February 21, 2021 + The First Sunday in Lent

First Lutheran Church

February 21, 2021 + Lent 1B

Mark 1:9-15

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

12And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

14Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Sermon “Two Truths”

Pastor Greg Ronning

Every year on the first Sunday in Lent we hear the story commonly referred to as “The Temptation of Christ.”  The story of how Jesus must spend forty days in the desert wilderness enduring hunger, the harsh elements, and finally three great temptations before he can begin his public ministry.  The Common Lectionary, the three-year cycle of biblical readings that determine our appointed Sunday readings, tells us this story as found in Matthew, Luke, and Mark.  In Matthew and Luke, the Gospel writers describe Jesus’s ordeal in the desert in great detail.  This year’s appointed Gospel, the Gospel of Mark, known for its brevity, and getting straight to the point, boils it down to just one verse, “He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” 

The Gospel of Mark does not describe Jesus Temptation, but it does something more clearly than Matthew and Luke, it directly connects Jesus’ baptism and his time in the wilderness together.  In Mark after his baptism and the heavenly declaration, “This is my Beloved;” the spirit “immediately” drives Jesus out into the wilderness.  These events are two sides of the same coin.  Jesus must live in the tension of his baptism and repentance, beloved-ness and wilderness.

This is the holy tension we are invited to experience during the season of Lent.  It begins with Ash Wednesday when we humbly submit to ashes and the words, “You are dust and to dust you shall return.”  The tension highlighted again as an ashen cross is placed on our foreheads, placed over another cross that was traced in oil on the day of our baptism, the day when it was proclaimed that we too are “the beloved of God.” 

On Ash Wednesday, four years ago, I shared with you the story of an intriguing ritual attributed to an 18th Century Rabbi by the name of Simcha Bunem.  I share it with you again on this day in the hopes that it might become a practical way for you to engage the holy tension of your own Lenten journey. 

Rabbi Bunem carried two slips of paper with him, one in each pocket.  On one slip of paper, he had written the words, “For my sake the world was created!”  On the other slip of paper, he had written the words, “I am but dust and ashes.”  From time to time he would reach into one pocket, or the other, as necessary.  He taught that the secret to living a “good life” was knowing which pocket held the truth needed for the particular moment.

Rabbi Bunem’s ritual reminds us that we are called to live in the friction between these two truths, “For my sake the world was created,” and, “I am but dust and ashes.”  The secret to living a “good life” comes in knowing when, and which pocket, which truth, to embrace.

Some of us are quite comfortable with the idea that the world was created “just for me!”  And while its healthy to have a good sense of self, it’s not good when we develop a sense of “over entitlement,” it’s not good when we expect everything to revolve around us, it’s not good when we think we’re always right and everyone else is wrong, it’s not good when we forget about the needs of other people, it’s not good when we confuse privilege with blessing, it’s not good if its all, always, and in every way, - just about me.  It is in those moments, (and we all have them from time to time,) that we are called to reach into our pockets and be reminded, “I am but dust and ashes.”

“Dust and ashes” help us keep things in perspective, they keep our egos in check, they quiet us down and allow us to hear that still small voice of God, they help us take the humble stance of a servant, a pocket full of “dust and ashes” opens us up to the seemingly always unexpected presence of God and the calling of the Spirit in our life.

Yet some of us are all too familiar with “dust and ashes.” Sometimes it feels like that’s all we ever find in our pockets.  Life can be hard, and life can be hard on us.  And all too often we find ourselves overwhelmed with thoughts of shame, inadequacy, regrets, and insignificance. 

Those are the days we need to be reminded of the other truth, the one in that other pocket that for some reason we seem to forget, “For my sake the world was created.”  The truth found in this pocket reminds each of us that we were created in the very image of God, created in love for the purpose of love, for we are the beloved of God.

The principalities and powers, someone or something, (they) are always seeking to shame us, convince us that we have nothing to offer, and fill us with doubt and fear.  When you hear that voice in your head, or feel that evil in your heart, when those lies are spoken over you, (or within you), take a moment, reach into that pocket and then remember and boldly declare, “For my sake the world was created!”

