Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Being Sick

Are We Unique?

I hate being sick. Of course I personally have not met anyone who LIKES being sick. There is nothing unique about having a bad cold. Just about everyone I know has had one at one time or another. Yet, I am pretty sure no one on earth has suffered as badly as I have during this current illness.

Of course this is absolutely not true. There are millions of people who suffer more than I have. But it is interesting how quickly and easily I can fall into the “woe is me” frame of mind. Jesus said, “for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) I am sure this is the same for colds.

My Lenten reflection, ironically, has been the idea of what is unique about being a Christian. It many ways to the outside world there is nothing unique about it. Our bodies outwardly look the same as everyone else’s, our behavior generally is the same, and we seem to get colds the same way as others. There is not any advantage we have over non-Christians. Some Christians are rich, some are poor, some are athletically gifted, most are not, and some do well and some do badly. We are hard pressed to be able to point to someone in the crowd and say, “there’s a Christian!” That person could just as easily be an atheist, non-believer, or a follower of something else entirely.

So, do I deserve to have a cold? Probably. Because I have faith, should that protect me from illness? No, obviously. So, why me? Well, why not me?

The uniqueness of being a follower of Christ is the fact that we are called to see the truth of things. That yes indeed we suffer the same way as everyone else, but we have a hope beyond this suffering. We have knowledge and a promise that pulls us into a future of peace. Isaiah 65:19-20 teaches us that God will rejoice in his creation, and delight in his people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard, or the cry of distress. No more shall an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime. We live with this knowledge in mind and also know that this too shall pass. I may at this moment not be convinced that this cold will go away, but that is okay. I have a promise that reminds be there are better days ahead.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Ashes

Before I start mixing palm ashes and olive oil to the perfect texture for marking foreheads with a deep black cross, I pray.


For some this might not be a big surprise, pastors always pray, right?

Well, you would think so. But, the reality is, just like everyone else, a pastor can get distracted by busy work that at the time seems more important than prayer: fixing a bulletin, answering the phone, responding to email, encouraging the person who just dropped by, developing a lesson plan, forming an agenda, etc. For some reason, we all fall into the same sinful trap of busyness (business?). We somehow think that our busyness is the important thing. 

Then we are confronted with ashes.

It is no secret as to why we begin the Lenten season with ashes. It is a way to shock the system into the true reality, the reality that is of God. We are creatures who will die just like every other creature. We are no different. The homeless schizophrenic has the same future as the President of these United States. There is an immense humbling that has to take place for us to give up the plastic world we call 'reality' and embrace the skin carapace that will rot someday.

It is no wonder so many avoid this day. Who wants to be reminded that they are dirt? Who wants to be reminded that they will die?

And so I pray before I mix the ashes and olive oil to the perfect texture for marking foreheads. I pray:

Lord God, thank you for marking us with the cross of Christ at our baptisms. But this day I pray to help those who will be scored with these ashes to give up their old Adams and their old Eves and live without fear, anger, hostility, paranoia, or antipathy. Help us embrace the works of the spirit instead: courage, joy, friendship, love, and sympathy. In the name of the one who overcame death for our sake, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Two uses of the Law


One of the more important theological statements for Lutherans is the Doctrine of the Two uses of the Law (There is no third use! I chose this reading because it shows how convoluted theologians can get trying to explain this so called third use). It from this doctrine that we come to more fully realize who we are to God and how we are to be in the world.

First use of the law: Theological - to show us our sins, to remind of us of how we fall short of righteousness. It drives us to the cross, as Luther teaches.
We cannot fully satisfy the law. 
For "no human being will be justified in his sight" by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. (Rom 3:20) Therefore, Christ died for us because of this knowledge, that we fall short of the glory of God.  I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. (Rom 7:15-17)
Second use of the law: Civil/Political - to teach and guide us in how we are to attempt to behave in the world.

So the Ten Commandments on other laws help us to define what it means to live in community and what we need to do to ensure the protection of the individual and the health of the whole. 
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Rom 12:18)
We never climb out of under either of the uses of the law. We are continually reminded of how horrible we are and why we need Christ, and we are so selfish that we need to be taught over and over how one ought to behave.


This doctrine helps me so much in my faith walk. It drives me to my knees and it drives me to benefit my neighbor. It opens me to the workings of Christ and it opens my eyes to the truth of this world.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Polarities and the Congregation

Too many times when there is a problem we try to solve it without understanding. Many conflicts in a congregation stem from trying to solve issues with finality. Take these two realities and you have a pretty messed up congregation.

There are traditionally two types of problems: Problems that need to be solved or brought to completion and problems that need to be managed. The first type we all are familiar: The cat needs to be fed, put food in bowl, cat is fed. The second type is fairly alien to most. This kind of problem has no solution. In fact the second type of problem is only dealt with by acknowledging that there are two right answers and they are independent and mutually dependent on each other.

Example: Does the law protect the individual or the community? The answer is that the law does both. This is called a polarity - two opposing but equal answers. To manage this polarity the law must balance concerns of the individual with concerns for the community. When one polarity is favored over the other we have serious problems. Another pastor's take.

In the church we have many such polarities: Law and Gospel, Sinner and Saint, Caffeinated or Decaffeinated. These are issues that need to be managed not solved. One of the most difficult polarities a congregation deals with is hospitality.

Hospitality is the main issues Jesus teaches us about throughout the four gospels. Who is my neighbor? In a congregation we often find that we have a collapsed polarity: Strangers and Members. Often the hospitality polarity is collapsed toward the members. We are quick to support, pray for, celebrate with, and lift up our fellow members in the congregation. But the other polarity needs to be attended to just as vigorously if a congregation is to fulfill its mission and  ministry.

Are there other polarities in a congregation that needs to be managed so that she can be healthy?