Daily Office Reflection: Salty

Psalms 78:1-39 * 78:40-72; Isaiah 59:1-15a; 2 Timothy 1:1-14; Mark 9:42-50

If today's Gospel selection doesn't prove the point about Jesus talking metaphorically with an intention that we not take his words literally, I don't know what passage would. Otherwise there wouldn't be enough millstones to tie around an eyeless, footless, handless world. Jesus says quite clearly that we are not to get in the way of people who are on the journey to God's kingdom, no matter what their age. Many interpret "little ones" as children, but scholars disagree if Jesus was referring only to children, or to those who are infants in their spiritual growth, no matter their age. I prefer the latter.

Now this might lead us to believe that we must be bland and unseasoned, to fit in and not stand out in order not to get in the way of others. Jesus takes care of that misunderstanding by saying that we must be salty, seasoned, personally involved...Salt is an amazing flavor-enhancer. This seasoning can take something that seems bland and grab and bring to the forefront the nuances of its essence. Salt can also overwhelm the product we are seeking to enhance and so must be used thoughtfully. This is kind-of-like being introspective on a walk to the beach at dusk, while at the same time being engaged in a deep conversation with a dear friend or loved one. Striking that correct balance needs thought and care....a real engagement with what we are doing and who we are.

Where in our lives today can we thoughtfully bring forth our own salty-being to enhance the nuances of life, enhancing the essence of the kingdom we, and others, have yet to experience?

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Differences and Exclusivity

Psalm 80 * 77 (79); Isaiah 58:1-12; Galatians 6:11-18; Mark 9:30-41

Even back then, when Jesus was among the folks he hand-picked to be his apostles, they couldn't agree and they argued, and they wanted to exclude people who weren't like them, who weren't part of the club. How are we supposed to do any better?

Today's reading from Mark has the band of Jesus traipsing through Galilee and on to Capernaum. Jesus is trying to teach them yet again about the upcoming Passion, death and resurrection he is heading toward, and they don't get it. He hears them arguing while they are walking and asks them when they reach their destination what that was about, and they don't want to tell him. He knows though, and tells them to be like a child, to welcome a child and care for children. Then the beloved John tells Jesus about this outsider curing people in Jesus' name and how they tried to stop him because he wasn't one of them. Jesus says Don't do that, let those who act in my name, act.

The apostles and the other followers of Jesus were a special club....they knew that and wanted to protect that status. They also argued inside that special club about who was better. This is part of our human nature, our individual (and at times group-think) desire to be special, set apart, important. And to be able to decide who is in, and who isn't.

Part of the challenge of today's Gospel reading is to ask ourselves: who are we excluding from our lives in the kingdom because we see them as different, not one of us? A challenging question when so many of us feel excluded and looked down upon by others. One of the things Jesus is saying today is that we need to get over those feelings, and no matter how much we may want to go tit-for-tat, responding/reacting to prejudicial behavior, that isn't our job or purpose as the Body of Christ in the world today. Not easy, but a way of being in this world to work toward.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: But Only Jesus

Psalms 69:1-23(24-30)31-38 * 73; Isaiah 56:1-8; Galatians 5:16-24; Mark 9:2-13

Peter, James and John accompany Jesus up the mountain today and witness a shocking event. We are told this is six days after Jesus has predicted his own torture and death, having to rebuke Peter for trying to hush him up. At the end of this mountain-side event, Mark tells us "Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus."

Today, in Holy Women, Holy Men, we remember and honor Anskar who died in 845. He laid the groundwork in Scandinavia for the church to grow and prosper, although his work didn't take root and begin to flourish until a hundred years after his death. HWHM tells us that "Anskar is looked upon by Scandinavians as their apostle" for building schools and creating missions with little support or financial resources.

Anskar answered God's call to spread this news about Jesus, and although he was frustrated by the events that swirled around his world at that time, Anskar stayed focused on the one whose call he was following. His is a life that illumines an important part of of our individual faith journeys. So often we do not see the fruit born from our faithful tending of the fields, and this can be frustrating and wearing on us. It is natural and expected for us to want to see those results. Many times, God's time turns out to be very different from our own understanding of time. God's scope of vision is different than our impatient demand for results, now. The Collect for Anskar says in part:

you sent your servant Anskar as an apostle to the people of Scandinavia, and enabled him to lay a firm foundation for their conversion, though he did not see the results of his labors: Keep your Church from discouragement in the day of small things, knowing that when you have begun a good work you will bring it to a fruitful conclusion

Much like those three confused apostles walking down the mountain-side with Jesus today, we need to remember in those times of frustration and disappointment and confusion, when there appear to be road blocks to our self-defined success, that our work of creating the kingdom bears unknown fruit well beyond our imaginings and our sight and knowledge. We need to stay focused on the truth of our faith, and that when we may feel alone, or it appears that our efforts may seem to bear no fruit, our faithfulness needs to remain only with Jesus, and not anything or anyone else. This may not seem like enough, but it is.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Take - Bless - Break - Give

Psalm 61, 62 * 68:1-20(21-23)24-36; Isaiah 52:1-12; Galatians 4:12-20; Mark 8:1-10

Mark's Gospel can be so disconcerting at times. The herky-jerky nature of the flow of the story can be so off-putting, un-balancing. Perhaps that was the intent of the author. Perhaps this was caused by the manner in which the original was translated. Yet, if we think about life, the ebb and flow of each of our individual stories does not flow in a pretty manner: that herky-jerkiness we experience in Mark's narrative is quite analogous to life's unevenness.

We have Mark's second feeding of the masses in today's Gospel selection. The four-fold action of our Eucharistic Prayers is once again on display: taking, blessing, breaking, giving the limited quantity of bread that somehow feeds a multitude. Where in the herky-jerky activities of our busy lives can we take some seemingly insignificant piece of ourselves, recognize and give thanks for its holiness, do what is necessary to divvy that gift up, and than distribute it to those around us?

