Faith Lens

Jen Krausz, Bethlehem, PA

Warm-up Question

Who do you consider your enemies?

Love Your Enemies

A group of prominent conservative voices that loudly opposed President Donald Trump’s candidacy are now fearful that he might take revenge over their lack of support now that he is president.

It may seem a little paranoid to be worried about the President of the United States coming after you, but Trump has talked frequently about getting revenge on people he feels has wronged him and even written about it in some of his books. “My motto is: Always get even,” he wrote. “When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades.”

When asked about his favorite Bible verse last year, he said it was “an eye for an eye.” “The question is not whether he’s vengeful,” conservative columnist Ben Shapiro told The Atlantic. “The question is how willing he is to use the levers of government to exact that revenge.”

Shapiro was a columnist for right-wing Breitbart News, but he quit last March when he felt the site had become a place where Trump could not be criticized. Shapiro said he has installed a state-of-the-art security system in his home and purchased a shotgun in case anyone tries to harm him.

“They can fight very ugly and very nasty,” he said of Trump and former Breitbart boss Steve Bannon who is now a Trump advisor. “And they do have power now, where if they feel like destroying you, they can.”

Conservative talk show host Glenn Beck says he has received multiple death threats from Trump supporters and now travels with two bodyguards to protect himself. “It is not fun,” Beck said. “I don’t cherish it, but I value the truth more than I’m afraid of retribution.” Beck has said that Trump is putting some “disturbing people” in his inner circle and that his treatment of the press is alarming.

Discussion Questions

How do you react when someone says something negative about you or does something against you?
What are the pros and cons of keeping an “enemies list” or looking to get revenge?
Can a politician always afford to be “nice” to everyone?

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Matthew 5:38-48

(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

Jesus turns President Trump’s favorite scripture verse on its head in this passage. Instead of “an eye for an eye,” Jesus says we need to give up our right to get back at someone who wrongs us. In Old Testament law, these rules were a deterrent that kept people from hurting each other, because they knew they would receive the same hurt as punishment for their actions. In addition, “an eye for an eye” was a limiting factor—one could exact no more than an eye for eye.

In the Kingdom of God, however, grace reigns—unmerited favor shown to us by God that we then show to others . Think about it: if Jesus’ commands were followed by his people, they would really stand out as different from others in the extent of their love. And that’s the point, isn’t it? Elsewhere in scripture, Jesus says that his followers will be known by their love for others.

The command to love your enemies is one of the hardest in all of scripture. It goes against every grain of our nature to love our enemies. And it’s even more difficult to show love to someone when you expect you will only get more hate in return. What if your enemies take advantage of your kindness? What if they hurt you even more? Loving makes us vulnerable, and that’s scary.

Our leaders have a responsibility to protect the people as well as they can. Are they supposed to make the whole country vulnerable by not acting against our enemies? They doubtless wrestle with the best way to treat those that have made themselves enemies. But Jesus wasn’t preaching to leaders or governments—he was talking to individuals that want to follow him.

On a personal level, we are called to show God’s love in radical ways. If we make ourselves vulnerable, rather than reacting angrily or seeking self-protection, we need to trust God to be our protection. God may have purposes which we do not understand in the present moment. Operating out of self-protection may seem logical. We don’t need to put ourselves in harm’s way unnecessarily, but we do need to follow God’s call to love our enemies even when it scares us and makes us feel like we might be in danger.

Discussion Questions

How do you think the world might be different if all of Jesus’ followers obeyed his commands in this passage? Use your imagination and really dream here.
Have you ever reached out in love to someone who’s hurt you—maybe someone you consider an enemy? What was the result?
What are some concrete ways you can love your enemies—in school, at home, or in your neighborhood?
Is there a difference between what leaders and we as individuals are called to do in response to Jesus’ command to love our enemies?

Activity Suggestions

Random (or Not-So-Random) Acts of Kindness: As a group, decide on a day to perform random acts of kindness, focusing specifically on people who have mistreated you in the past or who you might consider an “enemy.” Pray for each other for strength to complete the random act and report back after that day to talk about how it went.

Closing Prayer

God of us and of our enemies, help us to love those who persecute and mistreat us. Soften their hearts toward us and our hearts toward them, so that we may find ways to reconcile and seek your peace together. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Bryan Jaster, Winchester, VA

Warm-up Question

What’s something that has happened in your life that has made you feel afraid or uncertain?

