A Star is Born.

     Wise men from a far away land signal that the new king is born. This is not a king only for the people of Israel, but for the whole world. This is a new kind of king. Not an earthly king; not one like we’ve had in the past. This is the One who ushers in God’s kingdom of love and righteousness for the world, no matter where you come from.

            When I was in the seventh grade, the kids chose sides. It was expected, and sometimes necessary for survival. You could be either a surfer or a skater. You were either a metal-head or a rapper. You might be a redneck or a jock. These were labels, yes, but also identities. These groups provided an identity, and to belong to a group meant protection. There were days that I kept my head low and walked quickly to the bus to avoid possible fights that would break out. There were wars and rumors of wars. It could be a rough place, at least it seemed that way. By the time I got to high-school, the lines were a bit more blurry, but similarly drawn. These artificial borders separated groups of kids that sometimes mixed in class or on the gym floor or the football field, at the mall, or elsewhere in the community.

           We draw lines.  

That Jesus was born in a manger, attended to by shepherds, and visited by foreign priests, signals an event that crosses lines that we draw for ourselves. To call myself a follower of Christ is NOT to say, “I’m on this side, and unless you declare your allegiance, then we cannot be on the same team.” In Christ all people are united. In Christ, the Holy One in which God is revealed in flesh and blood, we find that we are one people. We are united by the love that God shows for the world in sending the Son to be human just like us. We are united by this Jesus that is the incarnate One, fully divine and powerful to save us from sin.

Not everyone saw the star. The wise men came from the East, and returned to their home country. The promise of Immanuel was not just for them, though they saw the sign. The visited the newborn king of the Jews, though not Jews themselves. Did they tell the story? Did they speak about what they had witnessed? The travels of the wise men tell us that this was the event for which the universe was waiting and that the change in the world was for the world, through the world did not know it. The people had yet to see what God was doing.

It’s a matter of perspective. We cannot see all that God is doing, and we don’t know everything that encompasses what Paul calls the “mystery of Christ”[1]. Paul says that we are all sharers in the promise of Christ through the gospel. The good news of God is to be shared among all people, and the rest is up to the Spirit. We are one people. We are kings and shepherds, magi and innkeepers, carpenters and scribes, metal-heads and gangsta rappers, surfers and skaters, members of one body of Christ, united in the gospel, the Word made flesh. 

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[1] Eph. 3.4

What Do You Want Me to Do?

We in the church have been reading the tenth chapter of Mark’s gospel the past few weeks, and it has me thinking about the way we use these stories that often get rolled into this season of the church year. This is a time we talk about budgets and stewardship, along with the giving of our “time and talents” (that phrase is wearing on me). In our worship, we also include the recurring events like new member receptions, confirmations, baptisms, Fall weddings, and preparation for the harvest that leads into the season of Advent. Whew!

It’s easy to see how some might lose sight of the reason we do all this. His name is Jesus.

In Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ miracles and teaching function within the narrative to identify the incarnate Son as the One in whom God works victory over the apocalyptic powers of evil, sin, and death. When the rich man asks Jesus how he could obtain eternal life, he identifies Jesus as “Good Teacher” to which Jesus notes that it is only God that is “good” (Mark 10.18). (Spoiler alert: Jesus is God!) Of course Jesus gives the financially well-off man (the 1%?) the imperative to sell all that he has, and give the money to the poor (Mark 10.21). I have heard this proclaimed to congregations that we should also be generous with our cash, which is not a bad thing, but is this what Jesus is saying to us?

Recent headlines about people who consider themselves “Spiritual but Not Religious,” Atheists, Agnostics, and religious “Nones” have garnered much attention. To those of us who study such things and think about the future of faith in the world on a daily basis, this isn’t really new information. As our society has progressed, (in America, at least) each decade seems to bring with it a thinning strand with which the current generation holds onto the religious practices and traditions of the generations that came before it. Should we be surprised that the highest percentages of people who identify themselves as having no religious affiliation are in the ages of 18-30?

