Life Changing Experiences

Reflections on Acts 9:1-20

You probably know the story: Saul, a notorious persecutor of Christians, was on his way to Damascus to collect up all the Christian Jews in order to bring them to Jerusalem for punishment. Along the way, he has an encounter with the ascended Christ, who comes to him in a flash of light. Those who are with Saul can hear the voice of Christ, but can see nothing. Jesus asks Saul why he is persecuting him, and tells him to enter the city to await further instructions. The impact of this encounter leaves Saul blind. Saul's sight is not restored until a disciple named Ananias comes and lays hands on Saul. Scales fall from his eyes, his sight is restored and he is baptized as the Christian Paul. Immediately the transformed Paul proclaims Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues of Damascus.

For Paul, this encounter with the living Christ has immediate effects. In a matter of a few days, he morphs from a persecutor of the followers of Christ to a vocal Christian proclaimer. Few of us have such dramatic, immediately life changing encounters, but many of us can identify an event that changed the direction of our life.

Often this transformation arises out of some unplanned happening, such as an illness or an accident. Sometimes in the aftermath of the illness or the accident, an individual has time to pray, reflect and look at his or her life. This may provide an opportunity to listen to the Spirit; perhaps hearing for the first time a voice that had been blocked by the frenetic activity of daily life. Sometimes the life changing direction may arise out of the beginning a new spiritual discipline, which provides time and space for the risen Christ to act in our lives.

God looks for opportunities in our lives to allow our faith to deepen and grow. When we are floundering because of some unfortunate turn of events in our lives, the Spirit may "intercede with sighs too deep for words" (Romans 8:26). When we begin practicing a spiritual discipline, again the Spirit uses the opportunity to move us. If an illness or accident strikes us, God may use that event to transform us.

God does not cause tragedies or suffering in our lives, but God may use these events and turn them for good in our lives

New Starts: Reflections on John 21:1-19

So Peter and the other disciples finally left the locked room.

They had been there for a some time after Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus visited at least twice, coming through closed, locked doors to spread his special peace and the good news of his rising from the dead.

The disciples finally get enough of Jesus' peace and leave the safety of the locked room. But they still haven't quite gotten Jesus' message of "As God has sent me, so I send you." As John 21 opens, it is clear that Peter has had enough of the drama, the stress, the grief and the shock. He's going back to what he does best--fishing. He invites a few of the other disciples along on a night-time fishing trip--perhaps so they can start going back to their old lives--their lives before Jesus showed up. This may seem a familiar reaction for many of us. When we are stressed, worried or upset, it feels good to go do something that is comfortable for us. Let me do something in a familiar pattern of life so that I can block out the thoughts of all the bad stuff.

But Jesus isn't going to give up on these disciples this easily. He is not going to let them drift comfortably back into their old lives. He has invested too much energy in these guys getting them ready to truly be apostles--ones who are sent out.

So when they try to go fishing, no fish come. Sounds almost like the night Peter and the sons of Zebedee met Jesus the first time. And just as they are coming in discouraged with their ability to return to their old life, there is this man on the beach telling them to cast their nets to the right side of the boat. Imagine their reaction--Yeah, sure, whatever! But they do it and there are fish in abundance. Jesus made known to them in the catching of the fish.

Over breakfast, Jesus then releases Peter from the tyranny of his denial of Jesus at Jesus' trial. Three times Jesus asks Peter in various ways: do you love me? Three times, just like the three time denial. Three times Peter answers, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. " Three times Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. In these three question and answer sessions, Jesus breaks the grasp that Peter's denial has on his psyche. Peter is made new and equipped to care for Jesus' growing flock.

Peter is freed and sent--a new start. Now he is no longer just a disciple--a learner. Peter is ready to be an apostle. He is ready to be sent out, equipped for action.

The Breath of the Resurrected Christ

Reflections on John 20:19-21:

I have been pondering the impact of the risen Christ's appearance to the disciples squirreled away up in that locked room. The fear in the room prior to Jesus' appearance would surely have been palpable. I can almost see the disciples pacing up and down the length of the room, wringing their hands and wondering what would happen to them. Their skin was sweaty and damp in the stale air of the closed room. They could feel the pressure building in their necks and aching heads.

