Seeking Authentic Voice

Our readings this morning in Isaiah and in the Gospel of Luke appear to be sounding a warning. Look out! The times they are a-changing! But let’s remember that these readings appear every three years and were not designated specifically for today as a response to this presidential election or the times we live in. We are not to read into them more than they are. They are the end of a three year cycle of Bible readings which all combined give us a portrait of what it means to be a people of God and how we are to live as a beloved community, the kingdom of God come near. . Isaiah is a prophet who lived about 2600 years ago. Isaiah lived during a time of great turmoil for the Hebrew people. The people were divided and cynical about their future. There was hardship and their lives were difficult. Into this state of despair, Isaiah reminds the people that God is with them. God will turn their heartache into grace, their challenges into new life. Isaiah prophesy’s “Before they call...

I was baptized when I was nine years old. I have vivid memories of the baptism because I was terrified as I was fully immersed three times in a deep pool of water, and relieved when I did not drown. But I have no memory of any preparation for that baptism. I don’t recall anyone talking to me that morning or the day before about the meaning of baptism and how it would impact my life. In the early church people spent two years preparing for baptism. Then, only adults were baptized and the two years were spent unlearning one way of understanding the world - particularly that the emperor was God - and replacing that worldview with an understanding of who Jesus was and the Christian understanding of God. Now, when I prepare a person for baptism, or meet with parents and Godparents of a child or infant who is to be baptized, I spend about an hour in conversation with them followed by a rehearsal.  Baptism is the beginning of one’s journey of faith. The first thing baptism do...

(I’m just an ordinary person who has grown weary. Although I don’t intend too, there are times when I do offend people. There are times when being “nice” doesn’t work. I am not going to shout or make a loud fuss. I’m just going to put my thoughts out “here” - truth spoke in whispers – gently, quietly, simply. Because I can’t keep quiet, the cost to my soul is too high). People on Facebook are talking about the Hulu show “Rev” about a Vicar in the Church of England.   I haven’t seen the show but I suspect what makes it good is how the Rev portrays a Rev. Admittedly, except for the Vicar of Dibley, I tend to cringe every time a “Christian” is portrayed on television or in a movie.   I know their lines before they are spoken. And they aren’t phrases I say as a member of the clergy. There is a readily recognizable set of characteristics, or stereotypes, that identify a Christian. Stereotyping offers a portrait of a group of people with characteristics that limit, di...