Faith Lens

Tuhina Rasche, San Carlos, CA

Warm-up Questions

How would you answer the question, “Who are you?”
What are some of the identities you have? A child? A sibling? A student? A friend? Try to name all of the identities you carry within you.
Who are you as a follower of Jesus?

Who Are You?

“Who are you?” Isn’t that the easiest question in the world to answer? Actually, it can be one of the hardest. When someone asks, “Who are you?” how do you respond? Do you just give your name? Where you’re from? Who your parents are? What if you’re single? What if you identify yourself by the people you know, your friends, the organizations you belong to, where you work? Because when we get below the surface of, “Who are you?” There are a lot of ways we can respond.

I’ve really struggled with this question, and to be entirely honest, I don’t know quite how to answer it. There are so many parts of my life which make up the entirety of who God created me to be. I’m not just one single self. A lot of different pieces form me into be the person I am today. I will always be a child, a sibling, a partner, a pastor, a writer, a sewer, a boxer, a prayer, a singer, and so much more. Yet there comes a time when one aspect of my identity is highlighted, while the others are still a part of me, but not at the forefront. Parts of my identity surprise people (it seems not a lot of people have met a female-identifying pastor who likes to box). Other aspects of my identity come as no surprise (a praying pastor seems pretty standard).

You may have asked this question of others, “Who are you?” How have they answered? Has it also been a list of identities, or a shrug of the shoulders, not knowing how to answer this question? Why is it so hard to have just one answer to this one simple question?

Discussion Questions

Who are the people in your life who have pointed you to Jesus? How did they show you who Jesus is in the world?
When were you baptized? Do you remember the story of your baptism? Who was surrounding you when you were baptized? If you haven’t been baptized, who would you want around you as your elders and guides?
Where in this time have you seen God present and active in the world? How could you tell it was God?

Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

John 1:6-8, 19-28

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year B at Lectionary Readings.)

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Today’s Gospel feels like déjà-vu. Haven’t we been here before, with a guy out in the middle of nowhere baptizing people? This is the second week in a row that the Gospel spends time with John in the wilderness. Last week’s Gospel introduced us to John the Baptizer, clothed in camel’s hair and eating a diet of locusts and wild honey. John even uses similar words from last week’s Gospel, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.”

Why in the world would those who prepared the lectionary give us yet another story of John just one week later? Perhaps it is because last week’s John the Baptizer is different from this week’s John. This week, we get to know John the witness. While he is still baptizing in Bethany, across the Jordan, there is something is different. This week’s John is “a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.”

Because of what John is doing, he’s getting attention from the religious leaders. It’s a big deal when priests and Levites go out to Bethany. They trek out to the middle of nowhere because they want to know who John is. They ask him twice. “Who are you? Maybe Elijah? A prophet?” John answers that he is none of these. John even tells them that he’s not the Messiah. The people in power want to know who he is and why in the world he is baptizing without the authority of leaders, if he’s not claiming to be the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet. John is comfortable with saying only who he is not.

There could be many a reason as to why the priests and Levites ask John these questions and take the time to confront him in the wilderness. Maybe they’re frustrated that he isn’t following the teachings and practices of religious leaders in his baptizing and witness. They might be frustrated because they don’t know who John is; they can’t put a neat label on him. The priests and the Levites are uncomfortable not knowing who John is and why he is doing what he is doing.

This Gospel lesson speaks directly to our time of Advent, our time of waiting and anticipation. We know, yet at the same time, we don’t know. John the witness tells us of Christ, but we have yet to see, meet, know, or touch Christ. We know Christ will come again; we just don’t know when. When Christ does arrive, then what? John tells the priests and Levites, “Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me.”

This should make us think. Is this story our here and now? Is there someone among us whom we do not know? John tells us Christ is coming, not just in the following pages of the Gospel long ago, but here and now. He is currently among us.

Do we know God among us? I am terrified by the question, “Am I so preoccupied with distractions that I don’t notice the one who is among us?” God is here, yet we are also waiting for the complete restoration of the world to the way God wants it to be. We continue to wait, and this waiting is not easy.