In the midst of chaos and confusion, we must be able to find a manner in which to appreciate and take in those gifts God gives us each and every day, give thanks for them and share them by giving a piece of ourselves to something, or some person who can benefit from that piece being broken off us. Perhaps, just perhaps, that rocky-feeling will dissipate some..... And we will never miss that piece of ourselves we give away.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Ya Ain't Seen Nuthin' Yet

Psalms 56, 57, (58) * 64, 65; Isaiah 51:17-23; Galatians 4:1-11; Mark 7:24-37

Mark tells us today that the people around Jesus "were astounded beyond measure...." He had just healed a deaf individual who had a speech impediment. Prior to this, and without the knowledge of those who were amazed, he had healed a Syrophoenician woman's daughter, from a distance: something even more amazing than what those folks saw who witnessed the deaf individual's cure.

I think the pairing of these two healing stories is making a point about our human nature. We jump to conclusions quickly. We can make definitive statements about people and incidents, believing that what we have witnessed and experienced sums up the entirety of a person or situation. We, in general, want simple and direct answers, because they are easier to put into a box and stop thinking about them. All we need to do is to look around, think about what is going on in our world, in both the secular and religious realms, and we can see the truth of this human condition of ours.

In the pairing of these two stories Mark is readying the hearer for what is to come. If those folks were amazed at the healing of the deaf individual without knowledge of the prior miracle, how are they going to react to the mysteries involved in the Passion, death, resurrection and ascension?

Going for the simple and direct can be comforting, but in almost all cases there is more there for us to chew on and digest. Mark is leading us to be open to and ready for the deeper mysteries, the more nuanced aspects of our life as the Body of Christ in the world today.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Hardened Hearts

Psalms 40, 54 * 51; Isaiah 50:1-11; Galatians 3:15-22; Mark 6:47-56

Mark tells us today that the disciples did not understand either what happened with the loaves and the fishes, nor why the wind ceased on the sea upon Jesus entering their boat, because "their hearts were hardened." Isn't that condition, a rock hard heart, the cause of so much angst, agony and antipathy in our world? How do we defrost our hearts? To what (or to whom) is our heart hardened?

One of the messages we hear throughout Jesus' ministry is this concept, this emotion, this ideal, this amorphous thing termed love. But if our hearts are hardened, how do we love? How do love our neighbor? How do we love ourself if our heart is hardened?

There is no set way, no one method, no particular formula we can all follow to unthaw frozen hearts, whether our own or those whom we meet. Wouldn't life be simpler and more beautiful if there was? Here, take this pill, or do this exercise and your heart will be like mine and the world will be a better place! If wishing and praying would make it so.....

Yet, perhaps there are some simple steps, fairly easy things we can do to start that process of defrosting some hardened part of us that is preventing us from reaching our potential of being full members of the Body of Christ in the world today, of aiding in the creation of the kingdom, here and now.....Reaching out to an elderly neighbor, who sits alone a good portion of their life....Forgiving someone, really giving up a grudge we have against someone who wronged us....letting go of worry about tomorrow and concentrating on this moment....volunteering an hour of our time at a food bank, or homeless shelter, or a children's hospital, or a nursing home....calling a friend we haven't spoken to in a long time just to check in.... Anyone of these can start a healing process that feeds on itself. We gain as much, if not more, than the recipients of our acts.

Try one today, and another tomorrow. See if there is a start of a thaw......

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: To Whom Do We Listen?

Psalms 119:49-72 * 49, (53); Isaiah 49:1-12; Galatians 2:11-21; Mark 6:13-29

"....for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he he liked to listed to him." This is a portion of Mark's telling of the death of John the Baptist. It is striking to hear this lesson of being perplexed and yet still liking to hear what is being said....wanting to be in that person's company.

And yet Herod lets his pride get in the way. He is worried about what his guests might think. He is embarrassed at his association with a prophet who has been maligned. He allows his hubris to get the better of him by allowing his prior oath control, permitting what he knows should not happen to happen. And John the Baptist's head ends up on a platter.

We have all been in a place in our lives where we have done something that we know we should not have done, and yet we did it anyway. We did not listen to our better angels, for whatever reason. Today's tale of John's demise is a cautionary tale for us. John challenged Herod and Herod knew this....it flummoxed him a bit.....and yet he liked to be allowed to think along the lines John made him think.....He was drawn to it.

Perhaps some of the things this Gospel account is driving us to consider today are... Where today can we pay attention to that unruly Holy Spirit kicking us in the fanny, directing our attention and interest to something that causes us to be perplexed? Where are we being challenged to grow out of our hubris, embarrassment and pride? Who (or what) is making us feel challenged about how we interact in the world? Where today can we apply as metaphor Herod's tortured acquiescence to his lesser self?

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Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: This Is What I Do

Psalms 41, 52 * 44: Isaiah 48:1-11; Galatians:1:1-17; Mark 5:21-43

We are gifted in Mark today the two healing stories of Jarius' 12 year old daughter and the hemorragic woman. They are remarkable accounts of Jesus' care and love for those who reach out to him. At the end of today's Gospel section we hear that there was great joy and amazement at the girl's arising and that Jesus orders all those present to remain silent and told them "to give her something to eat."

I am struck by the ending of this Gospel story. It is almost as if Jesus is saying, Enough already, get over it, this is what I do And for God's-sake will someone get this poor child something to eat? This is what Jesus does, without desired fanfare or attention. As the Nike ad goes: Just Do It. Jesus is setting a model for us to follow in our work as the Body of Christ in the world today. He is also asking us to reflect on our motives and our actions in doing those things that make the kingdom's presence felt, here and now.

In Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints, we remember today the Ordination of Florence Li Tim-Oi. She was the first woman ordained a priest in the Anglican world. This magnificent act was done by Bishop Ronald Hall of Hong Kong, during the occupation of Hong Kong in World War II. After the war, the Bishop's actions raised quite a ruckus and his response was to always treat Florence Li Tim-Oi as a priest, and ask her to act out her ordination responsibilities to that order. He was saying, in a manner of speaking, This is what she does, get over it.

We are challenged today to look at our lives and reflect on what it is we are called upon to do, own that (or those) thing(s) and get on with the work of building the kingdom without fanfare and trumpets announcing our work. We are asked today to think about shrugging our shoulders and approaching those responsibilities with an attitude of This is what I do. This is a good way to begin the week.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Epiphany II: Let It Shine

Preached at St. Mary Magdalene, Wheaton, MD, 1/16/11

John 1:29-42

W

hat are you looking for? These five words, formed into a question, are the first words Jesus utters in the Gospel of John. This Gospel that can be so misunderstood. This Gospel that has been mis-used as a weapon and as a basis for hate and prejudice. This is a Gospel that is so unlike the other three Gospels. What are you looking for? Jesus asks the two disciples of John who are trailing after him.

