All Hallows’ Eve … a sweet taste of reality

Morning: Psalm 119:49-72; Revelation 12:1-6;

Eve of All Saints: Psalm 134; Wisdom 3:1-9; Revelation 19:1, 4-10

Like many former religious festivals, Hallowe’en is cute and happy.  The echoes of the old festival are there, though.  There are scary moments that reflect a little the timeless struggle with evil in the lives of many good folk.  As with Easter, when our great enemy, death, is put in its place, we need to sweeten some of life’s bitter realities with chocolate (well I do!), without forgetting why we celebrate those of our forebears who have suffered for goodness sake ... Why do we?  Isn’t it to give our children courage for the challenges they will face someday?

Keep your eyes open to wonder and belief

Morning: Psalm 45; Revelation 11:14-19

Evening: Psalms 47, 48; Luke 11:27-36

Whatever Jesus teaches, someone presses for more evidence to back up his claims.  He invites us to live in obedience to the truth we already know.  It is often like this ... People waste their time searching for some more agreeable truth, while the wisdom they need is right in front of them.  The call to change your whole life is hard ... it may be easier to remain sceptical than to trust.  But, says Jesus, do not close your eyes to wonder and belief; keep your life well lit, and do not ignore the light you already possess.

Jude … how to live well?

Morning: Psalm 66; Isaiah 28:9-16; Ephesians 4:1-16

Evening: Psalms 116, 117; John 14:15-31

Today is Saint Simon and Saint Jude’s Day.  Jude wonders how to live well.  Jesus says that loving him will help.  What is it, to love Jesus?  For me, it means loving what Jesus stands for.  In essence, Jesus stands for the renewal and healing of all life.  That will be costly, because some hang onto their own privileges at the expense of others’ lives. Jesus suffered and was killed because he loved his people. I love him for that.  And I pray that Love will ‘make its home’ in me; I will know then how to live.

Reach out and pray for Jewish friends today

Morning: Psalms 63, 98; I Corinthians 10:15-24

Evening: Psalm 103; Haggai 1:1-2:9; Matthew 18:15-20

Yesterday, a horrific shooting took the lives of 11 people at worship in a Pittsburg synagogue.  This act of hatred moves us to reach out with support and prayer for Jewish friends and neighbours.  Simply to say, “Well, it’s a violent world,” is to surrender to violence. Jesus teaches that when two disciples agree about something, their requests will be fulfilled. We surely agree, don’t we, that this violence must stop? … May we find strength and courage to resist the path of violence on every level, so that the Way of Peace may prevail.

The Lord’s Prayer … knock persistently

Morning: Psalm 30, 32; Revelation 10:1-11

Evening: Psalm 42, 43; Ezra 4:7, 11-24; Luke 11:1-13

A disciple asks Jesus to teach them all to pray.  Jesus gives a simple, rich prayer to help them become channels of love.  It is an unusual image for us … God as a sleepy father disturbed by a daughter or son he loves, or even by a stranger, in the middle of the night.  God is not only like a sleepy friend, of course.  But you can knock persistently and boldly anyway … insist on asking for what you need if you are to live well and serve the vision of God’s Kingdom on earth.

Jesus breaks old boundaries and taboos

Morning: Psalm 31; Revelation 9:13-21

Evening: Psalm 35; Ezra 3:1-13; Luke 10:38-42

Mary sits at Jesus’ feet not because she is an adoring admirer. Rather, she listens intently to the teacher because she herself wishes to become a teacher too.  Only a would-be rabbi sits at the rabbi’s feet – Jesus affirms her right to do this, thereby breaking down old boundaries and taboos. Mary steps (scandalously) into a space that is reserved for men, but her action is not like a modern feminist protest.  She is simply listening to the Good News of God’s overflowing love … Jesus never questions that both men and women should share this Good News with others.

But who is my neighbour?

Morning: Psalm 37:1-18; Revelation 9:1-12

Evening: Psalm 37:19-42; Ezra 1:1-11; Luke 10:25-37

Jesus’ Good Samaritan famously blows wide open what it means to be a neighbour. For Jesus, everyone is our neighbour. The religious people you expect to show neighbourliness instead ignore the plight of a man beaten by robbers.  But a Samaritan foreigner helps him.  Jesus changes forever the meaning of ‘neighbour’.  Likewise, the meaning of the commandment now shifts to become:  ‘Love everyone you meet as yourself.’  What an astoundingly difficult challenge!  Whenever we are able to obey this commandment, even in small ways, human society takes one more step in the direction of wholeness.