Discussion Questions

Would we know if God is present among us? Where are the places and spaces we may miss recognizing Jesus in the here and now? How could it be easy to miss knowing that Christ is within our midst?
Why are we so uncomfortable in not knowing, much like the priests and Levites being uncomfortable not knowing John’s identity? What are things we can do to keep us centered in the midst of unknowing?
Why do we hear two different stories about John the Baptist, one from last week’s Gospel and one from this week’s Gospel? What are the differences between these tellings of John’s life? What are the similarities? What do these two Gospel readings tell us about John?

Activity Suggestions

Part of Advent is keeping awake and being aware. This is an opportunity to be aware of the breath of God within each of us. It is through this breath we know Jesus is among us, especially as our neighbors near and far live and breathe. Breathe in one verse of Scripture, then breathe out. As an example, use “Make straight the way of the Lord.” When inhaling, think of “Make straight.” When exhaling, think of “the way of the Lord.” This is a way to pray along to Scripture and to be aware of your breathing.
Do you have an Advent calendar to mark the days of Christmas? Have you tried a reverse-Advent calendar? Contact your local food bank to figure out what they need. For each day of Advent, collect one canned item. When Advent is over, deliver the contents of your reverse Advent calendar to the food bank to make sure that Christ will be fed in our midst.
Waiting is hard, especially during a pandemic. While you are in places and spaces of waiting, write a note to a loved one, text a message of encouragement to a friend, or take a picture of something near you that you find interesting and beautiful.

Closing Prayer

Holy God, help us keep awake. If we are awake, we will know the one who is present among us. Hold our distractions at bay. They keep us from knowing Jesus, who is present among us today. Gift us with the ability to take time, to slow down, to be still, and to be awake to you, who is so common and ordinary, yet wondrously present. Amen.

Scott Moore, Erfurt, Germany

Warm-up Question

How can you tell when someone is authentic or real?

Preparing the Way for Non-Fake News

What do a lab in Sheffield, England, villages in Zimbabwe and Madagascar, and a start up in Bangkok, Thailand all have in common? If you said eating insects, then you were correct. In order to combat malnutrition, scientists in England are developing better ways to raise a protein and fat rich grub worm which is a delicacy in Zimbabwe. In Madagascar, there have been successful attempts to grow a bean plant which is the natural food source for the sakondry, a small hopping insect, considered a tasty snack by the locals (they say when fried it tastes like bacon). The villages which have started growing and harvesting sakondry have reduced the hunting of the endangered local lemur. In Bangkok, Exofood labs has seen immense growth in the sale and consumption of various types of insects. They are hoping to meet this growing need.

Throughout time, insects have been a part of the diet of many different cultures. High in protein, they require much fewer resources (such as water) to produce than animal sources. Insects are seen as a future answer to the ecological difficulties posed by the various industries geared to meat production. Even in the Western Northern hemisphere, more and more stores offer products made from insects and worms. Time will tell if more people will choose a grub salad over chicken or a locust burger over beef.

Discussion Questions

When have you accidentally eaten an insect?
When have you eaten an insect on purpose?
What do you imagine it is like eating insects such as grasshoppers or grubs you see eaten on reality tv shows?
Would you ever consider eating insects as a regular part of your diet?
Which insects would you like to try first?

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 40:1-11

2 Peter 3:8-15a

Mark 1:1-8

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

The Gospel of Mark wastes no time getting to the point. There are no angels, no shepherds, no Magi from the East. No description of Jesus’ family tree or stories of his birth. For Mark, none of those stories are important. They are just backstory. “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God.” There it is—plain and simple.

Yet before Jesus makes his first appearance, we hearers are prepared for this holy story, just as were the people back then. We experience John before we experience Jesus. Mark gives us a narrative filter through which we can understand what is to come. A trustworthy source, the prophet Isaiah, lets us know that a messenger will be sent to prepare the way.

