Anguished Endings or Joyous Beginnings

Daniel 12:1-3, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 “Anguished Endings or Joyous Beginnings” 11.15.15 Year B ACOB

Daniel 12 “At that time, Michael the great leader who guards your people will take his stand. It will be a difficult time—nothing like it has ever happened since nations first appeared. But at that time every one of your people who is found written in the scroll will be rescued. 2 Many of those who sleep in the dusty land will wake up—some to eternal life, others to shame and eternal disgrace. 3 Those skilled in wisdom will shine like the sky. Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and always.

It seems an appropriate Sunday to talk about anguish as people around the world suffer from violence inflicted brothers and by nature.

But I have to admit, that turning to the pages of ancient prophecy and reading predictions that sound like threats of violence, come just a bit too close to the proclamations of ISIS and their claiming that they are the soldiers of God’s vengeance.

Perhaps as we try to tap into the message for us, our feelings will help us identify with the key people in our scriptures.

Hannah to Daniel

We heard 3 scriptures in some form.

1. Hannah - at her lowest, NAME HER FEELING:   desperate? what else?

What did she do when at her lowest?

2. Hannah version 2 - at her highest, NAME HER FEELING:   exuberant… 

Her song celebrates, “Divinely initiated change of fortune.” (Harper Collins Study Bible)

What did she do when at her highest?

The story leaves me wondering and also comparing our own desire for “Divinely initiated change” and whether or not we respond as Hannah did? … or just bemoan the lack of change of our fortune….

3. Daniel - is a bit different, 

 Daniel was a prophet. (You more likely recall his childhood story with LIONS…especially since Big SS has been doing LIONS, and GIANTS, and WHALES… )  The book of Daniel is a favorite among conservative theologians who point to dramatic depictions of the End of the World using Daniel’s vision.  

Whether we are reading Hannah’s plea of anguish or prayer of rejoicing…or whether we are reading the front page of today’s paper, we don’t need Daniel’s prophecies to know that life is full of “tribulations.”

If we look in context of the Book of Daniel we learn, (thanks to Dr. Young)

Daniel 12 is part of a longer discourse that begins in chapter 10 and describes a vision of what the END OF TIME will be like. 

the setting

“A “man,” or angel, dressed in linen, with a face like lightning and eyes like flaming torches (10:5), speaks with Daniel, touches him, and gives him strength to stand (10:10-11,16-19). 

This angel, also called “one in human form,” explains to Daniel that he has been fighting against the “Prince of Persia” and will later fight the “Prince of Greece” (10:13, 20-21). (All this from chapter 10)

Alongside him fights Michael, (this is the part we need to hear today) “one of the chief princes” (10:13). The angel who speaks with Daniel tells him, “There is no one who contends with me against these princes except Michael, your prince” (10:21). (1)

now if you’ve seen the old movie (a relative term) from 1996, you might have an image of MICHAEL in your head that looks like John Travolta with beautiful large white wings, but dress in overalls and work boots. Who has a love of sugar.. . .

However you choose to envision Michael there are just a couple important things to remember:

The title “prince” in Daniel 10 and 12 refers to a superhuman, celestial being who has responsibility to protect a particular people (cf. Deuteronomy 32:8-9. LXX and 4QDeutj). 

The identification of Michael as the prince of Daniel’s people suggests that 

1. Michael has been their guardian from the very beginning of their existence. It emphasizes to Daniel and his audience 

2. that when they do not have power to contend against their enemies, the greatest of all princes fights on their behalf. (2)

A situation may seem hopeless, but what Daniel’s oppressed people can see and hear does not tell the whole story. Behind the scenes, forces more powerful than those on earth shape the destinies of peoples and nations.

How would Daniel’s message have helped Hannah?

How would knowing that there was a bigger story, “force more powerful than those on earth shape the destinies of peoples and nations.”

How does Daniel’s message impact you?

gospel prediction

One more story to add from scripture:

Mark 13 - didn’t read because we will hear Mt.’s version of it in 2 weeks as we begin Advent.

As Jesus left the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, look! What awesome stones and buildings!”

2 Jesus responded, “Do you see these enormous buildings? Not even one stone will be left upon another. All will be demolished.”

3 Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives across from the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? What sign will show that all these things are about to come to an end?”

Keep watch!

