Book of Faith - Luke 10:1-20

We're back in the gospel of Luke after an excursion into Matthew the past two weeks.  Today's text was the sending out of the 70.  We noted in class that there was a change in the message. Up to this point the message has been one of repentance and forgiveness.  "Repent for the kingdom of God has drawn near."  Now the message is prepare to receive the coming of the promised one, Jesus.  The group of 70 seems to just appear in the story and after they return to report their good news, they disappear.  Several observations were made.

Do the 70 represent the 70 nations that encompassed the whole world at that time?  Certainly, Luke’s understanding of the gospel is universal.  Is this a foretaste of what will happen in Acts?  Do the 70 represent the elders appointed by Moses?

The 70, or rather the 35 pairs, seem to give the towns one shot to receive Jesus before they move on to the next town.  Was this the feeling of urgency in the early church the result of their feeling that Jesus was coming in the near future and there wasn't time to linger?  In the places that did not receive Jesus, was there the surprising reversal found elsewhere in the gospel where the faith is stronger outside the people of Israel?  Is Luke making a point that would have people who believe they are on the inside take a closer look at themselves?  What does that have to say to us as the churchgoing people who can come to believe that we are on the inside?

The words of taking back the peace that is given and brushing off the dust if the community is not willing to receive Jesus seem harsh.  Is Luke being descriptive of what literally happened before the gospel was written or is Luke anticipating what would happen in the future?  Jesus makes the statement that he would come again before this generation passed away.  Does that mean that he was wrong about the timetable?  Does his being wrong take away from his being the Messiah?  Does his being wrong take away from our own understanding of Jesus?

There are passages that do not sit easily with us, particularly passages of judgment.  What do we do with such passages?  Certainly there is judgment that we need to hear.  The promises of the gospel always start in the truth of our lives.  I own that I am a sinner and this becomes the occasion of my being graced.  Beyond needing to hear the truth, are some passages not reconcilable with the gospel of Jesus Christ?  In the Old Testament, God is given credit for leading the armies of Israel to victory.  Does God lead armies or did the people of Israel, at that time, simply give God credit as an expression of their understanding of God who has not been completely revealed?  Does the cross change that understanding?  An example we discussed was when someone survives a terrible event like 9/11 and gives thanks to God for saving them.  Without taking away from their experience of gratitude, what does it say about those who did not survive?  Did God choose not to act to save the rest?  What does the cross say to that situation?  Somehow, who God is and how God acts lies beyond our ability to put into words.  Our efforts always fall short.  Does the Bible, at times, fail to capture all that God is and all that God does?  Luther spoke of the Bible as being uneven.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ shone more brightly in some places than in others.  How does that understanding help us as we read the Bible?

These are some of the observations made and questions asked this week.  Again, I invite others to join the conversation.  Please feel free to make a comment or join us on Wednesday at noon at the CEB.  A similar experience is also taking place at the Adult Forum on Sunday during Sunday School at the CEB.  Until next week, keep reading the Bible.    

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - The Story Continues

I want to thank everyone who has joined the conversation.  This is an exciting new area of communication to explore.  Last week, we began this adventure with Matthew 22:1-14 (Luke 14: 16-24).  At this week's Book of Faith meeting, the intention was to return to the gospel of Luke, chapter 10.  However, we couldn't leave last week's discussion.  Let me share some of those thoughts and observations.

The story as recorded in Matthew is harsher than the one told in Luke.  What do we do with the man who is thrown out of the wedding banquet because he has no wedding garment?  Is part of the reason that the gospel of Matthew was written for a Jewish audience and Luke was written for a Gentile audience?  Matthew had a deep concern for his own people and therefore extends the warning. 

There is a great deal of judgment in the stories and parables of Jesus in that final week of his life.  As mentioned last week, all of this is given this side of the cross.  The cross allows us to face the hard truths of our lives because the cross speaks the word of forgiveness.  However, we can't avoid the judgment.  To avoid the judgment is to "cheapen" God's grace.  A child understands forgiveness when they are caught standing next to the broken vase and have no excuse, yet their mother or father forgives them.  The power of that kind of forgiveness is transformative.  We encounter that grace only in the truth of our lives.  The gospel is death and resurrection.  The women hear the good news of Easter after they have made their way to the grave. 

It seems as though Jesus changes in the New Testament.  There seems to be some truth to that observation.  Jesus' own discernment of his ministry seems to change as he encounters people.  He discovers greater faith in those outside his own people.  His sense of mission expands beyond the people of Israel to the whole world.  A change in Jesus' own understanding of his call speaks wonderfully to his humanity.  Certainly, Jesus is now one who understands my own struggle in finding my purpose in life. 

Finally, God seems to change through scripture.  On the one hand, the Bible is the witness of God's people through time.  Since God is a God of revelation, then our perception will change through time as God reveals more and more.  As the ultimate example, the cross was a revelation that would change everything.  In that way, God changes through scripture not because God changes, but because our perception of God changes.   The Bible is a faithful witness to the journey of God's people, giving expression to the God who has been made known to them.  On the other hand, there is scriptural evidence that God is dynamic rather that static.  God is a God who is moved, who responds, who listens, who suffers, and who loves.  God is not the Greek idea of God of one who is unchanging, unmovable.  God is the dynamic God of Eastern thought who is unchanging only in God's faithfulness and love. 