Overcoming the power of evil

Morning: Psalm 38; Revelation 8:1-13

Evening: Psalm 119:25-48; Luke 10:17-24

Often people trivialize Jesus by representing him as just some kind of self-help guru, who promotes the necessary steps to a better life.  The Gospels tell a different story … there, Jesus’ task it is to break the power of evil, by the mystery of the Cross.  Yet, for disciples of Jesus, the Cross is not the end of it.  God’s purpose, the banishing of evil, continues to work itself out in the lives of Jesus’ disciples, who must themselves confront the power of evil, until the work is done, and victory is won.

The situation is urgent and requires action now

Morning: Psalms 26, 28; Revelation 7:9-17;

Evening: Psalms 36, 39; Luke 10:1-16

When Jesus sends out 70 disciples on a mission, the situation is urgent … Some want full-scale war against Rome, but Jesus seeks ‘children of peace’.  The mission of the 70 has the urgent agenda of turning the people of Israel away from a potentially disastrous, violent conflict.  Our modern-day situation is no less urgent, if for very different reasons.  Disciples of Jesus are sent out now to engage with the world … to humanize our life; to be instruments of love, peace and justice; to resist the degradation and pollution of the earth; to be ‘children of peace.’

Priorities: Heart first; your feet will follow

Morning: Psalm 25; Revelation 7:1-8

Evening: Psalms 9, 15; Luke 9:51-62

Jesus’ invitation to follow him is often heard as a call to self-denial and sacrifice.  But I think it’s more like: Do you really trust me?  One man says, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  We don’t know if he does that after Jesus’ tells him he will need to be ready to rough it.  Two others have more important business right now.  But Jesus says, in effect: Here’s the thing … Let go and let God take care of your many concerns.  Draw strength from me.  A disciple puts heart first; your feet will follow your heart

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 11

Morning: Psalms 16, 17; Acts 28:1-6

Evening: Psalm 22; Luke 9:28-36

This morning … the short trip to the airport, and the long journey home.  Here, in Brazilian friends and companions on the human journey, we encountered kindness and generosity.  Just as Jesus was transfigured on the mountain and they saw him for who he was, we ourselves have caught a clearer glimpse of God in this encounter with our companions.  Question for us all:  Have you ever met another person who caused you to marvel at how their eyes sparkle with love, how warm is their welcome to you, how patient their listening ear?  Are you that person for someone?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 10

Morning: Psalm 103; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Luke 1:1-4

Evening: Psalms 67, 96; Isaiah 52:7-10; Acts 1:1-8

Today is St. Luke’s Day … St. Luke the beloved physician, the healer.  Our time here in Brazil is drawing to a close and today we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the parish of St. Luke in Marambaia.  That’s 50 years of faithful healing presence and love in one of the poorest and most troubled parts of the city of Belém – true cause for celebration.  Question:  Are there ways and situations you can identify now where you yourself could bring a healing presence?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 9

Morning: Psalm 119:1-24; Jonah 1:17 – 2:10; Acts 27:9-26

Evening: Psalms 12, 13, 14; Luke 9:1-17

Jesus empowered his disciples to go out and bring healing words and actions to the world around.  That’s what we’re talking about with our Brazilian friends here.  We have a lot in common … Just outside this retreat centre, the Amazon flows by, carrying over 20% of the world’s freshwater.  Back in Owen Sound, Georgian Bay stretches up into Lake Huron and the Great Lakes, which hold more than 20% of the world’s freshwater.  Question:  How might we seek to be empowered to preserve and care for the great treasures of natural beauty and wealth that surround us?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 8

Morning: Psalms 5, 6; Jonah 1:1-17a; Acts 26:24 – 27:8

Evening: Psalms 10, 11; Luke 8:40-56

There are many around Jesus who long to get close to him – a ruler of the synagogue, a poor woman with a bleeding disorder.  If I myself knew Jesus was in town today, I would be right there, wouldn’t you?  He still holds our imaginations and we perhaps wonder about his power to make things right on the human stage.  Here in Icoaraçi today I am asking myself a question:  What draws me still to Jesus?  What is it about him that can still help our world to find its way back to wholeness?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 7

