Spring, Pollen, and Jesus

Christ is risen, Christ is risen indeed!

For all of my life, Easter as marked the unofficial beginning of spring and signs of the changing seasons are everywhere you look! The weather is finally warm, children are getting excited about swimming, flowers are in full bloom, and the tomb is empty! Yes, spring is everywhere! The other day I decided to enjoy the spring weather and go on a run with my dog. As Liza and I were making our way down Jasmine Trail, I noticed the number of people who, despite the pollen, were outside working in their yard. I also observed the park, near my house, was full of families playing on the playground, eating a picnic lunch, or watching little league practice.

Coming out of a cold winter and long Lenten season, the signs of spring are a welcome visitor. We are grateful for the sunshine and the opportunity to emerge from our homes to enjoy God’s creation. It seems like everywhere we look people are excited for the newness this time of year brings.

But, let us not forget that in the midst of all this “spring fever” we continue to celebrate the empty tomb. John 20:19-31 tells the story of Christ first appearances to his disciples. They did not notice their Messiah at first, but had to see the scar-ridden hands and side of their Lord to believe. The ministry of Christ does not end with the Resurrection, rather it continues far past the Easter celebration. It is my hope that you will look for Christ in all aspects of your life this week. Where do you expect to see the Risen Lord? Where do you not expect our Messiah to be present? Look for Christ in all places; the ball field, the park, your child’s school, your home, and all other places that you find yourself this week.

Christ is Risen, Our Lord is Risen Indeed!

Lenten Meditation

“For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—for the fruit if the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.”

-Ephesians 5:8-10

This time each year life becomes a bit different. We find ourselves in the midst of a journey; walking each day a little more closely with Christ. We walk toward the cross. We march through the darkness and into the light. As we look onto Calvary we see the pain of Christ, redemption found in suffering, and hope that the tomb will be empty and the cross will be vacant. Christ, the light of the world, entered this earth as a humble human. Jesus shared in our joys, sorrows, happiness, and heartache. We are called to share the light with all of those that we encounter; reaching out a hand of welcome, help, or assurance. So, as we journey during this Lenten season, let us walk toward the light. Let us walk toward the one to creates, redeems, and sustains us during life’s darkest hour. As a community that seeks to “live as children of the light” it is my prayer we will allow that light to shine so brightly that others will be drawn to this place.

Palm Sunday... Can you Hear the noise?

After he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Luke 19:28-40

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Imagine the day. It is your typical hot, dry, dusty, day. Jesus has traveled over the area many times. Remember that time he visited the Mount of Olives before? The people were nice and welcoming… well for the most part. This day is different. Christ knows it is different, but the disciples, like most of the time, have no clue. Jesus is well aware that this will be his final journey into the city. Just a few chapters earlier in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus proclaims, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you...” He knows what is waiting, he knows the end of the story.

The Messiah knows this will be his final journey into that city… into the places that kills and stones those who are sent to help it. But he continues his journey…his journey from the Mount of Olives and into the city gates. This is not your typical hot, dry, dutsy, day.

On this day Christ gives precise directions to his disciples. As an odd bunch, the disciples are known for questioning Jesus. Jesus knows his instructions but be exact. So he tells two of them, to go ahead, to go ahead to the little town, the suburb if you will, outside of Jerusalem. To enter into that city and find the colt… “Make sure it has never been ridden!” he reminds them, and then he tells them to untie it and bring it back to the group.” Jesus sends two disciples because the roads are treacherous, dangerous, and filled with thieves and criminals ready to harm an unaware traveler. With two of the disciples sent ahead, they are less likely to be harmed.

With directions in hand the disciples leave the group, they find the colt, and they untie it. When asked why they are uniting the colt, they give the correct response “the Lord needs it” they reply. They are permitted to take the colt back to the group traveling with Jesus.

When the two who were sent for the animal return, the other disciples lay their outer cloaks on the donkey. Then they place Jesus on the animal to ride into the city.

A large crowd has accumulated. Why, You may wonder? They have heard about the manner in which Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. They are interested to see the guy who had preformed some amazing miracles. One woman in the crowd leans over to her friend, “you know, that is the guy who brought Lazarus back from the dead.” “What?” the other woman replies, “You mean Mary and Martha’s brother was dead? But I just saw him the other week?” “That is what I hear,” says the first woman, “I herd that Lazarus was dead and that this man who is coming to town today raised him from the tomb.” Yes, the crowd has gathered; some out of curiosity, some out of amazement at what they had already seen, and some nosey gossips are there to find out if the rumors were true. With this crowd, there are also those who are with the government. There are those who are trying to manage the large group of people, we would call “crowd control.” There are religious leaders who are worried about the hysteria surrounded this guy from Nazareth, and then there are the Pharisees.

