You are here: Home / Archives for WeeklyReflection

Weekly Evangelectionary for Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012

March 26, 2012 By 2 Comments

By Kwasi Kena

Lectionary (Year B): Liturgy of the Psalms, Psalm 118:1-2,19-29; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-16 or Liturgy of the Passion, Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

Theme: The Hope of Peace

Liturgy of the Psalms – Gospel Texts Mark 11:1-11 and John 12:12-16

Message: My heart is filled with conflicted emotions as the news media doles out more details about the tragic killing of the unarmed African American youth, Travon Martin. Behind the controversy lies the “Stand Your Ground” law. The intent of the law allows a person to “stand his or her ground and meet force with force,” if there is reasonable belief that such force is needed.

The news of Travon Martin’s tragic death comes on the heels of the senseless assassination of sixteen innocent noncombatants in Afghanistan; murders allegedly committed by a U.S. soldier. What have we devolved into as a people?

Violence saturates our senses as we gather on Palm Sunday to rehearse Jesus’ Triumphal Entry. If we’re not careful we will simply note the significance of the Prince of Peace riding on a donkey in sterile detached fashion. We will listen to judge the level of eloquence of the preacher as he or she reminds us that Almighty God came to us first in peace, not as a warlord or vigilante. But we need to remember that our present context has much in common with the violent society that Jesus encountered in biblical times. What is more brutal than a Roman crucifixion? What words are more horrifying than those of the psalmist who cries, “Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock!” (Psalm 13137:9, NRSV). The penchant for solving life’s problems through deadly force seems to be an age-old practice.

Still, Jesus offers a peaceful act to the people in who lived in the violent context 2000+ years ago. Despite death threats against him and the coming betrayal by one of his own disciples, Jesus enacted the dramatic entry into Jerusalem declared by the prophet Zechariah “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, o daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey…” (Zechariah 9:9, NRSV).

Perhaps Jesus, like many of us, had tried every logical way to convince people to pursue right relationship with God and neighbor. Relatively few responded.  Over time he probably realized that sermons alone don’t sway the masses. His teachings didn’t touch hearts enough to convince people turn from old ways. His parables lacked enough power to persuade folk to persist in righteousness. When you look around and see no sweeping change, no massive transformation, and too many satisfied with status quo, what do you do? Jesus resorted to the tactic that other prophets used after all else failed—drama.

Jeremiah used a loincloth to speak to the pride of Judah (Jeremiah 13:1-11, NRSV). Ezekiel shaved his hair, then burnt, struck and scattered it to symbolize the coming siege and deportation of the Hebrews (Ezekiel 5:1-4, NRSV). Jesus’ drama does not predict doom; instead he lifts a banner of hope. He dramatically rides on a donkey declaring himself the prince of peace to a people who sought a conquering king.

Last week Thursday hundreds of students from Carol City High School in Miami Gardens held a massive walkout protesting the slaying of Travon Martin and the lack of arrest in the case. That same week I received an e-mail from the Middle Collegiate Church in New York City urging people to wear a hoodie to church as a prophetic statement and witness to hope and peace championed by Christ followers. Current events are shouting too loudly to ignore. What will you say from the pulpit? What prophetic act needs to be done? What witness to Christ does your congregation need to voice to the on looking world? Will the Church be a step behind or a step ahead when injustice screams?

I know a preacher who understands the preaching task as “afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.” If you are struggling to determine what to preach in the midst of this week’s current events, consider this closing thought. Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua wrote the sobering blog entitled “Where Have All the Prophets Gone? http://www.workingpreacher.org/columnist_home.aspx?article_id=570 underscoring the need for clergy to muster the courage to speak out prophetically. The blog concludes with these words Say as much as you dare say at this time, under these circumstances, spoken by Dr. Walter Bruggemann before a crowd of clergy at the 2011 Festival of Homiletics http://www.goodpreacher.com/festival/

May you find courage to preach boldly this week.

