August 10, 2014 Proper 14A / Ordinary 19A / Pentecost +9
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Romans 10:5-15 Matthew 14:22-33
Such a crazy and hectic week this has been and I haven’t had a chance to do the reflection on the readings… yet… but at the last minute I feel that I just have to reflect in the readings might give some perspective to the crazy week that was.
And sure enough I find the Gospel reading of Jesus walking on the water and Peter going out to him. Peter stepped out in faith and then being pounded by the wind and the waves he begins to fear. Yes, this is how it is. We set out on our way, thinking- no, actually knowing, that we are walking in the way that God wants, but let me tell you that mighty wind and those fearsome waves can certainly cause more than a momentary distraction from the path before us.
Our first reading is that famous story of Joseph and his equally famous coat. Joseph was the favourite… the “golden” child. He may well have been a little coddled and pampered, but he was also a person of good and noble character, which he possessed in such abundance that his faith in God and good character remained true and strong even under the pressure of the injustices and the seductions that presented themselves to him in Egypt.
This Joseph was a man who learnt that the waves and the wind that cause us such disillusion at times, can actually be purposeful in the hands of God.
So…. How are you going at this moment in time?
On a Global scale, we hear the stories of the Malaysian airlines tragedy and then the absolute terror that is happening in the Middle East. More and more people from so many places are seeking asylum and yet many people in our country keep saying, “it isn’t our fight… it is someone else’s… let them fight it out themselves…”
On a more personal level, I keep hearing stories from people who are going through all kinds of sudden catastrophes. My Facebook status last night was that I feel like the universe is out of alignment.
Yes, certainly there are waves that battle and war against us and just like a wave in the ocean, just as you regain footing from being knocked off your feet from one wave, then next one crashes. I don’t know about you, but at times like that you are forced to find strength in you that you didn’t think you had…. And then you begin to realize that you are really exhausted.
Our Gospel holds the most important message that we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, but there is something else. ..
Even this great man, Peter, who so trusted in Jesus, that he climbed out onto the water himself, became afraid.
We need not feel like failure when we are afraid or exhausted. It is a simple fact of life, but be encouraged by the fact that the VERY most important message of this Gospel story is that when Peter failed, and began to sink he called out for help and that is when Jesus reached out and held him.
The thread that weaves through all our readings for this Sunday is about being sent.
Joseph was sent ahead of his family to provide a way for them to have food and a place of safety during the years of famine. Joseph had to stand firm and endure the waves that battered him and God brought about, not only his own salvation, but the salvation of his whole family.
Peter was the great apostle who would lead many other apostles. To be an apostle is to be one who is “sent”. We see this link between calling on the Lord and being sent in our reading from Romans:
Romans 10:12 - 15 “There is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is Lord of all. He richly blesses everyone who calls on him. Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How can they call on him unless they believe in him? How can they believe in him unless they hear about him? How can they hear about him unless someone preaches to them? And how can anyone preach without being sent? It is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!””
We are also people whose lives have been touched by God and we are also “sent”. We are sent to be bearers of the Good News. We are sent to be the hands and feet of Jesus. If those great people of old who were sent, experienced the bombardment of waves and wind, rejection, betrayal and injustices, we need to take note of their story and encouragement from them for when this happens in our own lives.
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
We continue to hear horror stories of the Middle East and we continue to experience our own battles. Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and stand firm. But most important of all; when we begin to fall as the wind and waves of the battle war against us, call out to God for help. For in that cry, and not in our own strength, is our salvation.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Friday, August 1, 2014
"Blessings in the night" Reflection for 3rd August 2014
Proper 13A/Ordinary 18A/Pentecost +8 August 3, 2014
Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 9:1-8 (9:16) Matthew 14:13-21
This reflection comes to you rather late and perhaps that is very apt as I notice a common thread throughout each reading…..
The scripture stories that we enter for this weekend are that of Jacob wrestling with God; Paul in anguish over those descendants of Abraham who’ve not accepted Christ; and then we have the Gospel reading about the feeding of about five thousand men (not to mention the number of accompanying women and children)
In our first reading Jacob wrestles with God through the night. In our Psalm, the psalmist tells us in Psalm 17, verse 3, “If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
Our reading from Romans doesn’t actually mention night, but it does give us some insight into the lives of Esau and Jacob which we will look at later.
