To Be First - Mark 10 - Proper 24B

To be first…

Tony E Hansen

Reflection based upon Mark 10:35-45, Psalm 91, Hebrews 5:1-10

Opening prayer

This weekend is the anniversary for my parents (October 20). Happy anniversary to my mother as well as to Dad (who is in heaven today).

This week, one of my favorite bands released a new single that is just pure ear candy called “Night Terror” with their original drummer. Not that the replacement was bad as he was good in his own right, but the return of Mike Portnoy to the line up is clearly felt in the song. The song has been on repeat for me.

I have also been doing a lot of paint therapy- someone should tell the painter at my house to stay in the lines. There is plenty of tape to take down and plenty of touch up remaining.

This week, we observe the argument among the disciples over who should sit at right and left hands of Jesus. 

Like Jesus has said before, this is something that should not concern them because this question of being in places of honor is not about service but instead all about vanity and unearned honor.

Thus, with this challenge to the disciples - to us -, Jesus wants us to understand that ministry and true purposeful life is about service rather than honors and rewards. 

What does greatness look like ?  What do we do with power and influence?

What does it mean to deny oneself and take up a cross?

We have ample opportunities in this broken world to buy our way to so-called happiness. We have ample opportunities to get what we want, when we want it and how we want it, like the Burger King menu - with burgers your way. 

It feels nice to have those kinds of choices, but instead, we are diluting ourselves with distractions and personal pampering.

Thus, when we get to this place that commercials and materialism have defined as “happy”, people ultimately find it lacking in purpose, in meaning, and in fullness. 

So, to deny oneself is not to fulfill all the urges we have, but to recognize there are some other things that can bring true meaning and purpose to our lives. That is in this service - this ministry.

When we devote ourselves to service, those urges and those materials become shallow and empty - as they really are. 

Then for us, we must consider what greatness looks like is to be one that serves - not just for the accolades or honors, but to serve family, friends, and the community for the sake of service for our neighbors and for our Creator. As well, we are not to serve just as token bits, but to serve with our whole hearts and souls.

What we need in this world, is more of this service that does not first look for “what’s in it for me.” Rather, we need to see service that lifts up people and brings people together, not just as political stunts or Snapchat clips for likes.  

There are plenty of ways we can realize this service in our lives, and we should hold our leaders to this as well. Volunteering with organizations like UBFM, Dream Team, Wounded Warriors, at church, hospice care or even ARL can be mechanisms for us to achieve this, but it is even more than that still. 

Ask the questions:  Are we including, instead of excluding? Are we bringing people together instead of tearing them down? Are we reaching out with a helping hand to those who have been knocked down or left out? Are we lending an ear to those who need to be heard?

In those moments, it is not about “what’s in it for me” but what can I do to make this world better today for others. Incidentally, when we do this, it works its way back to us in many meaningful , positive, and powerful ways. 

Thus, we observe one of the central themes of Mark - that we must be willing to “be slave of all” in order to be first. To be first, one must be willing to be last.  That our focus is on service rather than glories or rewards.

This theme is followed by reminding us of the ultimate example found in Christ, who came to serve and to give life for us - along with forgiveness and that sacred promise poured out for all.

The ultimate example provides us a path to true greatness, true purpose, and true grace in our lives that are intangible benefits of the sacred service that is revealed in our lives. 

Beloved, let go of the lies and materials this broken world has distracted of us and instead, live in the truth and the love that has been poured out for us. 

Let go of the privileges - the statuses, and the “likes.” Let your life be one of heart-full and soul-full service. When you do, “no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near…” God will answer and rescue when you call and sometimes through paint therapy. God can quiet the night terrors in our lives.

“Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest,” but showed us the way - the path to salvation through service to all.  

For that, we say, 

Thanks Be to God.

Grief of Divorce - Mark 10 - Proper 22 Year B

Grief of Divorce

Tony E Hansen

Reflection based upon Mark 10:2-16, Psalm 8, Genesis 2:18-24

Opening prayer

The scriptures talk about how a couple is made to be with each other - a woman is made from the bones of a man. Thus, couple becomes “one flesh.”  

The disciples ask Jesus about this thing we call marriage and divorce.

