Faith Lens

Jay McDivitt, Waukesha, WI

Warm-up Question

What does “hope” mean to you? What makes you “hopeful”?

Hope in the Waiting

I’m looking for a “current event” to begin this week’s Faith Lens. I scroll through Google News. Wow. I think. This is a rough day in the life of the world.

On this day, the top stories are a plane crash that killed almost an entire Brazilian football (soccer) team. A fire is threatening to destroy Gatlinburg. Ohio State University is reeling from an attacker who wielded a car and a knife to injure 11 people before the police shot him dead.There’s also a bizarre story about a woman who stabbed her boyfriend after he let her drink her blood.

That’s today. Tomorrow’s newsfeed will probably look much the same (although hopefully with fewer “wannabe vampires”). Yesterday’s sure did. And here in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are getting shorter and shorter as the darkness grows.

I don’t know about you, but that makes me weary. I look for the good around me – and I find it, to be sure. I rejoice in my children’s giggles and listen to great music and connect with friends. But these days seem heavier than ever for some reason (many reasons), and it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by all the bad news. I could just turn it off – stop reading – and sometimes I do. Yet I believe it’s important to know what’s happening in the world, even if it’s often not very joyful.

Discussion Questions

How about you? Do you see/hear more good news or bad news these days? How much do you pay attention to “current events”?
What bad news have you heard lately? How does that make you feel?
What good news have you heard lately? How does that make you feel?

Third Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 35:1-10

James 5:7-10

Matthew 11:2-11

(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

John is in prison.

John had made a name for himself pointing the way to God’s brand new day, to the coming of the Messiah, to the dawn of the Kingdom. In the midst of a scary world of Roman oppression and uncertain futures, John had preached the people into a frenzy of hope: “God will fix this! God is coming soon!”

And the people listened. They flocked to him. When Jesus showed up, John pointed to him and said, “There he is! See – I told you!” And the people listened again.

But now, John is in prison. He will soon lose his head (literally).

This isn’t exactly what he and those who had listened to him were expecting. Is this what we’ve been waiting for? So they send a note to Jesus: “Are you…really…the One? Seriously? Or should we wait for another?”

And Jesus responds: “Look around. What do you see? Darkness, sure… but what else? Things are happening – good things, great things – the stuff God promised long ago. Keep your eyes open. Look around. Tell John what you see.”

Indeed, Jesus points them back to the reading from Isaiah. God’s promised future begins with healing and wholeness, lives being restored. Water in the desert. “Be strong! Do not fear!” This is happening. God is building a superhighway through the middle of the desert to bring you home.

But notice the image here: A highway in the desert. In my part of the country we often say we have two seasons – winter and road construction. Building a highway takes time. The day doesn’t start with the sun blazing in the top of the sky – it teases and hints its way over the horizon with lightening blue, a touch of pink, a slowly emerging glow of yellow.

And so it is with hope. Hope is a lot of waiting. But it is an active waiting. It’s not just sitting around, giving into despair or just closing our eyes and pretending everything is fine. It is an open-eyed searching in the darkness for the hints and signs of light and life. It is recognizing a life transformed, a relationship reconciled, a person being made whole.

In Spanish, the same word (esperar) means “to hope” and “to wait.” That’s what Advent is about: waiting in the darkness with eyes opened up to see the signs of hope. Look around: God is making good on God’s promises. And thanks be to God for that.

Discussion Questions

How do you wait for something good to happen? What do you do? What do you feel? What happens when it takes longer than you thought it would?
How do you think John felt in prison? What do you think he thought and felt when he heard Jesus’ response to his question? How would you respond?
Sometimes it’s easier to wait for something – or to stay hopeful – when you’re with other people who are also waiting and hoping with you. How can you help other folks be hopeful these days? How can other folks help you?

Activity Suggestions

Either give one large piece of paper (11X17) to each person, or roll out a large banner for everyone to work on together. Write “ESPERAR” in the middle of the page or banner. Using magazines/newspapers and scissors/glue, markers/crayons, etc., depict what it means to wait and hope at the same time. One approach (just a suggestion) could be to start on one side of the paper with signs of darkness/fear/etc., and then move across the page with signs of light and hope. Take time to share what you did and talk about what you’re thinking/feeling.

Closing Prayer

O God for whom we wait, help us to be patient as we wait for the hope you bring. Keep our eyes open to see the good things you are already doing. Strengthen us to be strong for others, and to ask others for help while we wait. Bring your light and healing into every corner of creation. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Stephanie Opsal, Farmington, NM

Warm-up Questions

Are you good at determining right from wrong (in your actions or in others’ actions)?
How do you make choices; what is your guide?