Love is Greater

The end of January has been pretty intense for the United States and likely for neighbors around the world. The transition from one president to another is normally a time of leadership upheaval and of fulfilling promises made during presidential candidacies. In addition, at this time high levels uncertainty, fear, and anxiety have taken root for many. Relationships with our neighbors in Syria, Iraq, Sudan, Mexico, and other communities around the country are stretched and strained. Tension is high in the Congress.

A recent executive order fulfilled the promise our new president made when he said, “We’re going to build a wall.” This new wall is designed to keep America separate from Mexico so that fewer people come into America. Regardless of whether this will be an effective strategy to stem immigration, building the wall would keep people apart. See http://www.npr.org/2017/01/25/511619026/donald-trumps-moving-forward-with-his-wall-is-it-really-going-to-happen) for the story. The president’s press secretary reported that Mexico will be forced to pay for this wall.

Many scientists are feeling the weight of fear and uncertainty. Recently employees of the EPA and departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and the Interior have received notices to remove web pages and limit communication to the public. See (http://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-scientists-are-launch-rogue-twitter-account-to-defy-trump-2017-1). These scientists and government employees have been ordered to post only public safety information and to avoid anything that might influence political or national policy.

In response, many of these agencies have setup “rogue” Twitter accounts where anonymous government employees or scientists post to respond to censorship. They provide a space where scientific facts about climate change, information about swearing-in day attendance, immigration stories, and civil rights advocacy can be shared. Persons post anonymously for fear of being disciplined or fired.

Discussion Questions

Have you ever been a leader of a group, a sports team, or a school assignment? What made leading difficult? What did you learn from it?
Why would being the president of the US be difficult? Would you want to be president?
Do you agree with the orders recently made? Why or why not?

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Matthew 5:21-37

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

Gospel Reflection

Matthew’s Jesus says you are given the fires of hell for being angry with someone?…that you should rip out your right eye and throw it away if it offends?…or cut off your right hand if it causes you to sin?

What? Jesus, are you serious? Jesus was all about cuddling sheep and blessing children, right?

Let’s take another look at this story.

There are four sayings in our reading and each one refers to another biblical story. Four times Jesus says, “You have heard it was said…” The stories referenced are from the Ten Commandments in Exodus. See Exodus 20: 13, 14 and 7 to see what commands Jesus is talking about. When Jesus talks about divorce he quotes from Deuteronomy 24:1-4.

These commands to which Jesus refers are central to what is often called “the Law of Moses”. The Law is designed to keep good order and relationships between people in the world. The prohibitions against murder, adultery (having sexual relations with someone you are not married to), and swearing falsely are given to ensure the health of relationships, as was the demand that a certificate of divorce be provided.

Back now to the fires of hell and the ripping and cutting off of body parts….Scholars think that rather than being interested in people becoming physically maimed, Jesus is caring deeply and passionately about our relationships. Jesus uses hyperbole to emphasize that God loves us so much that God cares about how we treat each other. God’s love is greater than our anger, our lust, our fractured marriages, and the words we use to hurt.

Think about murder. Jesus wants more than the killing to stop. He wants us to treat one another as God’s beloved and to not speak hate.

Think about adultery. Avoiding the physical, sexual act isn’t enough. We also do not make other people objects by lusting after them.

Think about divorce. People aren’t like trash to be discarded with a certificate; instead we provide for and protect the most innocent and vulnerable.

Think about swearing falsely or lying. Jesus urges us always to speak and act truthfully so that we don’t need to make oaths at all.

Jesus says these things because God’s love for us is greater than all the things that might rip us apart.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Jesus reinterprets Moses’ law? Wasn’t it good enough the first time around?
What is the impact on people of murder? Of divorce? Of married people having sex with others? Of lying to one another?
Give an example of where staying connected in a relationship overcame something negative like hate, hurt, or deception? Is love really greater?

Activity Suggestions

LOVE IS GREATER DAY. Today is February 12^th. Tuesday is February 14^th. Let’s turn Valentine’s Day into “Love is greater day.” (See oldlutheran.com for tshirts, mugs and bumper stickers to spread the word). Maybe sharing God’s love with the world is great than all that rips us apart!

In pairs or as a small group come up with some actions you can do to share God’s love. Some examples to get you started:

Support Refugees and Immigrants around the world who need help. http://blog.lirs.org/5-ways-to-support-lirs-in-new-year/
Visit your local police department and thank an officer.
Get to know someone who has angered you. Who would that be?
Pay someone’s bill at a restaurant.
Write a letter or encourage a public servant like your congressman or representative.
Talk to someone in person who disagrees with you about an issue of science, immigration or religion.

