So the puppy woke me up at 4:30am. I'm glad - it means she peed outside and not on my bedroom floor. However (comma) today that meant my brain woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. So I've been awake doing odds and ends - clearing out my Facebook message inbox (I know), writing a couple emails, FINALLY putting those CDs I've been meaning to return to Jay in an envelope AND addressing it (aren't you proud of me?), putzing around with my FB profile, and realizing that I haven't blogged in, oh, about forever. Lots of reasons for that....some very good reasons, some not-so-good reasons, some just pure laziness. So I went back through my Facebook notes from the last year and a half or so, decided since we're about to hit Ash Wednesday that starting at Lent 2010 was as good a starting point as any, and have reprinted(?) a selection of my notes from the last year here on this blog.
Hopefully, this will be the start of regular blogging again. Keep your fingers crossed. We'll see how it goes. Hopefully, when people realize that I'm actually writing again, more people will stumble across this blog and start reading it. Hopefully, it will not just contain the text of my FB notes (which in turn are the text of my weekly-ish meditations to the youth of St. John's).
So we'll see. I've got good intentions, but you know what they say about those! :)
Friday, February 4, 2011
Doctor Who as faith discussion? Originally posted January 2011
I was watching Doctor Who last night, and it really got me thinking. Now, those of you who have been anywhere near my Facebook page for oh, the last few weeks, are giggling over my obsession right now. Those of you who are not sci-fi fans are groaning. Those of you who are fans of the series are going to want to hit me over the head for the way I’m shamelessly editing the episode. But stay with me…I’m going somewhere with this.
Basically, in this episode, The Doctor has to turn himself into a human to hide from some bad aliens who are trying to find him and kill him so they can live forever and pretty much destroy the universe in the process. He becomes a teacher named John Smith. He doesn’t remember being The Doctor. The idea is that if he can just hide out in this ordinary, boring life long enough, the bad aliens will die, he can change back, and everything will be hunky dory. His companion, Martha, who’s in on the scheme and knows how to get him to change back to The Doctor early if necessary, is there as his servant. Then, he falls in love with the school nurse, and suddenly his life isn’t ordinary and boring (at least not for him), it’s something wonderful. That, of course, is when the bad aliens find them, and Martha realizes he’s got to change back into The Doctor in order to save the universe.
For reasons that will be TMI for most of you, John starts to understand that he was once this person called The Doctor. In a scene that moves me to tears, John Smith, in absolute anguish, says something along the lines of, “But I want to stay! I want THIS life, John Smith’s life, this job, this love…please let me stay…why can’t I stay???” Martha says, “But we NEED The Doctor.” It’s heartbreaking. He doesn’t understand why this is happening to him – he doesn’t quite believe that the fate of the universe is at stake - he has to just trust that Martha knows what she’s talking about, and he’s got an agonizing choice to make.
So, what does Doctor Who have to do with faith? Let me see…there are at least two people I can think of in the Bible…well three…well more than three, really, but three’s enough for an example, don’t you think, and I wonder what happens if I push this button here? (sorry, couldn’t resist)
Point is, the Bible is full of people who have to make just this kind of agonizing choice. Do they continue in their regular life, which may be a perfectly wonderful life, or do they step up to the plate when God calls them? Do they remain the regular guy or gal, or do they become the hero? And if they become the hero, what then? What do they give up? What do they gain?
Think of Noah – he could have kept on just being Noah, without being laughed at by everyone he knew for years and years and years. But he chose to listen to God and to follow what God told him to do, even though it seemed crazy. Worked out for the best, really, but Noah had no way of knowing that beforehand. He just had to trust God.
Or Gideon. There he is, living his regular life, when God tells him he’s been chosen to save Israel from the Midianites. And oh by the way you’re going to be a general and lead a tiny little army against the huge Midianite army but it’ll be OK because I’ll be with you. What a choice: leave his safe life behind for possible death, or keep his head down and hope God would go choose someone else. He eventually chose to do what God told him to do, and again, this worked out well for Gideon and the Israelites, but he had to make the choice without really KNOWING if he would live or die in the battle. He had to trust God.