What are you looking for? is asked in many contexts. When we walk into a store, a helpful salesperson can ask this question (hoping for a commission on the sale). On-line dating services ask this question: what are you looking for in the person you seek? Job hunters are asked by human resources personnel all the time What are you looking for….in your career? How would we answer this question if the Incarnate One was to turn to us and ask “What are you looking for?”

John the Baptist has identified Jesus twice as “the Lamb of God”. Two days in a row Jesus has walked by John and John points to him and says: Look….look at him – he is the one for whom I have been preparing all of you! And the second time John does this, two of his disciples take off after Jesus to see what this is all about. And when Jesus asks them What are you looking for? they respond Where are you staying? Now, that is kind of an odd question to ask. Perhaps they were flummoxed by Jesus’ query. But Jesus isn’t turned off by this peculiar question and says “Come and see.”

This is a remarkable response by Jesus: Come and see. The next three words Jesus utters in John’s Gospel is an invitation: come and see. The first words are a question: What are you looking for? Followed by an open invitation: come and see. We are invited today to explore a metaphor for the Church in these eight words. The wider church-universal and this parish, St. Mary Magdalene, Wheaton Parish are given this invitation to reflect on the question What are you looking for? and the open-ended invitation: come and see.

This is a wonderful opportunity, during Epiphany and at the beginning of a new calendar year, to dwell on this topic of what we are looking for from our church experience. After-all, we have all chosen to voluntarily be here….to be part of this intentional community. So if we twist the question Jesus asks just a tad bit, and ask ourselves What am I looking for by coming to St Mary Magdalene today? we will be taking this Gospel account and making it personal to each one of us. Take a moment, and ask yourself this question, thinking about an answer: What am I looking for by coming to St. Mary Magdalene today? I am not going to ask anyone to tell me their personal answers, so be honest with yourselves. Close your eyes and give a ponder to an answer.(Pause…..)

What happens to that private answer we each just came up with if we twist the question just a little bit more. How would we answer that question if a newcomer to St. Mary Magdalene’s asked us why we are here, what you are looking for by being a member of this intentional Christian community. Would the answer to that question you just answered to yourself change? Close your eyes and think about that for a moment. (pause)

Now, the last part of this exercise I want to explore with you is to ask, if we were to invite a newcomer, or a stranger on the street, or a friend at a cocktail party, to Come and See us at St. Mary Magdalene, what would we be showing them? To what would we be inviting them? Can we, each of us, articulate what those newcomers, or strangers, or friends, would be coming to see? Close your eyes and think how you would evangelize for St. Mary Magdalene. (pause)

John the Baptist’s main purpose in the Gospel of John is to point to Jesus, to witness, to evangelize for the light that has come into the world. Being able to do that work of evangelism is part of the beginning work of our faith. Being able to come up with an answer to the question What are you looking for? and not being embarrassed about telling people about the wonders of being a part of an intentional Christian community, is not only the beginning part of growing our faith, but is aiding in this congregation’s continued growth, development and joyous spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ. This congregation will be a light to the world (as our Collect says). This Congregation will emulate the difficult task Isaiah talks about: we will be light to the nations proclaiming God’s salvation come among us. We will be living into the instructions in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians showing those newcomers, strangers and friends that we have been enriched in speech and knowledge of every-kind and have been gifted deep spiritual gifts.

Come and See is an invitation for us to share in discipleship…..Come, see, follow, look, are all active verbs, not passive. They are active, symbolizing and emphasizing the truth that discipleship equates to active ministry. Part of that active ministry is being able to articulate why we are part of, yearn to grow into, this Body of Christ in the world today. Inviting people to Come and See, warmly welcoming the newcomer, embracing the change that embodies growth, are all components of an answer to Jesus’ question.

We can all be like John the Baptist, pointing and saying: Look, look!!! There is the Lamb of God! This community is a part of that Body of Christ, that Lamb of God present in the world today, witnessing to the world today about God’s saving and real presence. And we get to say

- I am an integral and joyful part of that Body too!

- I am an tool of the light bringing the love of Jesus to everyone I encounter!

- Come and See what this loving, intentional, growth-filled and joyous community is

all about!

- Come be a light to the nations!

Each of us can be part of

- filling the emptiness in someone’s life

- giving solace to those who are lonely or broken

- bring that joyous light to the world

by articulating Why we are here and inviting people to come and see. We just have to do it in our own words….. And all will be well….. And this place will thrive!

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Stuck

Psalms 20, 21:1-7(8-14) * 110:1-5(6-7), 116, 117; Isaiah 43:1-13; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 2:23-3:6

Today, we have language that soars to the heavens in the Ephesians passage. There is substantive disagreement by scholars, who are much smarter than I, whether Paul or one of his faithful followers was the actual author of this letter. Passages like today's makes me think that those who believe this is not written by Paul are correct. I am no great fan of Paul's. Most of the controversies in Church history, and today, stem from an over-emphasis on Paul's (and his followers') writings as opposed to what Jesus says and does.

Today we are given the unusual circumstance where both the Epistle reading and the Gospel reading dovetail nicely. Jesus is highlighting today the Pharisees being stuck in the letters of their laws, in the minutiae of human-made rules, and thereby losing the bigger picture of what their focus should be in life. They shouldn't be concerned about whether or not Jesus' disciples picked some grain to eat on the Sabbath, or whether he (Jesus) helps someone in need on the Sabbath. Their focus is directed incorrectly, Jesus is saying. They have lost the bigger picture.

Here are the verses from Ephesians:

I pray that, according to the riches of God's glory, God may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through God's Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to God, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to God be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Jesus' focus today, as well as this portion of Ephesians, is pointing us to be "rooted and grounded in love" so that the Spirit can guide us to do that which we should and must to help those we are called to serve. Life is not about being stuck, or lost, in rules and regulations, but through the love that we know God has for each one of us, from the strength we are given by that overwhelming love, we can have the endurance to change the world, one kind act at a time.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Hunting

Psalms 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Isaiah 41:1-16; Ephesians 2:1-10; Mark 1:29-45

Jesus heals Simon and Andrew's Mom and many in their hometown. On the next morning, before dawn, he leaves the house to find a quiet place to pray. Simon and Andrew get up and are panicked, not knowing where this peculiar guy is they just found who has done such miraculous things and they "hunted for him". Isn't that an odd word for the Gospel writer to utilize....hunt? They of course find him and want him to return to their village and Jesus says, no, we have to move on......so other people can hunt for him as well.