Closing Prayer

God who loves us so deeply. Help us to NOT murder, hate, divorce, commit adultery, lust or speak falsely but instead to love, honor, serve and support all people. Help us to hold onto your love which is greater than everything else. Amen!

Scott Mims–Virginia Beach, VA

Warm-up Question

On a scale from 1 to 10 – with 1 being totally pessimistic and 10 being totally optimistic – how do you see the world today?
Using the same scale, how do you view the possibilities for your future?
Do you think that our present vision of reality – how we “see” things today – impacts the future we will experience? Why or why not?

Vision for the Future

On Friday, January 20, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 45^th President of the United States. In his inaugural address, President Trump laid out an assessment of our nation’s current situation, as well as a vision of the challenges that his administration will overcome as part of a “great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people.” With stirring images that evoke solidarity, unity of purpose, and a focus on America first, President Trump presented, in broad, bold strokes, a plan to “make America great again.”

Naturally, reactions to the President’s speech have been mixed. His words have met with great approval among many Americans. They have found this address “revolutionary,” “memorable,” and “inspiring.”[1] Others have characterized the speech as “dark and defiant,” both in terms of the current picture it paints of our nation, and the path that it lays before us.[2] We will all have to wait and see how President Trump’s vision for America actually unfolds in the coming years, but, for the moment, his first address to the nation as President has provided much for people to think about and discuss.

A full transcript of President Trump’s speech can be found online:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/20/politics/trump-inaugural-address/

Discussion Questions

Did you watch the inauguration or a replay of the President’s speech? If so, what do you think about his address? How do you feel about the vision it presents?(Note: if your group is particularly divided in opinion, of if there are strong feelings present, practice the discipline of listening to one another in love by giving each person an opportunity to simply share their feelings or opinions without rebuttal, debate, or any need to convince others.)
Using a piece of paper, a dry erase board, or some way of making a list, record your group’s answers to the following two questions:
1. When you think about your community, our nation, and the world today, what is the “darkness” that you see? That is, what are some of the issues, situations, or problems that make you most worried, fearful or anxious about the future?
2. What “light” is there for you? What makes you hopeful, encouraged, or inspired?

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Isaiah 58:1-9a [9b-12]

1 Corinthians 2:1-12 [13-16]

Matthew 5:13-20

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

Gospel Reflection

This week’s gospel lesson is from a collection of Jesus’ teaching that we call The Sermon on the Mount. Though the crowds are listening in on this “sermon”, Jesus’ is speaking primarily to his disciples. And so, his teachings today are especially for all who would seek to follow him.

Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth….” Jesus often took ordinary things and turned them into lessons that explained deeper realities, and that is exactly what he is doing in verses 13-16. To begin with, salt was a very precious commodity in the Ancient world. It was used to preserve food as well as to season it. There is a distinctive “flavor” that Jesus’ followers are to bring to the world as we seek to impact things for good. Even so, salt back then often wasn’t pure. It could lose its saltiness, leaving behind the impurities in the form of a useless white residue. In a similar fashion, those who claim to follow Jesus, but whose lives are not characterized by service, care for others, self-discipline and mutual love, are like this “non-salt” – empty of any real flavor.

“You are the light of the world….” Like salt, even a little light in a darkened room can make a big difference. It lights up the way, exposes the shadows for what they really are; it brings direction, help, clarity, comfort. According to the Prophet Isaiah, part of Israel’s calling from God was to be a “light to the nations.” (Isa. 42:6; 49:6) They were to be light-bearers to shine God’s light and love into all of the dark corners of the world. Like a lamp giving light to all in the house, their lives were not just to show evil up for what it really is, but to allow people to find their way out by coming to know God. In the same way, our good works are not to be hidden. We, too, are called by God in baptism to be light-bearers as we reflect the light of Christ into our world. As we say when we hand a candle to those who have just been baptized, we are to let the light within us shine, that people may see our good works and give God praise and glory.

Another point to make about these verses is that the “you” in them is plural, not singular. Or, as we would say where I grew up, “All y’all are the salt of the earth….” The point being that it is the community of Jesus’ followers as whole that is being challenged to live as salt and light together. We cannot accomplish these things all on our own, we need one another and a community of faith.

And finally, being salt and light is based on who we already are in Christ. Jesus says, “You are salt…you are light,” not that doing certain things will make us salt and light. As Lutherans, we understand that it is God’s love and grace in our lives that saves us and makes us God’s own. Our good works, our living out our “saltiness” and sharing the light of Christ with the world, come as our response to what God, in Christ, has first done for us.