5 Jesus said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many people will come in my name, saying, ‘I’m the one!’ They will deceive many people. 7 When you hear of wars and reports of wars, don’t be alarmed. These things must happen, but this isn’t the end yet. 8 Nations and kingdoms will fight against each other, and there will be earthquakes and famines in all sorts of places. These things are just the beginning of the sufferings associated with the end.

Jesus too was an apocalyptic preacher at times. Today of all days, “it may be an important reminder to hear an ancient prophet cry out  about the fragile nature of the world.”(3)

It is not just the news of TODAY that sounds like a time Jesus was predicting, we can always hear wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines…

How did Jesus react to the fears he encountered?

How did he deal with his own? (prayer)

Daniel’s underlying message then, seems to hold importance for many situations: (repeat) 

“What we can see and hear does not hold the whole story. Behind the scenes - [beyond what we can see] forces more powerful than [us] than earth’s - shape the destines of people.”

How does hearing such a message make a difference to us?

(push for answers)

What have we/you needed when we were at our lowest?

did we pray?

What did we/you do when you were at your highest?

What emotions drive our lowest points?

fear, of what?  (answers)

recap

over the last several weeks we:

• looked at how our expectations influence what happens, a jar of oil and a bin of flour - almost empty or never empty? How has God surprised ACOB in ways that kept our jars full?
• looked at our deep family of saints, past and present and realized  We are often required to do some tearing down before God can enter in and do the building up that we need. 
• looked at ourselves from the perspective that God must have, or at least we realized that we cannot make God in our own image, or make excuses for God.

and we were challenged to hold a “New image of God as a power for life. 

ONE who balances the needs of ALL creatures, not just humans, 

And WE acknowledged the deep interconnectedness of death and life, because DEATH is a vital part of circle of life, that restrains and nurtures each element in all creation.” (Carol Newsome adapted)

Each step of the way in our journey to listen to God’s Spirit and follow in Jesus’ way, we have something to learn.

…..Each day of our lives is a journey full of scary CHANGE (c-word), FEARS to overcome, TEARING DOWN, allowing GOD to make changes, and finding our expectations expanded again and again by “DIVINELY INITIATED CHANGE”.

we recognize that sometimes we rejoice at the change, like Hannah.

and sometimes we are reduced to tears, anguishing over our lot, wondering if this IS the end or even end times.

as complicated as our lives are, can we listen with hope to Daniel’s message?  

Returning to the simplest kind of trust

as Dr. Young (of Duke) reminds us, the

“The Prince of our people is fighting for US, standing over US, and working for OUR salvation in ways that WE cannot see. 

We ARE all God’s people, the holy ones of the Most High, who share citizenship in the kingdom of God with the holy angels. 

Can we face the changes tomorrow must bring as God’s holy people?

challenge

Will we recall the mission of Christ’s church and..

• stand up in nonviolent resistance to injustice and persecution like the early church?
• will we?
• stand up in the face of oppression and even death? standing with others, evening dying with them?
• will we risk?
• looking at ourselves for who we are, honestly knowing that we too have sinful ways that rebel against God?
• and yet remembering that God loves us and desires us to work alongside the Divine presence in the world.

Can we begin the journey of a church, once again, feeling OUR guardian ‘prince’ on our side?

and knowing WE ARE GOD’S HOLY ONES, and forces more powerful than those on earth shape OUR destinies.   

The end

1. & 2. Anathea Portier Young http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2667

3.  Emerson Powery http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2663

full quote: Dr. Anathea Portier Young wp.org “Show them a path of nonviolent resistance to persecution and give them strength to stand up for righteousness in the face of oppression and death. Caution them not to look away from the legacy of sin, violence, and rebellion. And invite them to look to the lives of the martyrs and saints for the light of truth that will guide them in their hour of distress.”

Polity, Policy, and Passion

I just returned from the Potomac Association United Church of Christ Conference. I missed the Mid-Atlantic District Church of the Brethren Conference this year, due to the Wesley Class on UCC polity that required to be at the PA-UCC Conference. One might say I deserved it.

I could say it was just another boring meeting. Made so because I didn't have all the frames of reference for the details. (Thanks to homework, I do have a concept of the polity.) What was more lacking were relationships. Part of any conference is time spent with friends, especially those you don't often see. I did know a few people at this conference and had several enjoyable discussions with new people. Even though the extended relationships were lacking, I've made some new friends.

