My mom died last week. She was 92 and so ready to go. She just wore out. She was tired. The liturgy of Commendation of the Dying is so great when you pay attention to it. I have presided at more than 325 funerals in 40 years of ministry. Often I was able to get to the dying and use this liturgy with others so I knew it well. Yet, when people are grieving the words seem to pass them by. But I know the words well and know their comfort for it is in this liturgy that we release the dying to the arms of our Lord.
When it came time for my mom's release, I called upon my good friend and Pastor, Jim Gianantonio to pray this liturgy with us. I needed to be my mom's son on this occasion and not her Pastor. And the words did what they were supposed to do. They helped me release mom from this earth so she could "go and be with her people." It was then that I grieved.
Some folks talk about a person's death as a loss. I understand that. But you never really lose your mom. Her voice rings in my ears always. Her memory is very much alive in mine. Stories are shared by friends and family. You never ever lose your mom. I remember what she looked like when I was young. I remember what she looked like when I was in high school. I remember what she looked like in her old age. Those things are never lost. And, she is not lost, I know where she is and that causes me great celebration.
Those whom we love, we never lose. Do I wish she was still with us? Actually, no. While she wasn't suffering, she was miserable trapped in a body that didn't work very well. While she was often forgetful, her mind was still very sharp. Her sense of humor rocked on. She needed to be released. I cried because goodbyes aren't so easy. Yet, this goodbye isn't forever.
You never lose your mom.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
I Almost Missed It
I wasn't going to go, work and all and I almost missed it. It was just a football game albeit an important championship game and I almost missed it. My sons who live in California asked if I was interested in going...they would fly out to see me and their aging grandmother, perhaps for the last time, who knows, but I wasn't sure if I was up to driving to Dallas, spending the money (I was going to have to spring for their tickets and they ain't cheap!). I almost missed it. I didn't have anything important to do in Church that Sunday, I had one more Sunday coming in vacation but I don't know...should I go? I almost missed it. Finally I thought, oh well, why not? We hadn't been together for a couple of years and I had in the past missed a lot with them.
It was a blast....from beginning to end...in the same hotel room, 3.5 hours at Buffalo Wings talking football, 7 hours early to the game at Cowboy stadium, bands, cheers, friendly taunting...I almost missed it. It wasn't about the game, it was about being with my sons who are approaching 40, and to think I thought about not going.
Life is like that for me at least. I have always let work (good work, but work) come first. When I did that, I missed my boys. I wonder sometimes what else have I missed out on in my 65 years? I have decided to not miss too much more for whatever reason...not in a selfish way, but in a soul satisfying way.
I remember preaching about 30 years ago and said "I think God will ask us some day when we are before His throne: "Why didn't you do what you wanted to do.?" Again, not in a selfish way, but in a way in which at the end of work (retirement) or life we don't have any regrets. If at the end of my time our Lord can say to me "Well done, good and faithful servant" then perhaps I can think about not postponing doing things waiting for a better time, more money, or a clear conscience. No, I don't think I want to miss any more. I will do my work and pay attention to the human gifts God has given me. I think I will quit for now and call my stepdaughter, Sarah. She is 19 almost 20--no more missing!
It was a blast....from beginning to end...in the same hotel room, 3.5 hours at Buffalo Wings talking football, 7 hours early to the game at Cowboy stadium, bands, cheers, friendly taunting...I almost missed it. It wasn't about the game, it was about being with my sons who are approaching 40, and to think I thought about not going.
Life is like that for me at least. I have always let work (good work, but work) come first. When I did that, I missed my boys. I wonder sometimes what else have I missed out on in my 65 years? I have decided to not miss too much more for whatever reason...not in a selfish way, but in a soul satisfying way.
I remember preaching about 30 years ago and said "I think God will ask us some day when we are before His throne: "Why didn't you do what you wanted to do.?" Again, not in a selfish way, but in a way in which at the end of work (retirement) or life we don't have any regrets. If at the end of my time our Lord can say to me "Well done, good and faithful servant" then perhaps I can think about not postponing doing things waiting for a better time, more money, or a clear conscience. No, I don't think I want to miss any more. I will do my work and pay attention to the human gifts God has given me. I think I will quit for now and call my stepdaughter, Sarah. She is 19 almost 20--no more missing!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Left Behind Is Good
We mainline churches have often let fundamentalists hijack our sacred scriptures with highly marketable interpretations of Revelation and other apocalyptic writings. Ever since the '70s we have heard of but haven't paid much attention to "rapture, left behind, premillenial or postmillenial" writings. Yet these books have sold millions of copies and have even found their way into the History channel.
