January 3, 2023  – Christmas +9 — “Comfort One Another”

“Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,  make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” Isaiah 40:1-4

“Never express anything unbecoming nor act against the rules moral before your inferiors.” (George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation; number 59; p. 21, Applewood Books”)

One of the things many people have trouble with today is determining how to comfort someone. Why do I say that? Well, with so many people worried about personal space, especially in this post-pandemic world, it is important to ask permission before approaching someone to give them comfort. It is an extra step that is required today, and often a reason people do not want to get involved emotionally. Have you ever wondered what you should do to comfort someone and worried that you might do the wrong thing? I have. But I would like to encourage you to seek that permission – because asking permission is always better than doing nothing.

Do something. Be present. Say something. Listen. Hug. It may not come out perfectly, it may not be the absolutely perfect thing, but it is something. In doing or saying or being or listening or hugging, you are telling that other person that you love them and you are in it with them.

Oh, and one more piece of advice — don’t always look to try to fix it. That is not always helpful. Just establishing a connection with another human being is something and will be comforting. We can all use a little help from our friends. It will take becoming vulnerable, opening ourselves up to opportunity, and trusting G-d. And it won’t hurt to look to the scriptures and see what G-d has to say about offering comfort to one another.

Let us pray: Lord, we read the scriptures and hear words of comfort. Help me to offer words and actions that bring comfort to others. Amen.

Pastor Dave

January 2, 2023  – Christmas +8 —“Shout The Good News”

“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” Matthew 16:13-20

“Use no reproachful language against anyone; neither curse nor revile.” (George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation; number 49; p. 18, Applewood Books”)

When I see people acting rude and inconsiderate, I feel less of a person. There is no reason for people to act mean-spirited toward one another – whether it is because of political differences, family arguments, or religious disagreements. Just this past Christmas season my wife and I would ask different baristas and other service providers if people were being rude or mean. Too often they quickly answered in the affirmative. It is these moments when I need to hear the good news about the love of Jesus.

Matthew 16:13-15 is just one of the many verses throughout the Bible that tells us to share and declare G-d’s love and mercy. When Jesus asks his disciples “But who do you say I am?”, he is giving them a chance to share their opinion about his ministry.

There are a million different ways to share G-d’s love with our neighbors and the world. There are some churches where people often stand in front of the congregation and share their testimony—their own personal story of how G-d has come into and impacted their lives. We know, as Lutherans, this is very foreign to us. But we need to learn to say to people what it means for us to declare that Jesus is the Messiah. It is not part of our religious experiences to declare our faith story in front of an entire congregation – and that is fine. But we can work out a story to share with one or two people – especially if we overhear someone being mean-spirited or rude.

Jesus has asked each one of us to share the good news, but it often will not come easily or immediately. But the more we practice, the easier it will become.

Let us pray: Lord, we often miss those moments to share our stories because we are afraid. Help me to be present in all moments and to share how your love has impacted my life. Amen.

Pastor Dave