April 21, 2022 – Words From Merton

The Secret Gift

“But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.  So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

“Why can we not be content with the secret gift of the happiness that G-d offers us, without consulting the rest of the world? Why do we insist, rather, on a happiness that is approved by the magazines and TV?  Perhaps because we do not believe in a happiness that is given to us for nothing. We do not think we can be happy with a happiness that has no price tag on it.” Thomas Merton (The Pocket Thomas Merton, p. 58)

The Secret Gift

Too many people are losing heart in our world today. Too many are losing heart because they are looking in all the wrong places for meaning and sustenance and substance. We see our outer natures wasting away, wrinkles appearing, dark spots forming, love handles expanding, and we freak out.  Our youth is disappearing right in front of our eyes, and so we will do anything to prevent it, slow it down, if not reverse it. We will spend lots of money trying to recapture what has already been lost, and it will be all for naught. And if that is what we are basing our whole understanding of ourselves, then we are in for a terrible reality check. 

No matter how many TV programs or magazines give us “10 Easy Steps to a Slimmer more Beautiful You”, most of us will never get past step 2. And then we will think life has pooped upon us once again. Merton says, “Why can we not be content with the secret gift of the happiness that G-d offers us…?”  That secret gift is the love of G-d that is unconditional and unending. But you also are a gift. And when you tap into that love, you soon realize that you are perfect just as you are, because G-d loves you just as you are.

Let us pray,

Lord Christ, we try too hard to find value for our lives in things that will rust and ruin. Your love and your presence are more valuable to each one of us than any human object. I pray today that I will find my value in you – your love and your presence. Amen.

Pastor Dave

April 20, 2022 – Words From Merton

The Sin of Religiosity

“While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you. “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without realizing it.”  Luke 11:37-44

“The sin of religiosity is that it has turned G-d, peace, happiness, salvation and all that man (and women) desires into products to be marketed in an especially attractive package deal. In this, I think, the fault lies not with the sincerity of preachers and religious writers, but with the worn-out presuppositions with which they fare content to operate. The religious mind today is seldom pertinently or prophetically critical.” Thomas Merton (The Pocket Thomas Merton, p. 41)

The Sin of Religiosity

Are there things about the Lutheran theology, worship or ministry that are worn out? I would say “yes” and hope you do not throw stones at me or look to run me out of town on a rail (speaking of worn out activities). There have been many things that have “worn out” their welcome and relevancy in our Lutheran practice over the years. Our liturgies have changed. Our Sunday school programs have changed dramatically if not just disappeared completely over the years. And, more importantly, our relevancy to the community and to the changing world is very much in doubt. No longer will people come to church because that is what “we” do on Sundays. Instead, people stay away from church because that is what “they” do on Sundays. As Merton suggests, we need to be prophetically critical about our ministry, mission and worship. If we are to be relevant to the community and do ministry that matters that meets the needs of the community and the world, then we need to be willing to embrace the change that will be necessary to remain relevant in society and to people – for both are changing dramatically. 

If our presuppositions are worn-out, then let’s renew them with fervor and energy – all with the power of the Holy Spirit. Where that may take us may scare the “be-jeebers” out of us, but so be it – it would be better to go into the future with the power of the Holy Spirit leading the way, than to be stuck in the past with no one in our pews and nothing to do but wait to close.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, the uncertainty of the future scares us. We want to embrace the future, but sameness makes us feel secure. Help me to welcome the Holy Spirit into my life so I can follow wherever the Spirit leads me today, not only in my life but in my worship and spiritual life as well. Amen.

Pastor Dave