April 24, 2016
Sunday Easter 5C

“…during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” John 13:2 – 8

(This text) tells us, I think, a great deal about the kind of love Jesus is talking about. This surely isn’t romantic love, nor is it simply being nice, nor is it only loving those who love you back. Think about it: when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, Judas was there. Further, he will now demonstrate just how much God loves the world by dying for those who manifestly do not love him. Love is hard because it is self-sacrificing. It means putting the good of the other first, even when it hurts.” (David Lose, “Dear Working Preacher” web site)

So here is this text again. We just heard it not much more than a month ago, on Maundy Thursday, and now here it is again, in the weeks after Easter. It comes as another reminder of the love that Jesus both demonstrated and taught to his disciples. It is the kind of love Jesus commands us to have for G-d, and for one another.   So which is more important – our love for G-d or our love for one another?

I would say that if we follow the actions of many congregations around the country, we see that people spend more time showing their love for G-d (in worship and attendance at Sunday school) than they do showing love and compassion for their neighbor. And if you notice the facetious comment I made about attending Sunday school, you know that I am only speaking about a small number of people who still attend this “outdated” ministry and their assumed aggregate ages. Compare that to the members of the millennial generation who don’t like to come to worship or activities like Sunday school, but would rather be out in the community working with those who are in need – in need of some love and help in their lives. One group shows their love in worship, the other shows their love in service. My friends, our communities need both – we need an active faith community who are gathering for worship and forming strong, faith-based loving “families”, and we need people who are willing to act on their faith and be present with the needy.

Pastor Dave

April 23, 2016
The Lord’s Prayer — “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

“What does this mean?–Answer.
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is this done?–Answer.
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Small Catechism)

“Hence there is just as great need, as in all the others, that we pray without ceasing: “Dear Father, Thy will be done, not the will of the devil and of our enemies, nor of anything that would persecute and suppress Thy holy Word or hinder Thy kingdom; and grant that we may bear with patience and overcome whatever is to be endured on that account, lest our poor flesh yield or fall away from weakness or sluggishness.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Large Catechism)

What does it mean to pray that the will of G-d be done on the earth as is the will of G-d done in heaven? The answer comes in understanding the will of G-d. As Luther states, the will of G-d is that every will and counsel of the devil be destroyed. The will of the devil and of evil is completely destroyed in heaven, and that is G-d’s will on earth. But, the earth is the devil’s playground, and evil abounds around every turn that we take on this earth. How should we apply this petition to the great domain of human activity here on earth and also to our own particular circumstances and concerns? We can pray that G-d’s will be done on many levels: personally, locally, nationally and internationally. We look to our circumstances and pray for G-d’s will for those we love, for our church, for our community, for our land and our world. “Your will be done.” It is a prayer with both an active and a passive side. Actively, we are called to pray for G-d’s presence and rule on the affairs of this world, that G-d’s will may be done. Actively, we are challenged to pursue all that is in accordance with that will: in our own lives and in the lives of those for whom we are responsible. Passively, we are called to accept what is G-d’s will, even when it is to our own discomfort, disappointment, or even anguish. In heaven our Father’s will is done gladly, willingly, completely and joyfully – may it be like that on earth. We pray that there be a foretaste of heaven in our lives, in our decisions and in our communities here and now.

Pastor Dave