On the Way to Wonder

Lent 5 Bible Study April 1, 2020

Mt 25:14-30

¹⁴ “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵ to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸ But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²² And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ ²³ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴ Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰ As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Yet again, we meet virtually via the internet. The format is not favorable to discussion and we are not technologically talented enough to zoom or Face Time or Skype to get the chat flowing. I have therefore decided to write reflection questions to help us think about the text and to ponder the implications for our lives today.

I see three main categories: the three types of slaves who are given “talents”, the master who does not feel like the cozy good shepherd looking for lost sheep, and the role of time.

SLAVES

1. “Slave” is a pretty loaded word in the US due to the history of slavery and abuse to people “different.” Yet, as Jesus tells this parable, it is clear that we are the “slave” and not the “master.” Ouch.
2. How does that resonate within your soul?
3. What are the advantages of being a slave of Christ? Can you name three?
4. Are there disadvantages? Can you name three?

PROPERTY/TALENTS

2. The slaves are entrusted with property, “talents,” as the master leaves on a journey. What “talent, property” has God entrusted you with? Now ask a spouse or friend what talents they think God has entrusted you with. Sometimes we need the “mirror” of community to see ourselves honestly. Can you list at least three talents?

MASTER

3. The man, the identified later as the Master, we would understand to be God. What do you think the expectations for “care” might have been in giving the talents to the slave?                                                       B. What might faithfulness look like in caring for someone else’s property?

TIME

4. The master seems to disappear for a “long period of time.” Unlike other parables, he is not sending emesaries to collect rent nor does he send his son trying to reason with the tenants. The parable is about a time of accounting. I note that it is individual. I note there are rewards and punishments that go beyond the fact of relationship. It is a somber story for those of us who would like to think being a “good person” in our own eyes will be good enough for God. Soooo, thirdly I would note that the five talents doubled is praised the same as the two talents doubled. IE it is not the work that is rewarded but the faithfulness and seriousness of the slave about serving the master. It is the lazy slave who assumes characteristics about the master that are not true and does nothing about it. He takes the master for granted.
5. My last thought is to ask myself if I know anyone who might be hiding talent for fear? How could I encourage them about the character of God and the joy (despite the work) of investing his/her talents.

Spiritual Vitamin for March 31^st. March 2020 ends. As I wrote my reports for the month, the childhood proverb rang in my mind, “If March comes in like a lamb, it goes out like a lion.” Of course, it refers to weather and winter and snow. Council meetings and decisions gave way to viruses and closed churches. Visitations gave way to deaths and the loss of friends. Church services where we meet, greet and speak to the “whites of their eyes” gave way to published documents to communicate. Hmmm. Feels like a lion. Prov. 30:7-8 still rings in me as I reflect on March. “Two things I ask of you O Lord, do not refuse me before I die. Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.” Neither falsehood nor poverty is paramount to the writer. Both falsehoods, the words of my mouth, and stealing because of poverty, the works of my hands, spring from the condition of my heart. As March gives way to April (showers), may I be a person of integrity in my relationships with God and people and may I be satisfied with my daily bread.

Spiritual Vitamin for March 30^th from Proverbs 30. Prov. 30 is such a delightful chapter at the end of the month, the 30th. I cannot help but add to the three things that are never satisfied (v.15b-16) — the grave, the barren womb, dry land that needs water, and fire — our modern dilemma: the virus. As I read the news and look at articles, the future is grim and I best be prepared to die. The virus is not only killing people world wide, it is overwhelming health workers, and impacting the way of thinking and relating of young people. I am fascinated as a sociologist. But I also notice other changes going on. Music cannot be squelched either. All sorts of clever musical groups are posting on FB: virtual choirs, mimes, rewriting old favorites with Covid-19 lyrics. I have laughed and laughed. An orchestra sits in the trunks of their cars, six feet apart, in a park and plays a symphony. Music is never satisfied. Laughter in the face of drama is always welcome. But I have also noticed when I get out to the grocery store, couples taking walks together and strolling down the aisle shopping but the impression is they are on a date! The friendly communication, even at a distance proves that love is never satisfied either and must find an expression. As we go about today, listening to the news about the ravages of disease, let us also look to our Lord who never ceases to love, to create, and to draw us into relationship.

