Time in the Wilderness with Jesus

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(Luke 4:1-13) After his baptism, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'"

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"

Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

God’s first act after the baptism of Jesus was to lead him into the wilderness, “to be tempted by Satan.” The Wilderness was a place both physical and metaphorical for Jesus to struggle, not only with Satan, but more importantly with God and with himself. To wrestle with the questions, “why did God send me here in the first place? What am I called to do? How am I to do it?”

You might be thinking, but Jesus is God, he should know the answers to these questions already. Remember, our faith teaches us that Jesus is not only fully God, but also fully human. I believe the human part of Jesus needed this wilderness time to be alone with the Holy Spirit, to go through the proverbial battle between the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other shoulder.

The temptations Jesus faced during his time in the wilderness: physical needs, power and glory, proof to the world that he is God’s special person, are the same temptations we face when we have the courage to go into the wilderness alone as Jesus did. Jesus’ wilderness time helped form and transform him. It serves as an example for those of us who are his followers. Lent for us is a reminder that we, like Jesus, need Wilderness time, that we need to be reformed and transformed just as Jesus did.

Last week I saw on twitter a book by Brene Brown, psychologist, social worker, and Episcopalian, entitled “Braving the Wilderness.” The secondary title is “The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone.” The book was truly a gift from God to me. In it, Brown first defines true belonging as being true to yourself. Secondly, she states that true belonging means being respectful to those who disagree with you, even if they are not respectful to you.

Wow, sure sounds like this was what Jesus’ wilderness time was all about.

After his wilderness experience, Jesus stood up to the religious and political authorities of his day and stood with the “least of those” in society: the poor, the orphan and the widow, the divorced women who were forced to beg or prostitute themselves to feed their families. He talked with those with whom a Jewish man was not supposed to talk: Samaritans, women, lepers, tax collectors and Pharisees. No one was left out of his love.

Yes, it got him ostracized and eventually killed, but he did it anyway, because his time alone with God in the wilderness clarified in his mind, heart, and soul that “for this I was born and for this I came into the world.”

During this season of Lent, I invite you, to join me in the wilderness, praying that we like Jesus will be able to say, “for this I was born, for this I came into the world.”

Ash Wednesday 2022 and Prayers for Justice and Peace in the World

(Based on a Sermon Preached at Christ Episcopal Church, Albertville, Alabama, Ash Wednesday, 20220)

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen (Book of Common Prayer) 

A Message from Bishop Curry: Statement on Ukraine 

“In view of the tragic and heartrending news from Ukraine following the Russian Federation’s invasion of that country, we are one with our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, and with all those seeking God’s will, in praying for a rapid cessation to these hostilities and an end to the devastating loss of life and countless personal tragedies occurring since the invasion.  

With this strongly in our minds and hearts, the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama will come together with the Catholic Diocese of Alabama and other religious leaders and communities on Ash Wednesday for a day of prayer. We also invite everyone across our Diocese to join us at an ecumenical prayer vigil for Ukraine to be held at Kelly Ingram Park at 4:30pm on Ash Wednesday. We join with all people of faith in praying for the restoration of peace, safety, and stability in Ukraine. 

Eternal God, in whose perfect realm no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, and no strength known but the strength of love: so guide and inspire the work of those who seek your kingdom that all your people may find their security in that love which casts out fear and in the fellowship revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Savior. (Book of Common Prayer) 

Sadly, the situation in the world today is not new. God’s people and the world have faced similar situations since human beings first inhabited the earth. In such times, people of faith have prayed similar prayers to the one shared with us by Bishop Curry. The following warning from God and prayer through the sixth century BC prophet, Joel, is one such example, and one which provides challenge and comfort to us as we pray for this Crisis in our world, and as we begin the season of Lent. Crises, prayer and lent, as well as lent, reflection and hope can never be separated from each other. 

Joel 2:1-2,12-17: Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near--a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.

Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God? 

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. 

Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, "Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, `Where is their God?'" 

In Psalm 103 we find God’s promise to Ukraine, to the USA and to the world, now during our Lenten pilgrimage and for ever and ever, world without end, amen. 

“The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and of great kindness. He will not always accuse us, nor will he keep his anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our wickedness. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so is his mercy great upon those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father cares for his children, so does the LORD care for those who fear him. For he himself knows whereof we are made…the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever on those who fear him, and his righteousness on children's children.

 

As our senior warden, Brenda Mayhall, shared with me earlier today: “May our Ash Wednesday be a time of reflection and promise.”

Home and Family in The Christmas Gospels

As Christians we see God’s actions in the birth of Jesus and the love and protection extended to him from Mary and Joseph. After the visit of the Magi, recorded in Matthew 2:13-23, we see God’s guidance and Joseph’s actions in protecting Jesus and Mary. In this I also see an example for all of us that families are one of God’s greatest gifts to us and how we are to care for and protect one another.