What do we hunt for in life?

In Holy Women Holy Men, we remember Aelred, the Abbot of Rievaulx, who died in 1167 and was a prolific author. In one of his works he talked about friendship, writing:

There are four qualities which characterize a friend: loyalty, right intention, discretion and patience. Right intention seeks for nothing other than God and natural good. Discretion brings understanding of what is done on a friend's behalf, and ability to know when to correct faults. Patience enables one to be justly rebuked, or to bear adversity on another's behalf. Loyalty guards and protects the friend, in good or bitter times.

It seems to me that many hunt friendship, but don't really know what that relationship means. Aelred's definition is a good one to think on, and incorporate into our relationship-understandings, and perhaps will help focus the hunt. Part of Aelred's definition incorporates an unspoken spiritual side to friendship: a deep well of compassion and emotion and understanding.....and a love that transcends the petty and is rooted in something far more mysterious.

Happy hunting.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Where To Start

Psalms 1, 2, 3 * 4, 7; Isaiah 40:12-23; Ephesians 1:1-14; Mark 1:1-13

Where do we start after a weekend like the one that we have just collectively experienced? The attempted assassination of a member of Congress and the murder of innocent bystanders and the gunshot injuries to others has captured the attention of our nation, and the world. Whether the individual in custody was influenced by the sharp political rhetoric that has permeated our national discourse has yet to be definitively established. At a minimum I believe the inappropriate tone and tenor of that discourse has exasperated a climate of intolerance that permeates so much of our lives and could not have helped.

So where do we begin? Perhaps we begin like the Gospel writer we call Mark does: with directness, clarity, succinctness and an over-riding pervasive faith that drives all that we do and say. There are times when these qualities of Mark's Gospel make it a challenging one to appreciate. On days like today, I think the forthrightness of Mark is what can help us through these days of confusion and frustration and anger and sadness. Reading the action-oriented beginning of Mark's Gospel can help focus our priorities and our prayers.

Keep all the victims of the mass shooting in Tucson in the forefront of your prayers and thoughts. May God's love and comfort envelop all those who grieve, mourn or are in pain.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Epiphany

Psalms 46, 97 * 96, 100; Isaiah 52:7-10; Rev 21:22-27; Matthew 12: 14-21

Webster's Dictionary defines epiphany as a sudden realization or understanding. The word comes from Greek roots, with the Greek word meaning manifestation of power. They both fit this feast day we celebrate today. The three Gentile kings are remembered today as reaching the Incarnate God child's side and they present him with gifts. I hope those who are attending services today are gifted with gold thuribles scenting the air with the pungency of frankincense.

Christmas is over today and Epiphanytide begins. This time-flexible season where we explore God's power in the manifestation of Jesus' ministry. Where we are gifted the opportunity to have those sudden realizations about God's loving presence in our life. Where a blinding light of understanding can change how we see and operate in the world.

May this season be epiphanic to all who wonder about the joy of God's love which God has for each one of us.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: This Continuum

MP: Psalms 2, 110:1-5(6-7); Joshua 1:1-9; Hebrews 11:32-12:2; John 15:1-16

EP: Psalms 29, 98; Isaiah 66:18-23; Romans 15:7-13

I am so excited by the richness of today's readings! We have the baton being passed to Joshua, after Moses' death (which I have always found quite sad, Moses' not being allowed into the Promised Land). Hebrews is up next with a brief listing of prophets and their amazing work, followed by the majestic words Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us..... And then John says Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. For EP we begin with Isaiah telling us God's promise of gathering all nations and tongues and that God will make new heavens and the new earth....... ending with a part of the letter to the Romans saying May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the peace of the Holy Spirit.

This continuum of faith we are all on is wound through all of these readings. The hard truth of Moses not seeing the final fruits of his life's work tells us to be joyful in what we can and do accomplish, knowing that our efforts will be carried on by those who follow us. Hebrews does the same, showing the works of the prophets who have gone before and urging us to carry on that torch of faith, passing it to those who have yet to start the race. John is telling us that our work is never done, and that although pruning may be painful, more fruit comes from those efforts. Isaiah and Paul's letter to Rome give voice to our hope that there is a joy in this building of Jesus' kingdom, one bit at a time, and none of our efforts are ever lost.

This journey we are all on, although perhaps tedious and seemingly pointless at times, is really something much different. We are all part of something much larger, stretching back beyond our understanding and forward to something we will never see, in our human lives. But being a willing part of this ancient continuum, sharing the joy of God's embrace with those we are gifted to have part of our journey, is, and must be, enough.

On this last day of the Christmas Season, as we embark into Epiphany with tomorrow's celebration, these readings give voice to how we should think about and remember these sacred (and short) 12 days. Happy Christmas-tide.

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Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Ask

Psalms 85, 87 * 89:1-29; Exodus 3:1-12; Hebrews 11:23-31; John 14:6-14

In today's Gospel reading from John, we have Jesus bucking up the flagging faith of both Thomas and Philip in saying: I will do whatever you ask in my name.....and.... If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

The old adage, "be careful what you ask for because you just might get it" comes to mind when thinking about these promises Jesus is making. But how do we explain all those unanswered prayers all of us have offered up in times of heartache and loss and terror? How are we to explain the seeming-silence of Jesus to the suffering of so many in our world in light of these promises we read today?

I wish there was a pat and easy answer, but there is not. Part of a way to look at this issue is by deeply considering the mystery of our faith that we all live into by naming ourselves Christian. Another portion is the mystery of the Incarnation we celebrate this Christmas Season, of God becoming fully human and walking and being among and with us. Part of the answer comes from the reality and truth of the old Stones song: You can't always get what you want. Part of the answer comes from our belief that so much of what we have in our Gospels are not to be taken literally, but analogously, metaphorically. Part of the answer comes from our faith that Christ died for each one of us, was resurrected and ascended to heaven, showing us, in part, that we may not get exactly that which we ask for or want, when we want, but better things will happen: we just need to ask and be open to those differing perspectives and understandings that result from that ask.