Sunday, March 29, 2020
Fifth Sunday in Lent

Introduction

In today’s gospel Jesus reveals his power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. As we live in the shadow of Covid-19, economic distress, and global dynamics, today’s readings proclaim God’s promise of resurrection.

Welcome to virtual worship during this time. The Lord be with you.

Confession and Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who is present, who gives life, who calls into existence the things that do not exist. Amen.

If you were to keep watch over sins, O Lord, who could stand?  Yet with you is forgiveness, and so we confess.  (I invite you to reflect in a time of confession as we start this virtual worship.) Amen.

Confession: Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned away from you, knowingly and unknowingly. We have wandered from your resurrection life. We have strayed from your love for all people. Turn us back to you, O God. Give us new hearts and right spirits, that we may find what is pleasing to you and dwell in your house forever. Amen.

Forgiveness: Receive good news: God turns to you in love. “I will put my spirit in you, and you shall live,” says our God. All your sin is forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, who is the free and abounding gift of God’s grace for you. Amen.

 Hymn: You might sing a gathering song here that draws your heart and mind to focus on God. I love: Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land, LBW 333 or In the Cross of Christ I Glory, LBW 324.

 Greeting: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Prayer of the Day: Almighty God, your Son came into the world to free us all from sin and death. Breathe upon us the power of your Spirit, that we may be raised to new life in Christ and serve you in righteousness all our days, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HEARING GOD’S WORD

Readings and Psalm

Ezekiel 37:1-14 God brings Ezekiel to a valley of dry bones and calls forth new life.

Psalm 130 I wait for you, O Lord; in your word is my hope. (Ps. 130:5)

Romans 8:6-11 Life in the Spirit

The Gospel reading for today is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 11, verses 1 to 45. Jesus who is in northern Israel as the religious authorities are seeking his life, hears that his friend Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, is sick. (no email or phones in those days.) Two days later he journeys to Bethany, outside Jerusalem, meets the grieving sisters and friends. Lazarus has died. He assures them he is the resurrection, weeps with them, and calls Lazarus from the grave. Come forth. Unbind him!

 Glory to you, O Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON  John 11: 1-45 The Death of Lazarus

         Lent 5, the time of journey to the cross in the Gospel of John, now brings us back to Jerusalem with the account of the raising of Lazarus. Last week, Jesus traveled north, to Galilee as the religious hierarchy in Jerusalem was plotting against him. He passed through Samaria and encountered the woman at the well. Once north, he received news that his good friend, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is sick back in Bethany, near Jerusalem. Perhaps this is not unlike today as we listen for news about the health of our friends we are socially distancing from. At face value the news is serious. Someone has traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee to bring the news, Jesus is involved in ministry with his disciples, and then he must travel to go to Lazarus, Mary and Martha. I doubt Jesus was afraid of “the virus,” the authorities, or the hardship of the journey. As Covid-19 begins to take on faces and known people report they are “positive,” our anxiety grows and I’m sure we can identify with the disciples. Social distance does not stop worry.

Jesus arrives in Bethany and goes to the sisters. We can join with Martha who lamented, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” We know God could do a miracle for the sick, if…. Meanwhile the disciples have misunderstood the severity of Lazarus’ illness. They think he is asleep, and are told Lazarus is dead. They don’t seem to doubt the truth of the statement nor the science of it but instead decide to go with Jesus, realizing they may well die too. Thomas says, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Jesus shares,  ^“For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” Again, the disciples, Mary and Martha are focused on the physical reality, sickness, possible healing, danger of the context and again, Jesus pulls us to a bigger picture. Perhaps the situations we face are not about us!!! Not all of life revolves around me, as important as I am to me. It is my body that is sick. It is my life that is at risk. It is my family and friends that are impacted. Is it possible God is not so much worried about my physical comfort as he is about our faith and eternal life?