The big difference that I noticed was the large chunks of time spent on discussion of Justice issues. A panel presented on current committee work on Justice. There was a Q&A on Justice following where people spoke passionately to several of the key topics in process. Opening worship was focussed on the injustice that exists for refugees. With all the details involved in polity, it seemed that the policy of justice was the real passion for the day. Every denomination has it's problems, all business meetings have sections that are boring, but even still, I was impressed. Kudos to the UCC! "God IS still speaking!" through many of you.

Teachers, Tongues and Taking Up

Mk 8:27-38 Teachers, Tongues, Taking Up James & James 3:1-12 - 9.13.15 Year B Proper 19

If I asked you to turn to a neighbor and tell them the theme of a book you read recently, you could do it, right?

(ask someone? prompt ahead)

If I asked you the theme of the Bible, could you tell me?

Thankfully commentators like our friend Eugene Boring, and others like Walter Brueggemann (who spoke at conference 2 years ago) have spent so much time with their Bibles that they can tell us in one sentence the theme of the Bible.

“It is the story of the human response to Divine Grace”

What do you think of that? accurate?

Could you tell me your idea of a faithful response to God’s Grace?

What constitutes a faithful response is an evolving concept in the biblical narrative.

From the “Big Stories” we are engaging on Big Sundays, like Daniel in the Lion’s Den, or even the story of Adam and Eve’s children - Cain and Able, we the varied ways humans have responded to God.

In much of the family histories of the OT (great stories in Genesis) we learn that being faithful is following TORAH - God’s Law.

or as Ps. 19 puts it: “Torah enlightens the simpleminded and refreshes the human soul”

When we get to the book of Proverbs full of poetry and powerful sayings, we hear words about the wisdom of God (instead of stories) 

We are told a faithful response is a WISE response.

“1:20 Wisdom cries out in the street; in the squares she raises her voice.

1:22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? ..

1:32 For waywardness kills the simple, and the complacency of fools destroys them;

 In proverbs God’s Wisdom is spoken of as an individual, a FEMALE.. to the consternation of some conservative Christians at Annual Conference this year…

Our ideas of A faithful response to God have often included common sense.

“Scoffers delight in scoffing - fools hate knowledge - the complacency of fools destroys them”

Does it sound like any of the scriptures you heard this morning?

(James)

James: . Often gives us “common sense” or common wisdom. So we learn from James that… 

“The heart of a faithful response to God..  is integrity in living.

“Undisciplined speech poses a constant threat to one’s integrity”

Perhaps in the past one had to teach that words lead to consequences. 

But it seems so easy to understand today when 

• a slip of the tongue goes viral on Twitter, a public racial bashing is recorded on YouTube and  we see it all within seconds when a news flash from CNN interrupts our TV.

I once tried to teach the concept of Dangerous Words to some Junior High youth by giving them each a tube of toothpaste, having them squeeze some out, then challenging them to put it back.

One would think THIS was the perfect example that words said in anger or haste cannot be withdrawn.     (at least until one junior high boy eats all the toothpaste and gets sick to his stomach. . . so much for the perfect lesson..)

James gives us many sayings that we know to be true. And after you’ve read enough of them, you begin to feel a bit like a school child who’s been scolded. 

Humanity’s concepts of God have evolved from the days of Big Stories of a “Super-Hero-style-God” who had to be appeased with sacrifice in order to offer a faithful response, 

to the stern LAWs aimed at keeping God's people pure, 

to teachings that combine common sense with a sense of God's Justice 

to the questions that surrounded Jesus’ interpretation of faithfulness that we heard in today’s gospel reading. 

[That brings us to] Mark’s story of human response to Divine Grace. 

"Divine Grace is found in Jesus."

…It begins with our answering the question Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do YOU say that I am?"

Jesus tries to teach the disciples and it sounds much like my experience with Junior Highs.

He asked  the perfect question to illicit the perfect response, 

Yet the answers we hear sound like an episode of “Family Feud” 

…

“SURVEY SAYS:” 

• John the Baptist  
• Elijah
• One of the prophets

I could ask you the same question. .  .

When you hear this story, do you feel a little tug at your heart? wondering how you would answer if you were looking into the eye of Jesus? pause    

Would your answer today in church be any different than your answer sitting among strangers at Starbucks? or discussing faith with friends in your living room?