I think I know a thing or two about these having been married and now divorced. (The dust is still settling from that.)

Marriage is about commitment, love, trust and communication, but what happens when that commitment, that trust, that love, that one flesh, devolves and separates?

I don’t think people get into a marriage with the prospect of quitting. I certainly did not, but it happened no less. I didn’t honestly believe in divorce before this. Even though, I have friends and family that have went through it, divorce wasn’t something for me - that is until it became for me.

I think of myself publicly failing for having to go through it. The loss is more than money and material. It is a loss of ideas, prospects , a relationship, a family, a community, and yes the “one flesh.” 

Divorce destroys trust (if it was even there to begin with), it destroys the bonds (that could have been), it destroys a community that surrounds the marriage, and it certainly destroys a future. The stress, pain, and anxiety in me from all of this is through the roof. The stress and anxiety radiates throughout our friends and families as they cope with the change as well. I pray for them as I try not to drag them down too.

Yet, it was a necessary thing to do - for both of us. 

It destroys a future but also creates. My future is not certain - not that it was before this, but the path is way different that what I thought it was going to be. I even looked for ways to maybe ignore what was transpiring, but I could not and ignoring was only going to make it worse. 

So, How do we cope? 

There are mechanisms that people can employ when going through a life transition such as this because we have to understand there is pain, tears and grief in the moment. Loss (whether a friend, a life or a relationship) loss breeds - along with it - grief.

We have to learn how to cope with the loss and find healthy ways to do that.  For it is too easy to slip into damaging ways ( I know that too well.) 

I know others may have found other negative ways to cope such as violence, drugs, unsafe sex, or alcohol. I have to be careful and mindful of triggers. Personally, I have to lower my alcohol intake, and instead, I should lean into things that are healthy like workouts, visiting with family and friends, painting with pastels, or working in the garden. I should do that even though the anxiety is high and the pain is real. 

I have met some good people since all this has transpired (and is continuing), but I have to remember to take care of myself - because no one else will. I believe that I will rebuild and I will find a new path even though that path is not clear to me today. (Not sure it really ever was clear if I think about it.) Yet, I have to believe that.

I will turn to my painting, drawing, writing, music, and work to fill the holes that have been painfully ripped open. I certainly don’t want to fill the holes with negativity and more anxiety. 

Now, I look at the words of Jesus from Mark and find myself in a paradox of any future relationship. I cannot really even think about that right now with the abundance of grief that I am experiencing. Yet the paradox is there.

There is a reason why Jesus says these, and it is because divorce is so damaging. As I stated, it not only impacts the couple, but those around them as they also try to cope.  I am thankful for those that have reached out to me, those that have invited me into their world, and those that have helped me during this awful time. You have been very much appreciated.

That also tells me the path forward is not one that has to be done alone. Nothing that we do has to be done alone. 

Although we ultimately have to take the steps and the next steps, there are people around us that we can lean and find support - even if those people are ones we haven’t engaged in a while. we (I) have to remember there is God as well. So yeah, I have been reaching out to folks I haven’t spoke to in a while and I plan to reach out to more.

I think maybe that is part of the healing process (and is definitely a positive activity.)  Reaching out instead of turning inward and isolating - Finding out or remembering who is in our support system.  For Lord knows that someday, we become their support in turn.  

Hopefully, the result of the healing process, I think of what it is like to be a child in the kingdom and that there is the ultimate support in the Spirit that guides us all. Remember that God created us as works of divine fingers: along with the majesty of the moon and stars. Hope is what I have to hold onto and faith in the One that sustains us.

the grief of divorce - may you never have to witness this in your lives and may peace be with you all, especially if you have had to endure this.

And for all the blessings, friends, family and gifts bestowed upon me, I am reminded still…

Thanks be to God 

Practice Action Faith - James 2- Proper 18 Year B

Practice Action Faith

Tony E Hansen

Reflection based upon James 2:1-17, Psalm 146

Opening Prayer 

James 2 leaves no stone unturned when it comes to faith and is quite direct about what should or shouldn’t be faith. Faith is not asserting partiality, social status, or privilege.  The epistle challenges us to put our faith into action: an “action faith.”

The command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself…” is central to this.