Prepare, Repent, and Bear Fruit

A psychological research study published in April of this year suggests that children, from a very young age, can recognize and respond to people exhibiting negative behaviors. An experiment commonly labeled “bribing babies with graham crackers” reveals evidence that children, ages 1-8 have a tendency to avoid interactions with persons exhibiting certain behaviors.

Children often show acceptance of another person by their willingness to receive gifts from them. In step one, children ages 5-8 were offered one sticker from one character and multiple stickers from a second character. They had to choose from which person they would accept gifts. Not surprisingly, the kids accepted stickers from the one offering more. Step two presented the same situation, except character one was a kind person and character two was a bully who hit kids at school. In this case, 80% of kids preferred to take one sticker from a nice person rather than 2-8 stickers from a mean person.

A similar activity involved one-year-old infants. With two equal puppet characters offering graham crackers, babies also accepted the one who was offering more of the snacks. However, when puppet #1 acted out, hurting a lamb stuffed animal, and puppet #2 helped a lamb stuffed animal, babies chose to receive fewer crackers from the good-hearted giver (puppet #2). This research suggests that people can recognize right moral actions from wrong ones and choose to deal with people who act kindly and justly, even if it means a personal cost of fewer gifts.

How do young kids know right from wrong? Have they learned already, or do they innately understand? God said he has “written the law on their hearts…while their conscience also bears witness…” (Jeremiah 31:33, Romans 2:15, Hebrews 10:16). As we see in the gospel reading, John the Baptist bears witness that God can see into immoral hearts, despite our efforts to hide our intentions.

Discussion Questions

What do you think of this research? Were you surprised to read this? (Full article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/04/25/the-disturbing-thing-you-learn-when-you-bribe-babies-with-graham-crackers/ )

The research also suggests that subjects will “do business” with the less attractive giver if the reward for doing so is particularly high (16 stickers). Does this suggest that everyone has a price? At what point are you willing to “deal with the devil?” What are your limits beyond which you will not go?
Have you ever interacted with a person or situation that simply did not feel right? Do you think this had to do with your inner sense of right v. wrong?
Do you avoid people with questionable character? Why? Do you think you should?

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

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

Gospel Reflection

In today’s passage, Jesus had not yet appeared on the scene at the Jordan River, but John the Baptist was busy preparing the people for His arrival. John lived a life very different from the culture. He ate locusts and wild honey in the desert and wore clothes of camel’s hair. More important, he lived humbly as a servant of God, while some religious leaders lived greedy, self-promoting lives. This stark contrast drew people to his message.

John’s message proved counter-cultural. He proclaimed the coming of the Lord and called leaders and common people alike to repent of their sins and be baptized. Many call him the first true prophet in 400 years. His focus on praising God alone and boldly speaking the truth caught people’s attention. He did not seek “followers of John” but rather people prepared to follow the coming Christ. John’s message challenged those who lived self-righteous lives which looked good but were rooted in wrong motivations. God desires that our obedience arise out of love for Him, rather than out of a desire to complete a checklist of superficially pious actions. John baptized people to signify a person’s public confession of sin and repentance, an outward sign of inner cleansing of the heart.

Unfortunately, not every people group who visited John wanted baptism for the right reasons. Some believed they were righteous without any need to change their attitudes. They did not see their imperfection and looked down on “sinners,” treating others poorly and acting to promote their own interests instead of God’s. John called them out, warning them that God has the power to save or destroy, and the way a person lives and acts reflects their inward beliefs about God.

We are called to live aware of our need for Jesus and to “produce good fruit,”(3:8) from the heart in response to all He has done for us. Verse 10 of Matthew 3 states: “…every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

The passage closes with a reminder than John’s baptism was to prepare people for Jesus’ coming. Soon, the true Lord Jesus would baptize them also with the Holy Spirit., giving His life for others.

Discussion Questions

Have you been baptized? What does baptism mean to you?
Do you practice what you preach? Do your actions show what you believe?
Why do you think John looked different than other religious leaders?
Lutheran have confessed that we are all simultaneously saint and sinner, always imperfect but ever beloved by God. How do you think John would have responded to that insight?