On this first Sunday in Lent, in the proclamation of Mark’s Gospel, in the story that connects baptism to repentance, beloved-ness to wilderness; we are reminded that we too are called to live in the holy tension between these two truths.   We are called to live in the balance of these two things, “For my sake the world was created,” and, “I am but dust and ashes.”    The secret to living a “good life” comes in knowing when, and which one, to hold in your hand; commit to your heart; and embrace with your soul.

I plan to once again carry these “two truths” in my pockets as part of my Lenten discipline this year.  I am sure that I will need each one!  I invite you to join me.  May God bless our Lenten Journey. Amen.

“Two Truths”

I reach into my pocket, ashes and dust

Sometimes this life of mine is so screwed up

Into my pocket, ashes and dust

I reach into my pocket, the stars and the moon

Sometimes this life of mine’s a wondrous tune

Into my pocket, the stars and the moon

Two truths in my pocket

To hold and understand

Give me the wisdom to know ….

When and which one to hold in my hand

I reach into my pocket, ashes and dust

Sometimes my life’s so good I forget whom I trust

Into my pocket, ashes and dust

I reach into my pocket, the stars and the moon

Sometimes my life’s so desperate, and open wound

Into my pocket, the stars and the moon

Two truths in my pocket

To hold and understand

Give me the wisdom to know ….

When and which one to hold in my hand

The stars and the moon, ashes and dust

I carry both these things, their truth I trust

The stars and the moon, ashes and dust

Life in the balance, I turn around

In one or the other, the secret is found

In the balance, I turn around

Two truths in my pocket

To hold and understand

Give me the wisdom to know ….

When and which one to hold in my hand

I reach into my pocket, ashes and dust

I reach into my pocket, the stars and the moon

I reach into my pocket …

February 14, 2021 - Transfiguration Sunday

First Lutheran Church

February 14, 2021 - Transfiguration Sunday

2 Kings 2:1-12

1Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”

4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; be silent.”

6Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.

9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.” 10He responded, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not.” 11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12Elisha kept watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

 

 

 

Mark 9:2-9

2Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.

9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

“Peter Was Messy”

Pastor Jasmine Waring

If I was looking for a protege to carry on my work with excellence and integrity, I would choose Elisha. Elisha was Elijah’s devoted disciple, who was chosen by the LORD to become Elijah’s successor. We don’t know much about him during the years he served under Elijah, but we can see in the last moments Elijah and Elisha had together, we can see that Elisha was loyal, and passionate about the work they did. Elisha called Elijah his father, and we hear in this poetic storytelling the love, pain, and devotion he felt in these final moments.

“Stay here.” said Elijah.

“As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!”

“Did you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?”

“Of course I know, but be quiet about it.”

After Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, Elisha was tasked to carry on with Elijah’s work. He went from the quiet and devoted student and turned out to be one of the great prophets of Israel, performing miracles like healing the sick, multiplying  oil and food, even raising someone from the dead. Elisha was a protege anyone would be proud of.

Now, if this was a movie, we would fade out from this hi-light reel of Elisha, and fade into Jesus’ face on the mountain talking to Elijah and Moses. Moses, by the way, also had an awesome protege named Joshua who was vital to the possession of the promised land. Cut to Jesus, we hear Elijah say to him, “So, who is your protege who will carry on your work after all these things come to pass?” and interrupting in the background we hear Peter saying, “Hey there! It’s so great y’all are here. How about I uhh make some tents for you’s guys, make them real nice, and we can just camp out here for a while, ya know? Anyone thirsty?”

I could only imagine Jesus face-palming himself in embarrassment, shaking his head. Thankfully, God interrupted Peter and told him and the other disciples to listen to Jesus.

Peter was a different kind of protege…a messy one. He had a big mouth that was always getting him into trouble. He was, after all, a fisherman by trade. Fishermen were not trained to be in ministry. He would have known the basics of Torah like any other Hebrew child, but he was not in the priestly class, and certainly not good enough to be trained as a rabbi. Yet, Jesus must have seen something in him when he called him.