My parents graduated high school in 1974. They were too young for Vietnam, and already apathetic toward politics in general, came of age in the Ford and Carter eras. The rebellion ignited in the sixties had fizzled into the dawn of the “slacker” seventies (a precursor to the 80’s yuppie backlash). One of the few things they had to rebel against was the established religious tradition of their parents, and with more women entering the work force and professional careers during the ‘Quiet Revolution,’ the focus of Sunday morning shifted from the sanctuary to the soccer field. This might be oversimplification, but I think it’s a chance to begin to look at how and why these issues have evolved.

There are myriad answers as to why young people identify themselves as unassociated with the religious landscape of the twenty-first century. One is the example of their parents. Another is the movement of the American Christian landscape towards a civic-faith, watered-down gospel, gathering of the ‘nice.’ Yet another is the parade of hypocrisy publicly demonstrated by those associated with the loudest versions of Christianity in America. Like the rich man in Mark 10, young adults, and Christians in general “lack one thing.”

Jesus’ answer to the man, then, is that he cannot obtain the kingdom of heaven. He can’t do it. For mortals it is impossible (Mark 10.27). To assume that Jesus’ command to sell his possessions is the answer to the rich man’s question is to say that we can save ourselves. If the man in question were to follow through and sell all that he had and give it to the poor, he still would not obtain the salvation he asks from the Lord. It’s not quid pro quo. The one thing the rich man lacks is not humility, poverty, or good deeds. The one thing he lacks is that he is not the Christ. Jesus’ final words to the man are “Come, and follow me.” The answer in Mark’s Gospel to the question is to believe that Jesus is the One in which God works, the One who has the power to save, and the One who can conquer death and the evil of the world.

The point is furthered (Mark 10.35-45) when James and John ask Jesus for a position of glory, sitting next to him at right and left side. Jesus’ followers were rightly upset when they heard of the request, since the two were putting themselves above the rest. Jesus’ response goes on to identify the role of the Son of God. It is not for Jesus to grant who is greatest, but to follow the will of God, to go to the cross, to be the Savior of the world. Jesus tells them he has not come to decide which of them is the greatest, but to invite us into relationship, to teach us serve others rather than ourselves, and to do what we cannot, taking on the sin of the world.

To those who would mark the box, “None:” understand that a life of faith does not require moral purity, judgment of others, a pure way of life, but only faith. Trust in God – the One revealed to the world in Jesus Christ, who says, “Come, follow me.” This is the first step in the process. Yes, let go of the things that hold you back from real relationship with Christ. Let go of the baggage, the doubt, the fear, the fascination with the things of this world, and really walk with Jesus. God knows you are not perfect, in fact you are lacking. You are not the Christ. Luckily, Jesus is, was, and will be. 

Then Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "My teacher, let me see again." Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10.51-52

Greetings from Iowa City!

I’m writing this blog post from my fancy new office in my internship congregation in Iowa City, IA. The welcome we’ve received here has been tremendous. My heart is filled with joy when I think of all the wonderful people that my family and I been surrounded with and will get to share this experience with over the next 12 months. This town has farmers’ markets, a university community, public art and public gardens, volunteer opportunities, entertainment options, great food, and need I mention: college football. This is going to be sweet.

I’m feeling a change. This is a real period of transition for me, on my way to becoming a pastor. This is a time to seek out knowledge, to practice some of the things I’ve learned at seminary, to ask questions, and to make some mistakes. This is a chance to live into the role of pastor, and to walk with the people of this community of faith. The possibilities can be overwhelming, and I hope to narrow down some things that I will focus on this year, but I am optimistic that I will have a chance to see and feel and experience all that I need to enhance learning and become formed for leadership in the church. It’s pretty exciting.