Quote(s):

“Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make. Something you do. Something you are. And something you give away.” Robert Fulghum

“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.” Mahatma Gandhi

“If war is ever lawful, then peace is sometimes sinful.” C. S. Lewis

“Peace is costly but it is worth the expense.” African Proverb

Films with “peace overcoming violence” themes:

Gandhi

Braveheart

Music:

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

Hosanna Hosanna

Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart

Litany of Peace

Leader: Jesus rode into Jerusalem humbly on a donkey.

People: Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Leader: Jesus heard the cheers of “Hosanna” one week and “Crucify him!” the next.

People: We must be different.

 

Leader: The people laid down palm branches for Jesus.

People: Jesus laid down his life for us.

 

Leader: The peace of Christ is costly.

People: But worth the price.

Leader: Innocents now die in the streets.

People: If we don’t cry out for them the earth will.

 

Leader: The ground won’t speak for me.

People: The ground can’t speak for me!

Leader: Jesus left the legacy of hope and peace in our hands.

People: We will spread God’s peace, with God’s help.

Leader: Amen.

People: Amen.

Sending Forth:

Silence is not an option for those who serve righteousness. Delay is not a luxury afforded peacemakers. Indifference is not in character with unconditional love. Go from this place empowered by God’s Spirit to speak truth to power, make peace “in the moment,” and feel the pain and pleasure of serving Jesus Christ daily.

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection Tagged With: ,

Weekly Evangelectionary for Sunday, March 25, 2012

March 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lectionary (Year B): Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33

Theme: Jesus Christ draws all people to Himself

Message:  “Has the Whole World (And we) Gone After Him?”

I challenge each of us to read one of the gospel accounts this week from beginning to end in one sitting.  We can read the gospel of Mark in less than an hour.  Or, read the gospel of John, from which our lesson comes this morning.  Get the feel and the scope of the Jesus we claim to follow by praying that the Spirit would speak through the gospel to you and help you to know what Jesus would do.

Then, take the three biggest problems that you are facing, or the nation is facing, or that your family is facing, or that your church is facing, and ask yourself: What would Jesus do?  If you don’t know then pray and read and write out the answer God gives you.

Then, engage in a conversation with a friend about what you have read, and talk about what you think Jesus would do and what He may be calling you to do in a present circumstance in your world.

(Bruce Laverman)

Quote(s): “Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend?  Upon force.  Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day millions will die for him…I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; none else is like Him:  Jesus Christ was more than a man…I have inspired multitudes with such an enthusiastic devotion that they would have died for me…but to do this it was necessary that I should be visibly present with the electric influence of my looks, my words, of my voice.  When I saw men and spoke to them, I lightened up the flame of self-devotion in their hearts…Christ alone has succeeded in so raising the mind of man toward the unseen that it becomes insensible to the barriers of time and space.  Across a chasm of eighteen hundred years Jesus Christ makes a demand which is beyond all others difficult to satisfy; He asks for that which a philosopher may often seek in vain at the hands of his friends, or a father of his children, or a bride of her spouse, or a man of his brother.  He asks for the human heart; He will have it entirely to Himself.  He demands it unconditionally; and forthwith His demand is granted.  Wonderful!  In defiance of time and space, the soul of man, withal its powers and faculties, becomes an annexation to the empire of Christ.  All who sincerely believe in Him, experience that remarkable, supernatural love toward Him.  This phenomenon is unaccountable; it is altogether beyond the scope of man’s creative powers.  Time, the great destroyer, is powerless to extinguish this sacred flame; time can neither exhaust its strength nor put a limit to its range.  This is it, which strikes me most; I have often thought of it.  This it is which proves to me quite convincingly the Divinity of Jesus Christ.”  (Henry Parry Liddon, Liddon’s Bampton lectures, 1866 (London, Rivingtons, 1869, p. 148)

Film, other visual aids:

Mr. Holland’s Opus, 1995, Angela’s Ashes (1999)

Music: “I Love You, Lord,” “O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee,”  “Christ for the World, We Sing,” “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”

Opening Prayer

We bring no excuses.