The problem is while Revelation has been interpreted in so many ways, we mainliners interpret everything from the Gospels. So, when it comes to apocalyptic literature, we listen first to the Gospels where Jesus said "no one knows the time, not even the angels of heaven, no one but the Father." That pretty much settles it for us while others just love to speculate.
With regards to things like the rapture and those left behind, we listen to Jesus who said, "It will be like the days of Noah...." In the story of the flood, all were lost except Noah and his family....it seems to me that Noah and his family who was left behind, ended up in pretty good shape.
I am looking at two men in the field...one is taken and the other left; two women grinding corn, one is taken and one is left....and I understand that there are those in my life who die before I do...I am left behind...and Jesus says, stay awake you who are left behind and see me in each and every day. Don't miss my grace, don't miss my presence, don't miss my love you who are left.
Yes, I am thinking, left behind is a good thing!
The problem is while Revelation has been interpreted in so many ways, we mainliners interpret everything from the Gospels. So, when it comes to apocalyptic literature, we listen first to the Gospels where Jesus said "no one knows the time, not even the angels of heaven, no one but the Father." That pretty much settles it for us while others just love to speculate.
With regards to things like the rapture and those left behind, we listen to Jesus who said, "It will be like the days of Noah...." In the story of the flood, all were lost except Noah and his family....it seems to me that Noah and his family who was left behind, ended up in pretty good shape.
I am looking at two men in the field...one is taken and the other left; two women grinding corn, one is taken and one is left....and I understand that there are those in my life who die before I do...I am left behind...and Jesus says, stay awake you who are left behind and see me in each and every day. Don't miss my grace, don't miss my presence, don't miss my love you who are left.
Yes, I am thinking, left behind is a good thing!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Gospel Lesson appointed for August 22 is Luke 13:10-17. In it, Jesus heals a woman who has been infirmed for 18 years. He is criticized for healing on the Sabbath; it was considered work. Jesus lashes out at the leaders of the synagogue because of their rules and regulations that allow a man to pull his donkey from a pit on the Sabbath, but not allowing a healing of a "daughter of Abraham." Thus Jesus put the needs above the interpretations of one of the 10 commandments: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. From that one command over centuries of interpretation came numerous rules and regulations about keeping the Sabbath day.
It has been a year since the ELCA passed a resolution that allows gay and lesbian clergy in lifelong committed relationships to serve as Pastors. Previously, gay and lesbian clergy could serve but had to be celibate. There are Lutheran folk who believe that even this was a stretch, but the straw that broke their backs was allowing lifelong committed relationships among those clergy.
In putting these two paragraphs together, it struck me that what the ELCA did was to put the needs of "these" people, children of God, above the centuries of interpretations including the Lutheran Confessions. Golly, that's what Jesus did for this woman who was "bent over" for years and that is what the ELCA did for those otherwise very qualified folks who have been burdened for years with old labels from centuries ago. In the 4th century, St. Augustine said, science informs faith, faith does not inform science. Our science today has shown that folks from the Old Testament and the New Testament didn't quite have the gay/lesbian thing right. They thought that the natural order of things was being perverted by "these" people. They didn't know that for a small percentage of people, this was the natural order.
In any case, Jesus set the standard, that the needs of the children of God take precedence over the religious rules of interpretation which by-in-large are good, but sometimes aren't.
It has been a year since the ELCA passed a resolution that allows gay and lesbian clergy in lifelong committed relationships to serve as Pastors. Previously, gay and lesbian clergy could serve but had to be celibate. There are Lutheran folk who believe that even this was a stretch, but the straw that broke their backs was allowing lifelong committed relationships among those clergy.