And so, Jesus rides in the midst of all these people. After seeing the disciple’s throw their cloaks on the colt that the Messiah is triumphantly riding, others start throwing their cloaks on the ground in front of the animal. It is almost like Jerusalem is “rolling out the proverbial red carpet” for Jesus.

The crowd is welcoming him back, back to the city that he just recently left. They are welcoming this man from Nazareth and his group of misfit friends. As Jesus nears closer to the city the crowd gets thicker. Neighbors have told neighbors that Jesus is about to enter into the city gates. Everyone has come to watch has he enters into the city gates on the hot, dry, dusty day.

As they approach Jerusalem the disciples start to praise God. They begin to remimber all the wonderful things their teacher has done and they start to praise the Lord, the Creator of all.

All of the sudden someone first says “Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Then another individual mentions the words “Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” Before long the crowd is chanting the words “Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Even the little children are shouting “Hosanna, Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” Can you hear the noise? Can you hear the excitement? Can you see the people lay their cloak down for the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords? Can you see Jesus, riding that colt triumphantly into Jerusalem knowing that the excitement and the praise will not last, knowing that this marks the beginning of the end, and knowing that the crowds will turn against him.

Can you hear the noise, the praise, and the excitement? Over off to the side of the road there are those who have never understood…those who have questioned the miracles and the teachings of Christ all along. They do not like the crowd; they do not like the noise. They do no like the excitement. Our gospel lesson tells us that Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” Surely if the disciples are quiet, the crowd will calm down as well. The Pharisees think, “this man is drawing too much attention to himself, this crowd is out of control, this needs to stop! Now!”

No the noise will not stop and the crowd will not calm down. This is the Messiah that is entering Jerusalem. The Son of God, God incarnate is riding that colt through the city gates. The noise will not stop, the cheering will not end, and the praise will not subside. Because even if it did, the stones will praise the one who Creates, Redeems, and Sustains. Creation will praise the incarnate God if the crowds do not. This is the Messiah and the Messiah has entered Jerusalem. If the crowds stop praising the one who will save them, then creation will praise the Creator of all! No the noise will not stop. Not today and not for eternity.

Can you hear the noise? Can you see the crowd? Like, Christ, we all know it will not last. We know the same crowds who shout “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna!” will soon yell “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Can you hear the noise?

In the midst of this celebration, we know the journey is not over. We know the path that lies ahead of our Lord. We know that the shouts of praise will turn to angry voices of the mob willing to kill our Lord. We know that our Savior will walk up the steps to the upper room and eat a final meal with his disciples. We know that our Lord will be betrayed by a close friend and will be denied by a confidant. We know that the journey to the cross is a long one that begins today. Can you hear the noise, can you hear the excitement? Enjoy it today, because it is short-lived. Can you hear the noise?

Please join me in prayer…

Oh God who redeems us, meet us in this place as we seek to follow you into Jerusalem, through the trial with Pontius pilot, and to the cross. In the middle of all of the noise in our life; let us hear the soft whisper that beckons us to come and draw near to you.

AMEN

A Renewed Love

This image was found: http://www265.pair.com/perlman/pics/oxford/taylor_night3_7x10.jpg

You know, Mississippi often gets a bad rap. Lets admit it, normally when you think about "Mississippi" the thoughts are not the best: a troubled past, poor education, and economic disparity. I often find myself drifting back into those types of thoughts about this wonderful state. I wonder "Who would want to live in Mississippi?" or "Why would someone choose to move there?" Well, a few weeks ago I had the privilege to get my thoughts straight about this place once more. I went to Oxford, Mississippi: Home to the Ole Miss Rebels, wonderful music, adorable shops, great folk art, the best bakery in the world (Bottletree), and Camp Lake Stephens. I mean where else in the world can you eat lox, listen to music in an old grocery store, see an SEC football game, learn about the Southern literature greats, and buy an adorable Michael Kors jacket (on sale, nonetheless). You guessed it; Mississippi. I lived in Mississippi one summer while I worked at Camp Lake Stephens. It was there that I first realized how interesting of a place this was and how much I had under-appreciated it through the years. This time, I traveled with a group of high school seniors to Oxford on a church bus for eight hours and it was well worth the drive. We had a great time staying at Camp Lake Stephens and doing service projects on some trails for summer camp. In the evenings there were fun activities planned: Memphis BBQ, a Rebels baseball game, and dinner at Old Venice... we even managed time for ice cream each night! YUM! Mississippi is a wonderful state that has a special place in my heart.

Why Stand Out?