Activity Suggestions

Matthew 3 describes how John looked and ate. Use the Bible’s words to draw a picture of your interpretation of John the Baptist. Next to it, draw a picture of a pastor or religious leader as you would generally picture him or her. Compare pictures among yourselves and discuss why John may have looked and lived so differently from other priests or leaders.
Act out the story of Matthew 3, including roles of John (the Baptizer), a humble person who wants to repent and be baptized, an arrogant Pharisee, and a popular Sadducee. Add your own ad lib commentary and emotions.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, we praise you for showing evidence of your coming throughout the Bible and through people such as John the Baptist. Guide us to live lives that line up with your teaching and reflect our inner devotion to you and gratitude for all you have done for us. Thank you for coming to save us. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Scott A. Moore, Erfurt, Germany

Warm-up Question

What do you need to do in order to get ready for school (or a trip)?

Change is Coming

Once again we are in the weeks leading up to a transition of administrations. There are many situations a new, inexperienced White House staff will encounter in the weeks and months to come. Press releases, motorcades, and the State of the Union address are some of the easier ones. The President, Vice-President, and others in the White House need to be prepared for any and everything. The two last presidents had to deal with crises in their respective first years of office that no one could have known would happen. For President Bush, it was 9/11 just nine months after taking office and for President Obama, there was a Swine flu outbreak and Somali pirates.

Preparing for pirates was not on anyone’s agenda, but the Obama administration was able to respond to the flu outbreak because President Bush’s team had prepared them with their experiences learned from dealing with the Avian flu a few years earlier. Aside from such catastrophes and all the various natural disasters that can happen, each administration needs to be adequately prepared for major cataclysmic events such as nuclear war. This is also something the White House teams will practice in the coming months so that should anything happen, the President and his team will be able to continue to provide the necessary leadership.

Discussion Questions

What do you think is most difficult part about being the president in a time of crisis?
When is information from the White House in such times of crisis “too much”?
When have you looked to the leadership of someone in a time of crisis (president or otherwise)?
What would you want to know in the event of major cataclysm: meteor crashing to earth, terrible unstoppable plague, nuclear war, … zombie apocalypse?

First Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 2:1-5

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:36-44

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

Gospel Reflection

Happy New Church Year! The first Sunday in Advent (from Adventus=coming). It is a time of getting ready for the joy of Christmas. Longer and cooler nights for us in the Northern hemisphere mean a chance to get cozy and start thinking about the beautiful decorations, the sharing of good food and gifts, and what in the heck is this text doing here? Why on earth would we want spoil the mood before it really gets going with this? Jesus talking about all the destruction of the Great Flood is a serious downer. And, if Jesus thinks he will lift our spirits by sharing with us that the Son of Man coming again will take some and leave others standing, he is sorely mistaken. Okay, the hearers of this text have an advantage over those in the time of Noah. Whoosh, rain and floods and destruction were sent without any real warning. This time around there is a warning: be ready! The Son of Man is coming—like a thief in the night. Advent is a big yay for Jesus coming as a cute little baby, the big Word of God in a tiny bit of flesh; and it’s a big uh oh for Jesus coming again at some point in the future. We are on pins and needles if we think on it and sit with it.

So if we take Jesus’ promise in this text seriously, we need to be prepared. How do we do that? What does it mean for us to be awake and aware and ready for when Jesus comes? It has been about 2,000 years since these words of Jesus were shared. If it hasn’t happened now, should we really worry that it’s going to happen in our lifetimes? This text calls us to vigilance. It is exactly that kind of “it’s not going to happen anyway” thinking that this text wants to prevent. We can’t sleep—in the spiritual awareness kind of way. At the same time, we can’t get caught up in trying to predict the signs because this text (and others like it) tell us: like a thief in the night. We just don’t know. The angels in heaven don’t know. The Son doesn’t even know. We will never be able to predict it so we shouldn’t bother with that. Our energy is not to be spent on figuring out when Jesus is coming but figuring out how to be ready.

Discussion Questions

How do you get ready for Jesus’ coming? And, how do you stay ready?
What does it mean for you when you recite the words of the Creeds, “he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.”?
“Advent” means coming. How do you experience God coming each day?

Activity Suggestions

Fire Drill:

Walk through the fire drill plan for your location. Maybe even walk through to the other classrooms and ask them if they know their fire escape routes. Learning to be ready in every day situations can help raise awareness for the spiritual kind of readiness talked about in the Gospel reading for the day.

Closing Prayer

Reflect on the following poem and then join in the responsive prayer. How does this poem change how you see God coming and our preparation for that coming?

