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The Power in a Name - March 26, 2017

3/26/2017

"Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, Philippians 2:9"
Listen: Alvin Slaughter, "Power in the Name of Jesus"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KmPtxizDfA

This week we attended a bible study on the names and title of Jesus. There are easily over 100 different names and titles for Jesus. Why so many?

Think back on your own naming. Most of us have been named after someone esteemed, admired, loved in our family or by our parents. Or our names reflect a quality that is desired -- or a creative combination denoting success, love or a auspicious future. Great thought is given to names, because they symbolize who we are, and carry us through our lives. In the Bible, names are taken very seriously; they convey power and blessing. In some cultures, a person's real name is kept secret, only disclosed to an few intimate people -- a "use" name is given for everyday conversation. Thus is the power of naming. It is not surprising that the Second Commandment tells us "Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain," and Jesus teaches us to pray, "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." One of the first gifts God gave humankind was the power to name animals -- and have dominion over the earth.

My name is Moira because my grandmother loved the ballet dancer/actress Moira Shearer, and particularly the movie, "The Red Shoes." So she picked out the name for her only granddaughter. In turn, when I was at a significant change in my life, I changed my surname to "Ahearne," my grandmother's birth name, to honor her and reclaim her loving presence in my life. This kind of renaming happens, especially in cultures that mark lifechanges. Even in the Bible, God renames Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah. Saul is renamed Paul. Simon is renamed Peter to name a few.

Jesus has many names because he meant so many things to different people. There is no way to capture who he is and what he does for us. But if we explore the names and titles given through the ages, we get a sense of connection to Jesus, his glory, mercy and power, and to our ancestors in faith.

Also important to remember is that scripture promises that we will receive a new name (Rev. 2:17) that "no one understands but the one who receives it." All the names and titles we have accumulated through life will pale in light of the name God gives us. God calls us by name -- a new name that has nothing to do with who we were, what we did, what we think of ourselves -- but a name based on God's love and vision for our life.

This week in Lent, look at this brief list of names and titles for Jesus. Which ones speak to you -- and why?
What name do you have for God?
What is God's name for you?

Chief Cornerstone:(Ephesians 2:20)
Firstborn over all creation:(Colossians 1:15)
Head of the Church:(Ephesians 1:22;4:15;5:23)
Holy One:(Acts 3:14;Psalm 16:10)
Judge:(Acts 10:42;2 Timothy 4:8)
King of kings and Lord of lords:(1 Timothy 6:15;Revelation 19:16)
Light of the World:(John 8:12)
Prince of peace:(Isaiah 9:6)
Son of God:(Luke 1:35;John 1:49)
Son of man:(John 5:27)
Word made Flesh:(John 1:1;1 John 5:7-8)
Word of Life:(1 John 1:1).
Alpha and Omega:(Revelation 1:8;22:13)
Emmanuel:(Isaiah 9:6;Matthew 1:23) – Literally “God with us.”
I Am:(John 8:58, withExodus 3:14)
Author and Perfecter of our Faith:(Hebrews 12:2) – (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Bread of Life:(John 6:35;6:48)
Bridegroom:(Matthew 9:15)
Deliverer:(Romans 11:26)
Good Shepherd:(John 10:11,14)
High Priest:(Hebrews 2:17)
Lamb of God:(John 1:29)
Mediator:(1 Timothy 2:5)
Rock:(1 Corinthians 10:4)
Resurrection and Life:(John 11:25)
Savior:(Matthew 1:21;Luke 2:11)
True Vine:(John 15:1)
Way, Truth, Life:(John 14:6)

Pray:  "Name beyond all Names, this Lent, reveal to me my true name, my true identity that you have selected for me."

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Pierced by Love -- March 19, 2017

3/19/2017

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"..and a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:35

LISTEN: CeeLo Green, "Mary, Did You Know?"
"http://www.uptv.com/blog/uplifting-video-mary-did-you-know-music-video

Some time ago, we saw the movie, "Son of God." As a mother, I was again disappointed at the portrayal of Mary, the mother of Jesus. I have rarely seen Mary depicted as I would like to see -- As a real mother, breaking down, crying, wailing, as she sees her son tortured, mocked and crucified. There may be theological reasons for depicting Mary this way -- that she knew her son's destiny -- some believe she was preserved from sin ("the Immaculate Conception") -- it just doesn't sit right with me! I don't know a mother -- or anyone who loves deeply -- who would not be deeply affected and react strongly to the suffering of a loved one. Being holy doesn't mean to be without feeling in the face of great injustice and suffering.