We bring no alibis.

We bring no pledges.

We bring no bribes.

We bring only ourselves, asking for pardon and rejoicing in your grace through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Words of Assurance:

The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV

Offertory Prayer

Remembering that Christ loves us and gave himself for us, we in turn love others and give of ourselves for others.  Look upon these gifts as fragrant offerings and sacrifices to God, motivated by Love.

Benediction:

In the words of the hymn writer: “May the mind of Christ, my Savior, live in us from day to day, by his love and power controlling all we do and say.”  –Kate B. Wilson, 1859-1928, “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior”

Leroy Koopman

(Subscribers are permitted to reprint material in non-profit publications only; all other reproduction is prohibited.  2012 Liturgical Publications inc., LPi Resource Center, P.O. Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817, 1-800-950-9952 x 2469)

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection Tagged With: , ,

Evangelectionary Reflection for Sunday March 18th 2012

March 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Theme:  No Matter What

Lectionary Citations: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21

Message

Getting out of the car, the father said to the son, behave and mind your grandmother.  “Yes daddy, said the little boy, “I’ll be good.”

The child and his grandmother greeted each other the way they always did with a hug, kiss and by saying, I love you.

“Go play with your indoor toys while I finish getting your lunch ready”, said the grandmother.  “Ok” was the reply.  Once in the playroom the child spotted the basketball hoop by the patio door.  “Can I play basketball?”  “No that is an outside game.  After lunch I will take the hoop outside and you can play basketball”, was the reply.

Things were quiet for a few minutes and then there was a loud crash.  Rushing in to the room the grandmother spotted the broken pictures and vase on the floor with the basketball close by. Crying the little boy said, “I didn’t want to wait to play basketball.  I didn’t think I would break anything.  I’m sorry.

Yes, the grandmother was angry, but before she could say anything, the child said, “Do you still love me?” The grandmother hugged the child told him he had misbehaved and said, “no matter what you do, I will always love you.”

Aren’t we too often just like that little child?  We are impatient and don’t wait for the appropriate time to do something.  Regardless as to how many things we have we always want more.  Even when we know it’s wrong, we often say or do something that hurts someone else.  Nevertheless, when we confess and ask for forgiveness God grants us mercy.

During this Lenten season, in this time of giving up, let us give up some of the things that separate us from Christ.  Let us give up selfishness and our own desires for perceived power.  Let us rid our vocabularies of complaints and angry words.  Let us give up moving too quickly and without thinking.

Each day we wake up, God is giving us a new opportunity to experience once more the love that is extended to us.  But love isn’t selfish.  Love is meant to be shared and given freely to others. Each day we have the opportunity to share this love, grace and salvation with others.  Each day we can be Christ on earth for someone.  Each day we can say a kind word, share a smile, show compassion and extend Christ to those who are in need.  There is so much hurt and injustice in the world, and we can make a difference by fighting for the rights of all, recognizing and discouraging injustice and developing ministries that will give peace, sanctuary and assistance to those in need.

In all things that we say and do let us remember that God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to walk this earth, teach, preach, then suffer and die for our sins that we might have eternal life.  This salvation is not just for us but for everyone.

The doors of our churches stand open to welcome everyone.  No matter what their circumstances are, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome in God’s house.  Extending hospitality and the love of Christ is what is asked of us.

God loves us no matter! Wow, what a statement.  Live each day with that knowledge and share the love to all we encounter.

 

PRAYER OF RECONCILIATION

O God of Comfort and God of Challenge, we come to you this morning the way the Israelites did, full of complaints and dissatisfaction.

Nothing is enough; we do not recognize your blessing at work in our day to day lives.

