The Pro-Life Readings

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you ..."

 - Jeremiah 1

This week we have an Old Testament reading, and a Psalm, that both reference God's knowledge of us, before we were formed in the womb.

Not before we were born. Not even when we were children.

"Before I formed you in the womb."

So the point becomes, if the formation has started, how do you know that God isn't the One doing the forming? Any new life is a thing of beauty.

Our debate today is focused on Planned Parenthood, on pro-life terrorists bombing clinics, on whether or not the fetus is a human, or tissue, and whether or not abortion is murder and what should be the severity of the penalty for having one. And, who is at fault? Who's the criminal?

Such a sickeningly complicated issue!!

In its most simple terms, we should have faith: Faith that whatever God has started in the womb, He will protect. Faith that, whatever mistakes we have made, at least there is a future human that could make a difference in the world.

What if we quietly, and simply affirmed: leave what's happening in the womb, alone. Maybe this is the person to invent warp drive, or to cure cancer, or to feed half of Africa. Maybe this person will lead us to a better form of politics.

And of course . . . if the Christian community is going to stand on such principles, than it had better follow through on helping that child and his or her mother.

Maybe you are the one that God will use, to protect and nurture that child.

Do Not Mourn

"This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep."

 - Nehemiah 8

When Ezra the Scribe brought the word of the Law to the people, and read it to them (at the Water Gate), they were so moved that they began to weep. But the Levites said: "This day is holy to the Lord. Do not mourn or weep." And they were instructed to go out and eat fat, to have feasts and to have great joy.

In the Lectionary, we follow Christmas with Epiphany. It is a time, prior to Lent, when we should still be rejoicing, still reading the Good News, still feasting.

And the Word of God should, at this time, fill us with joy.

The Hebrews had gone some time since they were a devout people. The Word of God had been ignored, for generations. Imagine the people just mocking it, as people today mock the American Founding Fathers, and the Christian Scriptures. They had studied it enough to point out the inconsistencies, with mirth. 

But this only set them up to be conquered. And once humiliated for a generation or two, they were once again ready to listen and obey. 

And so it is today. You can hear the Word of God, and let it affect you harshly, so that your conviction makes you cry. Or you can rejoice that the Word is still here for you.

And so be it. Let your commitment be renewed . . . even if already you have departed from your New Year's Resolution. Stay in the Word of  God. And rejoice.

 "Do not lord it over those in your charge ..."

 - I Peter 5

The account of Peter, when placed all together as it is in today's lessons (on the Feast of Peter) brings into focus an ordinary man that became extraordinary, because he had been with Christ and believed in Him.

Peter's teachings stressed servanthood. He was a man's man, by all accounts. Very handy, hard-working, a leader, a successful fisherman. He was a family man, with a wife, and probably, many children (I am going to want to meet them some day).

But his trusting heart, his passionate swagger, but most of all, his humility, endears him to us.

"Don't be bossy," is basically what it's saying. A current meme going around Facebook talks about girls pushing back when they are called "bossy," and insisting that they have leadership skills.

Whatever. Nobody likes anybody that's "bossy" whether male or female. And that's what Peter is saying.

Lead, but don't be bossy. Leaders do, they set the example, they serve. They set out a course and ask people to follow. But bosses order people around. They take whatever position they have, either formal, or based on their size, or bank accounts, and start lording it over people. They are insecure and small. But telling people to do something, and they do it, makes them feel important.

Don't be like that.

Holy Spirit = Unity

"...and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit."

 - 1 Corinthians 12

Earlier this year, we discussed the prayer of Peter and John, that the Samaritans would "receive the Holy Spirit." But here it says that if you say "Jesus is Lord," the Holy Spirit made you do it.

This is good and it clarifies things. If you are in Christ, it implies, then you're okay. That is: saved, forgiven, will inherit eternal life.

But now, "receive" the Holy Spirit may be something else: that thing that manifests itself in the acts of Christ Himself: healing, prophesying, teaching, leading, serving. 

The passage talks about the value of all of the members of the Body of Christ. You should not focus on what divides you from other believers (i.e., politics). Even the "far right" or "far left" denomination or church has a place with you. 

And maybe this is the ultimate Holy Spirit evidence: unity.

Even Beasts

"...you save both man and beast, O Lord."

 - Psalm 36

Continuing with the thread of God's filial love for His people; He loves us so much, He wants to marry us. But not, obviously, in a human, or carnal sense, which would be "eros" love, but in a godly, unselfish, "agape" love form.