In putting these two paragraphs together, it struck me that what the ELCA did was to put the needs of "these" people, children of God, above the centuries of interpretations including the Lutheran Confessions. Golly, that's what Jesus did for this woman who was "bent over" for years and that is what the ELCA did for those otherwise very qualified folks who have been burdened for years with old labels from centuries ago. In the 4th century, St. Augustine said, science informs faith, faith does not inform science. Our science today has shown that folks from the Old Testament and the New Testament didn't quite have the gay/lesbian thing right. They thought that the natural order of things was being perverted by "these" people. They didn't know that for a small percentage of people, this was the natural order.
In any case, Jesus set the standard, that the needs of the children of God take precedence over the religious rules of interpretation which by-in-large are good, but sometimes aren't.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Weird Dreams
Last night (June 28) I had a very weird dream that I actually remembered. Our Church had a big retreat center of about 30 acres and was hosting a business group over a weekend. On Sunday evening I was going to have a communion service for whoever wanted to attend, but the lights went out and I couldn't find any bread and wine. The business group split up into 4 different religious groups. There was a group of Muslims (who wore green head coverings) and were praying in a corner. There were some Hindus burning incense and chanting. There was a group of Buddhists who went into another corner and meditated. A small group of Christians stayed with me while we looked for bread and wine.
Suddenly there was a commotion outside as a group of protesters all with masks on were protesting loudly the presence of these other religious groups. I went outside and confronted the leader who was quite a bit bigger than I, but strangely I felt no fear and told them to leave the property. I young adult girl came and stood beside me and folder her arms and stared at the leader who made some obscene remark to her, but she held her ground. He went on about how he had a right to free speech and we had to love him because Jesus said so. I told him that Jesus rebuked anyone out of line (like Peter)and that I was rebuking him and telling him and his group to leave. They didn't.
I went to the phone and dialed 911. A lady answered "Hello?" I asked if this was 911 and she said yes, just a moment...and then hollered out "Jim, it's for you" He came on the line and asked my emergency. I explained that I was the Pastor at St. Martin's Lutheran Church and we had trespassers that needed to be removed. He asked my address and I told him, 1123 Burney Rd, Rosenberg. In a few minutes 5 patrol cars came and a helicopter flew overhead. I met a deputy at the gate and asked if he was the sheriff...he said yes, I shook his hand and said "Welcome to St. Martin's." He took off his jacket and with two other deputies punched out the protesters and the last I remember I smiled a lot.
I then woke up and spent a good part of the night trying to figure this one out. Dreams are best interpreted by the dreamer. Why no sanctuary? Why Rosenberg when we are in Sugar Land? What was with the 911? I had just read that morning that Martin Luther wanted all rebellious peasants killed...hmmm. For now I just laugh but know there is more behind it. Do I feel a need to defend other faiths? I think so. Do I get angry at intolerance of others? Yes..and what about not finding the bread and wine? Am I still looking for deeper meaning in my own traditions? I think so.
How are your dreams coming along?
Suddenly there was a commotion outside as a group of protesters all with masks on were protesting loudly the presence of these other religious groups. I went outside and confronted the leader who was quite a bit bigger than I, but strangely I felt no fear and told them to leave the property. I young adult girl came and stood beside me and folder her arms and stared at the leader who made some obscene remark to her, but she held her ground. He went on about how he had a right to free speech and we had to love him because Jesus said so. I told him that Jesus rebuked anyone out of line (like Peter)and that I was rebuking him and telling him and his group to leave. They didn't.
I went to the phone and dialed 911. A lady answered "Hello?" I asked if this was 911 and she said yes, just a moment...and then hollered out "Jim, it's for you" He came on the line and asked my emergency. I explained that I was the Pastor at St. Martin's Lutheran Church and we had trespassers that needed to be removed. He asked my address and I told him, 1123 Burney Rd, Rosenberg. In a few minutes 5 patrol cars came and a helicopter flew overhead. I met a deputy at the gate and asked if he was the sheriff...he said yes, I shook his hand and said "Welcome to St. Martin's." He took off his jacket and with two other deputies punched out the protesters and the last I remember I smiled a lot.