Would the authorities come and get them, just as they had come to get Jesus? Would there be a knock at the door? Would the door be broken down? Who knew they were there? Who might be betray them? What would happen to their wives and children? Who would keep the fishing businesses and tax collecting businesses going?

And then Jesus appears. Could they hear him come? Was there a whoosh, or was his appearance totally silent? What would his words "Peace Be With You" mean in the stale air of that room, among men who were sweaty with fear? Would the fear start to leak out of the room as Jesus' peace flowed in?

When he breathed on them, did it cool their clammy skin? Did their blood pressure drop? Did the tightness in their foreheads and scalps release?

Their friend, their teacher, was again with them. Did it mean that everything was going to be alright? Would things pick up where they left off? They couldn't know the answers to any of these things. But they could feel the breath of their living, risen friend blowing over them. At least for now, they could stop being afraid.

What does the breath of the living, risen Christ blowing over you and your community mean? What power does this give you? How does it change things in your life?

May the peace of the risen Christ be with you, and may his breath chase away your fears. Amen. Alleluia!

Easter Monday--The Rejoicing Continues

It's Easter Monday, the Lenten fasts are over, the Christ candle has been lit, the tomb was found empty, and the Alleluias have been sung! What comes next? Is Easter over?

To help me think about that I would like to ponder the statement made to the women in the tomb, by the two young men in dazzling clothes:

The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. (Luke 24:5)

He is not here, but has risen! Jesus has risen, and the disciples and other followers will see Jesus multiple times over the next few weeks. In our worship, throughout the Easter season, we will hear the witness of these disciples as they give testimony to having seen the risen Christ.

Christ is risen! Is that a once and done event, or does it have last implications? Because Jesus rose from the dead, evil and death do not have the last word. Jesus triumphed over both death and the leaders (religious and political) who sought to end his influence by murdering him. Jesus's resurrection is a triumph. But what does it mean for us?

St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, that because we have been baptized into Jesus' death, we have also been baptized into his resurrection. Jesus' triumph over death means that for us, too, death will not have the last word.

Alleluia, Christ has been raised and we, too, will be raised. Alleluia, indeed!

Holy Saturday--The Vigil at the Tomb

Lent Day 40—The Great Three Days: Vigil of Easter, Saturday April 3

Theme for the Week: The Passion of Christ according to Saint Luke

Passage for the Day: Luke 23:50-55

⁵⁰ Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, ⁵¹ had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. ⁵² This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³ Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. ⁵⁴ It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. ⁵⁵ The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. ⁵⁶ Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Reflection:

Today is the last day of Lent—the last day of the Great Three Days. On this Saturday of Holy Week, with the women who saw the tomb, we, too, stand at the tomb. We are in a kind of state of limbo—Jesus is dead, but God has not yet raised him from the dead. Like the women, we are in a kind of state of resting and making preparations, awaiting what will happen.

The women do not yet know that Jesus will be raised. Because we have their witness, we have access to a hope that they did not have. We have the hope of the resurrection to sustain us through this time of waiting.

Tonight we will gather at a fire. We will light a candle, the Pascal or Christ candle and we will wait. To keep our spirits up, we will tell many of the great stories of the Hebrew Scriptures, reminding ourselves of how God has continually saved God’s people. We will sing and pray together. We will remember and remind ourselves that we have been baptized in the name of the one whom God will raise from the dead.

And finally with Mary Magdalene, we will find the stone rolled from the tomb. We will see the two angels in the empty tomb, and we will finally hear the risen Jesus call Mary by name. We will celebrate by sharing a blessed Holy Communion meal together. We will leave, ending our Lenten time and our Vigil, spreading the Good News that Jesus has been raised. Alleluia, He is risen indeed, Alleluia.

Prayer Themes:

Thank God for the witness of the faithful women, who spread the word that Jesus had been raised. Thank God for the hope of the resurrection. Pray that my Lenten journey might make the joy of the resurrection even sweeter. Pray that those who have not heard that Christ has been raised from the dead might have an opportunity to experience it.