James’ sternness would tell us, “Our answer better be the same no matter where we are…” But we, even I - have to be honest and say, we don’t always know HOW to describe “Who” Jesus is. - 

. . . pause. . .

Last week we heard Cliff Kindy tell a brief story of a Chibok woman, taken captive by Boko Haram and told if she would renounce her faith, and stop proclaiming that Jesus was Christ, her life would be spared.

Do you remember the story? What did she do?

She would not, COULD not renounce Jesus, because her faithful response was to proclaim that HE IS THE expression of Divine Grace. So she placed her complete trust in such GRACE and she was stoned to death.

Is she an example for us?

Is it likely we would ever have to ‘take up OUR cross’ in such a manner?

When we hear a story like that we are instantly put in the same place as Peter in Mark’s story today.. .our tongues are full of ‘but waits’ and reasons why death isn’t the answer.

. . .

Peter offers common sense! 

Common Sense has been the human response to Divine Grace for our lifetimes. 

"No Lord! You don’t need to die. How can you spread your message of Good News if you are dead? You must LIVE! 

.think about what you are saying.. think before you speak…" 

all the common sense in the world tells us to protect ourself.

So what IS Jesus talking about? We should all be martyrs?

What must die for OUR response to be faithful?

Have you ever had a ‘wake up call’? not an alarm, but some question, an accident, a horrible mistake —that brought you to a realization and opened your eyes? an intervention, an accident, a heart attack?

Peter tries to give Jesus a LIFE-wake-up call.

but instead, Jesus wakes Peter up.

“Get behind me Satan!”

not the words I’d want to hear if I was looking Jesus in the eye. . .

Jesus tells them to get used to the instrument of torture. 

A cross wasn't gold, wasn't a work of art, wasn't an image on a hill with a lovely sunset behind it, it was extended torture ending in death.

and his words about the cross continue to challenge us to WAKE UP, 

for a faithful response to Jesus is not found in the world’s common sense.

What is your wake up call? What was the story so pivotal for your life, that it keeps you coming here on Sundays?

keeps you offering your time to AFAC, to this community, to Affordable Housing, to hospital patients.. or wherever you give your life to others?

For a large number of COB youth that ‘wake up call’ comes at National Youth Conference. Over  a year ago, thousands of youth heard a wake up call from Jarod McKenna. An Australian minister active in refugee resettlement and part of the NEW anabaptist movement of people who have never heard of Mennonites or Brethren, but discovered that Jesus’ life is about more than a incredible birth story and a spectacular death.

McKenna told those youth that they didn’t know what the had. The COB has been following the LIFE & TEACHINGS of Jesus for over 300 years.

and that UPSIDE DOWN way of living is the WAKE UP CALL the world needs.

McKenna asked for 8 people to commit to following the Jesus Way (like those first 8 did at the Eder River.) Instead he got thousands! 

Because they heard the WAKE UP call of Jesus that night, and were ready to risk a faithful response and answer his question,

Who do you say that I am?

These youth like Peter, said, “You are the Chosen one of God.”

even tho they were not quite sure what that would mean for the rest of their lives.

What is your wake-up call?

the call for a faithful response to our God…

the call to return to THE WAY.

It is the call to leave the world’s “Common Sense” self-protection behind and take RISKS…for Jesus.

People who speaks the truth - even to power - 

even to ‘Boko Haram'.

. . .

people who lead the charge to bring refugees to safety,

people who offer more than common sense allows.

a faithful response is being willing to do more than you think you can

Because you are wiling to be led, by DIVINE GRACE that always finds a way.

What wake-up call do you hear right now? for you, for US?

For when we answer OUR wake-up call,

WE are ready to answer JESUS’ question,

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?”

Back To Work - end of August edition

I thought I was ready.... I've only technically been back to work for two days. AND being it's the end of August, I'll admit I'm "easing back" into work. Yet still, I found myself missing those carefree days of vacation. It must have been today's AWESOME weather. WOW, when do you get 80 degree weather in the late afternoon in August in DC with low humidity? = I can't ever remember it!

Although I took this picture a week or so ago when still ON vacation, it was the same  kind of beautiful day today. When I got home from a bit of a crazy office day, I needed coffee to find the energy to go to the gym. So dressed in my gym clothes (so I wouldn't change my mind) I fixed a K-cup of coffee, and sat out on the deck in the shade to drink it. I almost didn't go to the gym just because it was so captivating to sit back and stare up at the clouds.

