Category: Kim’s Blog

“A” and “the.” They are little words. Filler between more impressive words. Multisyllabic words. Words with long and distinguished etymologies. What are the little words “a” and “the”? Yet they can be important words. Is Jesus “a” teacher? One among many. Taking his place alongside others of different times and cultures? Or is Jesus “the” teacher with a singularly authoritative word for all times and all cultures? Is Jesus “the” source with no other commensurate spiritual teachers in the past or to come?

For me, Jesus is “the” teacher. For me, he is in a different category than other spiritual teachers of the Christian tradition and of other religious paths. For me, Jesus has more power and authority. His teachings are “the” teachings for me. Others have important, illuminating insights to share and are worthy of respect, but Jesus bears more weight for me.

Looking at the world as a whole, with its vast history and amazing diversity, the world which Jesus loved, and for which he lived and died, I can see how Jesus is “a” teacher. “A” voice. “A” path. Maybe others hear the message of Jesus, his voice, through different teachers and traditions. God can use everyone and anyone. I believe God speaks through Jesus, and because of that, I believe God can speak through others. I do not want to limit God.

But I hear God most clearly and directly through Jesus. For me, Jesus is “the” one. For God and for the world, he may be “a” voice.

There are many ways to hear God. Many ways to get the message. Whatever the source, may the essence come through, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Lectionary readings for today:

Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35

In the document, The Acts of John, from the second century, we are told that on the night before his death, Jesus had his disciples hold hands and dance in a circle while he sang and they responded, “Amen.” This is a translation of the hymn:

Glory to You, Father, Amen.
Glory to You, Mother, Amen.
Glory to You, Word, Amen.
Glory to You, Wisdom, Amen.
Glory to You, Spirit, Amen.
Glory to You, Holy One, Amen.
Glory to Your Glory, Amen.

Praise to You, Father, Amen.
Praise to You, Mother, Amen.
Praise to You, Eternal Spirit, Amen.

I will be saved, and I will save, Amen.
I will be loosed, and I will loose, Amen.
I will be wounded, and I will wound, Amen.
I will be born, and I will bear, Amen.
I will eat, and I will be eaten, Amen.
I will hear, and I will be heard, Amen.
I will be understood, and I am understanding, Amen.
I will be washed, and I will wash, Amen.
I will pipe, dance, all of you, Amen.
I will mourn, beat all your breasts, Amen.
The Holy Eight sing in choir with us, Amen.
The twelfth Number dances on high, Amen.
The entire universe belongs to the Dancer, Amen.
If you do not dance, you don’t know what is happening, Amen.
I will flee, and I will remain, Amen.
I will adorn, and I will be adorned, Amen.
I will be united, and I will unite, Amen.

I have no house, and I have houses, Amen.
I have no place, and I have places, Amen.
I have no temple, and I have temples, Amen.
I am a lamp to you who see me, Amen.
I am a mirror to you who know me, Amen.
I am a door to you who knock on me, Amen.
I am a Way to you who travel with me, Amen.

[Acts of John 94, Seer version, in Son of Man by Andrew Harvey, pp. 260-261]

The Christian life involves believing and following. Sometimes we put the emphasis on one or the other. To some, what is most important is what is believed about Jesus. That is the heart of the Christian faith for some. Then in light of those beliefs one chooses to follow the ethical values in the teachings of Jesus. Others choose to put the emphasis on following Jesus. The core of Christian faith is following the values, teachings, and ethics of Jesus. With the following comes trust in the way of Jesus and the love of God. Believing and following go together, but we often put the stress on one or the other.

As we remember the events of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life as they are given to us in the traditions of the gospels, the friends of Jesus seem to fall short on the following side. The stories we have talk of betrayal, desertion, and denial. One exception is the woman who anoints Jesus with oil.

So we wonder. Jesus’ friends say they believe in him, then they desert him, betray him, and deny him. They scatter in fear. They are not very loyal or devoted. Would the better way be to stay true to your friend, to be there, to be loyal and present regardless of what you believe about Jesus? Maybe you don’t believe certain things about Jesus, but you can still follow him and not betray, desert, or deny him. Believing and following. Where is the emphasis for you?