This is just a sample of the conversation that took place with the group on Wednesday.  I would love to hear from others.  Join us in the discussion.  We would love to hear from you.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

You're Invited!

Does this sound like you?  How can I be a part of an ongoing conversation about the Bible?  I love the idea of the Book of Faith Initiative, but my schedule makes it difficult to attend the class on Wednesday at noon or the Adult Forum on Sunday.  If this sounds like you, I want to invite you to participate by joining my blog on the Gospel of Luke.  For the past couple of months, I have been wondering what to do with my blog.  Is it another thought for the day, like a newsletter article?  Is it a diary of my adventures as a pastor, like my experience in Orlando?  Or can it be a means to explore the Bible together with a much larger audience than a weekly class?  This idea popped up at this week's Book of Faith class.  Every Wednesday, we have such a great discussion.  We wondered, "Why not let others in on the conversation?"  And so, this new adventure begins.  Each blog I write will focus on a passage from the Bible that we are using in the Wednesday class.  At the present, we are studying the gospel of Luke.  The blog will lift up our discussion at class and invite others to make comments, raise questions, and offer insights.  In other words, join the conversation.  To get started, click on Summer Views on our website.  Read the passage and blog.  Make your comments.  Let's get the discussion going!

The Parable of the Wedding Banquet - Luke 14:16-24 (Matthew 22: 1-14)

This week, we wandered away from our usual course in studying Luke.  A question was raised about the gospel for this past Sunday, the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, as recorded by Matthew.  Matthew differs from Luke by including the second part of the parable, where the man without a wedding garment is thrown out of the banquet.  What does that mean?  Is there some requirement to be at the banquet?  What is the role of grace?  Many interpreters, recognizing the difficulty, suggest that the second part of the parable is best left as a warning without an explanation.  As a class, we were not deterred.  In was suggested that the passage was a lesson.  One needs to be prepared.  We're not talking about a simple garment, but an attitude and way of life.  A similar parable was offered by the rabbis of Jesus' time.  There was a king who told people to be ready for a wedding banquet.  The time was unknown, but they were to be prepared.  The wise made provisions and were ready when the king announced the banquet.  The foolish were not prepared, and were not able to join the celebration.  The class appreciated this insight.

Setting the parable in the context of the larger story, this account was told during the last week of Jesus' life.  During this time, we see Jesus challenging the religious authorities, the Pharisees and Scribes, again and again.  He is forcing them to make a decision about him.  Jesus is not the innocent victim who happens to wander into Jerusalem and is arrested.  He is in the Temple every day forcing the issue.  The parable is for the authorities.  Jesus is being descriptive.  Those who were first invited by the king said no and so the door to the banquet has been opened to the most unexpected of people.  People who the Pharisees and Scribes would never have included at the wedding banquet.  As far as the man who was tossed out, again the message is for those in authority.  How can you be invited by the king to the wedding banquet of his son and not wear a garment of joy?  Again, Jesus is being descriptive.  He looks at those who have been invited, who are sitting at the banquet table, and there is no joy, no grace, no thanksgiving.  How can that be?  There is a disconnect.  They don't have to be thrown out, they are already stand outside the banquet.  For us, in the living of our lives, we are invited every week by the King to the banquet of His Son.  How can we not be adorned in a garment (life) of joy?  People should be able to look at us and say they have been to the King's banquet.  You can tell by the way they live their lives.

One final note, this parable, along with may others during that last week, have a real sense of judgement.  However, they are all offered this side of the cross.  If the parable tells the truth about us that we often to not accept the invitation of the King or dress for the occasion, the cross tells us that we are forgiven.  The King would have the right to cast us out, but the surprising response from God is that, through the cross, the King takes us in.  That's the Good News.  

Well, what do you think?  Let me know.  Join the conversation.  My hope and prayer is that we have opened the door for many of you to participate in the Book of Faith as a part of your faith journey and devotions.  

Peace,

Pastor Summer 

Ordination

This past Sunday, September 18, I had the opportunity to preach at the ordination for four young seminarians.  The service was held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Trenton.  I was given permission to leave the pulpit and preach in the congregation.  In particular, I wanted to preach to these young people entering the ministry of word and sacrament.  I met with them prior to worship.  They were all so excited and hopeful.  As we talked, I remembered the day I was ordained and the excitement and hopefullness I felt.  Of course, I was ordained before these four pastors were born, but the feeling was the same.  Ordination is an amazing experience.  Knelling before the altar, the pastors assemblied place their hands on your head, and you are delared a pastor.  You are both deelply grateful and humbled.  You have been charged with proclaiming the Gospel, offering the sacraments, and serving as a shepherd of your flock.  The feeling of responsibility is overwhelming.  Of all people, God has called you to this work.  When I preached, I reminded those seminarians, that they had been called by God and although the call would humble them (It certainly humbled me), God would be with them every step in their journey.  Whatever challenges awaited them, God would lift them up.  And through it all, God would bring them great joy.  That has certainly been my experience and I wanted them to know.  I told them that there's nothing better than being a parish pastor.   