Next, we arrive at the grave. Funerals are a confusion of emotions. Many are openly grieving and weeping. Others are trying to focus on faith and perhaps relief that the person is no longer suffering. It is so today. Honoring the life of the deceased, trying to forget or bury that which is best left in the past, caring for all the well wishers that come in support. So many memories and feelings! Jesus comes to the scene and speaks with Mary and Martha.

First he comforts them with fact, “Your brother will rise again.” Like Mary and Martha, intellectual truth often is not very comforting. It may be true but still there is the pain of separation. Jesus expands his explanation. “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ She (Martha) said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” Jesus goes beyond intellectual truth to emotional truth. Does our intellectual knowledge result in trust?

I think of the many ways that intellectual knowledge results in acts of trust and faith daily. That which is unseen impacts the reality of how I live my life. I know a chair is built to hold me but it is when I sit down that I experience its support. I know Uber is there to carry me but it is when I get in the car that I begin to travel. I know that Jesus claims to be the Messiah, the resurrection, the light of the world but it is only when this becomes active faith and trust, the line between life and death, between the seen and the unseen becomes blurred. We do die, or at least our bodies, physically are exchanged for eternal ones.

Jesus goes beyond the intellectual truth and the call to emotional trust. He walks up to the grave and weeps. “Jesus wept.” We can only imagine what that is about. Is he overwhelmed with the sadness that human actions resulted in death consequencew in the Garden of Eden? Is he overwhelmed with the sadness of the death he is going to pass through? Is he just journeying with Mary and Martha? At least, his inside feelings have become congruent with his external expressions, showing his oneness with Mary and Martha and with us as we travel with disease, political upheaval, unemployment and all the other complications of our world today. God grieves as we grieve.

Jesus calls Lazarus forth. How does a man bound hand and foot move forward? I don’t know, but Lazarus comes from the grave. Jesus has power over life and death. Jesus cares. What binds you today, intellectually, emotionally or physically? Jesus walks with us and some day we will hear his voice calling us forth.

“Unbind him, and let him go,” orders Jesus. Next week is Palm Sunday and we enter Holy Week. Maundy Thursday, Jesus initiates the ritual of communion to remind us that he is with us. He gives a new command, love one another – even our enemies. Good Friday we journey to the cross. Our Lenten journey is coming to an end, bringing us back to John’s thesis: Jesus, the creator, the Word, the Light of the World, the Lamb of God, comes so that all who receive him might become children of God, unbound and free. Free to live guided by the Holy Spirit, live in a community of love and support, live as God’s beloved in eternity. Alive and unbound.

Thank you LORD.

(Spend some moments reflecting and praying and perhaps singing a song that reminds you of God’s love. The Old Rugged Cross is one of my favorites. Copy and paste this link into your address bar and skip the ad to sing along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUju31yqll4 )

Prayers of Intercession

Turning our hearts to God who is gracious and merciful, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

 God of life, bind your faithful people into one body. Enliven the church with your Spirit and bless the work of those who work for its renewal. Accomplish your work of salvation in us and through us, for the sake of the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, you love the world you have made and you grieve when creation suffers. Restore polluted lands and waterways. Heal areas of the world ravaged by storms, floods, wildfires, droughts, or other natural disasters. Bring all things to new life. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, show redemption to all who watch and wait with eager expectation: those longing for wars to cease, those waiting for immigration paperwork to finalize, those seeking election, and those in dire need of humanitarian relief. Come quickly with your hope. Hear us, O God.  Your mercy is great.

God of life, you weep with those who grieve. Unbind all who are held captive by anxiety, despair, or pain (especially). Fill us with compassion and empathy for those who struggle, and keep us faithful in prayer. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of life, we give thanks for opportunities for this congregation to collaborate with our community in caring for the needs of our neighbors. Be with our families affected by Covid-19. Give us patience as our Garden Community waits for plantings. Strengthen our ties with other local congregations, agencies, and services. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

.God of life, you are our resurrection. We remember all those who have died and trust that, in you, they will live again. Breathe new life into our dry bones that we, too, might live with you forever. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

According to your steadfast love, O God, hear these and all our prayers as we commend them to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering Prayer: (Reflect on the gifts you bring today, physical and spiritual.) Let us pray: Holy and generous host, call us to a table where we feast as friends whether together or whether socially distancing. We are your body. Prepare us to witness to your goodness with every gift you have given us to share, that all people may know your peace through Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.