Forgive us when we become so comfortable that we moan and groan about the most insignificant details of our lives.

In our complaints, challenge us as you did the Israelites, to consider the bigger picture of oppression, injustice, and inequality around us.

Forgive us when we close our eyes for fear of what you might show us; keep sending loving and compassionate leaders to open our eyes until we see what you see in our world.

 

ASSURANCE OF BLESSING

You are blessed because God’s image resides deep within each of you.

So return God’s blessing by the way you love others

 

BENEDICTION

Let us rejoice: God so loves the world!

May God your Maker send you back into the world with creative energies refreshed.

May Christ the Light illuminate your darkest moments.

And may the Holy Spirit of steadfast love guide you until we worship together again.

This day and forevermore.

Amen!

 

Music:

  • Jesus Loves me
  • They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Prayers and Benediction from UCC Worship Ways. Copyright 2012 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved. 

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection

Weekly Evangelectionary Reflection for March 11th, 2012

March 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Third Sunday in Lent

Exodus 20:1-17 | Psalm 19 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 | John 2:13-22

borrowed from the Process and Faith Website. Commentary by Paul S. Nancarrow

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

This passage strikes a universalist tone, in contradistinction to the Exodus reading, especially in noting that the good news about Jesus transcends and includes the messages sought by both “Jews” and “Greeks.” These terms might be taken here not so much as identifiers of specific ethnic/cultural groups, as indicators of types of religious expectations. “Jews demand signs,” Paul says: they represent a religious orientation that is focused on mighty acts of God, demonstrations of God’s power such as those connected with the Escape from Egypt that stand at the head of the Ten Commandments. “Greeks desire wisdom,” on the other hand, which in the first century included everything from moral philosophy to practical skill to thaumaturgical techniques; to desire wisdom was to desire a means to direct energies and effect ends in the world.

“Signs” and “wisdom” both, therefore, indicate power — and that is why neither “Jews” nor “Greeks” as such are able to accept Paul’s proclamation of “Christ crucified” and the ultimate powerlessness that entails. The lack of power revealed in Jesus’ death on the cross can only be a scandal and a folly to those whose main orientation is to some form of power. But to those who can transcend that orientation, the message of Christ is both “the power of God and the wisdom of God”: set in the larger context of God’s purpose of creative transformation, the powerlessness of crucifixion serves to break the cycle of violence and prepare the possibility of resurrection. Accepting the scandal and folly and failure of death, and bringing forth from that wreckage the potential of a new dimension of life, is the definitive manifestation of God’s way of dealing with evil not by destroying it but by transforming it, as elaborated in the covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses. This new covenant in Christ is available to all — both Jews and Greeks — who are “called” and are “being saved.” This call is not specified to a single ethnic or cultural group, but is extended to anyone who can set aside their own expectations of power and give their heart to the proclamation of Christ.

John 2:13-22

The Synoptic gospels place the cleansing of the Temple near the end of Jesus’ public ministry, and make it one of the key moments in Jesus’ few days in Jersusalem that particularly angers the Temple authorities and leads them to seek his death. John changes the meaning of this incident drastically, by placing it at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, occurring during the first of three trips to Jerusalem Jesus will make, and by explicitly linking it to Jesus’ prediction of his death and resurrection.

One of the recurring motifs in John’s Gospel is that Jesus includes and transcends key symbols of Jewish faith and practice, re-signifying them as aspects of the abundant life of his own filial relationship to God, and offering them as aspects of abundant life that his followers can come to know through sharing the relationship he himself has with God. That motif is introduced in John’s Gospel for the first time in this passage, when Jesus uses the Temple as a figure of speech for his own body. The Temple is the place where God promises to make the Name to dwell (eg, 1 Kings 8:13); but Jesus is the place where the Word of God becomes flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14); and this new personal dwelling-place for the Name of God both reinforces and changes the meaning of the Temple building.