So ask in Jesus' name today. And be open to the surprise that comes.

jfd+

Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: The Gate to an Abundant Life

Psalms 68 * 72; Genesis 28:10-22; Hebrews 11:13-22; John 10:7-17

Having Jesus invite everyone through the gate that he establishes which leads to an abundant life is a hopeful reading for this third day of a new calendar year: hopeful and welcoming. Jesus puts no boundaries on this invitation to join his fold except to follow his voice and lead as good shepherd.

Those in this world who try to limit access to this abundant life by setting criteria for entrance based on human-made regulations are proven wrong and shown to be hypocritical by today's reading from John. All are welcome into Jesus' pasture and will find an abundance on which to live. Does an abundant life mean there will be no disagreements? No, I don't believe Jesus is leading us to some homogenous pasture. Abundance means vibrancy and energy and diversity and life-fulfilling potential that can surround and embody and enrich all of our days. What a vision that is for us to incorporate into our day today.

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Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: The Holy Name

Psalms 103 * 148; Genesis 17:1-12a, 15-16; Col 2:6-12; John 16:23b-30

I have lived in urban areas for most of my adult life, and I find myself missing the verve and life-beat of urban settings when I am away from them for any span of time. This does not mean that I don't yearn for quiet and solitude: those are (perhaps) harder to find in an urban oasis, but not impossible.

One of the reasons I get up early (besides habit) is to enjoy the quiet of city-life: in particular on Saturday and Sunday and Holiday mornings. Very few people are up and about early on weekend mornings, in particular after a "big-night" like last night. And the energy of all those thousands of souls sleeping all around is present, juxtaposed against the quiet of the morning.

Today I was walking Allie down by the Washington Inlet (an offshoot of where the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers join together). There was a thin sheet of ice covering the water. A mist was rising from the river and from the Haines Point golf course across the inlet. And there was a noise: not from cars or planes or people chatting. There was a clicking sound pervading the area, emanating from the middle of the inlet. Hundreds of birds were resting on that thin coat of ice and the noise that I was surrounded by was coming from their movements and pecking on that thin coat of ice....quiet and nature carrying on in the midst of urban energy.

On this first day of a new calendar year, when we celebrate and commemorate Jesus' naming (and circumcision {ouch}), remembering the wonders of God's creations all around us, finding some moments before the football games take over our awareness to appreciate the gift of life and the love that surrounds us, is a grand way to enter into a New Year. Resolutions are not necessary, for we only break those as quickly as we can say them. Acknowledging the love God has for all of us and the gift of Jesus' life and ministry for us to model, is enough for the start of these 365 days.

May wonders and joy and love and curiosity imbue this year, no matter our station or circumstances. Happy New Year.

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Copyright 2011, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: The Holy Innocents

MP: Psalms 2, 26; Isaiah 49:13-23; Matthew 18:1-14

EP: Psalms 19, 126; Isaiah 54:1-13; Mark 10:13-16

Today we remember those children that our tradition tells us were murdered by Herod "the Great" upon his learning of Jesus' birth. This day of remembrance is a hard one. The question that most readily comes to mind with this kind of horror is "Why would God let all those young children be killed?" This event from our tradition not only caused pain to those innocents, but deep loss and sorrow and horror to their families. Where is God in all of this type of loss?

The simplest and most direct answer is "I don't have a clue." But if we think a little bit about this, we might find a different approach. I don't think God caused those children to die. Just like I don't believe God caused, or allowed, the World Trade Center terrorist attacks to happen. I don't believe God caused or allowed all those suicides by gay teens because of the bullying to which they were subjected.

I think those incidents are examples of an absence of God. An absence, a turning away from God and a turning toward a baser human propensity for violence and intolerance and hatred. The Incarnation, this God taking human form, that is the root of our Christmas celebrations, is about God offering each and every one of us the opportunity and choice to turn away from actions and thoughts and a manner of life that is harmful. We are offered the choice of turning toward the innocence of a child in a manger, who is God Incarnate, here to provide a different way to interact in the world. A more difficult manner of life perhaps, but a sure-fire better one. A life-style choice that is centered on community, and love, and caring for all of God's children, no matter who they are: for God created all of us in our wild diversity in order to revel in those majestic differences.

The deeper, and perhaps more appropriately nuanced question in regard to today's remembrance is not "How could God let"..... but "How can we change people (and ourselves) and turn them toward that Godly-innocence found in a manger, thereby changing the world?" Jesus' presence here announces the kingdom, come here on earth, for all of us. Who can we invite into this kingdom today?

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

MP: Psalms 97, 98; Proverbs 8:22-30; John 13:20-35

EP: Psalm 145; Isaiah 44:1-8; 1 John 5:1-12

The Apostle we remember today, John, who is credited with writing Revelation and at least one of the letters bearing his name, is one of those characters in Jesus' story that can provide such hope. Holy Women, Holy Men provides a fairly detailed accounting of John's appearance in the Gospels, and Acts and recounts the tradition of his long life in Ephesus and Patmos.

John provides hope because of his humanness. He and his brother James are recalled as "hot heads" with Jesus naming them thunderous. John is a constant companion with Jesus and Peter and is thought to have been Jesus' favorite: "the one whom he loved" and to whom Jesus entrusted the care of his mother, Mary. He then went on to spread the Gospel and be "revered" by individuals we recognize as "the Church Fathers": the apostles' successors scattered around the Mediterranean. John was there, was human (angry, loud-mouthed, loving, devoted). All those human emotions just ebbed out of him, and yet, Jesus loved him for that humanness and John made a huge contribution to our faith's enduring legacy....foibles and all.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Merry Christmas!

Psalms: 2, 85 * 110:1-5(6-7), 132; Zechariah 2:10-13; 1 John 4:7-16; John 3:31-36

A Blessed, Joyous, Wonder-filled and Merry Christmas! God's love for us, all of us, without exclusion or exception, is found in a manger today. That innocence and fragility and softness and warmness and love is breath-taking. Breathe anyway...let that love be known in you and through you to others.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: St. Thomas The Apostle

MP: Psalms 23, 121; Job 42:1-6; 1 Peter 1:3-9

EP: Psalm 27; Isaiah 43:8-13; John 14:1-7

Today is the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle. A terrific apostle to celebrate just before Christmas. Some snippets from Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating The Saints to explain why I believe this is a great placement of this feast day.