John calls his hearers to turn their lives around and look to the one who is to come. However, John seems to be a bit of a weirdo. Out in the desert, wearing camel hair and eating wild honey and locusts. These locusts aren’t just some kind meal which shows that John is somewhat out there. No, locusts are insects which, according to Jewish kosher laws, are ok to eat. John is keeping kosher. He is an observant Jew. He is authentic. He is legitimate. This messenger is the real deal—nothing fake about him. And, if John is the real deal, then he can be trusted. His witness inspires lots of people from all around to come and make a new start, confessing their sins.

John could have let things stop right there for all those who came to be baptized, but he doesn’t. John takes all the attention he gets and points to Jesus. “There is one more powerful coming. I am not even worthy to tie his sandals. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” John’s honest and authentic witness, legitimized by his way of life (including his bug eating), helps us to trust that the news about Jesus is real and good and even really good.

It is often that way with us in our lives. When we know someone in our family or circle of friends is honest, someone with integrity, we are willing to trust them. If we trust them in small things, we will likely trust them in big matters. We can all think of people we trust because of the solid and consistent lives they lead. We listen differently when they speak.

Others listen to us differently when they know we are honest and trustworthy. Maybe they trust our recommendations about a book, a movie, or the best way to do the homework assignment. Maybe, just maybe, because people see how we treat others and how we face difficult situations in our lives, they look up to us. Then we have to point beyond ourselves to one who loves us and gives us strength.

Discussion Questions

When did you last follow someone else’s recommendation?
When have you been inspired to act more positively because of someone else in your life?
Who has been an important example in your faith life? When were they a good influence?
What good things in your life could you point to God/Jesus and say that that is the reason for it?
When have you intentionally said or done something that pointed someone else to Jesus/God?

Activity Suggestions

“Snack Time” with John the Baptist–These days, local stores as well as online sources offer a variety of edible insects, even locusts. Perhaps, you could get a “little closer” to the John in this gospel text and try some locusts and wild honey.
Discuss the song ,“Waiting for the Son” (on Free Parking by Spirit Garage Bands (CD 2001) on iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud).

Closing Prayer

O God of forgiveness and new starts in life, sometimes we find ourselves walking in a direction that seems further and further from you. Call out to us. Send messengers to us so that with their help we can find our way back to you. Help us to find ways to also be an authentic guide for others who have lost their way. We ask this in the name of the one who is truly good news, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scholar Seth Moland-Kovash, Palatine, IL

Warm-up Question

What is the oldest human-made object you’ve ever seen in person?

God’s Word Will Not Pass Away

Geologists estimate the Grand Canyon started forming 6 million years ago. “Sue,” The Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton at the Field Museum in Chicago is estimated to be 65 million years old. The Great Wall of China was built in 221 BCE. Stonehenge is estimated to have been built around 2000 BCE. The world is full of very old things, things that have lasted a long time. Sometimes those are things humans made and sometimes they are naturally occurring. Either way, we are surrounded by things that have lasted a very, very long time.

Archeologists in Egypt have been making some very interesting discoveries recently. In November of 2020, they discovered 200 sarcophagi (or coffins) from around 500 BCE. Scholars found them in an area that acted as a necropolis (or cemetery) for the ancient capital of Memphis. They are probably the bodies of priests or high-ranking court officials and will teach us a lot about ancient Egyptian society.

Discussion Questions

What do you think about when you see something as old as the sarcophagi from ancient Egypt?
What are you most curious about concerning life 2500 years ago?
What from your life would you want to last, so that your great-great-grandchildren could see or know it?

First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 64:1-9

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Mark 13:24-37

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

As we enter the season of Advent and a new church year, our Gospel readings encourage us to look forward. We look forward to the time when Jesus will come again. Jesus tells his disciples in today’s reading that heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s word will not pass away. Generations come and go. Kingdoms and empires have come and gone since Jesus’ words. But the promise of God is eternal.

The promise of God, sealed in our baptism and spoken over us, is that we are God’s beloved children. And nothing can take that away. The season of Advent reminds us that Jesus is coming. We look back in memory to the time when Jesus came as a little boy to Bethlehem. At the same time, we look forward with trust and hope to the time when Jesus will come again. That is the sure promise – no matter how long it takes and no matter how many generations come and go, God’s promise that Jesus will come to bring true justice and true peace to the world will never be broken.