Making the House Ready for the Lord 

Dear Lord, I have swept and I have washed but

Still nothing is as shining as it should be

for you. Under the sink, for example, is an

uproar of mice—it is the season of their

many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves

and through the walls the squirrels

have gnawed their ragged entrances—but it is the season

when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And

the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard

while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow;

what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling

in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly

up the path, to the door. And still I believe you will

come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox

the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know

that really I am speaking to you whenever I say,

as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

–Mary Oliver–

Closing Prayer (from ELW Evening Prayer)

Leader: The Spirit and the church cry out:

All: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Leader: All those who await his appearance pray:

All: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Leader: The whole creation pleads:

All: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Danny Stone, Marion, IA

Warm-up Questions

What are some of the items that have been passed down in your family? Were there any hard feelings that followed the inheritance?

Inheritance

Rock legend Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) died from a fentanyl overdose on April 21, 2016 at his Minnesota home, Paisley Park. Fans were stunned that this star with a reputation for clean living was another victim of the opioid epidemic.

Prince had a near messianic following with his fans. Your parents grew up listening to “Purple Rain,” and the world celebrated the new millennium with “1999.” His performance during the 2007 Super Bowl was legendary. Prince even made the news the winter of 2016 when his new passport photo went viral. His gaze was past Blue Steel – it was epic. His cool expression, pouty lips, flawless makeup, and amazing hair were the quintessential Prince. No one can doubt he was rock royalty. (Have one of the kids look up this passport photo on their phone.)

Soon after his funeral and the investigation that uncovered the drug addiction, 35 people filed claims with the Minnesota probate court hoping to get a piece of Prince’s $300,000,000 estate. Prince was married and divorced twice and had an infant child who died soon after birth. Unfortunately, Prince did not have a will which could have illuminated his wishes. In July, nineteen claims were dismissed. One spurred claimant purported that she and Prince were married in a secret CIA ceremony. Remaining heirs include four paternal half-siblings, two maternal half-siblings, a niece and grandniece.

Prince’s family has turned Paisley Park into a Graceland-style attraction. Fans can pay to see the inner sanctum where he recorded, held invitation only concerts and kept his collections of outfits and instruments. As with Michael Jackson, Tupac, and Elvis, his heirs can make money for generations from unreleased studio recordings and selling memorabilia.

Discussion Questions

What do you know about Prince? Have you ever listened to his music or seen Purple Rain?
Why do you think that the ordinary and salacious deaths of rock stars make the headlines?
Have members of your family talked about having a will? What are their plans? Who gets what?
Many communities are struggling with the opioid epidemic (heroine, morphine, codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet). How has your family, congregation, school and community been affected?

Christ the King Sunday

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Colossians 1:11-20

Luke 23:33-43

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

Gospel Reflection

We know this story well – it’s the crucifixion of Jesus — one of the corner stones of our Christian faith. “Christ has died, Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” Jesus was proclaimed “King of the Jews” by the snarky Roman soldiers as they gambled over his meager possessions. However, we understand the rich irony. Jesus is truly the King. He is the king of love, forgiveness, hope, and the true Son of God.

Crucified between two criminals is far from a regal end. Jesus owned only the clothes on his back. He was not rich and had seen his trusted disciples scatter in fear. In his final minutes, one of the criminals dying next to him uttered mocking taunts. When you think of the death of a king, many imagine a gray-bearded monarch peacefully passing in bed. Family and trusted aids would gather to hear the final words and the king would pass. As children of the Christmas story, we should not be surprised that the king born in a manger would be the king dying on the cross. Jesus life was focused on this moment. He was born to live as us, to walk as us, and to die as the most cursed of us. He was born to die on the cross to save us from sin and death.

The “other” criminal defends Jesus. The promise of Verse 8, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” is not just for the criminal. It is a promise – a gift – for all of us. Jesus is the king of love, forgiveness, hope and the true Son of God. We are all welcomed into paradise.

Discussion Questions

Our actions and the stuff we pass along are our legacy. What do you think Jesus wanted his legacy to be? What do you think he wanted to be remembered for?
How did Jesus prepare his disciples for his death? What are some specific Gospel stories?
How have people in your family, faith community and community prepared for their death?

Activity Suggestions

Review the obituaries of church members who were honored on All Saints Sunday. What can we learn from their lives? What were their legacies?
Brainstorm a list of places where families can seek assistance in coping with addiction. Who are the go-to people in your community? Trusted school counselor? Pastors? Youth workers?
Invite a trusted member of your congregation to share their 12-step story.