Even Jesus faced this agonizing choice! Remember the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Father, if it’s possible, take this cup away from me.” In other words, “God, do I HAVE to die, and die so horribly? Isn’t there another way? Can I keep this life I love?” If you remember that Jesus was completely human, it’s more understandable that he would pray this prayer.
But here’s the point – Jesus, Gideon, and Noah all say, “Not MY will, but YOUR will be done.” “I trust you God, I’m gonna make the hard choice, and I’m gonna just have faith that You know what You’re doing.”
And I’m willing to bet that every one of you, at some point, will be faced with some kind of choice between your comfort zone and the hard thing that God is asking you to do. You may have to give up something you hold dear, or at least something that makes you feel safe. It’s HARD. God knows it’s hard. God doesn’t promise that He’ll make it easy, but He does promise that He will be with you every step of the way. And if you hang on to that promise and make the hard choice to follow what God wants you to do, things will turn out the way they’re supposed to, to the glory of God. It may take awhile, but it’s worth it. God promises that, and you can trust in God’s promises.
PS - What does the Doctor do? Well, I'm not going to spoil the ENTIRE episode for you. It's Season Three, Episodes 8 and 9
Basically, in this episode, The Doctor has to turn himself into a human to hide from some bad aliens who are trying to find him and kill him so they can live forever and pretty much destroy the universe in the process. He becomes a teacher named John Smith. He doesn’t remember being The Doctor. The idea is that if he can just hide out in this ordinary, boring life long enough, the bad aliens will die, he can change back, and everything will be hunky dory. His companion, Martha, who’s in on the scheme and knows how to get him to change back to The Doctor early if necessary, is there as his servant. Then, he falls in love with the school nurse, and suddenly his life isn’t ordinary and boring (at least not for him), it’s something wonderful. That, of course, is when the bad aliens find them, and Martha realizes he’s got to change back into The Doctor in order to save the universe.
For reasons that will be TMI for most of you, John starts to understand that he was once this person called The Doctor. In a scene that moves me to tears, John Smith, in absolute anguish, says something along the lines of, “But I want to stay! I want THIS life, John Smith’s life, this job, this love…please let me stay…why can’t I stay???” Martha says, “But we NEED The Doctor.” It’s heartbreaking. He doesn’t understand why this is happening to him – he doesn’t quite believe that the fate of the universe is at stake - he has to just trust that Martha knows what she’s talking about, and he’s got an agonizing choice to make.
So, what does Doctor Who have to do with faith? Let me see…there are at least two people I can think of in the Bible…well three…well more than three, really, but three’s enough for an example, don’t you think, and I wonder what happens if I push this button here? (sorry, couldn’t resist)
Point is, the Bible is full of people who have to make just this kind of agonizing choice. Do they continue in their regular life, which may be a perfectly wonderful life, or do they step up to the plate when God calls them? Do they remain the regular guy or gal, or do they become the hero? And if they become the hero, what then? What do they give up? What do they gain?
Think of Noah – he could have kept on just being Noah, without being laughed at by everyone he knew for years and years and years. But he chose to listen to God and to follow what God told him to do, even though it seemed crazy. Worked out for the best, really, but Noah had no way of knowing that beforehand. He just had to trust God.
Or Gideon. There he is, living his regular life, when God tells him he’s been chosen to save Israel from the Midianites. And oh by the way you’re going to be a general and lead a tiny little army against the huge Midianite army but it’ll be OK because I’ll be with you. What a choice: leave his safe life behind for possible death, or keep his head down and hope God would go choose someone else. He eventually chose to do what God told him to do, and again, this worked out well for Gideon and the Israelites, but he had to make the choice without really KNOWING if he would live or die in the battle. He had to trust God.
Even Jesus faced this agonizing choice! Remember the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane? “Father, if it’s possible, take this cup away from me.” In other words, “God, do I HAVE to die, and die so horribly? Isn’t there another way? Can I keep this life I love?” If you remember that Jesus was completely human, it’s more understandable that he would pray this prayer.