It is changed because the Temple now points beyond itself to a living dwelling-place, but it is reinforced in that the Temple serves as an enduring reminder of God’s intention and desire to be incarnate among the people. It is because of the enduring significance of God’s desire to be present in the people that Jesus cannot accept the business-as-usual behavior of the money-changers and sacrifice-sellers within the Temple precincts. They are on holy ground, and they are themselves called to be holy people, and of this the Temple is meant to be an enduring reminder, but they treat the Temple as nothing more than a place to pursue their trades and make their profits; they lack the “zeal for God’s house” that is in Jesus, and that ought to be in every Jew, and for this reason Jesus drives them out.

Only zeal for God’s presence, at first focused on the Temple and then focused even more on Jesus, can motivate the keeping of the human side of the covenant, and its call for co-creative transformation of life, that comes through Moses and Abraham and Noah. For the contemporary interpreter, the call of the gospel reading is to be mindful of God’s presence in churches and temples and places of business and, most especially, in the lives of human beings, so as to move beyond business-as-usual motivations in our dealings, and to act instead with the compassion and generosity and abundant life that can transform the world.

– Commentary by Paul S. Nancarrow

Prayers:

God of the covenant,
in the glory of the cross
your Son embraced the power of death
and broke its hold over your people.
In this time of repentance,
draw all people to yourself,
that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may put aside the deeds of death
and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen.

God of the living,
through baptism we pass from the shadow of death
to the light of the resurrection.
Remain with us and give us hope
that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit
who gives life to our mortal flesh,
we may be clothed with the garment of immortality,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- Vanderbilt University Lectionary Resources Site

 

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection

Weekly Evangelectionary for Sunday, March 4, 2012

February 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Lectionary (Year B): Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:23-31; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38 or Mark 9:2-9

Theme: Choices

Message: “Fork in the Road for Jesus”

So Jesus chose the most difficult way, the way of the cross, the way into Jerusalem, but a way that later would also become the way of the resurrection.  Today Christ calls us to also follow that way when we find ourselves at the fork in the road of life.  “Enter,” says Jesus, “by the narrow gate for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

Jesus stood at that fork in the road, but his disciples stood with him.  Many of those who had followed Jesus during his earlier ministry had become “dropouts” when Jesus began to set his face toward Jerusalem.  Some were impressed with Jesus, with his teachings and with his miracles, but when he started talking about giving up their lives, losing their lives for his sake and for the gospel’s , suddenly they got “cold feet” and they found his way too hard, too costly, and withdrew from him, choosing instead the easy way.

The church stands at a fork in the road today and is in danger of reacting to danger and threat by considering the possibility of retreat and withdrawal, as the heyday of the church recedes.

Likening the church to a ship, the church can either be a ship in the harbor or out at sea.  It’s comfortable in the harbor, where we can just be among our own.   It’s not threatening to be in the harbor.  But a ship is made to sail in the open sea and the church was meant to be a church in the world.  There are times when it’s nice for the ship to take sanctuary in the harbor, but the church is also meant to be in mission.  The church is not just here to meet our needs, but to respond to God’s commission.  And the church can meet that need because Jesus strides ahead of His church and we must follow him into the broken lives, the political corruption, the sick and the poor, and make a difference in his name!

Robert Frost’s epic poem sums it up so well:

“Two Roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

O, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence;

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Quote(s):

“His mood at this period was more stern, absorbed, and highly strung than ever before.  His contests with his enemies were sharper.  The conditions which he imposed on those who offered to be his disciples, more stringent.  Everything denoted that the end was drawing near.  He was in the grip of atoning for the sins of the world and his soul was strengthened til it should be accomplished.” (Stalker)

Music: “O Worship the King,” “Have Thine Own Way, Lord,” “Awake, My Soul”

Call to Worship:

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,The pioneer and perfector of our faith, who endured the cross, disregarding the disgrace, and has ascended to the right hand of God –Adapted from Hebrews 12:2