Closing Prayer

Dear God, our blessed parent, you sent your son to be our King of love, forgiveness, and hope. Through Jesus, we are freed from sin and death. Please, help your children who struggle with the loss of loved ones and crippling power of addiction. Hold us in your merciful hands and help us the reach out those in need. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Bill King, Blacksburg, VA

Warm-up Question

Where do you get your information each day? How do you decide whether something you read or hear is true?

Echo Chamber

A recent cover story in the The Atlantic, entitled “How Social Media Got Weaponized,” explores how terrorist groups exploit social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to spread misinformation, recruit volunteers, and conduct a public relations campaign throughout the world. The task of such groups is made easier by the fact that we are remarkably resistant to testing the truth of what we read.

One study found that “the likelihood of someone believing and sharing a story was determined by its coherence with their prior beliefs and the number of their friends who had already shared it—not any inherent quality of the story itself.” In other words we are much more likely to believe things which reinforce our biases and reflect the views of our peers than to allow new information to challenge our beliefs.

This fact is even more troubling when you consider that most of us seek out information from a limited number of sources which tend to support our beliefs. Not only do we resist believing challenging information, we resist even hearing it. Some have said this results in the “echo chamber effect;” our pre-existing beliefs reinforce themselves, echoing in our heads until all we hear is what we have spoken into the chamber.

Discussion Questions

It is common knowledge that the algorithms used by companies such as Google and Facebook give us ads and unsolicited news feeds which reflect choices we have previously made online. How aware of these practices are you when you use social media? How do you think they influence your beliefs and buying habits?
When was the last time you went out of your way to read something which you knew would challenge your beliefs? Think about how you felt as you were reading; did you become angry, confused, energized, or more empathetic? Did it change you in any way?
How do we break out of the echo chamber?

Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Malachi 4:1-2a

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Luke 21:5-19

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

Gospel Reflection

Scholars debate the degree to which this week’s gospel lesson reflects the church’s expectation of an imminent second coming and the degree to which it is trying to offer consolation following the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, an event which ushered in massive social, religious, and political upheaval. The text probably reflects both purposes.

One thing is clear. We are not the first to live in times of anxiety and transition. We are not the first to think our world is about to be turned upside down by political forces or personal tragedy. Nor are we the first to deal with the temptation to obsess about “what might happen.” Jesus speaks of war, insurrection, conflict, famines, plagues, and what some take to be portents of a dire future—in short, the stuff of our daily headlines or news feed.

With all of this upheaval, Jesus says, you can expect persecution. In times of crisis and change people get scared—and when they get scared they look for scapegoats. It is not easy to be the follower of the Prince of Peace when the social climate clamors for law and order. It is hard to trust God when it feels like the wheels of society are coming off.

But that is exactly what Jesus invites us to do. “You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.” This is no glib promise that we will be bullet proof in the face of all adversity, but a promise that whether the fear that haunts us is a cyber-troll or what might happen following an election God will sustain us, if we dare to follow in the way of Jesus.

Our world invites us into echo chambers of fear. We get stuck in narratives of anxiety, repeating dire predictions of doom to ourselves until they become “truth.” Jesus invites us to hear another word. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)

Discussion Questions

What is one thing you depend on to give your life stability?
What is your greatest fear? What can you do to waste less time in pointless fretting?
It is an undeniable fact that many Christians have suffered physical harm because of their faithfulness. So how do we make sense of the promise, “…not a hair on your head will perish”?

Activity Suggestions

Martin Luther is reputed to have said, “If I knew that tomorrow was the end of the world, I would plant an apple tree today!” Church Historian Scott Hendrix has said, “”This statement has not been found in his writings. Scholars believe it originated in the German Confessing Church, which used it to inspire hope and perseverance during its opposition to the Nazi dictatorship.”

Authentic to Luther or not, the saying speaks of acting in hope. Discuss with your group an action which you might take together to demonstrate confidence in God’s care in times when we are tempted to become fearful and despairing.

Closing Prayer

Faithful God, who brought all things into being, pushing back the chaos and establishing life on this planet, grant that we may trust to your ongoing care for your creation. When the foundations of our world shake, give us both the courage to speak your name in hope and the peace to rest in your abiding love. Amen.

December 11, 2016–Hope in the Waiting

December 4, 2016–Prepare, Repent, and Bear Fruit

November 27, 2016–Change is Coming

November 20, 2016–Inheritance

November 13, 2016–Echo Chamber