I find myself aware of the changes during moments of peace. Waking up early. Waiting at the bus stop. Walking downtown. Rocking my children to sleep. It’s a growing awareness of the role I will play in people’s lives in the future. It’s a growing awareness of the depth of my call to ministry. It is scary at times, so I turn to prayer. I ask God to walk with me, to open me up to let the Spirit work in me. I look to the cross and to Jesus’ life and ministry to outsiders, the poor, and the marginalized.

Growing and changing. I pray that you are too.

Jer. 29.11

Peace,

Jason

Where’s the Compassion?

I’m feeling frustrated by the comments that I see and hear about suffering in the world.

When we read the news (online, of course), and learn about atrocities happening in Africa and the Middle East, American soldiers slaying civilians in Afghanistan, or the future of Iran and Israel, it is easy to become despondent. I fear for our future when the common dialogue in this country centers on whether or not we should be the ones pulling the trigger to end suffering in the world.

We live in a post-9/11 world.

We live in an Age of Information.

We are more than the sum of our stockpiles of weaponry.

Now, I admit, I don’t know all the issues that surround each country’s particular nightmarish scenario. I am interested in learning how interreligious dialogue plays a part in the peace process. I don’t have solutions, but I believe in communication.

More than that, I believe that we have a God that loves the world, the people in it, and continues to create in a creation that is good. We have a God that accompanies us in suffering, pain, sickness, isolation, confusion, and loneliness. We have a God that became incarnate in the world, journeyed to the cross, and took up the sin and the fear, hate, hurt, and abandonment in this world, so that we could be free from death and welcomed into the embrace of a Creator that cares.

God cares that we are killing each other. God cares that children are dying. God cares enough to suffer as we suffer, and does not abandon us when we doubt it.

God cares about you when you don’t care about yourself

God cares about you when all you care about is yourself.

We live under the cross of Jesus Christ, and we pray for the Kingdom of God to be present among us here and now. We are freed from sin and death. We are free to care about each other. We are freed to love our neighbor and our enemy at home and abroad.

Yes, bullets kill terrorists. Only the cross can kill what is truly evil.

Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Matthew 26:51-52 NRSV

Check this out. 

http://www.forusa.org

Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things. --Thomas Merton

When It's Good, It's Really Good...

This week, I embarked on year two of my seminary experience. The family is settled in, and we're getting back into our routines. I am working with the school on increasing their online presence and reaching out to friends and alumni who might be supporters of the ministry of this place. I'm taking classes including Educational Ministry, Lutheran Confessions, and Hebrew (Yikes!). Like a late morning breakfast (Bacon and eggs, thank you) it is comforting to know that things are getting back to our version of normal. But one of the most exciting things happening right now is the formation of new and lasting relationships with my seminary colleagues.

We came to Wartburg for the community. It seemed to Ivy (the wife) and I that there was no way we could leave behind family, careers, our church, friends, and familiar places to struggle on a student budget so far away from everything that we know, unless we had a real support system in place. Those people are here, and they are what make Wartburg Theological Seminary such a special place. It's not just the bonfires, potlucks, and smiles in the hallway, either. Having classmates, friends, and neighbors that truly care about what you are going through, because we're all going through it together, makes all the difference. Last winter, when I was in Guyana (avg. temp: 95 degrees Farenheit), our dryer ceased to function. Ivy, snowbound with 2 small children, reached out and quickly had a wonderful friend over to make it go again. This is just a small example of the kind of love here that makes this life possible. And while we'll miss all the friends and classmates from last year, we're excited about the new relationships being formed with seniors returning from internship, new students beginning their junior year, and faculty and staff that we have yet to work with.

We are a worship centered community that gathers every day in chapel to hear the Word that calls us all here, to witness to the Spirit that sustains us when times are hard, and worship and praise the One that created us for this purpose. The opportunity to learn and discuss and grow and affirm the call God places on all our lives makes this is special place, and we're glad to be back.

P.S. I'll try to blog more often.