Benediction:

As we go forth, let us remember the words of our Lord: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Prayers taken from Leroy Koopman, 2012 Liturgical Publications Inc, LPi Resource Center, P.O. Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817, 1-800-950-9952 ext. 2469

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection Tagged With: , , ,

Weekly Evangelectionary for February 26, 2012 – First Sunday in Lent

February 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Psalm 25:1-10; Genesis 9:8-17; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Theme: The Power of Choice

Message: Learning to Make the Right Choices

The Psalmist poses a thought provoking question in Psalms 25:12. “What man is he that feareth the Lord?” Ponder his question for a moment…Then allow that question to provoke a self examination. Walking in the blessings of God and receiving the benefits of the Gospel is not for pretenders. Though all Israel were the royal seed and descendants of Abraham, not all would receive the promised blessing. God gave the nation of Israel, his chosen people the power of choice. The choices they made had serious consequences, some good and others not so good.

The power of choice has always been a part of God’s plan for mankind. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given the opportunity to choose. Think about Genesis 2:9 “And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” God himself placed both “the tree of life” and “the tree of knowledge of good and evil” in the garden. Adam and Eve would be blessed by their choice or cursed by their choice. On the border of the Promised Land, Moses clearly sets a choice before the people, De 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”

In Psalms 25, the psalmist reveals a list of petitions to his God and a list of awesome promises from God. God promised protection from his enemy, instruction for the sinners, guidance and direction for the  meek.  In verse 12, “What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.”  For the person who truly walks in the fear of the Lord, God promises to teach him in the way that he should choose. The truly blessed man needs the Lord to help him make the right choices. Jeremiah 10:23, O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” God promises that those whose hearts are right shall not err for want of heavenly direction. Where God sanctifies the heart he enlightens the head.  We all wish to choose our way; but what a mercy it is when the Lord directs that choice, and makes free will to be goodwill!  If we make our will God’s will, God will let us have our will.  God does not violate our will, but leaves much to our choice; nevertheless, he instructs our wills, and so we choose that which is well pleasing in his sight. A Truly blessed Man is a man who chooses to learn at the feet of Christ and allows Christ to teach him what to choose; the man who will not violate his own conscience but will make choices that lead to quiet peace of a good conscience; and the man who make godly choices that will bless himself and his children. Salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ opens the door of many wonder privileges here and in the hereafter. The benefits are increased or decrease by the choices we make. Let us draw close to God and allow him to teach us to make the right choice.

Illustration: Ah, life is so full of choices. Sometimes we choose wisely. Sometimes not so wisely—like the little boy whose older brother talked into letting him crack some eggs on his head. The two of them were getting ready to boil some eggs so they could decorate them for Easter when the older brother told the younger one—“if you let me break three eggs on your head I’ll give you a dollar.” The younger one’s eyes grew wide with the prospect of getting a dollar. “really?” he said, “a whole dollar?” “Yep. If you let me break three eggs on your head I’ll give you a dollar.” “Promise?” “Promise.” “Okay.” The younger brother closed his eyes and held his hands at the side of his face as the older brother giggled and cracked open the first egg. As the yolk was just beginning to roll down onto his cheeks, the older brother said, “That’s one. Here’s two.” As he cracked open the second egg the older brother said, “This is so cool.” The younger boy then braced himself for the third egg. After about ten seconds he said, “Come on, I’m ready for the third egg.” The older brother then slyly said, “Are you kidding? That would cost me a dollar.”

Music:  I have Decided To Follow Jesus (# 164 The New National Baptist Hymnal)

Trust and Obey (#443 The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal)

Am I A Soldier of the Cross (#438 The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Bicentennial Hymnal)

Prayer: O God, our Father, since it is not in man to order his steps or to proper choose his way, teach to draw near unto thee. Since we will have life that we choose, help us to make choices that lead to your divine favor and communion. We realize that in Christ all our needs are supplied and whatever come short of life and happiness, we owe to the choices we make. Lead us in the way of life everlasting…In the name of Jesus, our redeemer and Lord, Amen.