Discussion Questions

Do you light Advent candles or an Advent wreath in your home to mark these weeks? How might doing so help you focus your waiting?
How hard is it for you to be patient? What is it like for you to wait for some promised gift or special event?
What helps you to trust a promise? Does it help to have a reminder or some little hints of evidence?

Activity Suggestions

Write an Advent/Christmas card to senior or shut-in members of your congregation. Remind them that God loves them and nothing can take that away.

Closing Prayer

Eternal God, remind us that you are always with us, you have always been with us and always will be with us. Amen.

Danny Stone, Marion, IA

Warm-up Question

What are your favorite non-profit organizations?

Helping Your Neighbors

There are few ELCA youth directors who wake up every morning and separate the goats from the sheep. I get to live out today’s Gospel twice a day! I serve full-time at Faith Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa and live on a 40 acre farm animal sanctuary which cares for 60+ animals. My wife, Alison, and I founded Hercules’ Haven as a forever home for animals. It is a place where people can come to experience grace, compassion, and grow in empathy. With church and farm, non-profits rule my life.

As you can imagine, 2020 has been difficult for non-profit organizations. Our friends at the local rescues struggled during the shutdown. All in-person fundraising events were cancelled, volunteers stayed home, and each organization had to double-down with skeleton crews. Everyone pivoted to online fundraising and eventually helpers returned. Grants and gifts helped make up the difference, and we welcomed Zoom visitors from across the country.

2020 had another surprise for Central Iowa and its struggling charities. On August 10^th, a powerful storm system moved across the Midwest. This “derecho” pummeled communities from Iowa to Indiana. A narrow band over Cedar Rapids had gusts over 140 mph. That is equal to an EF3 tornado or Category 4 hurricane. 1.9 million utility customers across the region lost power. The storm devastated the greater Cedar Rapids area. The city lost 60% of its tree cover, crops were destroyed, and most homes suffered mild to severe damage. The homeless population doubled overnight when the fire department deemed 1000 homes, apartment buildings and businesses “unsafe to occupy.”

Once animals were secure, the Cedar Rapids animal rescues mobilized to help each other and the community. The Atomic Salon, a plant-based salon and yoga studio, closed to “normal operations” and became a distribution center for necessities and hot vegan meals. New groups organized to gather aid, share supplies, and offer comfort. The “animal people” joined the growing volunteer army that spread out to help their neighbors. It was one of the few times in American history, when suburban dwellers would gladly welcome a masked stranger waving a chainsaw.

National press coverage briefly reported the Iowa storm, but the story was buried by a busy news cycle. Many in Iowa felt that they were being ignored by the rest of the country. Insurance claims reached 1.8 billion dollars by November 9^th. Many homes have tarped roofs, missing doors, and damaged siding. Contractors are booked until October of 2021. We are thankful for all our new friends who traveled to offer help. Life goes on and we cope the best we can. Fields need to be prepped for spring, non-profits still help people and animals, and neighbors still help neighbors.

Discussion Questions

2020 feels like a string of disasters, one after another. What are some of this year’s disaster stories?
How have non-profit organizations aided disaster victims?

Christ the King Sunday

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 25:31-46

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

The parable of separating goats and sheep is the last parable in Matthew’s Gospel. This was Jesus’ final lesson before his crucifixion and resurrection, and he chose to talk about barnyard animals?

Parables based on farming metaphors were a natural way for Jesus to affect his audience. Even those living in cities saw flocks in the fields and animals in the market. Farming stories are rarely part of today’s life. According to the Farm Bureau, only 2% of Americans live on a farm or ranch. If you are lucky enough to have a farm kid in your group, now is their time to shine.

Why do you need to separate goats from the sheep? Everyone is friendly in the field, but at feeding times and bedtime, goats are … jerks. They bash and butt the sheep away from the grain and will push their wooly friends out of their shelter into the rain. “Stubborn as a goat” is a real thing and being “sheepish” is also true. Honestly, sheep are easy and agreeable. Goats cause far more mischief.