He wants us exceedingly happy. But He wants us to be dignified, humble creatures, as He is. And He wants us to be humble, not so He can feel more puffed up and superior around us. Rather, because God knows that humility is the way to be happy. If you seek nothing in return, if you just want to give, and if your love is not motivated by the physical or sensual response we are likely to get in return, well . . . that's not "love" at all. Yes, our society is in the middle of a historically-distracting conversation about the meaning of "love," and we're defining it the wrong way. We're letting the most human conception of "love," even drive public policy!

An interesting statement in today's reading: to the questions: are animals saved? Will we see our favorite pets in eternity? No question. God wants us happy. But it says here, that God saves the "beast" as well as humanity. 

"Beast" covers a lot of territory. For, when they kill, for survival, "they know not what they do."

Interesting . . . 

Marriage

"...for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married."

 - Isaiah 62

The ultimate wish for God and Israel, is to become "married" to the land of Israel.

What? If marriage is defined as we have come to define it in human history, then the connotation is all sexual. It's what people do, not when they're really "in love," but when they can't wait any longer to consummate their relationship. Or if they have already done that ahead of time, it gives their relationship some legitimacy. That is, if the copulating couple have scruples.

No, that can't be what is meant by "marriage," in God's eyes. It does make sexual activity "legal."

But there is much more. It's a full union. Something that cannot be separated. Period.

What we want is for someone that will never leave us. That's love./

Never. Leave. Us.

That's what God promises. It's the solution to all our insecurities. It's our deepest desire.

It's love.

It's marriage.

Receiving the Holy Spirit. Hmmm . . .

"The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit . . . "

 - Acts 8

Here we have Peter and John, having heard that people in Samaria were accepting Christ, going on down to see for themselves. They found out that as yet, the people had only been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. So . . . therefore . . . 

They laid hands on the people and prayed that they receive the Holy Spirit.

Then what? They received the Holy Spirit.

When's the last time you prayed that someone receive the Holy Spirit? Very interesting. It does not mean they necessarily began speaking in tongues, or healing the sick. In this case, it does not mean anything in particular, except that the received the Holy Spirit.

And so I got to thinking - perhaps I will try praying that others receive the Holy Spirit, and kinda leave it at that!

What do you think? Have you received the Holy Spirit? Do you dare ask someone to lay hands on you and ask that you have that very experience? It would be something!

Water

 "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters" - Psalm 29

The baptism of Christ.

Throughout Scripture, water is viewed as central to nature, and to redemption.

Water is a powerful, destructive force. It also is the source of life. If water is present, then life can thrive.

What a great analogy to God's word, His love, His plan!

How can a loving God permit . . . ?

Indeed. How can such a pure, essential element as water, also be so terrifyingly deadly?

And that would seem to be the point.

Fear Not

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

Isaiah 43

At the start of Epiphany, we have a promise: God has called us by name. He claims us as His own.

We celebrate the baptism of Christ this week. His first act of public obedience. He modeled humility, by putting his salvation in the hands of a man, John the Baptist.

This act of baptism, this ritual cleansing and symbol of life after death, is the thing that seals us as God's own.

It's a new year. The point is: "fear not."

The Mystery: Good

"...to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things..."

Ephesians 3

Throughout the readings on Epiphany - today - you see the word "mystery." God's plan is a mystery. It is not clear, not evident, not obvious.

It is clear that there is God, that He has a plan, that he's involved. But what is not clear is what the plan is, exactly. we know that the plan is centered in Christ; and that the big goal is eternal life (infinite possibilities in infinite combinations). 

Let me pause to discuss this infinite possibilities part. Humanity is so restless. We want to be able to have what we want. And we want it now. I believe it is all possible in eternity. But in this life we must learn discipline. We must learn self-control, obedience, humility, purity. But in eternity it's all open to us. If we long for something that we can't have, or can't have easily, it doesn't mean the longing is wrong. It just means that perhaps it is something we must wait for. And the waiting makes it more than worthwhile.

But the mystery in Christ - - - that's an exciting thing. God made us love mysteries, and He gave us the greatest mystery of all: what's it going to be like?

And so as we pass from the season of lights, to the season of mystery, we look ahead to the revealing of God's plan, in Christ. And we return to the knowledge that the Bethlehem cycle takes us forward to a place we have known: where we encounter God, and it fascinates us, and we want more.

"He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy. He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight."

    - Psalm 72

Paramount to God's plan, is the care for the needy and oppressed. It is obviously a priority to Him. Throughout the Old Testament, which modern deniers love to quote and point out "inconsistencies" is this concept: care for the needy.

On Epiphany, the coming of the Wise Men . . . three men that had power and wealth, we see the emphasis on the care of the needy. His whole point was to save the helpless, and there, bowing before a child, are three men that have it made, in a worldly sense.

And so, we have seen the light. These are the darkest nights of the year. But the light is here.