God's faithfulness - and ours

"The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; for he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers." (Psalm 24:1-2, RSV) Psalm 24 (our Psalm Lesson for July 15, 2012) has been a celebration of the creative genius, the redeeming grace, and the persistent, passionate presence of God for thousands of years. In good times, it has summoned generations of the faithful to celebration and renewed covenantal faithfulness; in difficult times, it has comforted other generations with the assurance that God is God, that God’s power and purpose is triumphant for us, in us, through us, and, sometimes, in spite of us. "Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully." (Psalm 24:3-4) “Clean hands and a pure heart” might suggest that some of us could qualify for the high privilege of worshiping God in God’s high, holy place. The Psalm is attributed to David, the great king of Israel anointed by God. Yet even the most casual reader of Scripture knows that David’s “hands and heart” were often unclean and impure (Consider again Bathsheba and Uriah – or the bloodthirsty slaughter of the Philistines after Goliath was slain.). Therefore, human qualifications cannot be the first or final measure of worthiness for the worship of God. God’s faithfulness must be the decisive measure of empowerment. "Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the King of glory may come in." (Psalm 24:7) Celebration is at the heart of the faithfulness which God makes possible: God has created. Yes! God is present. Amen! God lifts us up. Let God in!

Life and Change

How many Methodists does it take to change a light bulb? At least once a year, someone forwards an e-mail to me depicting how many Catholics, Methodists, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, Baptists, etc., are needed to change a light bulb. Many of you probably receive a similar e-mail. Methodists needed several committees (one for long-term planning, one to arrange the farewell potluck dinner, one to consider recycling possibilities), Episcopalians never changed the bulb – they remembered how much better the old one was. Catholics preferred candles. And, a Baptist shrieked, “Change?!?” Change can be easy. Consider Jesus’ calling of Simon (whom Jesus later renames Peter) and Andrew. In that moment, change occurred unhesitatingly: As he was walking along by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the lake – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men’. And at once they left their nets and followed him. (Mark 1:16-18, The Jerusalem Bible) Change can be hard. When Jesus begins to teach his disciples about the suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection he must face as God’s Messiah, Peter feels that he must remind Jesus of the Messianic expectations held by the Jews of his day. Peter loves Jesus, reveres Jesus – but Peter needs for Jesus to live up to his expectations, so he takes Jesus aside to correct him. Jesus’ response to Peter, his friend and the rock on which he will build the church, is painful and prophetic: ‘Get behind me, Satan! Because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’ (Mark 8:33, The Jerusalem Bible) Changes are coming: To St. Charles Church – eight of our “children” are preparing to become full members (adults?) of our congregation by receiving God’s gift of Confirmation; three of our members are actively considering their calling to ministry in and through The United Methodist Church; God is leading us into new expressions of ministry, even as we continue vital ministries of worship, education, fellowship, outreach, and service; To The United Methodist Church – Louisiana will receive a new Bishop on September 1; New Orleans will receive a new District Superintendent on July 1; our Annual Conference and the entire Church are actively considering how God is leading us in ministry in these times. Change is the most constant feature of God’s Creation. Indeed, one of the creeds we use claims, “We believe in God, who has created and is creating.” But will we be blessed to follow in God’s way and not be limited by our own thinking? Pray that we may face life and change in the Spirit of Christ. Pray!

For All the Saints

1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The first time I experienced “For All the Saints”, I felt the hymn before I heard it. The first note of the music is a deep bass note – more like a sonic “pulse” of the organ than simply music – and it resonated from the stone floor through my legs and torso into my heart, mind, and spirit. The Sanctuary came alive with sound – and the song we sang (one I had never heard before) has shaped my ministry ever since.

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Chuck’s faith, like Chuck’s life had always been understated. Profoundly real and active but quiet. He was not the “Captain”, but he clearly knew Him and followed Him.

6. O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

On All Saints’ Day, we remember not only the faith of those who have gone before us, but the remarkable truth: “All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.” On All Saints’ Day 2011, I traveled to Alabama to celebrate God’s gift of Zachary and the love shared by family and friends.

7. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

On All Saints’ Day, we ask God to bless us – “Thy Soldiers” – as we strive in the face of challenges to give evidence of the Kingdom “which the Father has prepared” for us.

8. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

It is hard to fully imagine the struggles which Zachary and his family faced -- but what a joy it is to sing with him “And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia!”

11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

[Grateful thanks to God and to former Anglican Bishop William Walsham How (1823-1897) for this amazing hymn text; and to Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) for a profoundly stirring hymn tune and arrangement.]