Now here is the interesting thing which I’d not noticed previously; In our Gospel reading we find that night is near.
Matthew 14:15a “As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late.”
I had always imagined this amazing miracle to have taken place in the middle of the day, but here we read that it was evening when the miraculous feeding took place.
Why is the theme of darkness significant?
We all have our times of shadow or darkness. These are the times when we can’t see clearly…. These are the times that we struggle.
To give you some understanding of Jacob’s struggle let me give you some of the background; He was a man who had set out from his home a number of years ago feeling like he had to manipulate and deceive so as to grab any opportunity for a successful life. God visited him at Bethel with the vision of Angels ascending and descending to give him the message that he was chosen and gave him a sense of identity in God, but after being mistreated for many years by his father-in-law, he set out to make a life on his own- along with his two wives, handmaids and various sons, servants, cattle and sheep.
He had left his father-in-law without telling him and had been pursued and accused of stealing. This night he knew he was about to face his brother from whom he had contrived the birthright, and who had threatened to kill him.
Jacob had his father-in-law behind him and his brother in front, both somewhat unhappy with him, even though he’d made some kind peace with his father-in-law and sent gifts ahead to appease his brother. In more ways than one the darkness was falling and Jacob was alone struggling with his sense of God’s promise and the reality of the threat behind and in front of him.
Somehow Jacob’s struggle becomes a physical manifestation and he wrestles with a man until daybreak.
Genesis 32:24-31 “Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.”
It seems to be true for all of us that we have times of struggle and it is often not until we are at our wits end, that somehow there is a break though. And it would seem that Jacob was difficult for God to break through to! Jacob would not give up, would not submit, and then would not let go until there was a blessing.
In the blessing was a change of name which indicated the sureness of a future. Jacob the deceiver becomes Israel- meaning he struggles with God. Another interesting point is that Jacob now had a permanent limp. If he had any thoughts for fighting his brother, not only had he not slept, but he was injured. Jacob realized that he had been wrestling with God and had now been most assuredly blest…. He didn’t dream it or imagine it and he couldn’t forget it because his limp would be a constant reminder. He also had to trust God and not his own strength with facing the present threat of his brother.
What did Jacob do to deserve such privilege?
Nothing.
Often we read about the lives of the prophets and see that God has organized their lives with events to teach us about him and Jacob / Israel teaches us that God chooses us because he loves us and not because of any good thing that we do. We have this confirmed in our reading from Romans;
Romans 9:14-16 “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”
In our Gospel reading we find that Jesus was trying to escape the crowds, but because of his compassion he stays and speaks and heals them. Then night descends…. They are approaching a time of having to leave his presence and face the terrors of the night. It is then, as the night approaches that they are abundantly fed. It is not because they deserved this miraculous blessing, but because they were there and they were holding on to him.
In our “night time”, as we wrestle over the issues and fears that threaten us, do we hold tight to him who can bless us?
There is another aspect to consider. Jacob was well aware of how imperfect he was. He knew that he didn’t deserve God’s blessing. He had deceived many, how could he now ask God for a blessing?
I’ve come across people over the years who fell into the habit of working for God in their own way, because they were aware of the short comings. They hoped that in some way they could earn a blessing from God by making up for past mistakes in this way.
The truth is that we all have short comings – all fall short of the glory of God, which is why Jesus came. And in our Gospel story we see the compassion and love that Jesus has on the many and varied good and bad people with their different levels of understanding and faith. In that moment of darkness he blesses abundantly with the resources to face the future.
We need to understand that this is the message for us. In our “night time”, we must hold on to God and we’ll discover that his blessing will be abundant provision to face the future.
Abide with me; Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 17:1-7, 15 Romans 9:1-8 (9:16) Matthew 14:13-21
This reflection comes to you rather late and perhaps that is very apt as I notice a common thread throughout each reading…..