"Thomas appears to have been a thoughtful if rather literal-minded man, inclined to skepticism; but he was a staunch friend when his loyalty was once given. The expression "Doubting Thomas" which has become established in English usage, is not entirely fair to Thomas. He did not refuse belief: he wanted to believe, but did not dare, without further evidence. Because of his goodwill, Jesus gave him a sign, though Jesus had refused a sign to the Pharisees. His Lord's rebuke was well deserved: 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe'. The sign did not create faith, it merely released the faith which was in Thomas already.........Thomas' honest questioning and doubt, and Jesus' assuring response to him, have given many modern Christians courage to persist in faith, even when they are still doubting and questioning."

Skepticism, doubt, questioning, and yet faith persists..... Truly a grand saint to remember as we draw ever nearer to the mystery of the Incarnation.

The Collect for this feast day:

Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son's resurrection; Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: 4th Week of Advent

Psalms 61, 62 * 112, 115; Isaiah 11:1-9; Rev 20:1-10; John 5:10-47

The 4th week of our Advent Season is one of those odd liturgical weeks. Odd, because sometimes it is one day long and on other years the week is five or six days long. This year we are blessed to have a longer Advent 4 week, with Christmas Eve falling on Friday. (BTW, this coming weekend is somewhat nightmarish for clergy - Friday = Christmas Eve, Saturday = Christmas Day, Sunday = 1st Sunday of Christmas..... A minimum of three different sermons, three different liturgies, etc. So keep your loyal clergy in your prayers as they prepare for the onslaught.)

Back to Advent 4..... I say these next four days are "gift" because we are given a bit more time to prepare for the celebration of the Divine becoming human. Prepare, because this basic tenet of our faith is part of the great mystery of God's interaction and participation in our daily lives. And beyond that, and more importantly there is an act of love here that is not comparable to anything else in our experience: also part of the mystery of our faith. So prepare we must, if we are to try to live into this mystery of the Incarnation we celebrate in five days.

So we should take a little time this last week of Advent and open ourselves to the mystery of God becoming fully human, and yet still retaining the full divinity. We can think on the beauty of that love that is available to all of us, as God has created us in all our wild diversity.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Facing Mistakes

Psalms 45, 47 * 48; Isaiah 9:1-7; 2 Peter 1:12-21; Luke 22:54-69

Peter denies Jesus three times in today's reading and then looks up, while he is in the midst of his third denial of knowing Jesus, and the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. What a dramatic set piece Luke paints for us today. Imagine the look on both of their faces, the realization setting into Peter's eyes and posture. How crushed at his own weakness, living into a prophesy foretold just a short while before.

We are challenged today to face that which we are denying. To rid ourselves of fantasies and live into the reality of our individual lives. And, as importantly, take the steps necessary to correct, make amends for, own up to, our mistakes. Those errors do not have to control our future; just as they did not ruin Peter's life, our lives can be vastly different if we take those necessary steps to face the reality that surrounds us.

A good Advent exercise.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Visiting the Passion

Psalms 41 52 * 44; Isaiah 8:16-9:1; 2 Peter 1:1-11; Luke 22:39-53

Having a portion of the Passion narrative during Advent seems a bit odd. After all, we are preparing for the coming into the world of the divine presence, the light shining in the darkness. And our reading today (and tomorrow) is about the start of the extinguishing of that human life. Odd and a bit disconcerting.

Yet, Advent is really about preparing ourselves for endings and the beginning of something(s) new. With that in mind, perhaps dwelling for a time in a portion of the Passion story is not so unusual. This is a sharp reminder to us of Advent's purpose, and the kind of preparation we should be focusing on, other than gift buying and holiday parties. Although those are important too, perhaps today's reading can remind us that for a short time today we can think about, pray about, what we should end in our lives to better enable us to live into the new-found kingdom Jesus is bringing into the world. What can we wrap up and leave at the base of a manger and move on from? Anger at someone? Sadness because of some loss we have suffered? Resentment at our predicament or position in life? What grief, anxiety or trouble can we wrap into a present and give to God as an ending this Advent. These wrapped gifts of our own passions can help ready ourselves for the new that is coming.....

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: When Once You Have Turned Back

Psalms 30, 32 * 42, 43; Isaiah 8:1-15; 2 Thess 3:6-18; Luke 22:31-38

I have read this passage many multiples of times, and yet, as so often happens with Scripture, something new popped out for me this morning. Jesus is talking to Simon Peter and before Jesus bluntly tells him that Peter will deny Jesus three times before sunrise, Jesus tells Simon that he has been praying for him. Praying that his "faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, may strengthen your brothers." Peter doesn't get it, and so Jesus has to be more blunt and tells him about the thrice denials coming a few hours away.

"When once you have turned back...." is just jumping off the page at me today. How often in life this saying has been proven true. That we do not hear or see messages or signals that are right in front of us and head in the wrong direction. We are too distracted by other "things" in our lives. And even though this can be distressing, this lack of being cognizant enough to "get it" the first time around, Jesus is saying, there is a way back. There is forgiveness and love available to all of us: even when we think ourselves silly or incompetent for missing that which, with hindsight, we can see clearly.

These next two weeks of our Advent Season can be well utilized in trying to recognize those things in our lives, our relationships, our trajectory, that may be taking us down an unhealthy path. When we recognize those things, and when once we have turned back, we know there can and will be welcome and love and support and a new life open and available for all of us, all through the gaze and the presence of a babe in a manger.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Take, Bless, Break, Give

Psalms 31 * 35; Isaiah 7:10-25; 2 Thess 2:13-3:5; Luke 22: 14-30

In today's Gospel selection Jesus provides us with his third telling of "the four-fold action," which we utilize in our Eucharistic prayers. He takes (1), blesses (gives thanks){2}, breaks (3) and gives (4) the bread to his disciples who are sharing his last (and Passover) meal with him. The first two times Jesus provides this "four-fold action" are during the two feedings of the multitudes who had been flocking to see and hear him over the course of his ministry.

We hear these words and witness and participate in these actions every time we participate in (or attend) a Eucharistic service. It is easy for us to take for granted, lose the impact of these words we hear so often. Remembering that they come from this very tender and personal and painful place of Jesus at table with his friends for the last time can help make each and every Eucharist far more rich.

