{"id":9112,"date":"2022-04-12T07:49:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T12:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=9112"},"modified":"2022-04-11T14:38:24","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T19:38:24","slug":"april-17-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/april-17-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"April 17, 2022&#8211;Lessons from a Crooked Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><b>Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC<\/b><\/h4>\n<h4><b>Warm-up Question<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>How many times have you heard the Easter story?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What is happening in your life this day which makes it possible for you to hear the story as if for the very first time?<\/p>\n<h4>Lessons from a Crooked Tree<\/h4>\n<p>In my part of the world, dogwood trees bloom at Easter.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>My Sunday Church School teachers told an old Christian legend to explain why:<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-9129 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903-525x350.jpg 525w, https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/04\/iStock-145917903.jpg 1255w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cSee those four petals?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>How they form a cross?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Notice that there is a mark of shame at the tip of each pedal. The lumber used to build the cross on which Jesus was hung was from a dogwood tree.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Now in Jesus\u2019 day, dogwoods were tall and straight and strong.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The dogwood was embarrassed to be used in this way, so it shriveled itself into a small tree with a twisting trunk.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Never again could it be used to kill one of God\u2019s children.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The dogwood\u2019s petals not only form a cross, but they have dark marks on the ends as reminders of Jesus\u2019 wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In my part of the world, dogwood trees are among the first indicators that new life is happening.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They assure us that the death associated with the winter has been pushed aside.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Their blooms brighten our yards and our lives, reminding us that nothing will stand in the way of God\u2019s goodness and promise of new life.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>That crooked tree is a powerful witness to the Easter promise of hope beyond despair.<\/p>\n<p>Singer and song-writer Molly Tuttle recently came to my town.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>She has a song which reminds me of the strength, beauty, and power of a small and twisted trunk.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Her music video, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=9zIlaJ-RroQ\">Crooked Tree<\/a>,\u201d is posted on YouTube.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The lyrics celebrate what we too often consider of lesser value.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Lumber mills demand tall, straight trees and turn them into profit, Tuttle celebrates crooked trees (and people) who \u201cwon\u2019t fit into the mill machine.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In the lyrics one finds a reminder that the Easter message lifts up those of low degree and champions those who embrace their God-given individuality.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In my part of the world, dogwood trees bloom at Easter.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And they encourage each of us to bloom, too.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>They teach us that what others may value is not always what God values.<\/p>\n<h4><b>Discussion Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>No tree grows perfectly straight.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Can you figure out some of the reasons why?<\/li>\n<li>Some think the world is less than what God intends when force everyone into the same mold. \u00a0Do you agree?<\/li>\n<li>Name some of the \u201creally different\u201d personalities who have helped you \u00a0or simply brought deep joy into your life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Resurrection of Our Lord<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=516177618\">Acts 10:34-43<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=516177648\">1 Corinthians 15:19-26<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=516177681\">Luke 24:1-12 <\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/?ql=516177721\">John 20:1-18<\/a> \u00a0(Alternate)<\/p>\n<p>(Text links are to <a href=\"http:\/\/bible.oremus.org\/\">Oremus Bible Browser<\/a>. 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 C at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.elca.org\/Our-Work\/Congregations-and-Synods\/Worship\/Lectionary\/YearC\">Lectionary Readings<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<p>For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic <a href=\"http:\/\/www.agnusday.org\/\">Agnus Day.<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><b>Gospel Reflection<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>For a desolate and haunting place, Jesus\u2019 gravesite sure attracted lot of people.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Many of our congregations will read from Luke on Easter; others will read from John.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Matthew and Mark also recount the events of Easter morning.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In each, there are a lot of folks present. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In Luke some characters are waiting when the visitors arrive.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We often call them \u201cangels,\u201d but that is not what the Bible says.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Its designation is \u201cmen.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Yet there is something different about these \u201ctwo men.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Verse 11 states the obvious \u2013 the Easter story seems \u00a0to be an \u201cidle tale.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps the writers of the Gospels included as many eyewitnesses as possible in order to overcome the tendency to dismiss those telling this improbable story.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>When others<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>bear witness to the something I want you to accept, it becomes more believable.<\/p>\n<p>Another line of note is verse 8;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen they remembered.\u201d<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus had tried to tell them what was going to happen, but words don\u2019t have the power of experience.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What experiences have you had since, you last heard the Easter story, which make it possible for you to hear and remember what God is doing in your life?<\/p>\n<p>The earlier references to dogwoods and crooked trees in this Faith Lens lift up another aspect of the story.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The events of Easter do not erase our individuality.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Each of the Easter morning characters are, well, characters.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Peter confessed Jesus as Lord and then immediately argued with Jesus over how best to save the world.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Mary Magdalene had been the host of seven demons.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Characters each.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And they are our witnesses to the Easter events.<\/p>\n<p>Too often we see the story of Jesus as one which tries to make us into perfect replicas of something we are not.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The Easter story bursts forth with reminders that it is the unique and distinctive traits of person each which give these events their eternal significance.<\/p>\n<p>By His death and resurrection Jesus destroys the \u00a0death of failing \u00a0to experience the beauty and the blessings of our uniqueness.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0Your particular voice is beautiful and needed. \u00a0Use it and bear witness to the wonder of Easter.<\/p>\n<h4><b>Discussion Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Among the characters present on that first Easter morning, which tends to make it most likely that you will accept the things described?<\/li>\n<li>Make a list of the ways in which the life of Mary Magdalene differed from that of Peter.\u00a0 What stands out?\u00a0 What impact might their life experiences have on their seeing an empty tomb?<\/li>\n<li>The Church teaches that eternal life \u00a0has already begun, that it is more than something which happens after death? \u00a0How is eternal life is linked to the sacrament of Holy Baptism.<\/li>\n<li>What religious, political, or social pressures make it hard for you to stand firm in your individuality?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Activity Suggestions<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a good, long look at some trees.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ask a few questions about what makes a tree grow the way it does.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps invite an arborist (tree specialist) to talk to you about the unique characteristics of different trees (like why we use oak for furniture but tend to use pine for building walls).<\/li>\n<li>From a distance, soak up the beauty of a bunch of flowers.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe your congregation has dozens of Easter Lilies around the altar.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Now, look more closely at one individual flower.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Compare it to an adjacent flower.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>How are the similar?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What makes them different?<\/li>\n<li>Ask your teacher or pastor why there are four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Ask what makes each of these different from the others; what is it that each gives us that would be missing if we only had three?<\/li>\n<li>In anticipation of Pentecost Sunday, identify those who are least likely to know that the Easter story is intended for all.\u00a0 Speak with those persons and share how\u00a0the events which lie at the center of the Jesus&#8217; community affirm\u00a0our uniqueness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b>Closing Prayer<\/b><\/h4>\n<p>Merciful God, it was upon a tree that you were hung and left to die.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We confess our complicity in that horrible mistreatment of your truth and your promise.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Deepen our awareness of the endless ways in which your resurrection sets us free and sets us on a new path.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Amen.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC Warm-up Question How many times have you heard the Easter story?\u00a0 What is happening in your life this day which makes it possible for you to hear the story as if for the very first time? Lessons from a Crooked Tree In my part of the world, dogwood trees bloom at [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1400],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-post"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>April 17, 2022-Lessons from a Crooked Tree - Faith Lens<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/april-17-2022\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"April 17, 2022-Lessons from a Crooked Tree - Faith Lens\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC Warm-up Question How many times have you heard the Easter story?\u00a0 What is happening in your life this day which makes it possible for you to hear the story as if for the very first time? 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