Compared to Elisha, Peter was a mess! When Elijah asked Elisha to stay back three times, Elisha responded by swearing he would never leave him. When Jesus told Peter and the other disciples to stay awake and pray in the garden of Gethsemane, Peter fell asleep three times! When other people were telling Elisha that Elijah was going to be taken away, Elisha acknowledged them three times. When Peter heard Jesus talk about being killed, Peter said, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!” and Jesus called him Satan and told him to get behind him. When other people confronted Peter about knowing Jesus, he would deny him three times.

Peter was a mess, a very unlikely protege. And yet, Peter is the one Christ promised to build his church on. Right before the Transfiguration, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter said, “You are Messiah.” This is the turning point for Peter, because this is where he gets his name, Peter, which means rock. From this point on, whenever someone says his name, they are prophetically and in faith calling him to be what he is meant to be, the rock upon which Christ will build his church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.

Peter is still a mess, and will continue to mess up even after he gets his new name. But the story does not end there. By the grace and love of Jesus Christ, Peter was able to carry the torch and boldly declared the Gospel on the day of Pentecost because it was never about his ability, it was about his epiphany! Peter’s epiphany of Jesus Christ as the Messiah is what qualified him to do what he was called to do. And when the Holy Spirit came upon him, he was unstoppable! Peter went on to build the early church and perform great and miraculous works. Including being one of the few people in scripture to raise someone from the dead…Jesus, Elijah, and Elisha.

We are all called to torch bearers for Christ, declaring the liberating good news of Jesus Christ. Why do we disqualify ourselves? Why do we think that our education, vocation, gender, orientation, age, or race disqualifies us from sharing Christ. We do not need to be the properly trained student like Elisha to carry on the work of the LORD, we could be like Peter! We need to put ourselves out there, knowing we are going to mess up, and we can have the grace to make things right. It is our epiphany, our deep knowing of Christ, who liberates all people from oppression, that qualifies us to go out into our world to do the same as Christ. To give good news to the poor, set the captives free, heal the sick, and declare the year of the Lord’s favor.

May you receive permission to be a mess like Peter

May you not disqualify yourself by comparing yourself to others

May your epiphany of Christ inspire and ground you in your calling

May you carry the torch well, in the name of Jesus Christ, our liberator.

Amen

February 7, 2021 - Super Bowl Sunday

First Lutheran Church

February 7, 2021

Super Bowl Sunday

1 Corinthians 7:29-31

The appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Matthew 4:18-22

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

“The Two Minute Sermon”

(Today’s sermon will be presented in the form of a “drama.”  Here’s the script!)

Announcer:  There's two minutes left in this incredible game and the score is tied.   Both teams have been impressive today and with two minutes to go - this could go either way!  The two-minute warning is over and we're ready to resume the action.  Pastor Greg is in the pulpit and we're ready to go.   

Referee blows whistle and starts the game clock …

Pastor Greg: There is an urgency in today's readings.  Paul writes, "the appointed time has grown short."  And the disciples respond "immediately" when Jesus calls out to them, "follow me."    (Pause) Time Out!

Referee:  Time Out for the offense.  You have one time out remaining. 

(Clock shows 1:34 remaining in the game)

The Offense huddles up …

Pastor Greg: Let’s huddle up in a breakout room.

Deenna:  What happened?

Pastor Greg:  I didn't recognize the defensive alignment.  They shifted some of their key players, and one was hidden in a three-point stance behind that person that sleeps all the time. 

(Shot of person asleep in the pew)

Pastor Jasmine:  OK that's a good time out.  Let's try a new approach, see if we can catch them off guard.

Deena:  How about a joke?   That'll get them!

Pastor Greg:  Yeah, but I don't think I have a joke for this situation.

Deenna:  I do!

Pastor Jasmine:  I don't know.

Deenna:  No, I got a good one.

Pastor Greg:  I don't know, remember the last time you told a joke.

Deenna:  This time will be different, I got a good one.