Interestingly, we are given this reading in the middle of our Advent Season. I wonder if we could think of the Incarnation, about which we are preparing in this Season, in terms of this "four fold" mystery: of "taking," "blessing (giving thanks)," "breaking," and "giving." God takes human life and form in the Incarnation, in the person of Jesus. By living a human life, in all of its glories and difficulties, God is giving thanks for (blessing) our humanness. With God's dying for us on the Cross, God breaks open a living kingdom. By God's resurrection, we are given the ability to chose a new life. All of this starting with that for which we prepare and will celebrate fifteen days from today: the Incarnation, of God taking human form and living and dying with us leading us to newness in all aspects of life.

No wonder we need time to prepare.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: On Being Human

Psalms 38 * 119:25-48; Isaiah 6:1-13; 2 Thess 1:1-12; John 7:53-8:11

The scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman "caught in the very act of committing adultery" to Jesus asking him what they should do with her.

I am struck this morning by this woman. Think for a moment about what this event must have been like for her. She is caught having sex, in the "very act" of sex. She must have been married as she is accused of adultery, so imagine her embarrassment, her shame at the public airing of her sexual transgression in the temple, to this itinerant rabbi, who is not paying attention to her or the scribes and Pharisees, and who is drawing something on the ground. She must have been confused as well, for she had gotten herself caught up in the political scheming of the scribes and Pharisees and their plotting against Jesus.

Jesus looks at her, looks at those accusing her and says "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." Imagine her terror, her fright during that wait to feel the first stone strike her body. And this itinerant rabbi goes back to sketching in the sand at his feet, ignoring her and all those around her. I wonder who she looked at: the scribes and Pharisees around her? Jesus who is ignoring her? Did she keep her eyes closed?

And no stones hit her. And then Jesus stands up and asks her "Where are they?" And she sees that they are gone. What did she think about this man who the scribes and Pharisees asked if they should stone her to death? And then Jesus says that he will not condemn her either, but that she should live a better life from this point forward. Is there shock from this woman? Delight and wonder? Numbness and exhaustion from the ordeal? Sheer joy at the reprieve? We are not told, as so often happens in these Gospel accounts of Jesus' actions.

Jesus is showing human compassion today. Jesus is admitting his own humanness today by not casting the first stone. Jesus is teaching us about caring for those who make mistakes. Jesus is showing us a forgiveness and a loving kindness that we are called to emulate.

And isn't this story one of waiting and anticipation and self-examination and one with a surprise ending? Isn't this just what Advent is all about?

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Copyright 2010. The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: This Generation

Psalms 26, 28 * 36, 39; Isaiah 5:13-17,24-25; 1 Thess 5;12-28; Luke 21:29-38

Oh my. Jesus says today this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life.... No wonder those early, first (and second) generation Christians were expecting the end of the world. Jesus says it right here! It's a-gonna happen before this generation passes away! Gird up your loins, folks, cause it's all ending!

I have been referring this Advent to Jesus teaching and preaching in metaphors. What if, what if "this generation" is metaphor? What if, the passing away of heaven and earth are metaphor and not to be taken literally? What if Jesus was not only speaking metaphorically but also analogously and descriptively and imaginatively?

What would it be like to think of Jesus' words, when he speaks of "this generation" as our generation? What would it be like for us to imagine that Jesus is speaking to the ages and saying to each and every generation through these past 2000 years, Hey, this kingdom is open for you! This kingdom that I am proclaiming is available to you, and you, and you! This world can and will radically change, will pass away and be a new thing, my kingdom! A kingdom where we will not be weighed down by the changes and chances of life, where the temptations of dissipation and drunkenness will not trap us.

Looking at Jesus' words in this manner makes them far more difficult to dismiss. For by looking at them as current and relevant today, we are challenged to live into the idea, this Advent Season, of "these last days" as being today, with a new heaven and a new earth available and readily within our grasp. Oh my.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Apocalyptic Metaphors, Perhaps? (AMPs)

Psalms: 25 * 9, 15; Isaiah 5:8-12,18-23; 1 Thess 5:1-11; Luke 21:20-28

The REM song, which goes, "it's the end of the world as we know it, it's the end of the world as we know it, it's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine....." is running through my head this morning. This has been caused by our reading from Luke where Jesus is continuing (from Saturday) his prophesies about the end of Jerusalem and the world, announcing the coming of the Son of Man "in a cloud with power and great glory". I am either going to have to listen to the entirety of the song soon (to try to chase it from my mind) or listen to something else, as this kind of repeated refrain dominating the back of my mind tends to drive me a bit nuts.

But both this song and Jesus' words have got me thinking. This passage, and others like them, are ones that many people have taken literally. Much hurt and heartache, and deaths, can be drawn right back to these verses. Most of the early, and first, Christians believed Jesus was going to be coming again in judgement during their lifetimes. But what if Jesus was talking to the ages in a vast metaphor when he was describing these cataclysmic events? So much of what he says is not literal, but is metaphor. Literal is so much easier to understand (and manipulate people with) while metaphor takes a lot more work to synthesis.

Jesus knows what awaits him in Jerusalem.....and beyond. He knows he is walking to his great Passion....his suffering, trial, death by execution.....and his resurrection and ascension. He knows that he is living in his end times, in his last days. And what if Jesus is saying, with these graphic metaphors, that no matter how much crap we may have to face in our life, he has been there before, has walked through it, suffered it and has come out the other side, triumphant. Different than he was and still present for us to lean on. Perhaps he is saying that no matter how dark our depression may be, no matter how dim our hopes may be, no matter how lonely we may feel, no matter how inappropriately me may believe we have acted, no matter what.... Jesus is there for us....is here for us......that we are never alone, no matter how much we may have convinced ourselves that we are. All we need do is "stand up and raise (y)our heads, because (y)our redemption is drawing near."

Jesus is fessing up that life can really suck sometimes. He is saying he not only knows it from personal experience and from what he has seen and witnessed, but because of what he is voluntarily walking toward. He is fessing up that we can bear these crosses, not only because he already has, but because he is walking with us, and that when we come to that other side of the crap, we will be different, evolved, more mature and confident and better than we ever thought possible as we live in and into this kingdom Jesus opens and invites us into joining.