Blessing

Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. Holy God, speaking, spoken, and inspiring, ☩ bless us, unbind us, and send us in love and in peace. Amen.

Dismissal

Go in peace. Share the good news.

Thanks be to God.

Some time ago I underlined Prov. 27:1, “Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” I probably underlined it because it is echoed in James 4:13,14 that I was memorizing at the time, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.; Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vaniches. Instead you ought to say, ‘if it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that…’” For sure because of Covid-19, we check the stats daily, are under lockdown and cannot travel even though gas is more affordable, and we are rethinking what we can reasonably do each day. Boasting assumes we have agency in our lives. My agency is limited but the agency of my heart and soul – sending love, praying, using our hands to help, is still within our power. I have been reflecting on how I used my time when I had no TV to entertain and distract me. That’s right, I memorized Scripture and spent time enjoying nature. Is there something you would like to boast about memorizing?

I never fail to notice how music lifts my spirits. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,” comes to mind. This morning on Face Book I noticed that three friends posted #virtualchoir#inchristalone#acappella Just putting this in the address bar of your laptop took me to a youtube posting of an international choir from many different ethnicities joining voices together virtually for a really fine rendition of this hymn. I encourage you to give a look. In the face of all the fear predictions being broadcast, feed your soul with hope!

Spiritual vitamin for Mar 23: “Sometimes my conversations with God sound as if I am using a phone without a receiver–only a mouthpiece! unknown author. …Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening… 1 Sam 3:9 “Lord, please give me grace and wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Amen.” As we enter this time of “distancing” may it be a comfort that we are not distanced from God and we have more time to listen!

Lockdown starts at midnight tonight for two weeks.  Am I in a vital job that allows me to travel.  How poetic that gas is affordable but we cannot travel, friends have time to visit but we are socially distancing, and faith institutions are closed in a time of crisis.  My people are dying in the hospital but I cannot be with them.  I am very, very sad.

Monday vitamin. My calendar read yesterday, “Our critics are the unpaid guardians of our souls.” Corrie Ten Boom “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted… Prov. 27:5,6” Now there is a thought. With more time at home I am reading a book given to me recently, Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren. The third chapter talks about lost keys. The author reflects on those irritating moments when we misplace things which triggers visions of doom. Those simple interruptions that cost us time and worry, reveal deeper fears. Critics, perhaps function similarly for as I get my feelings hurt, I have to reflect on myself and my values. As Covid-19 interrupts our daily routines, we have a guardian who drives us to the true security of our souls and future. Blessings on your day.

LENT 4 Mar 22, 2020 John 9:1-41

LENT 4 John 9:1-41 A Man Born Blind Receives Sight

Introduction: The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man.”

Welcome to virtual worship during this time.

The Lord be with you.

Confession and Forgiveness

If you were to keep watch over sins, O Lord, who could stand?  Yet with you is forgiveness, and so we confess.

(I invite you to reflect in a time of confession as we start this virtual worship.) Amen.

Confession: Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned away from you, knowingly and unknowingly. We have wandered from your resurrection life. We have strayed from your love for all people. Turn us back to you, O God. Give us new hearts and right spirits, that we may find what is pleasing to you and dwell in your house forever. Amen.

Forgiveness: Receive good news: God turns to you in love. “I will put my spirit in you, and you shall live,” says our God. All your sin is forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, who is the free and abounding gift of God’s grace for you. Amen.

 You might sing a gathering song here that draws your heart and mind to focus on God.