What's your story?

    Oops - I haven't updated the blog in a few weeks -

    My schedule is hectic to be sure, yet there remains a moment of clarity now and then, which is well needed to process these new subjects. It's in these brief moments that I can begin to relax, and just be in relationship with other people. I like to share what I'm learning with my wife, classmates, and friends. I've been thinking a lot about how we share our faith with others, inside and outside the walls of a church.  

      Whether we're in line at the grocery store, at a bus stop, or in the waiting room at the dentists office, we strange humans (or maybe Lutherans) have a tendency to look down at our shoes, shut our mouths, and not make eye contact. Why not take the opportunity to share our faith? Too awkward? It doesn't need to be.

       When we share our faith with others, we're not just giving a speech or sermon, but sharing who we are and what we think with another person who more than likely struggles with defining their own beliefs and ideals. This is part of being in community, and being in relationship. Lately I've been learning about so many new ideas and topics it's sometimes difficult to know what day of the week it is, let alone keep all the information in my head straight. I think about trying to explain it all, and I worry that I will not be able to express it, or I'll say something wrong, or the words might just come out all mixed up. It's in these moments that I have to remind myself to get out of the way and just give what's there; to let myself be in conversation.

     We teach each other by sharing our stories - with friends, acquaintances, family, strangers, and ourselves. Yet often, we're afraid to share what we think, expecting to be judged, challenged, or criticized.  God asks us to trust in God's own plan, and not to be afraid.

     Sharing our stories, our faith, and our lives with each other leads to a richer, more vibrant, more enriched existence, and brings us closer to God. Let the conversation begin!

It's All Good!

"As long as you're a good person, that's all that matters."

Is that all that matters?

Really?

Bernie Madoff was a swell guy, by all who knew him. Okay, maybe that's an extreme case, but it really drives me crazy when I hear someone say that, whatever you believe in, as long as you're a "good" person, nothing else matters.

If you have faith in a higher power, or a belief in an afterlife, doesn't it then follow that you believe in a certain set of ideals, laws, dogma, or rituals that are meaningful to you? As a Christian, I believe that faith in God's grace and the resurrection of Christ result in salvation, i.e., eternal life in heaven, in communion with my creator. Does that mean it's okay to a be a jerk for the rest of my days on Earth? I don't think so, but I might have a bad day here and there. If you believe in nothing, (atheism, nihilism, humanism, etc.) is being a good person good enough? If you believe in something, wouldn't you like to share it?

I overheard a few people talking on an airplane a few months ago, and a fellow mentioned that he was a Catholic. He asked the young woman seated next to him if she was religious. She replied that she was SBNR (spiritual, but not religious) and his response was an emphatic, "Well, as long as you're a good person, that's all that matters." I was left wondering if she was thankful for his approval of her spiritual way of life, and endorsement of her personal value system. I was also wondering what kind of Catholic would say such a thing. I'll admit, I don't have it all figured out, but I do have an understanding of faith and that if I say I believe something, I must believe that it is true; at least true enough for me to build my life around it. My guess is that some people don't know how to respond when someone asserts their own opposing belief, or even non-belief. I don't think the guy, (or any of us, for that matter) would have enjoyed the rest of the flight had he doomed the entire row to Hell, while praying the rosary. I can't help but wonder if there wasn't a better way for him, and for all of us, to respond when faced with this situation.

It's perfectly fine to be tolerant. I consider myself very tolerant, but can we take tolerance too far?

Maybe we feel we don't know enough to express our beliefs to others, so we come up with answers like, "You're a Hindu? Oh, that's nice. I enjoyed 'Slumdog Millionaire'." "Wiccan? Oh, you must love camping!"
I enjoy the opportunity to share my faith. What amazing love we can show when we tell others about God's love and grace! Sometimes it is hard to put into words, but we can always share what our faith means to us, and we don't need a graduate degree in theology to do that.