But here’s the point – Jesus, Gideon, and Noah all say, “Not MY will, but YOUR will be done.” “I trust you God, I’m gonna make the hard choice, and I’m gonna just have faith that You know what You’re doing.”
And I’m willing to bet that every one of you, at some point, will be faced with some kind of choice between your comfort zone and the hard thing that God is asking you to do. You may have to give up something you hold dear, or at least something that makes you feel safe. It’s HARD. God knows it’s hard. God doesn’t promise that He’ll make it easy, but He does promise that He will be with you every step of the way. And if you hang on to that promise and make the hard choice to follow what God wants you to do, things will turn out the way they’re supposed to, to the glory of God. It may take awhile, but it’s worth it. God promises that, and you can trust in God’s promises.
PS - What does the Doctor do? Well, I'm not going to spoil the ENTIRE episode for you. It's Season Three, Episodes 8 and 9
Advent 2010 - Missing Joseph?
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him
Matthew 1:24a (New Revised Standard Version)
During Advent and Christmas, we often get fixated on Mary’s role and the birth of Jesus. Which is understandable – and appropriate. But often, someone who is almost as important becomes just another figure in the Nativity Scene when we set it up. Know who I’m talking about?
Joseph, of course! We often get so excited about Mary and Jesus that we “miss” Joseph. Poor guy. Really, he’s just a hair less important to the story than Mary – who of course is only marginally (at this point in the story) less important than Jesus.
I personally think Joseph deserves a lot of credit. Here he is, engaged to a young woman, and she tells him (I assume – Matthew is a little unclear on that point), “I’m having a baby, and it’s God’s child – no really, it is.” I’m guessing Joseph’s first reaction was to think she was nuts, then to think she had cheated on him. Fair enough – it’s a lot to take in, and he *was* human, after all!
The thing is, engagement at that time was practically marriage, legally, from what I understand, and if Joseph and Mary had “jumped the gun” and she had ended up pregnant by Joseph, well, people would have snickered, and gossiped, but it would have been more or less OK. But since the baby wasn’t Joseph’s, he had every right to “dismiss” (read “divorce) her – which would have made her an outcast.
He decided to do this, but being a kind man, he was going to do it quietly so she wouldn’t suffer any more shame than she had to. I imagine he struggled with this – but I guess he was just a man who couldn’t accept that his fiancée cheated and got pregnant by another man. (remember, he didn’t believe the Holy Spirit thing at this point.)
Enter the angel – who was awfully busy in Nazareth those days! “Nope,” he told Joseph, “the baby really *is* God’s child. She didn’t cheat on you. Don’t be afraid to marry her.” The angel said more, but you’ll have to read Matthew 1 (or listen to the reading this Sunday at worship) to hear the rest.
SO – Joseph wakes up, believes the angel and Mary, and marries her. And then – he loves her, and he stands beside her during the inevitable gossip about the haste of the wedding, supports her and comforts her when she tries to tell people what’s happening but they don’t believe her, holds her when she’s scared, and probably has a hand in delivering the baby (I mean, who was gonna help – the sheep in the stable?) And THEN, he takes the role of being “father” to the Son of God. He and Mary are Jesus’ earthly parents, so who does Jesus have as a male role model? Joseph Quite a tall order, but I think he did a fantastic job.
So this Advent, remember Joseph. Remember that sometimes we, too, may be called to love and support someone who is taking a stand, following God’s will, even when it’s hard or we don’t really get it. Support systems are important. Very important.
Have a blessed week, my friends!
PS – there’s a fabulous little novel called Two from Galilee that tells this story. It’s out of print, but you might be able to find it in a library or get a copy off Amazon.com. It’s so good – and brings Mary and Joseph to life in a way that I think all of you would enjoy.
Matthew 1:24a (New Revised Standard Version)
During Advent and Christmas, we often get fixated on Mary’s role and the birth of Jesus. Which is understandable – and appropriate. But often, someone who is almost as important becomes just another figure in the Nativity Scene when we set it up. Know who I’m talking about?
Joseph, of course! We often get so excited about Mary and Jesus that we “miss” Joseph. Poor guy. Really, he’s just a hair less important to the story than Mary – who of course is only marginally (at this point in the story) less important than Jesus.