 Greeting: The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Prayer of the Day: Bend your ear to our prayers, Lord Christ, and come among us. By your gracious life and death for us, bring light into the darkness of our hearts, and anoint us with your Spirit, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

HEARING GOD’S WORD

FIRST READING: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

PSALM: Psalm 23

SECOND READING: Ephesians 5: 8-14

Read the Gospel: John 9:1-41

Glory to you, O Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

We started Lent with a Pharisee, Nicodemus, who seemingly had everything that education, social status, and privilege could provide. But he still needed to be born again in-order to see how the unseen, the hand of God, impacts the seen, the reality of our lives.

Peel the onion and the next layer is the woman at the well, nameless, status-less, powerless. Just a plain ole ordinary sinner with “a past,” with “baggage.” She has been rejected by five husbands and is now living with a man. Jesus approaches her and offers “living water.” He has the “gift” and is the “giver” that allows us to worship in Spirit and in truth. We have gone from “the chosen people” who don’t quite understand to “the outsiders” who are just plain wrong. The discussion is deepening.

Today we meet a man born blind. Do you see how the discussion is deepening and becoming more complex? This man’s problem is not a mistaken theology or a messed up life, he was born blind and so considered by all cursed. We know this scenario. I don’t care if you discuss about God putting you in the wrong body and gender issues, if you want to discuss about God putting you in the wrong skin, tribal politics, if you want to discuss about God and the role of diabetes, alcohol, deformity ie health issues – shall we add the question of abortion – all these complex issues that we debate today and that divides and polarizes everywhere, not just the ole USA. If the unseen world impacts the seen world, if God has all the power and is involved in his world, then the question, “Who sinned, this man or his parents…” is explicitly or implicitly on our lips. Where is God in the messy scenarios of life?

SIN with a big S means a separation from God and sin with a little “s” means actions have hurt ourselves or others and divides us. We look with our eyes and know things are not right and we hear that little voice of doubt on our shoulder asking…And where is God? Where is God in all this mess? We turn the finger from ourselves because that may be too painful and we wave our finger at God, “Where are you?” (Lt Dan in Forest Gump. Lt Dan being so angry about loosing his legs in Vietnam and being allowed to live, climbs up the mast of the shrimp boat in the middle of a gale and yells at God..) Where were you God, MIA?

Amazingly, Jesus affirms that neither the man is guilty of sin and being cursed, nor were the parents being punished for their sins. How many of us, when times get tough, jump to the conclusion that God is punishing us for known or unknown sin. We forget that it may be that the laws of nature are functioning. An alcoholic may have a feta alcohol syndrome baby. A thalidomide baby may be born from taking a drug, innocently. Being faithful workers at the Twin Towers many died. Good people get hurt for no fault of their own and we reflect, “God where were you?” Somehow the answer, “he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him” is questionable salve for the wound of grief.

This story leads us to reflect on the role of TIME. This man has been blind from birth. This is not a lay-your-hands-on-the-TV and have faith answer. God does not always work on our timeline. Because we do not see the answer, does not mean that God is not answering or will not answer. Because we do not understand the dynamics does not mean that God is not acting. Because we do not have the dream life, does not mean that we are not growing and developing in ways we do not understand or that God is upset with us. That is not saying that blindness is good!!! Or unpainful! Or to be endured! The Psalms of Lament speak into these hours of pain. But we can affirm that we do not know everything. Now is not forever.

As life unfolds, COMMUNITY is involved. The man born blind impacts the people around him. His parents are called to account by the Pharisees. They have walked the journey with their son, scrutinizing their lives as to what they did wrong, struggling to help him grow, and now called to testify. We walk with each other in the trials of life and we too are called upon to act or react. Right now as we isolate to slow down the progress of Covid-19, we need each other even more as economic and health challenges are faced. As fear drives some to hoard, we will be challenged to make choices that impact our families and neighbors.

The parents affirm their son’s blindness but they are afraid of the repercussions from the religious power structure. Yup, even we live and work within power structures that define our lives. We know that fear and concern. When the governor says to close churches, we do. Often we are held accountable by powers that have not walked in our shoes, who do not understand of life journey, and the moment is very scary.