The opening verses of James 2 ask of people a question by posing a very real scenario.

When folks come to us with decent clothes, when they look like they come from our neighborhood, when they talk like us, and when they say things “that we like”, we are more willing to give people privileges and acceptance.

Yet, when someone looks disheveled or even dirty, when someone looks like they don’t have many clothes, they are holding sign asking for food or change or simply to “be nice”, we likely treat them differently and roll up the window. We avert eyes so we don’t have to acknowledge they even are in our presence. 

It happens more than we like and sometimes without us realizing we do it. 

Making these judging distinctions, however goes against that core teaching of Jesus.

That isn’t to say we cannot have boundaries for those are necessary, but how we see and treat people is what these verses challenge of us.

“Never judge a book by its cover” saying applies here. Just because a package may look good, does not necessarily mean it is. Conversely, just because something looks or sounds odd, does not mean there is little or no use for it. 

Think of how people pick produce at the grocery. I want this one or that one because it looks nice, feels nice, has particular nice sound when I thump it. Yet, I have grown produce like tomatoes in my garden that did not have the robust look and feel of the store quality, but they were nonetheless good picks.

Of course, I have to throw out ones that are clearly not any good, but there are still quality tomatoes that are odd-shaped or have some other “uniqueness.” 

We do this with people just the same - even people that talk about a good faith. 

We size up people for a number of reasons. Safety is one, but that is not usually what is driving our impressions of people.

We are looking for commonalities: things, places and people that do, say and want what we want. Are you a Hawkeye or Cyclone? Some take that to a degree of requiring agreements and conformity of these. 

That, however, neglects letting God be in all people where they are on life. That conformity rejects that all are children of the Creator and excludes those that do not conform. 

Yes, in looking for these, or those possible conforming needs, we are casting judgements. 

We are not letting people be the unique gifts from God; Letting them be great displays of the divine love before us (regardless of garments, cleanliness, how they talk, what they eat, how they love or even how they pray.)

Simply put: When we want conformity and cast judgments, we are not letting God be God. 

We are also casting judgments when we fail to do. When we do not show mercy towards folks in need, we forget that our faith and those teachings of Jesus tell us to reach out and help where we can.

How does one break this personal tendency? 

I submit there are many ways, but mission work like UBFM can be helpful. 

Yes, when you regularly go out into the streets and missions around the metro to specifically meet food insecure folks, one cannot avert eyes when our mission is not to judge but instead to ask if you had supper tonight. 

It kind of forces us out of comfort zone and away from closing curtains around people that make us feel a degree of discomfort.

So when we do this, we open a dialog with people, we open relationships, and we bring hope to those on the street as well into us who bring it.

Seeing this and experiencing this can be awakening for folks, and yes we experience “God moments” when doing it. 

You don’t need a volunteer organization or a church mission (although there are great opportunities) to do this.

We can do this in our neighborhoods, driving around town, at the grocery lane, or restaurant, there are people who we could spend time judging and sizing up. We can dispel with that judging and let God reveal to us people with unique and beautiful expressions of God before us.

When we do this and do it regularly, one may find the curtains of judgment have less and less purpose. You, hopefully, see a real and genuine person on the corner rather than an excuse, or a pariah. 

I submit to you this is “action faith,” and the results can be soulful joy, as well as a measure of peace and comfort.

I submit to you. When you practice your faith in your words and your actions to friends, family, neighbors, homeless and even enemies, one may begin to see all the beautiful uniqueness that God has give to us.

When you hear someone talk about their faith, maybe, ask how they represent their faith. Maybe, they have something for us to learn. Maybe, they want and need to learn from us. 

When you practice “action faith", you will find how great God has made those around us and how our world becomes more comfortable with everyone in it. 

That Beloved is 

Thanks Be to God

Whole Armor of God - Ephesians 6 John 6 - Proper16 B

Whole Armor of God

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6 and Psalm 34

Opening Prayer

Today we continue our walk through the bread of life discourse in John 6. People are confused to what Jesus is saying, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood… whoever eats of me will live because of me.”

The people say these teachings are difficult. Who can accept?

These words invoke the great sacrifice and foreshadow Jesus on the cross. 

