find myself explaining them over and over. Something about Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday is similar to Good Friday and Easter except the latter are turned around. I am a very tactile learner, that is learning by touching and doing things, and ashes helps me to remember the importance of Lent. It’s funny but I look forward to Lent. It means that spring is on the way. It affords me the chance to redirect my spiritual walk back home to the Father.

To me ashes are a mixed message. In one way they symbolize our human frailty and death. Our bodies are dust and we return to the earth, our souls do live on however. AShes also symbolize hope. They remind us that we are able to hope in God’s grace being sent and God’s promise to be with us till the end of time.

Lent is a time to give up things. I know you’ve heard me talk about giving up chips and chicken wings. Someone said they were giving up chocolate this year; I know they don’t even like chocolate. It could be a time of giving p worry. Two Sundays ago Jesus was telling us not to worry about what we eat, or what we wear. What if we give up being nasty to people, or better yet what if we gave up the notion that technology has become God? Technology is wonderful, but only God can save us. What if we fasted for a day now and then? Fasting allows us to give our bodies a  break from all the junk we put in them. It also allows us some clarity on what is our mission here on  earth. How about if we attend church more often this Lent? We’d have the chance to worship in community and have fellowship with others. how about if we go the extra mile the Lent? God knows there are many who are hungry and homeless and sad and lonely, and out of work.

In today’s Epistle (2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10) St. Paul tells us about the may ways he had suffered for the sake of the Kingdom. He has let us know that he was able to be faithful with the help of God’s grace and not on his own strength. Paul also said that we are servants of God. As servants we can extend God’s love, given to us, to others. Jesus showed His servanthood by washing the feet of the Last Supper.

And so I challenge us, this Lent, to give up something, or let go of something significant. I challenge us to be more diligent in our prayer life and scripture reading. I challenge us to make it to church more often. And i challenge us to help others out in very creative ways. I challenge us to see the ashes as both a sign of death and a sign of hope. AMEN!

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