Month: August 2022

This morning I stood in front of my jewelry box and held in one hand a lovely silver cross. In the other was a bead that a friend had made, strung on a black rope. Which to wear?

For several years I have been moving away from cross necklaces. At first I embraced them as an advertisement of my being Christian. I want the world to know. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. But as the loudest expression of Christianity moves farther away from what I believe, I have become more inclined to let my life be an example rather than my wardrobe choices. I want my actions and intentions to point people to God without any confusion about what positions I take or my political party.

For a while, I prayed about wearing the cross as a reminder, almost a yoke. When I wore one, I was reminded whose I was. I was reminded to be an offering, a sacrifice. I also like to hold it when I pray. The cross is a constant and gentle reminder to make good choices, to choose compassion and love. I figured if I am going to wear it, I will strive to live it. But then am I off the hook when I take it off? Does my accountability depend on my fashion choices?

What nags at me is that the cross is an instrument of torture. To make it into jewelry is to dilute the harshest of realities. Jesus bled on that cross, endured untold pain on that cross, felt the depths of rejection on that cross. I don’t know if the place to ponder that is in an expensive, gold, dangling replica.

This week’s reading from Hebrews (13:1-8) says that we should remember those who are being tortured as if we ourselves were being tortured, among other things. When you wear a cross are you offering yourself to that? People all over the world and in our very city are being tortured one way or another every day. Some of them for what they believe, some of them for being who God created them to be. What does my cross say to them? How do I offer myself as a sacrifice? Am I willing to suffer on this cross?

Maybe I’m just cranky because it’s the end of the summer, but this is what I started my day thinking about. What is the best way to express my intention to love and follow Jesus? What do you think?

I was reminded this week about the need and joy of spiritual companionship!

One of my inspired colleagues asked if anyone wanted to join a weekly study group for preachers where we talk about the upcoming readings and pray together. I was incredibly excited because I have never had a group like this before, and I liked the people who signed up. Such a valuable thing to hear other voices, other experiences, other struggles in relation to the readings. It can never just be about me and my point of view.

We really do need each other. Christianity is a communal experience. We are part of a Body, the Body of Christ. And as St. Paul so beautifully said, we cannot be a body part separate from the body. Once a body part is separated, it dies. Connection is essential. It is a beating heart, breath flowing in and out, stretching and reaching for more.

That is why we come to church. Because frankly we can’t manage the Christian life, with its many demands and challenges, by ourselves. We need you. We need your prayers, your hard work, your input and ideas, your generosity. We need to hear what God is speaking to you. You are precious and loved and appreciated. And…you need us too.

When I think about our baptismal promises, from believing to living our beliefs to respecting the dignity of every person, it’s actually pretty overwhelming. Possible with God’s help. But we are baptized into a community. And I think that maybe God made the covenant challenging so we would reach out to one another, so we would recognize how much we need each other.

Find yourself a community of people you trust, who have integrity, and who try to live what they proclaim. Find yourself a spiritual companion or two who will specifically pray for you and tell you the truth. Pick out a few people you admire and want to be like as mentors, and ask them your questions. God has provided who you need. And be ready to be that companion for others.

There is a joy in this companioning that is unique and wonderful.

Don’t live without it!!

Yesterday at Rotary the person who was supposed to lead the spiritual reflection was unable to attend. And when they asked for a volunteer, no one spoke up and all eyes turned to me. As far as I am concerned it doesn’t take special skill to find God’s presence in the world. So I like to wait before I am volunteered for a few minutes to give everyone a chance. And no one wanted to be on the spot. So I walked up to the podium. I had had a pretty stressful morning. Suddenly there are a million things going on and I was feeling behind. I don’t like to feel behind. So as I am trying to come up with something to say walking to the front of the room, my mind was full of anxiety and negativity, which never translates into a hopeful message. I basically told God (and I mean told) to speak through me. And out came this story of being a little overwhelmed but realizing how many people are ready to be there and help, that we are a part of a community of care, that we never have to feel alone or overwhelmed. People were nodding their heads and smiling. All good.

I learned/was reminded of two things in that moment. The first is that God is there, ready to help, always with a message of hope. I just had to get out of the way and trust the good to come. Along with that, God is always telling me just what I need to hear.

The second thing is the truth that we are not alone. That moment gave me the energy to organize several things that are looming and a little intimidating to me. When I started asking for help, people said yes. Not everyone, which is fine, but a lot of help and support started coming in. And I thought to myself, I could make my life easier by just trusting in the first place rather than having to give a public prayer about it.

So, here is your reminder. Ask and you shall receive. You are never alone. God is a God of hope and gives you what you need to do what you are called to do.
Amen!