Lectionary readings for today:

Isaiah 50: 4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13: 21-32

Prayer: We pray to be true to our intentions and loyal in our commitments. Amen.

As we consider the legacy of Judas, there is the traditional image of Judas as a traitor, a betrayer. This version of the story of Judas gives us a Judas motivated perhaps by disillusionment or greed and getting paid by the religious leaders to hand Jesus over. This Judas would have known that this would make him an enemy of Jesus’ friends and followers and would cut him off from his primary community of support. He may have anticipated the personal anguish and guilt associated with betrayal. Judas would have suspected that he would be killed for this betrayal.

If we consider the story of Judas as the one who hands Jesus over at Jesus’ request, this version of the Judas story also leads to negative consequences for Judas. He would have known that this course of action would probably cost him his life as well as the life of his beloved teacher and friend.

Either way, the outcome is not in Judas’ favor. Obey or betray, it still costs Judas his life. There’s a lesson here about obedience to God. It may have very difficult consequences for us. Yes, Judas would know that he did God’s will, but it costs him his life and the life of his beloved friend. Obedience, too, has a cost. The story of Judas, and of Holy Week, invites us to consider what price we are paying for our obedience to God. What is it costing us to follow in the way of Jesus? It the cost is too small, maybe we are not being obedient enough.

Lectionary readings for today:

Isaiah 49:1-7
Psalm 71:1-14
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
John 12:20-36

Prayer: May we have the courage and fortitude to obey God whatever the cost. Amen.

In church on Sunday, we talked about Judas. We examined some differing perspectives on Judas. One thing we know is that we can’t know much if anything about an historical Judas. There aren’t records or primary sources or other forms of trustworthy evidence to verify historicity. From this distance in the future, we just can’t base our impressions on factually based information.

While we cannot say much about Judas from a factual perspective, we can say something about betrayal. Each and every day, we engage in betrayal of some kind. We say we are concerned about something, and then we don’t do anything about it. That is a betrayal of our expressed concern. We say we care for someone, and then we don’t do anything to show that care. That’s a betrayal. We say we are committed to justice and then we buy clothes from sweat shops and eat food picked by oppressed workers. That’s a betrayal.

When we look at Judas from the perspective of the Gospel of Judas, we see that Judas was committed to following Jesus. Jesus wanted Judas to hand him over to the authorities. Judas did as Jesus desired even though he knew it would lead to terrible repercussions for Judas (and for Jesus). Judas followed Jesus. He was completely faithful even when that meant doing something extremely difficult and painful.

The journey of Lent and the journey of life is about bringing our beliefs and our behavior into closer harmony. It is about merging our commitments and our conduct. It is about greater consistency between what we say and what we do. The church helps to lead and guide us on that journey.

Lectionary readings for today:

Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 36:5-11
Hebrews 9:11-15
John 12:1-11

Prayer: May we seek to be true to our highest ideals and commitments. Amen.

Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. The gospels tell us of a peaceful procession. An anti – militarist parade of peace and humility. It is celebration of the little people, the victims, the downtrodden.

How does such an event lead to the awful violence, betrayal, and hatred that fills the week to come? How does preparation for the celebration of the Passover, a commemoration of liberation and life turn to death and destruction? How do things go so awry?

Peace is actually a threat. Yes. A threat. Peace is a threat to the status quo. Peace is a threat to entrenched power, even religious power. Peace is a threat to regimes maintained through violence and intimidation. Peace is a threat to those whose identity is wrapped up in arms and warfare and violence. Peace is a threat to injustice and oppression. Peace is a threat to greed and opportunism. Peace is a threat to those benefitting from imposing fear and control. Yes, peace is actually a threat.

It’s not surprising, then, that there is so little peace in the world. But when we experience peace, we know that it is worth any price.

Lectionary readings for today:

Palms:
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16

Passion:
Isaiah 50:4-9a;
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11

Mark 14:1—15:47 or Mark 15:1-39 [40-47]

Prayer: May we have the courage and bravery to seek peace. Amen.