It is a gradual realization. It has taken about eight months and I am sure it will take a bit longer. When a group of my colleagues gather for an event I stand out. I really stand out. Monday I attended a clergy event for those in the conference. I first noticed the oddity when I walked into the women's bathroom to find no line (as most of you know, this is rarely the case). Then I walked into the auditorium at a United Methodist Church. I looked over the crowd and there was a sea of grey hair. Short, sometimes balding, grey hair. Yes, most of my colleagues are old enough to be my father. Most clergy in my episcopal area are men who are over the age of 50. So, obviously a 27 year old woman stands out a bit.... especially in my fabulous black paten stilettos. I sat there an wondered "how many of these men take me seriously, how many view me as a counterpart rather than a little girl playing preacher-woman?" Then I realized it did not matter, not one little bit. When I am approaching fifty and my hair is beginning to grey, there will be other women in this auditorium, and hopefully the church will be better because of it. I have a great deal of respect, gratitude, and admiration for those women who paved the way for me to stand where I do today. Maude Keister Jensen was the first women to be ordained by the Methodist church when it first granted full clergy rights to women in 1956. Since then there have been many women ordained but few of them seem to have stayed in my area. Times are changing, bigotry no longer has a place, and I am not just a "little girl playing preacher-woman." Like Faith Whittlesey said "Remember Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astiar did, but she did it backwards and in high heels."

Two for the Price of One.... Well, Kinda

This weekend I went to visit one of my very best friends in the world. She lives in Birmingham; thats Alabama, folks, not England. She works at a middle school in Hoover. I had the privilage of visiting her class. I cannot express the appreciation I have for those who teach. Seriously, I could not do it. Well, after lunch I left her to mold young minds, and off to the Summit I went. Not having too much money, or time for that matter, I made my stops count. I went straight to Anthropologie. Yes, yes I know, the Summit has shops like Saks and Brombergs. Would a little window shopping hurt anything? Yes, window shopping (even with the best intentions) would have the ability to hurt both the time and the budget constraints.

I love Anthropologie's back room sale area. I have never bought anything there full price. I simply refuse. If it is meant to be, it will go on sale. This weekend I picked up two fabulous new tops. Both of these will be great for work in the summer/spring paired with capri pants or a plain skirt, but they can be dressed up for a party.

Love it.

The Journey

Luke 13:31-35

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! This is a phrase with which we are very familiar! “Hosanna, hosanna, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” A mere five chapters, following our gospel reading today, we see Jesus triumphantly enter into Jerusalem. We see him greeted with exultation, anticipation, and welcome. But there is a journey before Palm Sunday. There is a journey that has to take place. The Luke 13 passage that we read today begins the journey that Christ will make though out the entire region until he returns back to Jerusalem to hear the crowds chanting “Hosanna, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” This journey will take him back to his hometown, the area surrounding Nazareth, Then he will journey to Jericho, then to the Mount of Olives, before entering into Jerusalem for the final time.

Life is all about journey’s isn’t it? It was 27 years ago that I began my journey of faith. I was baptized at First United Methodist Church in Greenville, Alabama by Joe Lizenby. That community of faith vowed to raise me in “Christian love and care!” they promised to lead and guide me so that I would be come a person who “walks in the way that leads to life eternal!” That is where my journey began.

Where did your journey begin? Maybe it was in this very place, in this holy sanctuary, surrounded by these wonderful people. Perhaps it began in your hometown, the place where you were born, educated, and given wings that lead you here. Maybe your journey began in college, during your adolescence, or childhood. When did you begin the journey of faith? Today, we as a community of faith joined with Cameron Owens. We promised to be with him on his journey and today he began his journey of faith! We all have a journey. We all have a story. We all have something to share.

Our lectionary reading, from Luke 13 points to the beginning of Jesus journey to the cross. It directs us to Jerusalem. The place to which he will return, the place to which he will give the ultimate sacrifice. But before he returns, there are things to do. People to each, individuals to heal, before he returns he must meet Zacheasus in Jericho, He must tell us that we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. He leaves Jerusalem knowing it will be his final journey, knowing that he will begin his walk to the cross.

