Author: lakewooducc

December 1, 2022

Today is World AIDS Day. At one time, HIV/AIDS dominated our lives and our thinking and our reality in a way that foreshadowed the covid pandemic. Some who are older may remember. We worried about shaking hands. About sharing drinks. About using the bathroom. Because someway, somehow, we might catch it. Life was no longer safe. And there was no vaccination. No booster. And very little treatment available. Think about the beginning of covid. The onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic was a little like that.

And in this country, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was associated with homosexuality which is in part why there was so little attention and money directed to prevention, treatment, and cure. And the disease was associated with Haiti and Africa. Did we really need to worry about all those people who were already considered ‘less than’? If HIV/AIDS had slammed well-off white heterosexual men, it would have been a completely different scenario.

And today, HIV/AIDS continues to devastate lives and communities. The numbers are on the rise in the Black community in St. Petersburg. We are not yet done with AIDS just like we are not done with covid.

In awful, devastating circumstances like the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the covid pandemic, we see the Christ made manifest. We see Divine Love embodied in people who help those who are sick. Who advocate for fair treatment of all. Who help to overcome financial obstacles that prevent people getting needed medical treatment. In the AIDS epidemic, as in covid, we saw the flowering of compassion and generosity and community.

No matter the mess we make of things, Divine Love, is made manifest in humanity. Christ never forsakes us. Never abandons us. Never leaves us bereft.

Prayer

In these days of Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus, may we seek signs of the eternal love that never forsakes beloved humanity. May we be signs of the eternal love that never forsakes humanity. Amen.

Dec. 2, 2022

There are many stories in the gospels about Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem. We are also told of Jesus teaching in a local synagogue. From this we know that organized religion, the faith community, was an important part of Jesus’ experience and his teaching. He was seen as the Messiah, the Christ, a figure that was part of the scriptures and teachings of Judaism. Without the religion of Judaism, there would be no Jesus Christ of the Christian church.

This reminds us that as we seek Christ, we should be looking to the church to help us to connect with Christ. With Divine Love. With the universal, unconditional love that we find in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The church teaches us about the nature of Christ. In church we learn of the way of Christ that leads to justice and peace and joy. In church we connect with the importance of self-giving in the search for wholeness. In church we hear of the forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration that is possible in relationships between people. In church we learn of the vulnerability and intimacy necessary to experience healing and wholeness. In church, we are accept that we are imperfect AND we are loved. As we are.

So when we think about seeking Christ this season, we want to remember that the church is a place that we can expect to experience Christ – in our tradition, in others, and in ourselves.

If you have not been to church for a while, this is a good time to head back. If you haven’t been to church for many, many years, this is still a good time to seek Christ in a faith community. If you have never been part of a church, this is a good time to give it a try. If you don’t find Christ at church, don’t give up on Christ, as if you have been abandoned. Look for another church. If Christ is not in a church, it is not because Christ has left the church but because the church has left Christ. Christ never gives up on us.

Prayer

We are grateful for the many faith communities that are shining the light of Christ and inviting others to find comfort, warmth, clarity, and healing in that light. Amen.

Dec. 3, 2022

Ok. I’ll confess it. I really love to see the lights at Oakdale in St. Petersburg. If you live locally, you probably know what I am talking about. If you don’t live locally, you can look it up online. It is a crazy Christmas light extravaganza. Over done. Over blown. Over the top. Gaudy. Garish. Tacky.

I can’t imagine how much work goes into putting up that display. I understand it takes several people working for several weeks.

And I will also confess that when we were in Germany in October, we went to a town known for its Christmas shops. We went in several. Well! I was on the verge of buying a new suitcase so that I could fill it with Christmas decorations to bring home. The displays were out of this world!

I really go in for Christmas decorations. Once I visited someone who had just started coming to church around Christmas. And in his small house, he had eight Christmas trees up and decorated. Oh, how my heart sang at that! I keep telling my family, one of these years I am going to put up all of our Christmas tree ornaments no matter how many trees it takes!

So, in this season when we are thinking about Seeking Christ, I am wondering about putting as much time and effort into seeking Christ as we do into decorating, or baking, or shopping or entertaining, or whatever it is that typically makes your heart sing time of year. How might we experience the sparkle of love and light, the joy of peace, the newness of spirit, the creativity of acceptance and peace that is being offered to us through Christ? What Glorias are waiting for us in the gift that has the power to transform not just a yard or a home but reality itself!

Prayer

May the lights and festivities of this Advent/Christmas season not be an end in themselves. May they lead us into the deeper joy and renewal of this precious season. May they lead us to Christ – in Jesus, in Creation, in others, in ourselves, and in the world! Amen.

Sunday Dec. 4, 2022

This Advent season is a time to celebrate the glorious vision of life lived in harmony and peace the world over. This is what Christmas is all about. Peace on earth, good will to all! It is about the fulfillment of the Divine dreams and visions for Creation.

The birth of Jesus, the embodiment of the Christ spirit, is about bringing those dreams to fruition. But as we know from life context, a leader can only do so much. The transformation of the social order needed to create peace cannot be accomplished by one person alone. Again, Jesus is our example. One of the first things we are told that Jesus does, according to the gospels, is to recruit disciples, helpers, followers. Making manifest the dreams of the God of Love is not something that can be done alone. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of a leader, but the effectiveness of that leader is dependent upon the followers. And today, that includes us.

I am remembering the stunning movie, “Whale Rider.” At the end of the movie, after much resistance, Pai, a teen aged girl, becomes the leader of her tribe which has fallen on difficult times. But she knows that she cannot change things for her people alone. And she declares, “My name is Paikea Apirana, and I come from a long line of chiefs stretching all the way back to the Whale Rider. I’m not a prophet, but I know that our people will keep going forward, all together, with all of our strength.”

All of our strength. Everyone together. A group effort. All needed.

The Sundays in Advent, we light a candle each week to help us mark the time until Christmas. So, this second Sunday of Advent, you are invited to light two candles, wherever you are. As you light the candles, pause a moment to think about how the light of God is being made manifest around you.

Prayer

In this season as we celebrate the glorious vision of Divine Love coming to fruition in Christ Jesus, may we look around us and see where that vision is being made manifest today. May we look for how we can be part of the community of Christ bearing witness to the joy and peace intended for all of Creation. May we offer ourselves in whatever way we can in service to the reality of God’s compassion and peace. Amen.

Monday Dec. 5, 2022

This season as we think about seeking Christ, it is natural that we associate the presence of Christ with the church or with a temple or sanctuary. But as we read the gospels, we see that Jesus’ ministry was carried out not only in a religious building. We are told that he fed people on the hillside. And cooked fish on the beach. And healed people as he was walking from village to village. We are told that he ministered to people at dinner in a home. And that he taught from a boat on the lake. And that he confronted evil spirits in a cemetery. In Jesus Christ we see that the powerful love of God is not limited to certain people or certain places. It is available everywhere for everyone and for all of Creation.

As we seek Christ this season, we can think about expecting to experience the love of Christ in school, at the gym, on a walk, at the beach, at work, at a concert, or a meal. And, of course, in church. God wants to make it easy for us to access Divine Love: Everywhere. Anywhere. Always.

Prayer

In these busy days of Advent, may we remember to seek the spirit of Christ at all times and in all places. There are no limits to the presence of Divine Love. May we be always ready and willing and open. Amen.