Love makes it possible to be different and to be one

Morning: Psalms 30, 32; Ezekiel 39:21-29; Philippians 4:10-20

Evening: Psalms 42, 43; John 17:20-26

Jesus says he is ‘one’ with God and prays we will be ‘one’ with each other. What is it, to be ‘one’? Is it agreeing, or thinking the same way, or being of one mind? Jesus points to a deeper unity - of the heart. When you are of one heart, you don’t need to agree; it’s often richer when you don’t. Then, to be ‘one’ is to be bound by Love. To be one in uniformity - thinking or acting the same - requires nothing of you. Unity in diversity requires Love.

Think about these things

Morning: Psalms 95, 31; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Philippians 4:1-9

Evening: Psalm 35; John 17:9-19

St. Paul’s words to the church at Philippi have moved me ever since I first found them.  These words have influenced my life significantly and I have no better words to offer to you today than these: “Rejoice in God always. Let your gentleness be known to everyone ... beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Sent from God ... true or false?

Morning: Psalm 37:1-18; Habakkuk 3:1-18; Philippians 3:12-21

Evening: Psalm 37:19-42; John 17:1-8

True or false? You don’t want to be fooled into believing someone is true when they are not. When someone you thought was great is revealed as a fraud, you feel betrayed. Usually you can tell truth from falsehood, but there have been times when your instincts let you down. You wouldn’t want to make another mistake, so you are guarded when people make outlandish claims. What does your gut tell you about Jesus being ‘sent from God’? Do you believe he is true? If so, consider how astounding that is. What difference does it make that you believe it?

How are the mighty fallen

Morning: Psalms 95, 32, 143; Amos 5:6-15; Hebrews 12:1-14

Evening: Psalms 102, 130; Luke 18:9-14

“How are the mighty fallen!” Thus, David laments the death of his dear friend Jonathan. The phrase is also used to refer to political figures, popular celebrities and religious leaders who fall from power or from grace with alarming frequency. When you are ‘elevated’ you have far to fall. And when you exalt yourself, your fall is assured. The Bible is full of warnings about pride: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” ... These are natural consequences. Lent begins today with a wise caution against putting yourself or anyone else on a pedestal.

What is truth? ... Not propositions but a real person

Morning: Psalms 26, 28; Proverbs 30:1-4, 24-33; Philippians 3:1-11

Evening: Psalms 36, 39; John 18:28-38

“What is truth?” Pilate asks Jesus. You get the strong sense that he does not think there is any such thing. Pilate may imagine that truth is a set of propositions, but we all know that what is true from one perspective may be questionable from another. Now, Jesus says he came to bear witness to the truth, and, in another place, Jesus says that he himself is the truth. According to this, truth is found not in propositions but in a person who is real ... Get to know Jesus and you will get to know what truth is.

When the cock crows

Morning: Psalm 25; Proverbs 27:1-12; Philippians 2:1-13

Evening: Psalms 9, 15; John 18:15-18, 25-27

The cock crowing when Peter denies Jesus is memorable. Perhaps because we all resonate with the experience - of being betrayed and of betraying a person or an ideal. Someone promises to do something crucial and lets you down; or you commit to something and fail. The utterly desolate feeling of the experience of betrayal (on both sides) is a central part of the story of Jesus. Why? ... because as many times as Peter betrays Jesus, Jesus reassures him of his love. Will I respond to betrayal - my own and that of others - with the same grace?

Lose yourself for the sake of love ... and find yourself

Morning: Psalms 148, 149, 150; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Evening: Psalms 114, 115; Luke 9:18-27

Some people rally to Wet'suwet'en First Nation’s action to preserve traditional lands, water and air from environmental degradation. Others redraw the lines of hatred between settlers and indigenous peoples. Politicians complain of “inconvenience to ordinary Canadians”, thereby ignoring the long suffering of first peoples, who are also “ordinary Canadians”. Jesus teaches that letting go of our priorities for Love’s sake will heal us. If we “ordinary Canadians” can recognize the profound suffering of first peoples caused by settler culture ... if we can ‘let go’ of prejudice and entitlement, we ourselves will begin to heal through this work of reconciliation.

Setting priorities

Morning: Psalm 107:33-43; Genesis 35:1-20; I John 3:11-18

Evening: Psalm 33; John 11:1-16

When obligations conflict, you weigh your priorities. Jesus risked death, appearing in public to save Lazarus. His disciples wanted to protect him, but Jesus’s mission to demand justice from the political and religious authorities was more urgent. By raising Lazarus from the dead, he would demonstrate that threats of death from misguided and unjust authority would not stand in his way. He would defeat the power of death on the Cross. Moreover, Jesus’s quest for justice and his victory over the power of death now help us to set priorities for our lives that will bring the earth to wholeness.