Morning: Psalms 1, 2, 3; Micah 7:1-7; Acts 26:1-23

Evening: Psalms 4, 7; Luke 8:26-39

This is the first day of our retreat, at Mount Tabor retreat house in Icoaraçi, near Belém.  Marcelo Barros, a liberation theologian well known in Brazil, will lead us.  It is fitting that the Gospel today is about the man possessed by many demons – called “Legion”.  I think he is like the man in Stephen Leacock’s poem “who leapt on his horse and rode madly off in all directions.”  Jesus liberated the man possessed.  Question: Are there competing values and desires that tear you apart?  What would free you?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 6

Morning: Psalm 146, 147; Micah 6:1-8; I Corinthians 4:9-16

Evening: Psalm 111, 112, 113; Matthew 15:21-28

Today is the Círio de Nazaré – a small statue of Mary is carried through the streets, followed by nearly 2 million people!  Some people (mainly Protestant Christians) condemn this procession as a form of idolatry.  I actually believe it is a pure-hearted devotion of people to all that Mary represents – humility and openness to God’s will.  The Pharisees were ready to condemn those who did what they didn’t agree with … Jesus called them ‘blind guides’.  Question:  Are there judgments or prejudices you hold that prevent you from accepting the sincerity of any other human being?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 5

Morning: Psalms 137, 144; Micah 5:1-14, 10-15; Acts 25:13-27

Evening: Psalm 104; Luke 8:16-25

Today we will be on the River Guamá, one of the tributaries of the mighty Amazon, close here to where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.  We are to witness a procession of the faithful in boats down the River to the city of Belém.  I am mindful of today’s Gospel story of Jesus in the boat with his frightened disciples.  Question for you today:  What is it that makes you afraid?  Do you think faith could help you find courage?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 4

Morning: Psalms 140, 142; Micah 3:9-4:5; Acts 24:24 – 25:12

Evening: Psalms 141, 143:1-11; Luke 8:1-15

I was given an ‘anel de tucum’ a ring made from a large seed-pod of an Amazon tree.  Today, we visit a rainforest museum. The Amazon forest is truly the ‘lungs of the earth’, grown from seeds planted and evolved over millennia.  A forest is a fragile and beautiful thing; it takes a long time to grow – like a human life.  Question, from the Gospel today: What seed, already planted in your heart, wants to germinate and flourish in your life?  What do you need for that seed to grow?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 3

Morning: Psalms 131, 132, 133; Micah 3:1-8; Acts 24:1-23

Evening: Psalms 134, 135; Luke 7:36-50

Today we will visit the Basilica de Nazaré in Belém.  Nazareth in Bethlehem!  Here there are elements of the Christian story everywhere you turn.  It was Christians that brought slaves from Africa to this land of Brazil, it was Christians who dispossessed the indigenous peoples, here as in Canada.  There is much for Christians to repent of, and much to be forgiven. Today’s question (from the Gospel story of the woman who anoints Jesus’ feet might be – for all of us):  For what do I need to seek forgiveness?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 2

Morning: Psalm 119:145-176; Micah 2:1-13; Acts 23:23-35

Evening: Psalm 128, 129, 130; Luke 7:18-35

Today we will arrive in Belém (which is Portuguese for Bethlehem).  Bethlehem, in symbolic terms, is the place of expectancy, of new beginnings.  Interesting that in today’s Gospel John sends a question to Jesus: “Are you the one who is coming or should we expect another?”

A question for today: What do you expect from God, if anything?

Pilgrimage & Retreat: Day 1

Morning: Psalms 121, 122, 123; Micah 1:1-9; Acts 23:12-24

Evening: Psalms 124, 125, 126, 127; Luke 7:1-17

Tonight, I and 8 others from across the Anglican Diocese of Huron will embark on a Pilgrimage to Belém, Amazonia, Brazil to witness a major religious festival – the Círio de Nazaré – in which over 2 million people process through the streets of Belém.  Afterwards, we will participate in a 3-day retreat led by liberation theologian, Marcelo Barros. I invite you to join this spiritual pilgrimage with us, through questions we might explore together based on our daily readings … Questions for today: Jesus had spiritual authority:  Who has spiritual authority in my life? What does that mean for me?

Jesus and his words … a rock to build on

Morning: Psalm 106:1-18; Hosea 14:1-9; Acts 22:30-23:11

Evening: Psalm 106:19-48; Luke 6:39-49

Jesus says that acting on his words gives life a strong foundation, and that some disciples are hypocrites who call Jesus ‘Lord’ but do not obey his teaching … However, a disciple cannot know better than his teacher; if he thinks he does, he leads others into trouble. Good actions cannot come from a divided heart, because a divided heart is not able to distinguish good from evil.  The Way of Jesus is like a rock on which you can build a life; life’s other important decisions become clearer to you when you decide to build on that rock.