Good Friday--Jesus' Death--What Does It Mean?

Lent Day 39—The Great Three Days: Good Friday April 2

Theme for the Week: The Passion of Christ according to Saint Luke

Passage for the Day: Luke 23:44-48

⁴⁴ It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last. ⁴⁷ When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, “Certainly this man was innocent.” ⁴⁸ And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. ⁴⁹ But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Reflection:

On this the second of The Three Great Days, we will watch as Jesus is crucified. We will hear this say: “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.” What does Jesus mean by commending his spirit to his father? Luke’s is the only Gospel where Jesus says these words.

In the Gospel of Mark (15:37), it is recorded that “Jesus gave a cry and breathed his last.” Matthew also records (27:50) “Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last.” John records (19:30) “he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus actively turns his spirit (his life, his breath) over to his Father. Jesus acknowledges that he has done everything he was sent to do and now leaves the spirit of his life in the hands of his Father, who sent him. It is now up to God to do the rest of what has to be done. It will take a couple of days and a resurrection for Jesus’ followers to really understand what God is up to.

The centurion, a Roman official supervising the crucifixion, is able to praise God after witnessing Jesus’ death. A conversion occurs because of the way in which Jesus died. The centurion also acknowledges Jesus’ innocence. The curtain of the temple is torn in two, meaning that the Holy of Holies is open to everyone. No longer is God separated from the people, but they are in God’s midst. The people who watched the death go home, knowing that they have witnessed a very wrong death and realizing that something very powerful has happened.

The women, who have followed Jesus since the beginning and supported his ministry with resources and effort, stood watching the crucifixion and the death. They witness the way in which Jesus died. What is going through their minds? What are they feeling? Their entire world has been pulled out from under them. Their rabbi, their teacher, has died a terrible death and they are left watching and wondering what it means.

Even 2000 years later, we still stand at the cross, watching in despair and wondering what Jesus’ death means. Today we will gather for worship and follow Jesus to the cross, watching as his death finally happens. In this worship service, allow yourself to stand in the shoes of one of the spectators: the women, the centurion, or one of the crowd. Ponder what went through their minds and what they were feeling during their experience of Jesus’ death.

Prayer Themes:

Pray that Jesus death may move me to deeper faith and greater discipleship. Pray that, like the centurion, the experience of the Three Days may help me to praise God.

Maundy Thursday--May You Not Come Into the Time of Trial

Lent Day 38—The Great Three Days: Maundy Thursday, April 1

Theme for the Week: The Passion of Christ according to Saint Luke

Passage for the Day: Luke 22:39-42

³⁹ He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” ⁴¹ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”

Reflection:

Today, the Remembrance and Celebration of The Great Three Days begin. Tonight we will gather to remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples. We will recount how Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and in doing so taught them about servant leadership. We will gather around a Table for a meal, remembering the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples. We will remember how Jesus told us that the bread and wine are his body and blood, given for us. We will experience Jesus’ presence among us as we share the bread and wine.

The setting for this text from Luke, is after Jesus and the disciples have departed from their last meal together. Jesus has already predicted his own betrayal by one of the disciples and predicted Peter’s denial of him. This scene finds Jesus at the Mount of Olives, ready to begin praying about his upcoming death. Jesus knows that the disciples will have some difficult days coming up, and he urges them to pray so that they will not come into the time of trial.

As we enter the Great Three Days, this prayer is an appropriate one for us also. When I was growing up, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were a part of the culture in which I was submersed. There was no school on Good Friday and it was a time when we were fairly quiet and usually visited elderly relatives. We typically went to church. In our culture today, nothing stops for the Great Three Days. Yet, we are called by God to spend time in prayer, reflection, and remembrance during these three days. The culture draws us one way—business as usual; God calls us to stop and pray. Pray you do not come into the time of trial—tempted by the frenzy of the world.

Prayer Themes:

Thank God for the gift of The Three Days with the opportunity to experience Jesus’ passion. Thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice for me. Pray that I will not fall into a time of trial. Pray for those who are experiencing trials and temptations.