Just your believing what you do may scare some people

Morning: Psalm 102; Genesis 32:22-33:17; I John 3:1-10

Evening: Psalm 107:1-32; John 10:31-42

Why stone Jesus because he believes he is one with God? Is he a threat? Recently, Muslims, Jews and Christians have been murdered for what they believed. Why would someone kill you for simply being yourself, especially if they thought you were deluded? Maybe they fear that your beliefs are actually true, and that they themselves are deluded? It may be more convenient to ignore or wipe out the truth than to adapt one’s beliefs to fit the truth. Be prepared ... for resistance or unpleasantness from people who feel themselves threatened by what you believe.

From fragmentation to unity

Morning: Psalms 105:1-22; Genesis 32:3-21; I John 2:18-29

Evening: Psalm 105:23-45; John 10:19-30

Yesterday evening, I was on a long drive, listening to the radio. One interview in particular caught my attention ... with a scientist  who believes that the impact of our screen habits (I’m on a screen as I write this!) - phones, TVs, tablets, computers - is to cause our lives and our thoughts to become more and more fragmented into short unrelated segments. Jesus declares he is ‘at one’ with the creative power of the universe; his Way leads out of fragmentation into unity of being.

The Love that confronts violence and injustice

Morning: Psalms 101, 109; Genesis 31:25-50; I John 2:12-17

Evening: Psalm 119:121-144; John 10:1-18

John uses powerful metaphors to help our imaginations grasp who Jesus is. It’s hard to pin Jesus down or do him justice ... he is the ‘gate’ who opens up opportunities for me; he is ‘the good shepherd’ who ‘lays down (his) life for the sheep’. He shows me where to find food for my soul, and sacrifices his life for me ... I cannot say exactly what this means, but I believe it’s that the Love of the Creator of the Cosmos nurtures you and me and confronts violence and injustice on our behalf.

Amazing Grace ... I was blind, but now I see

Morning: Psalms 97, 99; Genesis 31:1-24; I John 2:1-11

Evening: Psalm 94; John 9:18-41

John Newton, slave trader turned Anglican priest, wrote “Amazing Grace”. Blind to the evils of the slave trade, he continued to buy and sell slaves even after his conversion to Christianity. Gradually - it took 20 years - he saw his error; then, he actively sought to end the slave trade. His famous line, “I was blind but now I see”, comes from the Bible story about the man born blind whom Jesus healed. Newton only knew he had been ‘blind’ after he could finally ‘see’. He didn’t know how it happened; he just knew that it was by ‘grace’.

Born to see ... more to Jesus than meets the eye

Morning: Psalm 89:1-18; Genesis 30:1-24; I John 1:1-10

Evening: Psalm 89:19-52; John 9:1-17

The man born blind fits the larger purpose of John’s Gospel - he reveals that Jesus brings light to the world. Ironically, with Jesus, unlikely people see this light while the religious are blind to it; the blind see while those who think they see are blind! ... In fact, it’s often the religious who judge some people as unacceptable to God! But there is more to Jesus than meets the eye, especially if you’re blinded by religious ideas or other prejudices about him. Take another look at Jesus ... without a doubt, you will see something you missed.

Why work hard to be rich and not be whole?

Morning: Psalms 66, 67; Genesis 29:30-35; 1 Timothy 3:14-4:10

Evening: Psalms 19, 46; Mark 10:23-31

Jesus is blunt ... it’s hard for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of God. This is not about morality or ‘going to heaven’, but about being a whole human being. If you want fullness of life, pursuing wealth may be a dead end. Jesus didn’t say it’s wrong to pursue wealth; you can do that with a clear conscience, but it may convince you that wealth is itself the measure of a successful life. Folks who serve that illusion - and it’s hard not to - cannot be whole. Consider well, says Jesus ... you only get one life.

I will find who I am in the mystery of Love

Morning: Psalms 87, 90; Genesis 29:1-20; Romans 14:1-23

Evening: Psalm 136; John 8:47-59

At the burning bush, God tells Moses: “I am who I am”, the mystery of creative Love. Jesus tells his questioners, “Before Abraham was, I am,” thus re-affirming that he cannot provide answers to a mystery. Instead of diving into the mystery of Jesus, they want to stone him because he claims equality with God. When I think I have all of life’s answers, I lose my curiosity about mystery; I stagnate and stop evolving. When, for me, God is the mystery of Love, I keep wondering, searching, expecting to be transformed by Love, ready to become who I am.

None so deaf as those who do not want to hear

Morning: Psalm 88; Genesis 27:46-28:4; Romans 13:1-14

Evening: Psalms 91, 92; John 8: 33-47

Have you ever been invited to hear a talk, but you closed your ears, or did not even attend, because you thought you had “heard it all before”? When Jesus offered people ‘freedom’, they said, ‘we have never been slaves’, thereby missing his whole point. Jesus was referring to being free from what afflicts you - fear, anger, hatred or greed. They can make you their slave, so you follow their dictates not your own will. You make them your own or they own you. To want freedom, you have to know you are a slave, and to what.

Discipline, Truth, Freedom

Morning: Psalms 146, 147; Genesis 27:30-45; Romans 12:9-21

Evening: Psalms 85, 86; John 8:21-32

Disciples have discipline. They learn, then act. Discipline is perseverance. It never expects easy wins, or quick fixes, or effortless understanding. A childhood friend of mine is a famous concert pianist - but he practised for 8 hours a day; he probably still does. Such discipline gives him the freedom to say, “You hum it, I’ll play it”, and then he does! Jesus realistically teaches his disciples that only by dedicating themselves resolutely to his teaching will they know truth and find freedom - the wise, free spiritual maturity that suffering cannot destroy, and that brings joy to the world.

The Way is revealed only by walking in it

Morning: Psalm 119:97-120; Genesis 27:1-29; Romans 12:1-8

Evening: Psalms 81, 82; John 8:12-20

They thought Jesus was out of touch with reality or trying to ‘con’ them! They doubted that he came from God. Consider, though, that he stood to gain nothing ... and then they crucified him! Yet still his Word of love, light and life endures. They demanded witnesses to testify on his behalf. Yet millions now trust in the Mystery of love revealed in him. Does their trust merely demonstrate how deluded they are? Or is Jesus the Way to true well-being, to light and life? Truth is, the Way is revealed only by walking in it. Step out, then!

Stones you throw at others land on you

Morning: Psalm 78:1-39; Genesis 26:1-33; Hebrews 13:17-25

Evening: Psalm 78:40-72; John 7:53-8:11

“People living in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” Growing up, it gradually dawned on me what this meant … You may build a protective shell around yourself to hide the truth about you, but it is as fragile as glass. As soon as you judge someone else, your protective shell shatters and the lies you have told yourself about your own innocence are exposed. Jesus’ teaching is consistent - your judgments of others point back at you. Stones you throw at others land on you. All of us have already fallen far short of the perfection we sometimes pretend.

He couldn’t be God in the flesh … could he!?

Morning: Psalm 80; Genesis 25:19-34; Hebrews 13:1-16

Evening: Psalm 77; John 7:37-52

When Jesus called out to the crowd in Jerusalem, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,” many of them recognized his words from the almost identical words of Isaiah, “let all who thirst come to the water!” The prophet was inviting the nation to come to God. Jesus says that if you come to him, your search will be over, you will find God here … Of course, that’s where all the trouble started for Jesus. They argued that a simple man from Galilee couldn’t be the Messiah, the one sent from God, God in the flesh. Could he?

God’s Dream … the Mystery of the Ways of Love

Morning: Psalms 93, 96; Genesis 24:50-67; 2 Timothy 2:14-21

Evening: Psalm 34; Mark 10:13-22

Heaven. Eternal Life. The Kingdom of God. Life in the Age. Salvation. The Bible uses many phrases to speak about an inexplicable Mystery. People wonder what they must do to find it. Modern gurus and spiritual guides call it satisfaction, happiness, fulfillment, wholeness, healing, a purpose-driven life. These are versions of God’s dream for humankind, a Mystery which we cannot achieve by our own efforts. Instead, we need the receptiveness of a child, the readiness to let go of our attachments so that we can follow in the Ways of Love through which Jesus reveals the Mystery.

You don’t need a degree to know basic human stuff

Morning: Psalms 75, 76; Genesis 24:28-38, 49-51; Hebrews 12:12-29

Evening: Psalms 23, 27; John 7:14-36

Jesus was a great teacher with no qualifications! We have professionalized our society so much that ordinary people believe that they are incompetent to do normal human things - be good parents, teach values to children, support people in grief or mental distress, or share faith. But we do not need parenting experts, professional educators, bereavement counsellors, psychiatrists or clergy to do everything for us. It is time we reclaimed the essential gifts of human community and human wisdom that come from a commitment to Soulful living and attentiveness to the Spirit, not only/even from books or specialized training.