It is true that the scriptures don't tell us of Mary's emotions that last day -- we know of little of her emotional reactions throughout her life -- perhaps the strongest noted was the visit to the temple when Jesus was 12, his parents left without him, returned to Jerusalem where they found him in the temple. Mary told Jesus that they had been anxiously searching him (Luke 2:42-50). Like normal parents, they were very worried and anxious. We just know Mary was there at the foot of the cross, with her sister Mary (wife of Cleopas) and Mary Magdalene (John 19:25) with the disciple Jesus loved (John 19:26). This conveys her steadfast love for Jesus to the end. The scriptures are silent to Mary's emotional reactions -- instead focusing our attention on Jesus -- his last words and actions. Jesus commanded his beloved disciple to care for his mother as his own -- a powerful statement of love-- so his mother would have someone caring for her after his death and into the future.

As a mother, I can't imagine the horror of the day, how I would feel and respond. I know I would not be stoic and dignified -- as many have depicted Mary. Everyone has their own way of dealing with trauma and grief. Although the scriptures don't give us an insight into Mary's reactions, they story invites us in to respond and react with all our humanity. The degree of reaction is not as important as the emotional connection we establish.

Our reactions are important to ponder as we read scripture and listen to gospel stories in Lent and Holy Week. Our reactions invite us into the teachings, the suffering of Jesus and his love for us. This is a love that should pierce our hearts like a sword, as Mary's heart was pierced. Why? C.S.Lewis, in his book, "The Four Loves," puts it this way:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”Our Lenten journey is about awakening the power and connections to love. When we truly love we make sacrifices. We often suffer. We worry for our parents, our friends, our children.
This is the Love Jesus has for us: he is the Good Shepherd searching for us, the Bread from Heaven to appease our hungers, The Good Samaritan who binds our wounds and cares for us; just as Jesus humbly washes our feet as servant -Teacher/Master. May these stories pierce our souls and awaken us to love.

Let us use all our intellect, imagination and our own emotions to draw closer to Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem as he prepares to meet his fate, out of love for humankind.

When has your heart been pierced by love -- in its joys and sorrows?

Pray: "Jesus, make me vulnerable to love. As you journey to Jerusalem and the cross, may I walk faithfully, lovingly with you."

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Remember -- March 12, 2017

3/12/2017

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"Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. "Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands… (Isaiah 49:15-16)”

Listen:  Mark Schultz, "Remember Me"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8RWI3y1Npk

Recently during a routine medical exam, the doctor asked me to remember three words. She forewarned me she would ask me again later in the exam. No problem, I thought. However when she asked me to recall the three words, I only remembered one. I was shocked. I'm now on "luminosity," the brain game website to strengthen mental function.

There are a lot of reasons we forget. We age. We get overwhelmed. We experience psychological trauma - or embarrassment. Some of us are just better at remembering data, faces, names.

Remembering is also a spiritual habit. Throughout the scriptures the people of Israel are asked to remember what God has done for them -- delivering them from slavery and leading them into a covenant relationship of love and right living. (Deut. 5:15 ; 15:15 ;  16:3  16:12 ; 24:18 ; 7:18 ;  8:2;  8:18 ; 9:7; Ezek 16:22  ; 20:43 ; 36:31; Isa/ 63”11-14, 46:8; Psa. 106:7; 42: 6-7;119:55: Jer.20:9 ). Remembering is connected to right living.

God remembers us too. Even when humankind forgets righteousness and justice, God never forgets us. The only time God forgets is when we are forgiven. God no longer "remembers" our sins.

Just as God asked the people to remember their delivery from slavery, Jesus asks us to remember him in the breaking of the bread and drinking of the cup -- at the Lord's Supper. We are called to remember his sacrifice of love, the creation of community and to live as neighbors. When the "good thief" on the cross asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom, Jesus responded that (Luke 23) "today you will be with me in paradise." Remembering for Jesus was not a brain game. For Jesus, remembering brings us to our senses, to a place of reconciliation so that we recall who we are and whose we are.

We forget who we are. We think we are the sum of our successes or mistakes. We think we are alone, and disconnected from the needs and cares of others. We forget. We are children of God, called to live and act like children of God, loved and loving, redeemed and forgiven/forgiving.

This Lent every day, remember who you are. Do a Lenten brain game. Read a scripture. Remember God. Remember the God who loves you, who loves all of creation. Remember God's words through Isaiah: "I will not forget you. I have carved you on the palm of my hands."
If we remember, we can re-member our lives, acting in love and forgiveness.

What have you forgotten about your spiritual life?
What do you remember today?

Pray: "Help to to remember who you created me to me. Help me to act as a remembered child of God"

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Remember you are dust....March 5, 2017

3/5/2017

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"And the LORD God formed the human one out of the dust of the ground and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life, and the human one became a living soul. Gen. 2:7"

Listen: Gungor, Beautiful Things, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is6weMrenls

"Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return." With these words we are marked with ash and begin our Lenten journey. Ashes are a sign of our mortality as well as a sign of repentance. We are called to spend the next six weeks in prayer and reflection, good works, and alms-giving so that we can stand with Jesus on Good Friday, as Jesus stands with us every day of our lives.

Ashes are also a reminder of the earth from which we came. The words for ground ("red clay"), human being ("man," literally "red one,") and blood are all related in Hebrew. It is as if the "red stuff" inside is a liquid form of the earth, from which God fashioned us. We are Spirit-breathed lumps of clay, dirt of the earth, shaped by God's very hands.

However, dirt has a bad rap. We say things like, "poor as dirt," "dull as dirt," "cheap as dirt." Anyone with a "dirty mind" or telling "dirty jokes" is someone talking and thinking inappropriately and should have their mouth washed out with soap. "Down and dirty" means unvarnished and done hastily. A "dirty dog" is a sneaky person. To give "a dirty look" is to look at someone in an angry way. To "play dirty" is to cheat. To "get your hands dirty" means you get involved in all aspects of a project -- especially the unpleasant aspects. "Dirty laundry" is all our unpleasant secrets. No one likes to be treated "like dirt." This is not the dirt from which God created us!

Yet it is said that each shovel of dirt contains more life than all the human beings ever born. The dirt under our feet is teeming with unseen life, and nurtures the plants, feeds the animals that sustain us and make our world beautiful. There is an unseen universe in every handful of dirt we scoop up. The same is true with each of us. We are teeming with untapped potential.

Lent is a time to rediscover this potential and reclaim who we are. We are dirt. In the human sense, yes, we have "dirtied" our soul and need to be cleansed by repentance. However we are dirt as God fashioned us. Our psyches have layers, like dirt. There is hidden life,an amazing universe within our souls. There are fruits of the spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) ready to grow if we but tend the dirt/soil of our soul.

Instead of thinking of the Lenten season as a time of "giving up," think of Lent is more like planting and tending a garden, getting reacquainted with soil after the long frost of winter. So prepare the soil/dirt. Weed out the growth that is unproductive. Plant. Plant what your life needs at this time. Patience? Acceptance? Generosity? Faith? Right priorities?

This Lent, reconnect with the dirt-stuff of your life. That primal material of our being that is teaming with life that needs to be acknowledged and claimed. Remember who you are. God's own. Made from dust, and to dust we shall return. From dust/dirt/soil, we bring forth beautiful things, to the glory of God.

Today think of yourself as dirt, connected to all the dirt of the earth.
How will you prepare, during Lent, your soil/dirt for future growth?

Pray: "Lord, Divine Gardener, this Lent show me how to reconnect to the soil of my soul, the dirt and earth. Help me plant the seeds of habits that will make me a loving, generous servant of Jesus."

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The Power in a Name - March 26, 2017

Pierced by Love -- March 19, 2017

Remember -- March 12, 2017

Remember you are dust....March 5, 2017

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