 

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection Tagged With: ,

Weekly Evangelectionary for Sunday, February 19, 2012

February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Kwasi Kena

Lectionary (Year B): 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6 2; Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9

Theme: “Godly Companionship”

Message: Few would argue that people are, by nature, social creatures. We learn how to function in society through interaction with others. We observe, we act, we receive feedback, we adjust. We learn values from our families, our peers, and by those we consider significant—a spouse, a dear friend, a close companion. We understand this type of socialization; but who socializes us spiritually?

In the lives of Elijah and Elisha we find a clear demonstration of the godly companionship. Theirs is a spiritual mentor-mentee relationship. The relationship between a mentor and mentee can provide new insights into how to follow God. How many of us benefitted from the mature perspective of a coach, an instructor, or an older peer?

Imagine the mature perspective Elisha developed after listening to the stories Elijah told. Elijah, whose name means Yahweh is my God, undoubtedly told Elisha about his confrontation with the wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, his showdown with the 450 prophets of Baal, and how he spoke and a three-year drought ensued. Elijah, aware that his time on earth was winding down, chose to spend his final moments with his beloved mentee, Elisha.

Elisha, also aware that this was Elijah’s last day on earth, clung to his mentor and never left his side. For his persistence, Elijah offered his mentee one last favor, “Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you” (2 Kings 2:9 NRSV). Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.

The request to receive a double portion is significant. According to inheritance practices, the eldest son in Hebrew culture received a double portion. Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah’s anointing because he believed that being Elijah’s first son in ministry entitled him to receive this spiritual inheritance. Who is looking for mature Christian fellowship and spiritual guidance from you and me? Who could benefit from hearing about our spiritual journey?

The news media fills the air with horror stories of young and old people gone astray. How many of their lives would have turned out differently with the guidance and encouragement of a modern-day Elijah? Sometimes people just need to hear good news. One aspect of evangelism is good news—that is sharing what it means to live in the Kingdom (Reign) of God. Sometimes our best teaching occurs through demonstration within the intimate space of friendships. We who have been privileged to enjoy a relationship with Jesus Christ have a grand opportunity to wrap our arms around some Elisha, spend time and talk about how God walks with us each step of life’s journey.

Similarly, there is an Elisha who needs to stop walking along a solitary spiritual path and seek the company and seasoned advice of an Elijah who has “some stories to tell.” This week urge your congregation to seize the opportunity either to serve as a mentor or to become a willing mentee in spiritual matters.

Quote(s):

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and
a push in the right direction.” – John Crosby

“One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing
things for other people.” – Dick Gregory

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life
by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

Film
s with mentor themes:

  • The Karate Kid
  • Star Wars
  • Finding Forrester
  • The Lion King
  • Searching for Bobby Fischer
  • X-Men

Music:

  • The Summons
  • I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
  • Would I have Answered When You Called

Prayer of Confession

Gracious God, how often have I buried myself in busyness rather than open myself to others? When you called me to spend time with another traveler on life’s journey, did I heed your request? I confess that too often I respond too quickly to a life of ease first when the couch and TV call. I forget that I am a steward of time and not the owner. Forgive me for the times I ignored the cry of Elisha. Remind me that I too have important stories to tell and good character to demonstrate. Amen.

Words of Assurance

God hears. God forgives. God’s grace grants another chance. In the name of Jesus Christ you are forgiven.

Sending Forth:

The same God, who spoke to Elijah, speaks to us beckoning us to find Elisha. Go from this place inspired to invest in another person’s life for the sake of the Kingdom (Reign) of God. We have a mission. We are called to serve.

Filed Under: WeeklyReflection Tagged With: , , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »