One with authority

Mark 1:21-28

My turn to preach this week. I'm just getting a start on my sermon for Sunday, and have been thinking about different kinds of authority - authority that comes from a position or office that is held, and authority that is earned.

Mark writes that Jesus spoke in the synagogue as one who had authority, and that all who listened were amazed at his teaching. I like to imagine the kind of person Jesus must have been to command authority so quickly and easily. He was obviously commissioned by God, which definitely helped, but he also must have exuded authenticity and integrity.

I also wonder what kind of authority Jesus holds today. Personally, and societally (my computer tells me that is not a word, but I assume you know what I mean). Any thoughts?

I'll leave you with part of a prayer taken from revgalblogpals.blogspot.com/

O God,

we puff ourselves up with accumulated knowledge,

but without love for you we have no wisdom.

We take advantage of the liberty you give us through grace,

and become bad examples to our sisters and brothers.

We alternate between fear of your authority

and denial of your authority.

We dread to face our demons,

and we are faithless in the presence of your power over them.

Save us, Lord, from the sins we know,

save us, Lord, from the sins we hide...

Wendy Janzen

Follow Me (Mark 1:14-20

"What a short passage to try to write a whole sermon on. Is that all I have to work with?" That's what I told Wendy on Tuesday after reading the passage given to me to preach this Sunday. It really is a bare-bones passage. Jesus simply sees two sets of brothers - first Simon (Peter) and Andrew and then James and John. Each time he says "Follow me" and they immediately drop their nets and follow. No dialogue, no conversation, no inner stuggling, no questions of Jesus. They just follow. Can it really be that simple? especially after Curt's sermon last week on scepticism and doubt coming out of the calling of Nathanael.

Maybe that is why we need to look at all the passages where Jesus calls his disicples -there is quite a range of how this happens. At the same time, what can we learn from this particular passage and its brief but powerful example of following Jesus immediately. Part of it is the style of gospel writer Mark -he likes action and moving the story forward, all to support what is really important - discipleship and the Kingdom of God coming near. But this passage has made me also ask how these fishers were able to simply drop everything and follow Jesus. It's made we reflect on how I make decisions in general, and how I respond to Jesus and God. What risks do I take? How willingly do I just take the jump and follow God's calling?

How does this story speak to you? I would be curious.

Being a Faithful Church - II Timothy 3:14-17

This past Sunday (January 8) we began a two-session process of discussion on our use of scripture at SJMC. Mennonite Church Canada has requested feedback on this as phase one of its "Being a Faithful Church" process on matters of human sexuality. If you weren't able to pick up a copy of the background materials MC Canada has published on this, you can download them here:
http://www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1643 (the feedback tool we are using)
www.mennonitechurch.ca/tiny/1516 ("Being a Faithful Church" 1-3)

We had a pretty good start to these feedback sessions, and it's clear we have lots to talk about. Our experiences with the Bible have been mixed, and it's clear that our approach to the Bible has changed over the past decades. As usual, we ran out of time to get to everything, so here's an opportunity to do some work at home.

Since we're thinking about scripture and how we use it, it makes sense to engage scripture itself as we go. Perhaps the best-known biblical passage in relation to the purpose and function of scripture itself is II Timothy 3:14-17:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

A few things to take note of:

1. When this passage was written, there was not yet a "New Testament" to the Bible. The scriptures it refers to are the Old Testament Hebrew scriptures. Even though it's written before Jesus was born, these sacred writings are still able to "instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus"!

2. Timothy is commended for having known the sacred writings from childhood. Our engagement with scripture needs to begin early.

3. What does it mean that all scripture is "inspired by God?"

4. The passage mentions various intentions or purposes for the good use of scripture:
a) instruction (towards salvation through faith in Jesus Christ)
b) teaching
c) rebuking
d) correcting
e) training for righteousness and justice
f) equipping and making us proficient in Christian good works
This suggests that any interpretation of scripture that doesn't do these things, or that cultivates the opposite, is not a good interpretation of scripture

5. Does this description of scripture resonate with our experiences at SJMC? Are there things here we're uncomfortable with, or things we're surprised not to find?

6. Does this passage provide any insights to how or why we use scripture the way we do?

We'll take a few minutes at the beginning of this week's session to hear any responses that come out of this passage. Otherwise, we'll aim on Sunday to reflect more directly on our use of scripture in the context of congregational discernment and decision-making.

The Song of Christmas

We're into the final Christmas countdown - only 4 days left until Christmas! Our services at SJMC this weekend will have us reflect on the songs of Christmas. Not our usual Christmas carols, but the songs of the characters in Luke's gospel as they confront the mystery and wonder of God's promised child. On Christmas Eve we'll listen to Mary's song of praise to God as she feels the bumps and kicks of God's life stretching within her. On Christmas Day we'll encounter an old man named Simeon at the Temple where the baby Jesus is being dedicated. He recognizes Jesus as the promised child of God's salvation, and sings his own song of promises fulfilled.

Both Mary and Simeon, however, sing songs with a sharp edge. The birth of Jesus is a time for joy, for praise, for thanksgiving and for wonder at the miracle of God. But they both know that this child will also pierce their lives and their world in ways that will bring heartache and difficult choices. Mary sings about the pround being scattered, and the powerful brought down. She sings of the hungry being filled and the rich being sent away. Simeon says something similar - I find these words both haunting and thrilling: "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed." To Mary herself he says: "and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

The good news born on Christmas Day may be painful to embrace. It may tear us from what we know and what we love, causing as many to stumble as to be raised up. We cannot celebrate the birth of this child without embracing also the cross that awaits not far down the road. The song of Christmas joy in the coming of the long-awaited Messiah has teeth. The longing is serious, and so is it's fulfillment. For something really has happened in the birth of Jesus. All of creation turns to look, and will never be the same. Praise God, for this child is the Lion of Judah and the Lamb that was Slain. King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace and the Bread of Life. The Mighty One has done great things for us, and Holy is his name.

Detectives of Divinity

The children in Sunday school have been encouraged to be "detectives of divinity" as we prepare for our Christmas program this coming Sunday. We are looking for clues or glimpses of God - some tiny, some big - of God's presence and activity in the world.

Here is a glimpse of God straight from South Africa, written by Karen Suderman:


"The mother walking ahead of us looked tired and slightly frazzled, as almost any mother of three would look by the end of the day. I can imagine this was their last stop before going home for the evening. Pick n' Pay, the local grocery store, is the last stop for many on their way home from a busy day. Gathering and herding her children along, her blond hair blowing in the breeze of incoming rain, the mother was working at making this a quick stop.


Coming in the opposite direction, having completed her shopping, was another mother of three. She too looked tired, eager to get home. However, she had encountered a problem. The grocery cart was stuck on a lip of the concrete. Her young daughter pulled with all her might on the front of the cart, her brow furrowed with strain. The mother pushed from the other side of the cart, but to no avail. It was stuck. 


The first mother moved towards the cart and helped the young girl lift it over the lip. It was a simple act. Almost insignificant. But the look of gratitude from the second mother indicated that it was anything but small. 


I love to see moments like this - people reaching out and lending a hand to each other. This incident in the context of South Africa was also significant. It was a white woman who helped a black woman. 


It is wonderful to see these small acts of compassion here. In a country that has such a brutal history of division and oppression along racial lines, it is wonderful to see how people are reaching out in small ways to begin to change that."

And a couple of photos from Karen in South Africa too:

Mpophomeni, South Africa

Zulu homestead, South Africa

Thank you, Karen!

Wishing all of you a wonderful second week of Advent!

Repentance: Turning Towards God's Embrace

So what comes to mind when you think of the word "Repentance?" I tend to think about change away from sin or 'being bad' or 'doing something wrong' in some way. It can be a harsh term. There might be punniment attached to it or consequences that bear out in your life from what you have repented of.

Repentance is a word very much a part of this week's Lectionary passages for Advent II. John the Baptist comes to prepare the way for Jesus and preaches a repentance for forgiveness of sins (and many are baptized, confessing their sins). And yet he is quoting Isaiah 40 which puts those same words of 'prepare the way of the Lord' in the context of 'comfort, O comfort my people.' After reading all the passages, I was left with a different view of repentance. (I think this was my unexpected surprise this week) It seemed to be more about turning towards something, rather than away from something. The turning is towards God, towards the light, towards forgiveness, towards God's promises, towards a new heaven and earth... or as Alisha Martin (worship leader) and I decided to entitle the service this week "Repentance: Turning Towards God's Embrace" I am curious how this thought or idea will play out as we work on the service. What have been your experiences of repentance?

I decided to put excerpts from the 4 Lectionary texts into a reader's theatre that will be used this Sunday for the Scripture reading, so this may be easier than looking up all the texts (format comes out a little funny here):

Psalm 85:1-2; 8-13; Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8; 2 Peter 3:8-15 (excerpts)

All: The beginning of the good news* of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.*
Voice 1: As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,*
Voice 3: ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,*
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Voice 2 and 4: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” ’,
Voice 1: John the baptizer appeared* in the wilderness, proclaiming a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Voice 3: And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Voice 2: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God.
Voice 4: Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Voice 1: Lord, you were favourable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
Voice 3: You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
Voice 4: Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.*
Voice 2: Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Voice 3: The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,* not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
Voice 1: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.
Voice 2: But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.
Voice 4: Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Voice 1: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
Voice 2: righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Voice 3: Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
Voice 4: and righteousness will look down from the sky.
Voice 2: The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Voice 4: Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps
Voice 3: He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
Voice 1: I have baptized you with* water; but he will baptize you with* the Holy Spirit.’

Learning to pay attention

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent! Yes, already! I look out my window at the sunshine and green grass and it just doesn't seem like the end of November already. It doesn't look like what I expect it to look like to get me in the Christmas spirit.

That's the whole point of this year's Advent series. God works in ways we do not expect. The introduction to this series says: "God enters our world in many ways--some large and dramatic, others (maybe most) small and subtle... God's presence is disruptive and surprising, never safe or predictable."

Not too long ago, I thought I had pretty much killed a plant in my office from neglect. I was about to throw it out, when I noticed a shoot coming up from the roots. It immediately reminded me of the quote 'a shoot shall come up from the stump of Jesse...', from a popular advent text from Isaiah 11:1. It's for me a small reminder of God's in-breaking into our world.

As you prepare for Advent, be alert for God's in-breaking.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Isaiah 64:1-9

Mark 13:24-37