This Monday of the 2nd week of Advent, this time of patient waiting and self-examination and readying for apocalyptic change, these readings from Luke about end times can help us better prepare for the gift that we celebrate 19 days from today.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: The Worth of Copper

Psalms 16, 17 * 18; Isaiah 3:8-15; 1 Thess 4:1-12; Luke 20:41-21:4

Copper is worth so much money now-a-days. Copper wiring, copper pipes are items regularly stolen from construction sites (and elsewhere) because of its value to people who trade in that commodity. Our pennies now have more zinc in them than copper because of the cost involved in utilizing copper in the production of our one cent coin. So the ending of today's Gospel, with the poor widow giving two coppers as gift to the treasury, perhaps, does not ring with as much authority as it might if copper were looked at as nearly worthless, as it was 2000 years ago.

Wealth, abundance, scarcity are all matters of perception, but also of the heart....of our true intentionality. Jesus is watching what is going on around the Temple and sees great wealth and abundance, a sense of self- satisfaction and self-indulgence that he finds disgusting. And then he sees this quiet, poor widow put in all she had to serve the greater good. To that widow, those copper coins where not proof of the scarcity of her wealth, they were palpable, tangible and concrete parts of her abundant life, her deep generosity. She was "all-in" as they say in cards. The worth of those copper pennies to her was something far different than the giving of those who had more and who gave less.

Where within ourselves and our lives can we reach to, gain an understanding and give to others so that we are "all-in" aiding in the creation of this Kingdom Jesus proclaims by the usage of this copper coin metaphor? Jesus is not just talking about money here. Those copper coins are a metaphor for a richer understanding of the wealth and abundance we have in our lives. Those coins are representative of how we can operate in the world, not from a place of scarcity, or lamenting what we do not have, but from a place of graceful thanksgiving for what we do have......and a generosity of spirit and heart allowing us to share that wealth with all those around us.....pushing all those coins to the center of the table.

What a gift this reading is for this Holiday Season.....for this Advent Season.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Like Angels

Psalm 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Isaiah 2:12-22; 1 Thess 3:1-13; Luke 20:27-40

Yesterday was World AIDS Day. A day to remember, to reflect, to cry, to reach out in support, to be angry.....all of those emotions and actions (and more) can encompass this day to not forget that a deadly disease remains among us. It is a day to fight against complacency and to draw national and international attention that this epidemic is not over.

Falling at the beginning of the "Holiday Season" is a good time for WAD to exist. All the stores have their holiday decorations up (and have for some weeks now), with many having ethereal angels hanging gracefully, blowing their horns. Stores have logos like "Believe" or "Give". Having become a much more secular holiday than a Eucharist to celebrate the divine becoming human, these angels are much safer-secular representation of this season.

And yet, Jesus talks about the resurrection being like an age where things are so very different, where we will be like angels and are children of God. Now that is not a secular image. The imagery of being like angels and being children of God makes those secular angels into something else for me. Each and every one of them are a representation of someone who has died from AIDS or is living with HIV or AIDS. Each of those secular angels can be like a candle glowing ever-steadily as a reminder of those we have lost and those who live on. For they are like unto angels and are children of God.

Light a candle in your heart today, remembering someone you know who died of AIDS. Light a candle in your heart today, naming it for someone who is living with HIV or AIDS. If you think you do not know a person who falls into one of those two categories, than light a candle in your heart to support those who have died or who are blessed to be living on. Light another candle in your heart to remember that this disease is still present and a great risk to all of us. By doing so, we not only remember and honor these folks who are like angels and children of God, but we are saying that we too are like angels and children of God, all standing in solidarity together.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.

Daily Office Reflection: Just Waiting

Psalms 119:1-24 * 12, 13, 14; Isaiah 2:1-11; 1 Thess 2:13-20; Luke 20:19-26

We are in the middle of the first week of Advent. Advent being a time of waiting and preparation (among other things), we are gifted a reading from Luke that is about waiting and enlightenment and a clear-eyed shocking view of the world.

Jesus has flummoxed, yet again, the scribes and chief priests and they send spies to try and trap him into some mistake that will damage his growing ministry. They are unsuccessful today (although they try to be crafty) in pushing Jesus into a corner over payment of secular taxes. Jesus' response of give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's, foil that attempt. This simple statement also sums up one of the key ideas of Jesus' message in Luke: a new orientation of how we operate in the world must be adopted. And those crafty spies, and the scribes and chief priests, must sit back and wait some more.

Waiting can be so very hard. Waiting for Advent to be over and Christmas to be here....waiting for the birth of a child.....waiting for medication to cure an illness....waiting for a phone operator to take you off hold.....waiting for the tide to come in....for the seasons to change....for the rain to stop......for unemployment to be over.

I begin today, this first of December, my fifth month of unemployment. Today is day 123 of waiting while I continue my quest for a new call. I have been doing all that I know how to do to chase after a new cure, a place to serve. Although there has been much effort (and heartache) on my part these past 12o-odd days, this has also been a substantive and substantial time of waiting. If not the most difficult time in my life, this period ranks up there with one or two other life-altering times in my life. "Hard" does not begin to describe what these last months have been like for me. I pray each morning for the patience and the strength and the incite to continue to do that which I must to keep on searching. Most days, most, that prayer-life helps.... those daily devotions become a solid place in which, not only can I rest, but I can hope and trust that in time all will be well. I usually gain a broader perspective from exercising this Rule of Life of immersing myself in Morning Prayer and this discipline has helped see me through to this point. I do believe that I operate in the world differently than how I did before this experience.

Not only is Advent a time of waiting and preparation, but also a time of reflection and introspection. Part of my personal introspection brings me to reciting, regularly, a list of things about which I am grateful: the years of practice that has made this Rule of Life so much a part of who I am; the friends who remember to check in; the gift of their time; the love and support of family; the opportunity to supply ("substitute-priest") are just a few of my regular litany.

So I continue to wait in Advent. Waiting is so simple and so very hard.....just like the rest of life can be.....I do, personally, ask for your prayers of support and strength and love as I continue to explore this gift of time of unemployment during this Advent season. I also ask that we remember in our daily prayers all those who are unemployed or underemployed, particularly in this Advent (and Holiday) Season.

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Copyright 2010, The Rev. John F. Dwyer. All Rights Reserved.