The Law and the Prophets

There has been much scholarly debate over the second part of our gospel lesson, and what exactly it means for Jesus to fulfill the law and the prophets. That is, what does it mean that the whole story of Israel – all of the commands and promises of the scriptures – are to come true in him? Is it Jesus’ own personal keeping of Torah? Is it, as Matthew often points out, the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus’ life? Is it Jesus’ own authority, and his teaching as expressed in the love-commandment (22:40) from which the other commandments take their meaning? Is it all of these and more? Many possibilities are discussed.

Yet, whatever Jesus’ fulfillment of the law and prophets ultimately means, it is clear that he does not throw out the Hebrew Scriptures – what we call our Old Testament. Even though Jesus does reinterpret key passages at later points in Matthew’s gospel, the law and the prophets are still important for followers of Jesus.

It is also clear, from the final verse of this passage, that the sort of righteousness – that is, right behavior and actions – that Jesus is looking for is the righteousness which comes from hearts and minds that are guided by his teachings and example. In short, we are to “practice what we preach.” This will become even more apparent as we continue through the Sermon on the Mount over the next several Sundays.

Discussion Questions

What do you think it means to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world?” Can you think of specific attitudes, actions, values or beliefs that go along with being salt and light?
What are some of your favorite verses from the Bible? How do you experience God speaking to you through these scriptures?
How might you be “light” to one another? What are some ways you can support one another in your daily walk of faith?
Revisit your list of “darkness” and “light” from the current events discussion. How might you bring the light of Christ into some of the areas of darkness you have listed? Can you choose an issue or two and brainstorm some individual or group actions that you could possibly take? Don’t underestimate the power of small acts. Remember, it only takes a little salt to season a dish; it only takes one candle to pierce the darkness.
Vision is a powerful thing. The pictures we hold in our minds have great impact, not only on how things turn out, but on who we are. Talk together about Jesus’ vision for his followers – his vision for the church. As we approach the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation, where do you think we need to be re-formed today? What might that mean for you personally?

Activity Suggestions

How could you be “salt” together in your own community? Are there needs or issues that you could address in even small ways? How might your group serve together?

For a more active take on the above question, split into groups of 3-4 participants. Give each group a large, blank sheet of paper some markers. Have them draw a picture of a “salty Christian,” depicting / labeling specific attitudes, actions, or values. For instance, they might draw a “heart of faith,” “hands for serving,” etc.

For further ideas on being “salt” and “light” in regards to some of the larger issues faced by our nation and world, check out the article “Advocacy as witness: A voice for common good” in the October 2016 edition of Living Lutheran.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you name us your own and call us to reflect your love into the world. Help us to do so. Give us eyes to see the many opportunities for sharing and experiencing grace that you give to us day by day. Give us feet to walk in your way, and catch us when we stumble. And give us hands to reach out in love and action that we may bring your light to dark places. This we pray in your holy name. Amen

David Dodson, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Warm-up Question

If you could have a conversation with anyone you wanted, living or dead, who would it be with?

Take the Stage

On January 8^th, the 2017 Golden Globes aired across the nation. It was a night of awards for films and television of all sorts. In any other year, the big headline after the awards ceremony would have likely been about the biggest winners. After all, this year saw the film “La La Land” earn a record-breaking seven Golden Globes. This year, though, that was overshadowed by one speech given by 67-year-old actress Meryl Streep.

Streep took the stage after winning the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award, an honorary Golden Globe awarded only once each year to the entertainer who made the most “outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment”. It was an honor for Streep, who joined the ranks of such film giants as Judy Garland, Sidney Poiter, and Walt Disney.

As she took the stage, though, Streep surprised the crowd by her speech. It wasn’t about her film experience or her cinematic triumph. Instead, Streep made a speech about culture, diversity, and rhetoric. Though she didn’t mention him by name, this speech was seen by most to be a criticism of President-Elect Donald Trump (specifically of his comments about a disabled reporter while Mr. Trump was campaigning).

Reactions to Streep’s speech ranged from admiration to anger. One Twitter user commented, “Thank you Meryl Streep. Bravery, poise, eloquence, and speaking for many rather than just for herself, and for what is right.” However, others were angry at how Streep chose to spend her time on the stage. Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trump’s campaign manager, said she was “concerned that somebody with a platform like Meryl Streep’s is inciting people’s worst instincts.”

Regardless of our feelings about Mrs. Streep’s speech, the reality is simple enough: When given a chance to speak at the podium of a broadly-televised and popular event, she chose to speak about an issue that she saw as gravely important.