I then woke up and spent a good part of the night trying to figure this one out. Dreams are best interpreted by the dreamer. Why no sanctuary? Why Rosenberg when we are in Sugar Land? What was with the 911? I had just read that morning that Martin Luther wanted all rebellious peasants killed...hmmm. For now I just laugh but know there is more behind it. Do I feel a need to defend other faiths? I think so. Do I get angry at intolerance of others? Yes..and what about not finding the bread and wine? Am I still looking for deeper meaning in my own traditions? I think so.
How are your dreams coming along?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Heartache in the ELCA
A couple of weeks ago Sean's (my son) church left the ELCA and subsequently his Bishop asked that he choose between being put on leave without call or resigning from the ELCA. Sean sent him a letter of resignation which he copied me. I knew it was coming but it still broke my heart. It felt like a death in the family. Sean is now rostered in the LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission For Christ). This group has about 200 churches. I sent him a note saying that while I disagreed with his decision and the decision of his congregation, I was proud that he had the courage of his convictions.
He didn't leave the ministry. He didn't beat his wife. He wasn't jailed for murder. He just left the ELCA. Why? It is over the interpretation of scriptures and an understanding of the Lutheran Confessions scripted in the late 1500's.
When the ELCA meet last August, the assembly voted to accept the sexual statement of the Church and further voted to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian Pastors in healthy and committed relationships. At each point the assembly deliberated, and prayed many times. When the vote was taken, it passed by the 2/3s majority.
This was the final straw for some churches and Pastors. Their fundamental belief is that homosexuality is a sin. The folks in the Old Testament thought so (along with other "sins" that no longer concern us like eating shell fish, pork and the like). The precious few passages in the New Testament point that way as well even though Paul in Romans lumped those people with idolators. In each case, the people in those days didn't have an understanding of homosexuality in the sense that they had no category of people who were homosexual. They believed that all were heterosexual and some of those heterosexuals would engage in homosexuality for "something extra."
We have learned some things since those writings. We call that contexual understanding of the scriptures. In the context of ancient people and writings, homosexuality was sinful. In today's context we know something different. St. Augustine in the 4th century said "Science informs faith, faith does not inform science." (City of God). When the Lutheran Confessions came out in the 16th century, there was still no understanding of the issues before us.
Those on the other side of the issue today do not believe that modern context should inform or be on an equal footing as the scriptures. Really fine Christians are divided on this. I am sure we have in our congregation at St. Martin's people who might side with the more traditional view, but to their great credit they have not let it divide us and our mission for Christ which is far more urgent than figuring out what is going on in the bedrooms of our people!
Are there sinful gay and lesbian people? Of course. Do they sometimes engage in sinful sexual behavior? Of course. Are there sinful heterosexual people? Of course. Do they sometimes engage in sinful sexual behavior? Of course. Any behavior is sinful that takes the gifts of God and misuses them in selfish and dehumanizing ways. We do not expect that behavior out of Christian committed people straight or gay.
My second son, Joel serves in a Lutheran church which will also leave the ELCA. I am ready for that. What remains is that they are my sons; I love them and respect them but I don't agree with them! I suspect I am not the first parent to be in this position nor will I be the last. Thanks be to God that they are Christian men, raising Christian families. I follow Christ, they follow Christ, its just this understanding the Bible thing that gets in the way!
Peace
He didn't leave the ministry. He didn't beat his wife. He wasn't jailed for murder. He just left the ELCA. Why? It is over the interpretation of scriptures and an understanding of the Lutheran Confessions scripted in the late 1500's.
When the ELCA meet last August, the assembly voted to accept the sexual statement of the Church and further voted to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian Pastors in healthy and committed relationships. At each point the assembly deliberated, and prayed many times. When the vote was taken, it passed by the 2/3s majority.
This was the final straw for some churches and Pastors. Their fundamental belief is that homosexuality is a sin. The folks in the Old Testament thought so (along with other "sins" that no longer concern us like eating shell fish, pork and the like). The precious few passages in the New Testament point that way as well even though Paul in Romans lumped those people with idolators. In each case, the people in those days didn't have an understanding of homosexuality in the sense that they had no category of people who were homosexual. They believed that all were heterosexual and some of those heterosexuals would engage in homosexuality for "something extra."