Orlando - Day 6

This is my final blog from Orlando.  Actually, it from my desk at home on Saturday morning.  With the thunder storms last night, my flight did not come into Newark until 10:00.  We were delayed 4 hours and took the scenic route from Orlando by way of Boston and Albany.  Though delayed, I was very grateful for a safe trip.

The final morning was a whirlwind of activity.  Besides getting ready to come home, there was still work to be done in the plenary session.  Everything was accomplished in good order and the session was closed with only a 15 minute addition.  We left the hall with many hugs and goodbyes and headed for the closing worship.

For one last time, we gathered around word and sacrament.  Of all the services, this is the one that moved me the most.  The sermon was exceptionally powerful.  Among the many story shared, the pastor told of being in Haiti when the earthquake hit.  Her husband was one of those buried in the rubble.  He sang hymns as they tried to get to him, but they were unsuccessful.  She spoke of the days that followed filled with the deepest sorrow, but also amazing grace.  She spoke of witnessing the presence and power of God in the lives and faith of her Haitian brothers and sisters.  In truth, she spoke the Gospel, death and resurrection.  There are moments in these assemblies that take your breath away and renew your faith.  This was one of those moments for me.

I return home weary, but deeply grateful.  Grateful for the opportunity to attend the assembly.  Grateful for the church, of which you and I are apart.  And grateful, for the congregation I serve with my partner in ministry.  It was a great week.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Orlando - Day 5

It's hard to believe that the assembly is drawing to a close. The day began with a breakfast meeting around immigration and refugees. It's hard to imagine that the Lutheran churches of all stripes first came together for mission after World War II to address the situation of Lutheran refugees in Europe.

After breakfast, the focus of the plenary session, both in the morning and the afternoon, was on the Social Satetement on Genetics and the numerous memorials that have been brought to the assembly for consideration. Having a committee of 1,025 made the process difficult at times, but I appreciated the end results. There is still more work to be done tomorrow. I was impacted by the number of people who spoke in favor of the social statement on genetics as being a real sign of hope. There was the woman with stage four cancer, the farmer from Iowa, and the genetic scientist each saying how proud they were of our church taking a stand. Their witness may me consider the social statement more carefully. The memorials also brought forward the voices of many people who feel forgotten in our times from those who are bullied, to native Americans, to our Islamic neighbors, to undocumented children. These individuals put a face and story to the actions we were taking. I will share those decisions when I return home.

Along with the legislative activity, their was still time for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. I had a wonderful lunch with my friend Gary Wollersheim and his wife Polly, who I haven't seen since seminary. It was good to catch up, share pictures of grandchildren, and talk about the joy of ministry. In the evening, the New Jersey delegation went out for dinner together to enjoy each others company and talk about the assembly. Oh course, we went to an Italian restaurant. All in all, it was another full and rewarding day. We will meet one more time in plenary session tomorrow morning, close with communion, and board our flights for home. It's been an incredible experience, but I will be glad to be home.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Orlando - Day 4

Today started bright and early with a plenary session at 8:00. We heard the report from the secretary, vice-president, and treasurer. I have a much better idea of what is happening around the church. Some synods have lost 16% of their congregations related to the 2009 decision on sexuality. The New Jersey synod has not lost one. Along with the financial downturn, the finances of the church have been deeply impacted, though we are trending up again.

While the news about our church's struggles was troubling, the report from the new head of the Lutheran World Federation was both exciting and powerful. Our church is making a real difference around the world for the sake of Christ. One example is what's happening in Somalia. The ongoing war and drought have been devastating. LWF is in charge of the largest refugee camp between Somalia and Kenya. 1,000 refugees a day arrive in the camp, and we are there providing food, water, shelter, and hope. The ELCA has contributed 1.5 million dollars to this effort. This is only one example.

Worship, bible study, and prayer continue to be at the center of our assembly. The worship again reflected the global nature of our witness. I thoroughly enjoyed the hymns from France. All of them were new to me. The preacher was from Haiti and the worship concluded with a great rendition of "Keep Your Eye on the Prize". Bible study is held every day for all 1,025 delegates. These are wonderful moments of renewal as we wade through the legislative work.

The legislative work filled the rest of the day. There are constitutional changes, memorials, and the LIFT document. Robert's Rules of Order have been a blessing and a curse. There are times when they clearly help us and times when they seem to frustrate our efforts. Again, I have been deeply impressed with the recommendations, arguments, and insights of the delegates.

I was very happy when we ended at 6:00 and we got the evening off. I had dinner with some of my fellow Jersey delegates and then went for a swim. You should see the size of the pool and I loved the hot tubs. That's right, hot tubs plural. I look forward to getting to bed a little earlier. The work will continue tomorrow. Please keep the assembly in your prayers. I'm sure I'll more stories to tell.

Peace,
Pastor Summer