“After the Magi had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. . .’

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child’s life are dead.’ Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, Joseph was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth. . .”

In this scripture I see God’s message to us as well as to Joseph: a message of home, finding home, coming home, and of finding home in God.

 Throughout the Bible, we see this message over and over. The eighth century B.C. Prophet, Jeremiah proclaims: “For thus says the Lord: See the remnant of Israel, I am going to bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth and they shall return here. With weeping they shall come and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble. (Jeremiah 31:7-14) The Psalmist also proclaims, “How dear to me is your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. . .  For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room, and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.” (Psalm 84) 

As I read about Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and their journey home, I am reminded that we are fellow travelers with them and with all the Saints, as we journey together to find our true home as sons and daughters of God and sisters & brothers of Jesus Christ.

 

‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord who destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a)

 

 

Nativity of Our Lord, 2021

 

 

The world in Jesus Day was very much like ours, except, access to whole world was not in our pockets or our purses, something I consider a blessing.

 

Like our lives today there were many good things: families, friends, the birth of children, faith in God. These and many other glimmers of light.

 

But there was also much darkness, again not unlike our world can have at times: wars, empires that ruled other nations, leaders who took advantage of their own people, disease, hunger, outcasts, and despised peoples: shepherds, prostitutes, tax collectors and others. In short, plenty of darkness to go around.

 

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah, the eighth century BC prophet of Israel shares a Coronation Anthem sung at the enthronement of kings of the Davidic dynasty. While this anthem was not written about Jesus, our Christian faith finds that same hope in Jesus and it is appropriate that we celebrate his nativity with this hymn, reminding ourselves of why Jesus came into the world,

 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them light has shined. . . For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it

with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. (Isaiah 9:2-7)

 

I am sure that the Israelites hoped and believed that each new king would truly bring them out of war and into peace, out of hunger and oppression and poverty and into freedom and opportunity.

 

At Jesus’ Birth, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds must have believed that within this baby’s lifetime light would overcome darkness. During Jesus’ adult life many people saw him as the one who would bring God’s light into the world, bringing justice for the poor, freedom to the oppressed, and peace to the nations. 

 

The Miracle of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is that while the light is often dimmed, it never goes out.

 

The Christian Church, as the body of Christ is charged to blow on that light, to add wood to the fire and the carry that light into the world by proclaiming by word and deed Jesus’ message of light that destroys darkness, of peace which eliminates war, and of justice for the poor.

 

The writer of the epistle of Titus explains it this way: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. Jesus Christ it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:11-14)

 

As followers of Jesus redeemed and purified by Jesus, we are called to be his own and we are called to be zealous for good deeds.

 

We are called and blessed to work for “peace on earth among all those whom God favors!" I believe all, means all, all means everyone: red and yellow, black and white we are all precious in God’s sight. Christian, Moslem, Jew, Hindu, Baha’i, Atheist, and others. All those groups contain people whom God favors, and all can work together for Justice and peace. 

But what if I am afraid, what if people speak unkindly of me, or put my name in the newspaper as a troublemaker. Then, like the shepherds, God calls us to trust the words of the angel: “Do not be afraid; for see, I am bringing good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2) 

On Christmas we celebrate the brightness of the true light of God: the birth of Jesus as a Message of Peace, as a message of hope for the oppressed, as a command for us to help spread that light and as a promise that God will be with us always.

I want to Walk as a Child of the Light

 Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for First Sunday in Advent) 

This prayer is the foundation of what we do today in this place, and in Christian Churches around the world. This is our New Year, totally out of sync with the rest of the world. Last week we celebrated Christ the King, an ending foreshadowing a new beginning, foreshadowing a darkness leading to light, foreshadowing a baptism of being buried with Christ in his death and being raised with him in his resurrection! Light coming into a world of darkness, a New Beginning proclaiming the new beginning God gives us every day. 

 The Baptism of Elsey Joan today, is a living example of light from darkness in this mortal life and the continuation of that light of Christ into life eternal. 

Elsey’s baptism and our re-affirmation of our own baptismal covenant is a confirmation of our inclusion in God’s promise to Israel and Judah through the Hebrew Prophet Jeremiah!

“The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: "The LORD is our righteousness." (Jeremiah 33:14-16)

The Lord is our righteousness! W0W. What a mystery, what a blessing!

We enter a new Christian year, as the days become shorter and colder, with the promise that our God, “The Lord is our Righteousness,” will be with us through this year and all the years to come; will be with us on the mountain tops and in the valleys; in our joys and in our sorrows; through the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of our lives.