The scripture stories that we enter for this weekend are that of Jacob wrestling with God; Paul in anguish over those descendants of Abraham who’ve not accepted Christ; and then we have the Gospel reading about the feeding of about five thousand men (not to mention the number of accompanying women and children)
In our first reading Jacob wrestles with God through the night. In our Psalm, the psalmist tells us in Psalm 17, verse 3, “If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress.”
Our reading from Romans doesn’t actually mention night, but it does give us some insight into the lives of Esau and Jacob which we will look at later.
Now here is the interesting thing which I’d not noticed previously; In our Gospel reading we find that night is near.
Matthew 14:15a “As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late.”
I had always imagined this amazing miracle to have taken place in the middle of the day, but here we read that it was evening when the miraculous feeding took place.
Why is the theme of darkness significant?
We all have our times of shadow or darkness. These are the times when we can’t see clearly…. These are the times that we struggle.
To give you some understanding of Jacob’s struggle let me give you some of the background; He was a man who had set out from his home a number of years ago feeling like he had to manipulate and deceive so as to grab any opportunity for a successful life. God visited him at Bethel with the vision of Angels ascending and descending to give him the message that he was chosen and gave him a sense of identity in God, but after being mistreated for many years by his father-in-law, he set out to make a life on his own- along with his two wives, handmaids and various sons, servants, cattle and sheep.
He had left his father-in-law without telling him and had been pursued and accused of stealing. This night he knew he was about to face his brother from whom he had contrived the birthright, and who had threatened to kill him.
Jacob had his father-in-law behind him and his brother in front, both somewhat unhappy with him, even though he’d made some kind peace with his father-in-law and sent gifts ahead to appease his brother. In more ways than one the darkness was falling and Jacob was alone struggling with his sense of God’s promise and the reality of the threat behind and in front of him.
Somehow Jacob’s struggle becomes a physical manifestation and he wrestles with a man until daybreak.
Genesis 32:24-31 “Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.”
It seems to be true for all of us that we have times of struggle and it is often not until we are at our wits end, that somehow there is a break though. And it would seem that Jacob was difficult for God to break through to! Jacob would not give up, would not submit, and then would not let go until there was a blessing.
In the blessing was a change of name which indicated the sureness of a future. Jacob the deceiver becomes Israel- meaning he struggles with God. Another interesting point is that Jacob now had a permanent limp. If he had any thoughts for fighting his brother, not only had he not slept, but he was injured. Jacob realized that he had been wrestling with God and had now been most assuredly blest…. He didn’t dream it or imagine it and he couldn’t forget it because his limp would be a constant reminder. He also had to trust God and not his own strength with facing the present threat of his brother.
What did Jacob do to deserve such privilege?
Nothing.
Often we read about the lives of the prophets and see that God has organized their lives with events to teach us about him and Jacob / Israel teaches us that God chooses us because he loves us and not because of any good thing that we do. We have this confirmed in our reading from Romans;
Romans 9:14-16 “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”
In our Gospel reading we find that Jesus was trying to escape the crowds, but because of his compassion he stays and speaks and heals them. Then night descends…. They are approaching a time of having to leave his presence and face the terrors of the night. It is then, as the night approaches that they are abundantly fed. It is not because they deserved this miraculous blessing, but because they were there and they were holding on to him.
In our “night time”, as we wrestle over the issues and fears that threaten us, do we hold tight to him who can bless us?
There is another aspect to consider. Jacob was well aware of how imperfect he was. He knew that he didn’t deserve God’s blessing. He had deceived many, how could he now ask God for a blessing?
I’ve come across people over the years who fell into the habit of working for God in their own way, because they were aware of the short comings. They hoped that in some way they could earn a blessing from God by making up for past mistakes in this way.
The truth is that we all have short comings – all fall short of the glory of God, which is why Jesus came. And in our Gospel story we see the compassion and love that Jesus has on the many and varied good and bad people with their different levels of understanding and faith. In that moment of darkness he blesses abundantly with the resources to face the future.
We need to understand that this is the message for us. In our “night time”, we must hold on to God and we’ll discover that his blessing will be abundant provision to face the future.
Abide with me; Fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide!
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
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