(Pause)

Deenna: Come on team, let me give it the old college try.

Pastor Jasmine:  Well, Ok, Let's do it.

Pastor Jasmine: We have a substitution. Deenna will be coming in to the game for Pastor Greg.

Announcer:  That's a surprise, Deenna is coming into the game.  She's a lot smaller than Pastor Greg.  But don't let her size fool you.  She can be extremely tough when she needs to be.  It looks like she's ready to go.  

Referee blows whistle and starts the game clock …

Deenna: Once upon a time, there was this really inquisitive kid, and one day he picked up his parent's alarm clock and just through it out the window.  His parents asked him, "Why'd you do that?"  He responded, "I wanted to see time fly."

Referee: Incomplete pass.  Clock stops with 1:05 remaining in the game.

Announcer:  That was awful.  She wasn't even close with that one.

Pastor Greg: Let’s huddle up again.

The Offense huddles up …

Pastor Greg: Well, that didn't work.

Pastor Jasmine:  If we can't make them laugh, - let's scare them.

Deenna: Yeh, that'll work.  They'll never suspect “that” in a Lutheran Church.

Pastor Greg:  OK, go for it!

Announcer:  Someone new is coming up to the pulpit.  I don't recognize her.  She's the newest member of the team, the Intern Pastor.  She just joined the team a few months ago.  We don't know much about her.   Let's see what she's got! 

Referee blows whistle and starts the game clock …

Pastor Jasmine:  Repent!  Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.  The time is upon us, the day is almost over, judgment is near.  Are you going to heaven, or are you going to Hell?

(Penalty flag is thrown)

Referee:  We have a penalty against the offense, illegal doctrine - 15 yards.  Clock stops with :52 remaining.

Announcer:  The officials are on top of their game today.  They caught them quickly on that one.   The preacher is called to proclaim the good news of God's loving grace.  And that was clearly an attempt to scare the defense into a relationship with Christ.   I'm glad the official caught that one, there's no room for that kind of stuff here at First Lutheran Church.  It's not a good strategy, even if it would have been allowed, that kind of preaching is never successful in the long run.

The Offense huddles up …

Pastor Greg:  OK let's settle down, we're starting to panic.

Deenna: Let's review the situation.

Pastor Jasmine:  It’s the beginning of a new year.

Deenna:  People are beginning to make plans for the year.

Pastor Greg. They’re starting to think about life after the pandemic.

Pastor Jasmine: They’re hoping for a new beginning.

Deenna: Looking for new ways to use their time and resources.

Pastor Greg: Last year was tough and everybody wants to make the most out of this year.

Deenna: They all want to make the best of it.

Pastor Jasmine: Let’s go with a story on time management.

Pastor Greg:  Great idea, do you have a story?

Pastor Jasmine: I do.

Pastor Greg:  Let’s break this huddle and get back in the game!  On three, 1, 2, 3, …

All: Go Team!

(Jasmine steps up to the pulpit)

Pastor Jasmine:  There's nothing like watching a great quarterback move his team down the field to a winning touchdown in the last two minutes of a game.  Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers have all been known to perform miracles in those last two minutes.  Great quarterbacks are able to manage the last two minutes of a game.  To do this they must know the situation, their talents, and the gifts of their team.  They know where they are on the field, they keep track of the time, they remind others of the situation, they articulate the goal for rest of the team.  They are focused.  But even the greatest quarterback can't move the ball down the field by himself.  It has to be a team effort.  To get the most out of time, to accomplish your objective in life; - you need to know the situation, you need to know your goal, you need to know yourself, and most importantly you need to be a part of a team that is seeking after the same goal.

(Parishioners start pulling out their phone and begin to nervously scroll through their email, messages and calendar apps.)

Referee: We have a personal foul on the defense!

(Flag flies in front of person with phone) 

Clock stops with :37 to go in the game

Announcer:  They knocked the defense back on their heels with that one!  They got caught pulling out their phone, checking their messages and their calendar.  They looked nervous.   And they weren't the only one, I saw quite a few of the defense players anxiously scrolling through their hand-held devices. The defense is getting worried.  The momentum has begun to change.