Discussion Questions

If you had the attention of your entire school for two minutes, what would you talk about? What about if you had the attention of the whole nation?
One of the phrases Mrs. Streep stated was “Disrespect invites disrespect”. What does this statement mean – and is it correct?

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Micah 6:1-8

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Matthew 5:1-12

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

Gospel Reflection

The Beatitudes form the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel. Matthew 5 begins by saying that, “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them…” The context of this Sermon is quite important. Jesus has just begun his ministry and has called the first apostles. The Sermon on the Mount represents, as far as we know, his first major address to a huge crowd of people. There will certainly be more, but it all starts here!

In Jesus’ first address to his first huge crowd, it’s reasonable to assume that he’d start with something incredibly important to his mission and ministry. After all, wouldn’t he have wanted to make the most of this chance to communicate to the masses?

It’s really important, then, to note that Jesus’ very first words in this pivotal Sermon target those who are traditionally marginalized or considered weak. The first three Beatitudes target those who are shown in a state of weakness, turning their very weakness into power. The next four promise the fulfillment of those who seek virtue and goodness. Finally, the last two promise the fullness of God’s kingdom to those who encounter trials because of their devotion to God.

As Lutherans, we encounter another beautiful truth in these words. Luther taught that God’s Word is more than just information. God’s Word is actual creative power. In the beginning, God said, “Let there be…” and there was. God’s Word doesn’t just describe reality – it creates reality.

So when Jesus climbs a mountain, turns, and addresses the people, he’s doing something profound. In the opening to his profoundly important Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks and changes the world. Jesus speaks the creative power of God’s Word, creating a world in which traditional authority cannot stand against the power of humble, the meek, the persecuted, and the oppressed. Jesus issue the words that change our world. Amen!

Discussion Questions

What examples do you know from history or your own life of humble or peaceful figures effecting great change?
Do we generally value peacefulness, meekness, purity, and persecution?

Activity Suggestions

There are many images of Moses on Mount Sinai holding the tablets of the Ten Commandments (it turns out the Bible is big on stories of revelation happening on mountaintops). Create a parallel of this image by make a poster, depicting the Beatitudes as a series of numbered revelations, similar to the Ten Commandments. After all, like the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes teach us how to live and what to value!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, your Word shapes our world, lifting up the oppressed, comforting the afflicted, and challenging the comfortable. Show us how to mirror your love to the world. Help us to value those virtues your Son taught on the mountaintop. Be with us and teach us to find strength in weakness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Bob Chell, Sioux Falls, SD

Warm-up Question

Who were you hoping would be inaugurated President this week? What did he or she say or do that led you to believe they could be a force for justice and good in our country and the world?

Hope for Healing

The big news story this week is, of course, the inauguration of a new president of the United States. The day is greeted with rejoicing by many and despair by others. A constant theme throughout the election and run up to the transition of power has been the division of the country along racial, economic, and cultural lines. There is little agreement on why we are divided, who is to blame, but everyone expresses the need for “healing” after a brutal election. Everyone professes a desire for reconciliation, but it is not at all clear how that can happen.

Discussion Questions

If you are discussing this in a group, have each person make the best case possible for a candidate, they did NOT support.
How involved were you in the presidential campaign? What got you involved or what would have a candidate had to do or say for you to become involved?
Who do you admire as a leader? Why?

Third Sunday After Epiphany

Isaiah 9:1-4

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-23

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

Gospel Reflection

I want to tell you some true stories which I made up.

First, let me explain. I want you to know I made them up because I am always honored when people trust me as their pastor with pain and problems and decisions about intimate and significant parts of their lives. I don’t violate that trust by using those stories as sermon illustrations.

Even so, I think you will sense the truth these stories point to. Anne’s counselor told her it wasn’t her fault yet the guilt remained. “I shouldn’t have gone back to his dorm with him,” she said. “At first acted like he was fooling around, and when I realized he wasn’t he scared me. I thought I could calm him down, I should’ve screamed, I don’t know… I was… Anyway, afterwards he told me if I said anything he would just deny it and no one would believe me anyway, and it’s true. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have gone home with him.”

The counselor listened patiently, knowing that victims of assault often blame themselves for things they have no control over. Anne was haunted by guilt and shame, and over & over the same words came back, “… my own fault… I should have… I don’t know why…I just wish…”

++++++++++++++

“It’s my Grandpa Stan.” Stan the man, everybody calls him that. He’s a great guy. He knows everybody in town Always a smile—everybody in the coffee crowd at the cafe seemed to perk up when Grandpa showed up. That was before Grandma Betsy’s death. …49 years. They were so excited about their 50th anniversary. The whole family was going to be there, even Uncle Jim from Japan.