This story leads us to reflect on my source of HOPE. Jesus tells his disciples in verse 5, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Seemingly impossible situations resolve in amazing ways. I believe we say, “Necessity is the mother of creativity.” Penicillin is invented. Social laws are reformed. Humanity is discovered in “the other” we meet at the borders of our world. Jesus stoops and scoops up mud to put on the man’s eye sockets. We are back at creation. Jesus does not do some hocus-pocus magic trick, he scoops up mud, and tells the man to go and wash. We look for a miracle, a sudden deliverance from our situation we struggle with but I see Jesus acting with ordinary elements, in partnership with the man who must obey and go to the pool of Siloam. Nothing is beyond the power of God and that gives me hope. Jesus throws light on a dilemma and sees resources we are blind to and can act with us to create a future.

Meanwhile, the Pharisees are arguing about the “laws” of the Sabbath. Is it proper to heal on the Sabbath? Hope does not come from law or authorities but from Jesus who is the “Light of the World.”

Jesus sends our man to the pool of Siloam. I cannot help but reflect on the connection of water and baptism. In times of social distress like with Covid-19, we can return to our baptismal promises that give us hope. We are claimed through baptism. The Holy Spirit is working in us and around us. We have an eternal identity as “Child of God.” We are secure in God’s love. We are people of hope!

This story leads us to reflect on POWER. We meet a man who is powerless. We meet the Pharisees who are confused and powerless to explain the cure. We meet parents who are silent in the face of that power. So where does our power come from? Our abilities? Our connections? Our status?

Jesus steps into this man’s life. Jesus has the power to change ordinary mud into eyes, even on the Sabbath. “Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.”  The word “judgment” is a bit harsh to our American ears so perhaps we can read it as “reveal” or confront us with the truth of our blindness. Again the response is ours. Our now sighted man bows in worship. The man realizes his power does not come from vision, from religious approval, but from relationship with Jesus.

As we walk through Lent, through Covid-19, through the challenges that life presents to us right now. May we never forget that God is active in ways we do not see or understand but which impact our reality. God uses the ordinary things in our lives in unseen ways that draw us into new ways of action and that give us hope. But perhaps most importantly, our identity, our security and our power do not rest in ourselves or the systems that dictate much of our life but in the God who is the Light of the World.

Thank you LORD,

AMEN

(Spend some moments reflecting and praying and perhaps singing a song that reminds you of God’s love.)

Prayers of Intercession

Turning our hearts to God who is gracious and merciful, we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

God of insight, open the hearts of the church and the world to all who testify to your deeds of power (like Jonathan Edwards, whom we commemorate today). Raise up voices in your church that are often silenced or overlooked due to age, gender expression, race, or economic status. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of insight, empower us to care for the land and all living things that dwell in it and beneath it. Provide rich soil for crops to grow. Bring rain to lands suffering drought. Protect hills and shorelines from damage caused by erosion. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of insight, bring peace to all people and nations. Anoint leaders who seek goodness, righteousness, and truth on behalf of all. Frustrate the efforts of those who would seek to cause violence or terror. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of insight, you care for our needs even before we ask. Come quickly to all who seek prayer this day (especially). Accomplish healing through the work of doctors, nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, and all who tend to human bodies. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of insight, help this assembly lift up the unique gifts of each person who enters, no matter their physical capacity, cognitive ability, or sensory need. Help us to be creative and brave in making our facilities and our ministries accessible to all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

God of insight, you call out to those who are asleep and awaken them to new life with you. We give thanks for your saints (especially). Join us together with them as your children in this world and the next. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

According to your steadfast love, O God, hear these and all our prayers as we commend them to you; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering Prayer (Reflect on the gifts you bring today, physical and spiritual.) Let us pray:

Prepare us to witness to your goodness with every gift you have given us to share, that all people may know your peace through Jesus Christ, now and forever. We offer you ourselves, our gifts, our fears, and our hopes for the future. Amen.

Blessing:

Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation.

Holy God, speaking, spoken, and inspiring, ☩ bless you, unbind you, and send you in love and in peace. Amen.

Dismissal

Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God.