Deus Misereatur

This morning my youngest son and I participated in a 10 kilometer run. The pain in my joints, the inclines, the declines, the turns, and the inflexible pavement got me thinking about how running is used as a visualization of Christian discipleship in the New Testament. For example: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cr...

(These are the notes for my homily on Good Friday 2016. Here is the audio file ) ---- Assurance - of God’s Unstoppable Love Luke 23.26-56 What’s the big deal behind crucifixes? Crosses and crucifixes abound on walls, rearview mirrors, and tattoos; so what’s the big deal. And what’s the big deal behind these old words: “ What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus ”? Assurance - of God’s unstoppable Love! Romans 5.8 . Crowds Attending a. Mourning, scoffing and railing: V.26-39 b. Defending, believing and exonerating: V.40-49 c. Dead and buried: V.46, 50-56 So here you have the objective, historical fact: crucifixion. So what? Christ Atoning a. Mediates: 32-34 “ Father, forgive them, for they know not what they’re doing ” (34). b. Expiates: 40-43 “ Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise ” (43). c. Alternates. 47 “ Certainly this man was innocent ” (41 and 47...

In Morning Prayer, two passages of Scripture were pulled together for me that I thought were encouraging, and it made me think of some folks I know. The first was Matthew 14.22-33 . Immediately after Jesus had, from sparse resource, fed 5,000 men plus the women and children so that they “all ate and were satisfied” (20), he sent out his disciples by boat. It was in the thick darkness, the thunderous wind and thrashing waves Jesus came to his disciples, walking on the water. They were terrified by the shock of it all, and instantly thought it was a ghost they were seeing. Jesus then said to them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (27). After Peter attempts to approach Jesus on the waves, the Lord enters the boat, the wind ceased, and “those in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God” (33). The second reading was from Psalm 107.23-32 . Here is a description of merchants traveling by sea who enter a horrendous storm that brings them “to their wits...

{Prayer drawing from Psalm 148} ----- Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! From the highest to the lowest, from the nearest to the furthest, may all come and worship you, submitting to you, praying to you, cherishing you as their greatest good and deepest joy. Therefore we pray for you to give our missionaries – especially the Pardigons, Berrys, Iversons, Shepherds, Taylors, Youngs, and the Hatfields – assets and achievements to this end. And we pray that you would reclaim and rescue those who are outside of Christ… Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. We pray for the earth that its vast resources would be replenished and mainta...