These words are why the cross is so important to Christians.

Remember Jesus fed the crowd with fish and bread. Jesus tells us “I am the bread of life.” Jesus touches on the holy Eucharist - the communion at the table where all are welcome and all receive the grace of something much larger than ourselves  or our flesh. 

Jesus uses these words not just as grandiose proclamation, but also understanding that these holy gifts of life, love and forgiveness are given through the power of that sacrifice. 

We all know who is willing to put Jesus on the cross and who will to see him die. Funny thing is that we don’t see ourselves in that image. 

Why would I say something like that? 

Remember that it was disciples would turned their back and abandoned Jesus in the darkest hours. It was disciples that betrayed Jesus to enemies. 

Even more, it was regular folks who yelled to Pilot to execute Jesus and save the murderer. It was regular folks who taunted and tortured Jesus and people who carried out the execution.

Why? 

People have an image of God and what that image is doing -some military savior, some great royal figure, someone who reinforce unequal social structures, who reinforces religious elites with privileges, or perhaps the image was something else.

Perhaps, they looked at Jesus and saw and heard something that didn’t fit that image. 

Perhaps, people did not (do not) fully appreciate what Jesus says and does.

Because Jesus words are revolutionary, and they are powerful to people with or without titles. Jesus lifts all of us to be the best of us with each other regardless of creeds, social status, titles or privilege. 

The forgiveness of sins, the breath life, the power of the Spirit: these are poured out for us so that we might have life - real life - not just the one bought and paid for or marketed to us.

Question is are you worthy of this ? Are you worthy of the great sacred sacrifice - of this life?

The answer from John’s gospel is that grace and love are abundantly given, and they are beyond our physical self - they are where we find eternal life. Yes, you are worthy and is precisely why Jesus did this.

These gifts from the spirit give life beyond our broken bodies, pain and fears. 

The great sacrifice, the cross is for you and me - all of us. God willing to experience sacrifice for us - for you and me. That blood poured out is the Spirit breaking forth into this world for all to see - all to witness love, grace, and forgiveness: The abundant and eternal gifts.

Speaking of images of God…

The lesson from Ephesians carries abundance of imagery for us while invoking shields and swords - but not the kind of swords that maim.  

I read and I find myself wanting to dress up - could be images of old knights but maybe closer to like Hagar the Horrible. After all, I do enjoy cartoons and comics.

The lesson pleads to take up “the whole armor of God… belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness…  Take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Yes this sword is not one that maims but is the word of God - the word made flesh.

Why should I put on all this ?? 

Think of what you put on this day and others. What symbols you wear, whether sports, brands, colors or the sayings? What do they say about you to others? Why not put on the sacred Spirit as well?

This imagery of putting all of these things to protect us from spiritual forces of evil, but also to be the example God’s love.

That isn’t to make us righteous, indignant and privileged. 

When we wear this outfit from God, then we are to remember the great sacrifice and the blood poured out for us - you and me. For us to remember to be defenders of love, grace and forgiveness.

Thing is that when we put on the many different outfits, it affects how we walk into the world. When I put on a suit, taekwondo dobak, cycling gear, or just t-shirt and shorts, I look and feel different for each of these. 

We might look into the mirror and see how we look outside but also how we look inside. 

Maybe, instead of weapons and knightly armor, maybe, the armor God that we read in  Ephesians is closer to something like Linus with his blanket. 

Linus didn’t go anywhere without the blanket and didn’t let people make fun of him for it. Linus could make the blanket into anything he wanted too. 

For Linus, the blanket is protection and a layer of comfort. In that protection and comfort, there comes understanding, Linus would extend that comfort, protection and knowledge to others around him. 

That is, when we put on this armor of God, yes, it is for us protection, and it is comfort. In that protection and comfort, we find understanding and knowledge. 

When we do this, we can acknowledge how that helps us to be the protection and comfort for others as well.

To be defenders of love, grace and forgiveness, we must first be the love, grace and forgiveness. We recognize the power of the cross as not exclusive but something for all of us - even you and me.

You are invited to partake in the communion that celebrates, you are invited to put on the armor of God.

Go ahead and find there is much more than our physical self.

Thanks Be to God