The Offense huddles up …

Pastor Jasmine:  OK we got them where we want them now.

Deenna: Let's go for a score.

Pastor Greg:  No, not yet, we need to really set them up.

Deenna:  Put me back in the game,  Let’s see if we can wake up that those people who have fallen asleep.

(shot of people asleep in the pew)

Pastor Jasmine: Let's wake them up.

Announcer:  It looks like Deenna’s coming pack into the pulpit.  I don’t know what she’s up to, but you can bet she's not going to tell another joke!  

Referee blows whistle and starts the game clock …

Deenna:  Time, do you realize how precious it is?  There are 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week, and 8,736 hours in a year, by the time someone is 65 years old they will have lived 567, 840 hours.  And if you sleep eight hours a day, and work 8 hours a day, you will lose two thirds of those hours, leaving only 189, 280 hours to be used freely in your life.   I know it was a bad joke, but sometimes time really does seem to fly.  It makes you wonder.  How do you want to use the precious hours that make up your life?

Parishioner:  Time Out!

Referee: Time out Defense. Clock stops with :05 seconds left.

Announcer:  Ooh, that one hurt.  You could hear the groans all the way up here in the announcers booth.  The defense is in trouble now.

Parishioner:  I'm afraid that they're right.  There's so much more I want to do with my life.  So many opportunities that I'll never have again.  And during this past year, the pandemic stole so many hours from me.  I wanted to use my time more creatively, but I ended up just watching more TV.  I really wanted to do so much more.  Where has all the time gone?  What are we going to do?

The Offense huddles up …

Pastor Greg: OK now we're ready to score.

Pastor Jasmine: Let's run a gospel message right up the middle.

Deenna: They're all awake.

Pastor Jasmine:  They're ready to hear it.

Pastor Greg:  OK, Lets run an I-right, fullback lead, Gospel blast up the middle, on Two!

Ready, 1,2,3

All: Go Team!

Announcer:  There's not too much time left only 5 seconds.  This could be the game.  Pastor Greg is back up in the pulpit, he's ready to go. 

Referee blows whistle and starts the game clock …

Pastor Greg:  In the world in which we live "time" can make us anxious, it can distort things, it can put pressure on us, and ultimately it can defeat us.  It's called “Chronos” time, a straight line that moves ever so quickly forward.  Yet there is another kind of time, God's time, “Kairos time,” the fullness of time. 

Today God invites us to live in this time.  For in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ we enter into a newness of time.  Time becomes a gift.  "To do lists" turn into opportunities instead of obligations.  We are no longer pitted against the clock but instead are set free to live in the moments. 

So how do we get to Kairos time, and how do we stay in it?

The fullness of time is a gift from God, a gift of faith.  So, when we nurture our faith, we find ourselves in Kairos time.  There are a few ways you can nurture your faith. 

One, faith is nurtured in worship, in the hearing of God's word and the celebration of the sacraments.   In moments of song, mystery, prayer, and silence our life is put back into perspective, we are able to focus, and be free.  Faith takes over.  Kairos time.

Two, our faith is nurtured by the gift of each other.  A person is a person because of other people, the body of Christ, our life together, the powerful presence of God in our life lived out in community - nurtures our faith.  Together we remind each other what is really important, we support each other's faithfulness.   As we share our hopes and dreams, our struggles and pains with each other, faith becomes active, and we find ourselves in the fullness of time, open to the possibilities of God. Kairos time.

And Three, our faith is nurtured in acts of service, in loving our neighbors.  Everything, including time, is put into perspective when we practice love, when we reach out to those in need, when we stretch our life into and beyond the margins.  Life is not measured by Chronos time, but is truly measured by love, Kairos time.

So, may we all be drawn by the Spirit to worship, to community, and to service.  And may these things awaken and strengthen our faith, setting us free to live in the fullness of time, God’s time, Kairos time. Amen!

(Referee signals touchdown)

(Game Clock shows :00)

The End!