We have learned some things since those writings. We call that contexual understanding of the scriptures. In the context of ancient people and writings, homosexuality was sinful. In today's context we know something different. St. Augustine in the 4th century said "Science informs faith, faith does not inform science." (City of God). When the Lutheran Confessions came out in the 16th century, there was still no understanding of the issues before us.
Those on the other side of the issue today do not believe that modern context should inform or be on an equal footing as the scriptures. Really fine Christians are divided on this. I am sure we have in our congregation at St. Martin's people who might side with the more traditional view, but to their great credit they have not let it divide us and our mission for Christ which is far more urgent than figuring out what is going on in the bedrooms of our people!
Are there sinful gay and lesbian people? Of course. Do they sometimes engage in sinful sexual behavior? Of course. Are there sinful heterosexual people? Of course. Do they sometimes engage in sinful sexual behavior? Of course. Any behavior is sinful that takes the gifts of God and misuses them in selfish and dehumanizing ways. We do not expect that behavior out of Christian committed people straight or gay.
My second son, Joel serves in a Lutheran church which will also leave the ELCA. I am ready for that. What remains is that they are my sons; I love them and respect them but I don't agree with them! I suspect I am not the first parent to be in this position nor will I be the last. Thanks be to God that they are Christian men, raising Christian families. I follow Christ, they follow Christ, its just this understanding the Bible thing that gets in the way!
Peace
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The New Cathedrals
On Sunday, December 13 I took a day off from being a presiding pastor and went to the Houston Texas football game with my wife and friends. I get 4 Sundays off per year and I had only taken 2 up to this point so it was good! As we walked from our overpriced parking space way out in the boonies we passed hundreds and hundreds of people completely surrounding the stadium doing the tailgate thing which is really a misnomer. It isn't tailgating so much as it is huge party tents and hundred and hundreds of magnificent BBQ's going. This isn't an exaggeration. We walked around the old Astro Dome and there is was--huge and imposing--Reliant Stadium. On this Sunday morning more than 70,000 men, women, and children of all ages pouring in.
That is when it struck me. Our beautiful football, basketball and baseball stadiums perhaps have become our new cathedrals. Here is where people pay outrageous prices for tickets, parking, food and beverages. The BBQs must be the new places where animals are sacrificed and eaten!
The new huge TV that hangs in the new Dallas Cowboy stadium cost more than the new co-cathedral of the Catholic Church in Houston!
I enjoyed myself that Sunday. Our Texans won the game. I noticed that most of the people around us only glanced occasionally at the game and spent most of the time eating, drinking and talking with their friends.
Sometimes it causes me to wonder. Our worship services can't competed with the carefully choreographed (and very loud)pregame, halftime and post game activities. But it is in the Church were I hear the glorious Gospel of Christ and God's love for us all. Come to think of it, the first Christmas wasn't all that choreographed. Thousands didn't attend...just a few to usher in the king of kings and lord of lords.
Man builds all kinds of cathedrals to house what seems important to them. God builds the lives of all who worship Him. I'll stick with God.
I will still go to football games because I like football, but on most Sunday mornings I will be in worship except when on vacation when I usually visit other chruches.
That is when it struck me. Our beautiful football, basketball and baseball stadiums perhaps have become our new cathedrals. Here is where people pay outrageous prices for tickets, parking, food and beverages. The BBQs must be the new places where animals are sacrificed and eaten!
The new huge TV that hangs in the new Dallas Cowboy stadium cost more than the new co-cathedral of the Catholic Church in Houston!
I enjoyed myself that Sunday. Our Texans won the game. I noticed that most of the people around us only glanced occasionally at the game and spent most of the time eating, drinking and talking with their friends.
Sometimes it causes me to wonder. Our worship services can't competed with the carefully choreographed (and very loud)pregame, halftime and post game activities. But it is in the Church were I hear the glorious Gospel of Christ and God's love for us all. Come to think of it, the first Christmas wasn't all that choreographed. Thousands didn't attend...just a few to usher in the king of kings and lord of lords.
Man builds all kinds of cathedrals to house what seems important to them. God builds the lives of all who worship Him. I'll stick with God.
I will still go to football games because I like football, but on most Sunday mornings I will be in worship except when on vacation when I usually visit other chruches.
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