I have always been a fan of a good road trip. I enjoy driving, especially if accompanied by a good friend. I have always found that travel renews me and gives me a different perspective. This past summer, I loaded up the car with my boyfriend. As a second year seminary student, he had been invited to read scripture in a marriage ceremony for one of his fraternity brothers and his now wife. The marriage was to take place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Now, neither of us had ever been to this costal area, but were excited about the opportunity to visit a new place, spend time with friends we do not see often, and of course, eat some seafood! We investigated the area and soon noticed there was no airport that was close enough for us to fly into. After a great deal of consideration, we decided to drive. We left from Prattville and began the 12-hour trek across Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Well, theoretically the 12 hour trek. That is what our GPS told us, it takes a bit longer if you get lost. The journey was fine in the beginning. We went to Atlanta, then over to Columbia. As we approached North Carolina things were going well. We even saw a giant sombrereo welcoming us to North Carolina. We took a picture with the giant sombrero and continued on our way down the interstate. It was not until we got off the well-lit interstate that the journey started to go sour. As night fell we found ourselves on unfamiliar back road that wandered through rural North Carolina. We went through a rain storm, a detour, a sketchy gas station, and eventually found the narrow two lane bridge that was the only way onto the island. It seemed like we were driving out into the Atlantic Ocean. Just before we started to question the GPS system we saw lights! They were small at first a small dimmer. I wondered if by chance they were oil rigs like I was so familiar with on the gulf. The lights got larger, and larger. Finally I was confident that we were not driving out into the ocean but rather we had found civilization. I cannot tell you how excited I was to see civilization. As the lights approached I started to see familiar objects. A CVS! Restaurants, and signs that said “beach this way!”

Journeys can often be challenging. Even for the best of us they can be trying. And as we can see, they were trying for Chirst. Christ knows that when he returns to Jerusalem it will be for his death. He says “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” Christ grieves over Jerusalem, knowing it is the place where he will give the ultimate sacrifice. Christ understand what awaits him, he knows the journey will be trying, dark, and full of challenges. He knows his disciples will doubt him, deny him, and turn him over to his enemies. So he leaves…he leaves Jerusalem to make the final road trip…to make the final journey around the area. He leaves Jerusalem to finish his teaching, to heal a few more infirmed bodies and souls, to eat supper with a tax collector, and to prepare himself for the final week of his life.

During the journey of lent we are also called to prepare our own lives for Holy Week… the week that begins with Palm Sunday, goes through Good Friday and ends with Easter. The act of preparation is part of our journey. It is part of our life’s journey. This time each year we take a break from our busy lives, we spend time in prayer and reflection. We repent, asking God for forgiveness, we look inward at our own hearts. Then, asking those around us for forgiveness, we look outward at our lives. We ask God come into our lives, mend our hearts, redeem us, and restore us. This journey can often be challenging. It may be dark and scary at times, but in the end we see the light. We see the Easter morn that is so far off in the distance today. Before we get to the empty tomb we must journey through the darkness of Lent.

A week and a half ago we started this journey in this very place. We joined together for Ash Wednesday. We remember our own frailty, our own mortality. We recited prayers of confession to the Almighty God. Then each of us received ashes on our forehead as a sign of our humanness, and as a reminder that Lent had in fact come. A few weeks ago I was talking with our Senior Minister Bill Elwell. He told me a story about a time when he went to an early morning Ash Wednesday service at a large catholic church in downtown Mobile. Not expecting it to be crowded he walked into one of the largest crowds he had ever seen at 6:00 in the morning. Men dressed in tuxedoes sat in the pews with their wives beside them in full-length formal gowns. They had come from the previous nights balls. It was Wednesday morning and Lent had begun. Someone looked at Bill and said, “We need lent!” Yes, Mardi Gras was over and the revelers needed Lent. Don’t we all need lent? This time of preparation, repentance, and forgiveness, allows us to center our lives on the one to creates us, redeems us, and sustains us. We all need Lent. We need to be reminded of what is most important. We need to set time aside each day to spend in prayer, mediation, and remembrance. We need to open our Lenten Devotional books and read about others experiences. Lent is a vital part of our spiritual journey each year. Lent takes us away from the busyness of life and reminds us that we have a God to hears our confessions and offers forgiveness. During this time we walk WITH Christ back to his hometown, down through Jericho, then to the Mount of Olives, before entering into Jerusalem for the final time. During lent we walk WITH Christ to the cross. The journey that we walk with our Savior is not easy but it was not for Christ either.

Christ knew this journey would not be easy. He knows that in one week Jerusalem will first praise him, then they will kill him. Today the Pharisees warn him about Herod. Luke writes, “At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." Life will be different when he returns. He knows that when he returns back to the Holy City Pharisees will not be warning him but rather they will want to kill him. The journey is hard, dark, but it is well worth the trials.

Regardless of the place you find yourself in your journey of faith, your faith has brought you to this community and to this time of Lent. Your journey has brought you to this time of repentance. It has brought you through the challenges, triumphs, sorrows, and joys of life and today you are here. You are here in this community of faith and together we take the journey to the cross with Christ. We walk with Christ back to his hometown, we journey through the desert, and we will walk with him into Jerusalem. But today we leave, we leave Jerusalem with Christ. We leave the place, that according to our scripture reading, “kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” We leave with Chirst, knowing that the return will not be joyous. Knowing that the road will be long, and knowing that the “Hosannah’s will not last.” We leave and walk to the cross.