Not everyone likes discipline but we all need it

Morning: Psalm 69:1-23; Genesis 24:1-27; Hebrews 12:3-11

Evening: Psalm 73; John 7:1-13

Disciples are those who live under discipline; they guide one another in living well. We do not always respond kindly to discipline. That requires humility and the willingness to accept correction. We may tend to avoid discipline. But the Letter to the Hebrews affirms: As a child needs discipline for a while from parents, so we all need discipline for the rest of our lives within an accepted sphere of accountability. A community that lives for Love is a good place to belong and to hold one another accountable. This is the kind of community Jesus encourages us to fashion.

The right way is not necessarily the most popular one

Morning: Psalms 70, 71; Genesis 23:1-20; Hebrews 11:32-12:2

Evening: Psalm 74; John 6:60-71

Many disciples turn away from Jesus - they don’t believe, or they fear the consequences of following him. The Letter to the Hebrews admits that Jesus’ Way is hard … but many, by following it, find life. Perhaps they suffer for their faith, but they keep on, believing in this good path. The right way in life is not necessarily the most popular one. The danger is that, instead of choosing a way that is vital and real, but risky, we choose nothing and safety. Ships are safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are for … nor people.

Faith … life is unimaginable without God

Morning: Psalm 72; Genesis 22:1-18; Hebrews 11:23-31

Evening: Psalm 119:73-96; John 6:52-59

Often, people of faith, especially in crisis, wonder, “What would I do without faith?” God is central to their understanding of life. Other people who declare, “I am an atheist,” never wonder, “What would life be like if I believed in God?” Strange … believers imagine un-faith, but non-believers do not imagine a life of faith! How is it that atheists can say that believers are just imagining things, if they themselves have not imagined life with God? … Hmmm? Makes your head spin! Does this mean life is actually unimaginable without God? Many have found it so.

True bread … food for a life that will endure

Morning: Psalms 61, 62; Genesis 21:1-21; Hebrews 11:13-22

Evening: Psalm 68; John 6:41-51

There really is nothing like bread! Jesus says he is ‘living bread .. from heaven’. Of course, Jesus never intended this literally. So, what is the ‘living bread’ in him that he says we should eat? It must be life-giving. There is a feast of good things in Jesus - like Love, Grace, Gentleness, Justice, Peace, Compassion, and Wisdom. If you ‘eat’ this feast, enjoy it like bread, you will step into a quality of life that God intends for everyone, from now on. You may die, but this quality of life that you are living will endure.

Work for ‘food’ that lasts

Morning: Psalms 56, 57, 58; Genesis 19:1-29; Hebrews 11:1-12

Evening: Psalms 64, 65; John 6:27-40

What are you working for? If your work pays the grocery bills and also satisfies your soul, you are fortunate that you found both in one job. But some take a dreary job and make it satisfying too. I worked engine-assembly at General Motors, soul-destroying work, to get me through school. But Ronnie, the 50-something guy next to me on the line, took interest in people, and in me. I looked forward to my days with him. Perhaps that is part of what Jesus meant when he said, “Work for food that lasts.” Thinking of Ronnie still makes me smile.

Jesus: the path to freedom

Morning: Psalms 42, 43; I Samuel 2:1-10; John 8:31-36

Evening: Psalms 48, 87; I John 3:1-8

They presented the infant Jesus in the Temple as a sign that the old Temple system - buying forgiveness through animal sacrifices - was over. People so frequently hurt themselves, others and the creation that, under that system, they needed to keep returning with new sacrifices! Jesus - as Christians understand his work - sacrifices his life to show that God does not need to be appeased by repeated sacrifices. The Love of Jesus’s self-sacrifice is the true and lasting source of our freedom. And self-sacrificing love will from now on always mark the path to human freedom.

The hope of freedom for the creation

Morning: Psalm 55; Genesis 18:1-16; Hebrews 10:26-39
Evening: Psalms 113, 122; I Samuel 1:20-28a; Romans 8:14-21

My son thinks there’s a trend in youth culture towards ‘embracing the dark side’. Maybe this reflects a healthy human need to acknowledge the shadowy aspects of life? But you can get lost in the shadows. St. Paul believes we humans long to truly live and to be free instead of being stuck in a rut until we die. The hope of freedom for the creation is to find ourselves delivered from the shadows by realizing that we are children of a Love that is greater than the little ‘gods’ we may have unconsciously served until now.