When was the last time you looked at clouds and tried to describe them in terms of objects? Today I 'saw' one of those ancient Greek statues of nudes lying on a couch with their back to the audience. "She" almost turned as the cloud moved past. ahh well. I did get a workout in after the coffee rejuvenated me.

Now I'm reviewing my assignments for the UCC history/policy class I'm taking at Wesley this fall and thinking about how to pack in the visits I want to make. AND continuing my planning for our monthly Big Sunday and discerning how to weave in my ideas for changes in worship and grouping and... you get the picture. Life will be full again and those days of blissful summer will be memories only. So I guess the answer is to build in golf and play as much as possible while the weather holds and try to keep perspective.

I learned a lot about the value of sabbath over the month I was off and I need to keep BALANCE in my life. Perhaps BALANCE is a state of mind. I often figured it was a matter of traveling fast enough to keep the bike going. (Bicycle 101) but just maybe there is another way to ride. . .

(Image: Fun at last night's Nat's game. a WIN!)

Vacation and Health Care

Vacation has been wonderful. I am on my last week of a month away from congregational responsibilities. It has been needed and I have rested! Many books, weekly golf, time at the Florida beaches have all been part of this 'sabbath rest'.

This week I'm trying to make the most of these last few days while beginning to pick up at least some family responsibilities. Before we left for conference and the Florida vacation, I faxed the needed information to my doctor's office to have a lab bill recoded. Every six months I have blood work done to keep my cholesterol in check. BUT so often it gets coded as preventative care. My insurance (I know, it seems a very dated policy) does NOT cover ANY preventative care! It does cover illness quite well, but no regular visits allowed. I cannot get my doctor's office to code my work correctly and this happens again and again. This time, because we were away for so long, and because the on-line insurance portal said my claim was "in-process", we have been put in collection! Now we have the doctor's office, and insurance company working to get this resolved. Here's my question. Do I change doctors?


It is so tiresome and painful to go through these calls and denials and resubmissions almost EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DOCTOR, which is every six months. Should I switch? Should I interview practices and ask about their lab people, their billing office, before even deciding if I like the doctor? hmmmm Hard choices, but since my husband does not have this problem with his doctor, perhaps I should consider a change.

I'm also taking a course at Wesley this fall and had forgotten what "FUN" it is dealing with admission details. Vacation has been blissful, but the real world of details, paperwork, and frustrations, awaits!

Why I left politics

Actually there are many reasons why I left politics.
1. I couldn't continue as 10th District Democratic Chair, manage seminary, and a part-time job.

2. I found it difficult to split my time between a candidates campaign needs and my seminary work.

Peter Schwartz currently
a supervisor in Fauquier

3. I found a part-time church ministry position that better suited my interests.

Nokesville Church of the Brethren

But those are the practical concerns.
I was also realizing it was increasingly hard to hold onto the ideals that I entered politics to maintain. I became so "practical" about what was politically feasible that I missed opportunities to be the person making a stand, making a difference, and working for justice. (I still lament some of my statements and work or lack of work for real justice and equality.)

and then there were the realities...
politicians find it difficult to not lie
politicians find it difficult to keep promises
politicians find themselves caught up in the same quandaries that I did. Deciding between possible, practical and right.
(I know I'm generalizing so I apologize to my political friends who have managed somehow to remain above the fray.. at least for the most part.)

And seriously, when I needed the "influence" I had after managing a campaign for a winning local candidate, he called, apologized and voted against my position. SIGH (and it was a big personal deal at the time). The really sad part was I UNDERSTOOD the POLITICAL REALITY. see? SEE?

Where's justice and right fit into all of that?

SO here's a link to my latest "political" involvement. Not for a party candidate, but for a cause.
http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/virginia/2015/06/03/reeves-farm-arlington/28442439/

Reevesland Learning Center is a tremendous resource for urban agriculture, education, and community building. The Center hoped to expand into the renovating farmhouse, keeping the historic property for public use while sharing beyond school children to the many adults interested in learning more about growing food.
The Arlington County Board has voted to sell the property. (3-2) If you are interested in what happens next. Contact me and I'll tell you about an upcoming rally of public support for SAVING the Farmhouse.

Watch the video from Channel 9 news. They did a great job of capturing the moment.