Why did she have to die? Why couldn’t there be a few more years, good years, happy years, healthy years? Oh, Grandpa still smiles but it’s not the same. That’s what everybody says. “He’s just not the same,” they say, “…since Betsy’s death.”

++++++++++++++

“ …Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.” Every disease, every sickness, all those things which incapacitate, hold down, immobilize. and oppress. What does it look like, what does it feel like to be sick? It looks like guilt, it feels like anger, it sounds like loneliness. It feels the same in our lives—young or old. The list is infinite: death. fear, hurt doubt, shame, depression, illness, addiction, obsession. Choose one or a handful.

Those are the words but our pain is sharply felt in specific instances unplanned pregnancies, alcohol abuse, cancer, no relationships, broken relationships, family violence, no job, no money and more. ...and Jesus came to heal. Why then, do we know our pain so much better than we know Jesus healing? Where is my help, where is my healing? Our lesson is primarily about the calling of the disciples, yet, our pain gets in the way of following. the pain of our history the pain of our present, the pain we fear awaits us.

Unlike the presidential candidates who promise to take away our pain and suffering, Jesus invites us deeper into the darkness. “You will find your life by losing it,” he once told his followers.

Some among us know the miracle of healing, of joy restored, a relationship rekindled, a healing of heart or mind or body. If God has healed your heart, cherish it, treasure it. You know in a special way the power of God’s love.

Yet, all of us know of times, and places and pains in our lives which God has not touched. Those places where the pain is so fresh, so unrelenting, so immediate that we can only sit and stare and hurt. It is hard to reconcile our pain with God’s promises.

I can’t tell you when God’s care will break through your pain. I can’t tell you if God’s care will break through your pain. I can tell you about Peter and Andrew, James and John. Did Simon Peter understand that responding to Jesus that day would lead to his own crucifixion? Or that Andrew would share the same fate. That James, one of the first to follow, would also be the first of the 12 to be executed for his faith. Or John, Surely John couldn’t imagine that following Jesus would mean living homeless, in exile, on the island of Patmos.

You are reading this because you have heard Jesus invitation to follow. We want the following and the healing to come together. We follow. God heals. Instead, God has chosen to do it differently. God heals first. Then we follow. The blind beggar, the woman who had bled for 12 years, the man who could not walk by the side of the pool, the woman who slept around. The Bible is full of people who healed by Jesus, turned to follow his promises.

Healing wasn’t the end for them but the beginning of their faith journey. It probably wasn’t easy for them either. The blind man with no job skills, The woman ill for 12 years who no one remembered when she returned home, the woman who slept around whose reputation no one would forget the reformed tax collector no one would trust.

Healing is not the end of our pain, instead the pain is the beginning of our healing. We don’t choose the shape of our healing. We don’t choose the when or the where or the how. Not all our prayers are answered when we would like. Not all our prayers are answered as clearly as we would like. Some say faith changes things, usually, that thing is us.

We know that. We know now that the time we were most unhappy is the time when we began determining who we were and what we were about. The time we were certain we had messed our life up beyond recovery as the time we began to get our life under control. The fight with our best friend that ended up deepening our friendship. The problem is that growth often feels like dying. We know that, too.

Jesus looks for each of us, calls to the lost and lonely part of each of us, the part of us which is restless and unsettled. Follow me, he says. Our lives are stories of faith continually unfolding stories of those whom God loves, whom God feeds, whom God searches out if need be, whom God heals. In your sharpest pain and in your greatest joy, you are in God s care.

Discussion Questions

How do politicians’ solutions to our problems differ from Jesus’ solutions?
Why does God allow suffering?
Can you recall a time of deep pain which was also a time of personal or spiritual growth?

Activity Suggestions

Do something to encourage someone you know is having a tough time.
Ask an elder in you congregation or family how God helped them through a tough time.
Make a list of three things which will give meaning and purpose to your life. Talk about what you are doing now that reflects these values.

Closing Prayer

God, we don’t understand why innocent people suffer. We want to trust in you but it’s hard when our lives are spinning out of control. Give us patience and give us

February 19, 2017–Love Your Enemies

February 12, 2017–Love is Greater

February 5, 2017–Vision for the Future

January 29, 2017–Take the Stage

January 22, 2017–Hope for Healing