Jesus wanted to help us understand the “final judgement.” Righteous sheep are on the right. Undesirable goats are sorted to the left. The King blesses those on the right for their works of kindness to others. The goats on the left are cursed for ignoring others. In all things, we must remember that Jesus separates and judges – Jesus judges. Throughout history and definitely today, we are too eager to judge. Leave the judgements to Jesus and go out and serve others.

Discussion Questions

When have you felt that someone was judging you?
When have you judged someone else?
How do you think Jesus will judge you? Your family? Friends? Our leaders? By what standard?

Activity Suggestions

Visit the websites or social media pages of local non-profit organizations. Discuss their mission and how each organization works to better the world.
Explore the ELCA’s Disaster Response page at www.elca.org/Our-Work/Relief-and-Development/Lutheran-Disaster-Response. Discuss how the ELCA helps in disasters.

Closing Prayer

Dear heavenly Father, blessed Son and inspiring Holy Spirit, help us through the storms of 2020. Challenge us to serve and remind us to withhold judgement. In your name we pray. Amen.

Angie Larson, Alexandria, MN

Warm-up Question

How old should you be to start your own business? What kind of business would you start?

Business-Wise

Hundreds of people have used their time during the pandemic to start a new business. Feyi Raimi-Abraham has used the time to start the Black Dementia Company (BDC). BDC creates items such as adult coloring books, puzzles, and calendars featuring Afro-Carribean scenes. Paula Grady applied for over 500 jobs after a pandemic layoff, which led her to start a scented candle business in her own home studio called Osme Candles. Kim Brookes started a luxury scented jewelry company which features jewelry carrying essential oil fragrances for the wearer.

When asked how they went beyond rejections from hundreds of companies and personal discrimination from those who told them they couldn’t be successful, these women cited their previous life experience. They are 52, 57, and 59 years old. Paula says, “I don’t understand why experience isn’t valued more; companies need people who have been around the block and have encountered situations before. You have life experience and working examples to draw on.”

Discussion Questions

Why do you think companies rejected Feyi, Paula, and Kim’s endeavors?
How would age affect someone’s ability to use their talents to start a business?
What emotions would you feel if you were rejected because of your age?

Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

This passage is frequently called the parable of the talents. A master, going on an extended trip, delegates responsibility to his employees. He entrusts each of his servants with a great deal of money (a talent is considered more than 15 years salary). The first invests wisely and makes an equal amount in return. The second receives two talents and returns two more in profit. The third servant plays it safe. He hides the money so he can return it to the master in the same state as it was given to him. This makes the master angry.

This story is often misused. It is interpreted to say that if you give yourself out to the world through your gifts, talents, treasures, prayers, you’ll get an equal amount in return. Yet, God isn’t some cosmic vending machine into which you put something and you get something equal back. The truth of this parable is that we’re given gifts to use, not to hide away in fear. We put them out there with boldness, knowing that they come from God. Our insecurities, our fear of rejection, and our concern about other people’s judgements often get in the way of using what God has given us. When Christ came, he freed us with his love. We will never be rejected by God and we will always be loved. We can be brave in this freedom!

Discussion Questions

How would you feel if you gave someone a really cool present to use and they never used it?
What are some of the things that get in the way of us sharing our gifts, talents, and time?
Are there ways in which we sometimes expect God to be like a cosmic vending machine? When have you done that?

Activity Suggestions

Do a mini-talent show. Ask members of your group to show off their talents; this can work if you’re meeting virtually as well. For example, can they touch their tongue to their nose? Lip sync to a song? Drum a beat using pencils? Perform a sock puppet show? Share your talents.

Closing Prayer

Blessed Savior, We thank you that you gave your whole life for us so that we can be free to help our neighbors with the talents you have given us. Help us to see ways to bring your kingdom to earth in service of our neighbors. Forgive us when we err and guide us to care for the least, the lost, the lowest, and the lonely in our communities. Direct us to use our resources for others. In your name we pray, amen.

December 13, 2020–Who Are You?

December 6, 2020-Preparing the Way for Non-Fake News

November 29, 2020–God’s Word Will Not Pass Away

November 22, 2020–Helping Your Neighbors

November 15, 2020–Business-wise