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Morning: Psalm 118; Hosea 13:4-14; I Corinthians 2:6-16

Evening: Psalm 145; Matthew 14:1-12

We pray to God that this Thanksgiving, we not just give thanks, but that we choose thanks … In God’s sacred generosity, we see that we live in an infinite circle of gratitude. We all are guests at a hospitable table around which gifts are passed and received. We will strive not to let anything opposed to love take over this table … we will pass gratitude on to the world … With all those gathered here, we pledge to make thanks … around this table, around the table of our nation, around the table of the earth. Amen.  

(This is an adaptation of a prayer by Diana Butler Bass, in her book: Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks)

The Way to real life … Love your enemies

Morning: Psalms 107:33-43, 108; Hosea 11:1-9; Acts 22:17-29

Evening: Psalm 33; Luke 6:27-38

Everything Jesus stands for runs counter to the usual norms by which human beings govern their lives.  Those norms include … hatred for enemies, revenge on abusers, and judgement of those who offend you.  But Jesus overturns this whole tit-for-tat system of human vengeance … Instead, love your enemies; do unto others as you would have them do to you; forgive.  Does this sound unreal or unrealistic?  Consider this … that what is most unreal and unrealistic is to perpetuate the cycle of human violence. Instead, love those who treat you badly.  Break the cycle.  Overcome hatred with Love.

What people call ‘the real world’ isn’t … yet

Morning: Psalm 102; Hosea 10:1-15; Acts 21:37-22:16

Evening: Psalm 107:1-32; Luke 6:12-26

Jesus’ goal is a better and brighter Day for the earth and its creatures. In that new reality, things are turned on their heads because our present reality is actually un-real.  In Jesus’ new reality, all is as it should be.  The poor, the hungry, those who weep and those whom the world hates - because of Jesus – are Blessed.  In Jesus’ new reality, the rich, the over-full, those who are laughing now, and those of whom all speak well will weep, because everything that is untrue to the true nature of things will in time be swept away.

Sometimes the law is … well, misunderstood

Morning: Psalm 105:1-22; Hosea 5:8-6:6; Acts 21:27-36

Evening: Psalm 105:23-45; Luke 6:1-11

It’s fitting that on St. Francis’ Day, in the Gospel, Jesus is challenging legalists about their misunderstanding of law: law supports people in doing good, rather than condemning them.  Francis deliberately turned things on their head too.  Faithful to Jesus, his Master, Francis prayed … “make me a channel of Peace; where there is hatred, let me sow Love; where there is injury, Pardon; where there is doubt, Faith; where there is sadness, Joy … O Master, Grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand.”  Amen to that.

Jesus calls those who need him … everyone!

Morning: Psalm 101, 109:1-30; Hosea 4:11-19; Acts 21:15-26

Evening: Psalm 119:121-144; Luke 5:27-39 

Jesus invites to follow him only people who really need what he has to offer.  As only the sick need a physician, so only those whose relationships with one another and with God are broken need the healing that Jesus brings. He doesn’t call righteous people, but sinners.  A strong theme in the Bible is that “none are righteous … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  By implication, that means Jesus calls everyone, because we all fall short of and betray our true selves; we all need the healing grace that Jesus brings.

Physical, spiritual, social … one interconnected whole

Morning: Psalms 97, 99; Hosea 4:1-10; Acts 21:1-14

Evening: Psalm 94; Luke 5:12-26

When Jesus healed people, he sometimes said their sin were forgiven.  Forgiveness is the healing of relationships. When Jesus heals people, they are usually restored to community – because sickness is very isolating.  Healing also restores people’s relationships with others and with God.  The distinctions between Body, Mind and Spirit are convenient ways of speaking, but they are misleading – all aspects of our humanity are part of one whole.  When one part is broken, the whole is compromised.  When one part is made whole, the rest benefits.  We are discovering the Creation is like that too … one interconnected whole.

Fair trade … I help you; you help me

Morning: Psalm 89:1-18; Hosea 2:14-23; Acts 20:17-38

Evening: Psalm 89:19-52; Luke 5:1-11

When Jesus gives unsolicited advice to a group of seasoned Galilee fishermen, they probably think, “Who does this carpenter think he is!?” or worse.  Simon is more polite in the story … “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”  Then they catch a couple of boatloads of fish.  The message? … Jesus can help us with our everyday work, and when that’s done, he may say, “Come with me. Don’t be afraid. I have something you can help me with now … people.”  Fair trade.