The Relationship Between Disease and Dis-ease...

I've been reading a book of prayers written by a well-known seminary professor from the east coast. His prayers are comforting, and yet they are discomforting. He speaks of our faith, and then mentions how we live in an aura of entitlement. He writes of how God has blessed us, and it is welcomed and needed - desired even. And then he shares with us how these blessings relate to those around us who need our help from our abundance of blessing.

Today's prayer was especially poignant. He mentions our dis-ease with the ways that our world is lived. The expectations of our entitlement are enjoyed - and rightfully so, but then he mentions that when we stop and look around at our entitlement, we are confronted with those who are not so entitled, who are not so blessed. And while this is cause for reflection, what usually happens is that we, like that Pharisee at the other end of the chancel railing look up to God and give thanks that we are not like old so-and-so, because of the ways they have chosen to live their lives.

But this isn't the dis-ease part. No, the author of this book of prayers tells us that the dis-ease comes from our recognition (or perhaps our failure to recognize) that in our Baptism, we united ourselves with that one who showed a preference for the poor, the lame, the outcast, the downtrodden, the misfit, the ex-con (and the still imprisoned)... By our baptism, we are confronted with the reality of who we are, and who we are called and redeemed to be. And there is a great dis-ease with that disparity.

And if we are honest with ourselves, that dis-ease should make us more than a bit queasy. Nauseous. Disturbed into action. This gospel is a difficult one at best. Our blessedness is not our entitlement. Our blessedness is intended to be functional; practical; utilitarian. We are blessed to be a blessing. And when we fail to live into this blessedness, we become less than what we were intended to be. And this creates dis-ease, and can even make us diseased.

It's what happens when we look at our blessedness as entitlement instead of opportunity. It is truly a difficult thing to behold. But there is good news! There is a cure! There is a treatment plan that will enable us to live into the great potential that God has ordained for us! When we sign up for the Kingdom (through our baptism) we become a part of something that is greater than ourselves. We become a part of God's great plan for reconciling the whole world. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not reliy on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

See you in Church!

Grace and peace,
Brad

Sabbath Timing...

Just recently, Jan, Kaitlyn, Braedon and I were invited to attend a Bat-Mitzvah for the daughter of a friend of ours in Girl Scouting. The young lady was the first to celebrate this coming of age ritual in their new congregation. (It was a milestone for more than one reason!) It was held on a Saturday evening, thus ending the Sabbath. (Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday and extends to sundown on Saturday.)

She and her mother had planned the service from the very beginning in consultation with their Rabbi, and the worship service was wonderful! While much of it was sung in the ancient language of the Hebrews, there were translations in English and Aramaic. Still, it was an impressive service, and throughout it all, I could definitely sense that we were worshiping God, and celebrating the faith of this young woman.

The conclusion of the service seemed to be the most memorable for me, for it was the tradition of the congregation to end Sabbath with a special service of lights, the breaking of bread, and the sharing of wine. The congregation stood in a circle around the Rabbi and this young lady as she would celebrate her first Sabbath as an adult.

But what was most memorable was a few brief comments made by the Rabbi. He said, (and here I paraphrase from memory!) "Friends, we have gathered together to honor God and to remember what Sabbath means. For twenty-five hours we step aside from the busyness of the world, and we focus our lives on God." It struck me: twenty-five hours. Twenty four hours for Sabbath time as a family, and then one hour to conclude that time as a community.

How often do we give God that kind of commitment in our daily lives? How often do we stop - I mean completely stop - what we're doing and focus our entire lives on God? How often do we step away from the busyness of our worlds - from work, from chores, from school, from hobbies, from tasks and to-do lists, from ... How often?

Jesus came to his disciples after a long night of being in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and asked them, "Could you not keep awake for one hour?" (Mark 14:37b)'' One hour. It seems such a short time...

Lord, help me to not only stay awake, but to stay focused on you for more than one hour. Amen.