God’s promise: “The Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want, The Lord makes us to lie down in Green pastures, he leads us beside the still waters. He restores our souls and leads us in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil; for the Lord is with us; his rod and staff comfort us. The Lord our God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies; and anoints us with oil; our cups run over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)

Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." (Luke 21:25-36)

St. Paul leaves us with his blessing for this New Year: “Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)

As Elsey Joan Watwood is baptized today, she along with the rest of us, continue our walk as Children of Light. What better way to celebrate the light of Christ coming into the world.

 

“I want to walk as a Child of the Light.”

 

I want to walk as a child of the light, I want to follow Jesus. God sent the stars to give light to the world, the star of my life is Jesus. In Him there is no darkness at all, the night and the day are both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God, Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

 

 

 

 

Nation Shall not Lift up Sword against Nation

             Some Reflections on Veterans’ Day 

God shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4) 

As I write this column it is November 11, Veterans’ Day in the in the United States, the day when we remember and give thanks for our military veterans and their families, as well as our current military men and women, and their families, who serve and protect our nation and the world. As we give thanks to them for their service, it seems appropriate that we also turn to Isaiah, the eighth century B.C. Prophet of Israel. As most of us know and believe, it is God’s will that His people live in peace. Jesus is often referred to as the Prince of Peace, and the Prophet Isaiah proclaims that the temple in Jerusalem should be a “House of Prayer for all People.” (Isaiah 56:7) In the above proclamation, the Prophet Isaiah, gives to us the will of God for all people. 

Isaiah knows, as do we, that this is not always the case, but he also knows, as do we, that it is truly the will of God for us and that we are to pray fervently for this time of peace in our world. We, as God’s people, are also called to be co-creators with God in working for “justice and peace among all people and respect for the dignity of every human being.” (Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer) 

This is not an easy task and may never be completely accomplished this side of heaven. However, according to the Lord’s Prayer, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven,” we are all called to be God’s hands, feet, and heart in working and praying for the “Peace that passes all understanding.” 

AS we do this, we also know that there is evil in the world and that at times we need brave men and women who are willing to put country and the peace of the world above themselves and their families. Many of these men and women join the Armed Forces of the United States and serve, often at grave danger to themselves, to protect our country and to bring about peace and justice throughout the world. It is therefore appropriate today that we pray for them, their safety, their families and for God’s peace in the world, so that “God’s will may be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. 

A Prayer for Veterans’ Day 

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be. 

We also commend to your gracious care all the men and women who have served in the past. We give you thanks for their courage and their willingness to serve our country, and for the sacrifices they and their families willingly undertake. Gracious God, we pray that you will

give wisdom and knowledge to all who help to heal those who are injured physically and emotionally. Restore those who are so wounded to health and wholeness. 

We pray that their efforts and sacrifices will help bring peace to our country and to a world that is often broken. 

May we the people of this “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” remember and thank them for their service, not only on this day of remembrance, but every day. 

May you bless them and keep them, make your light to shine upon them and be gracious to them, lift up your countenance upon them and give them peace. Amen

 

 

 

Creation, Creatures, Creator

 All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

The above hymn verse is based on the first stanza of a poem, Canticle of the Sun, written by St. Francis of Assisi who died in 1226 at the age of 45. Francis is best known as Patron Saint of animals. His feast day is celebrated on October 3 every year, often with the blessing of animals and pets. This entire poem, all of which I will use to close this column demonstrates that he was certainly all of this and more. 

Francis was born in Assisi in Italy, the son of a wealthy cloth merchant, whose father desired that Francis follow in his footsteps. Francis had other ideas. He joined the army to fight against Perugia and was captured in battle and held in prison for ransom by his wealthy father. While in prison, he had a vision that God was calling him to build his church and to work among the poor and needy, helping them to live a better life, both spiritually and physically. He left his father’s business and founded the Franciscan Order of Friars who vowed to live in poverty to share what worldly goods they had or earned with the poor. 

Francis preached to the common people, inviting them to live as Christ lived and serve there fellow human beings. It is also said that he preached to “brother and sister birds,” and other animals, recognizing the interconnection of all creation. In 1979 Pope John Paul II proclaimed him patron saint of ecology because of his understanding of the intersection of all life and all of God’s creation. Francis is also considered the Patron of animals, merchants, and against dying alone. 

In recognition of God’s call on St. Francis, and to us to care for our brothers and sisters and all of creation, and as a form of meditation and prayer, I leave you with “Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon” by St. Francis of Assisi

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, all praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name. Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, Of You Most High, he bears the likeness. Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, In the heavens you have made them bright, precious, and fair. Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and fair and stormy, all weather's moods, by which You cherish all that You have made. Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water, So useful, humble, precious and pure. Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong. 

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister, Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs. Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial. Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned. Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death, from whom no-one living can escape. . . Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will. No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks, And serve Him with great humility. Amen 

May God bless us with the joy God gave to St. Francis.