I personally think Joseph deserves a lot of credit. Here he is, engaged to a young woman, and she tells him (I assume – Matthew is a little unclear on that point), “I’m having a baby, and it’s God’s child – no really, it is.” I’m guessing Joseph’s first reaction was to think she was nuts, then to think she had cheated on him. Fair enough – it’s a lot to take in, and he *was* human, after all!
The thing is, engagement at that time was practically marriage, legally, from what I understand, and if Joseph and Mary had “jumped the gun” and she had ended up pregnant by Joseph, well, people would have snickered, and gossiped, but it would have been more or less OK. But since the baby wasn’t Joseph’s, he had every right to “dismiss” (read “divorce) her – which would have made her an outcast.
He decided to do this, but being a kind man, he was going to do it quietly so she wouldn’t suffer any more shame than she had to. I imagine he struggled with this – but I guess he was just a man who couldn’t accept that his fiancée cheated and got pregnant by another man. (remember, he didn’t believe the Holy Spirit thing at this point.)
Enter the angel – who was awfully busy in Nazareth those days! “Nope,” he told Joseph, “the baby really *is* God’s child. She didn’t cheat on you. Don’t be afraid to marry her.” The angel said more, but you’ll have to read Matthew 1 (or listen to the reading this Sunday at worship) to hear the rest.
SO – Joseph wakes up, believes the angel and Mary, and marries her. And then – he loves her, and he stands beside her during the inevitable gossip about the haste of the wedding, supports her and comforts her when she tries to tell people what’s happening but they don’t believe her, holds her when she’s scared, and probably has a hand in delivering the baby (I mean, who was gonna help – the sheep in the stable?) And THEN, he takes the role of being “father” to the Son of God. He and Mary are Jesus’ earthly parents, so who does Jesus have as a male role model? Joseph Quite a tall order, but I think he did a fantastic job.
So this Advent, remember Joseph. Remember that sometimes we, too, may be called to love and support someone who is taking a stand, following God’s will, even when it’s hard or we don’t really get it. Support systems are important. Very important.
Have a blessed week, my friends!
PS – there’s a fabulous little novel called Two from Galilee that tells this story. It’s out of print, but you might be able to find it in a library or get a copy off Amazon.com. It’s so good – and brings Mary and Joseph to life in a way that I think all of you would enjoy.
December 2010 Rant - my version of "Christmas is getting too commercial"
*clears throat loudly and ascends soapbox*
It's that time of year - the annual "What do we call December 1-24???" kerfuffle. There are so many larger issues that I should be addressing, but as a person in a mixed marriage with friends of many faiths - and friends who associate themselves with no faith group, this yearly squabble bothers me. So here are my two cents. Well, actually rather a lot more.
First of all - define "Christmas." Lots of people of lots of faiths open presents underneath a decorated evergreen tree on December 25th. I think this is great - I would never want to take that away from anyone. However, this is Christmas as a secular holiday. (all you theologians out there, read on before you jump all over that statement). So in that sense, sure, call the days before December 25 the Christmas Season - just don't then say that you're calling it that for religious reasons. Because if you are a Christian, calling November 28-December 25 the Christmas season is technically incorrect - we are currently in Advent. (if you are an Eastern Orthodox Christian who does the calendar differently, don't start with me. I don't know how your calendar works. But I love you as a sister or brother.)
Continuing the "Christmas Season as a faith statement" argument I think, if we're talking about the whole season (not just one day), in our multi-cultural, multi-faith society we DO need to call it the Holiday Season - because not all of us celebrate Christmas. Telling my Jewish husband to have a great Christmas Season, for example, would be, well, wrong! And there are other faiths that don't celebrate Christmas. And that doesn't even start to cover my atheist friends! So personally, I think it's sensitive, NOT just "politically correct", to wish someone a Happy Holiday if you're not sure what they celebrate. Or even if they celebrate anything at all. But Happy Holidays is a pretty safe bet. I mean, heck, everyone celebrates January 1 as New Year's, so you can't go wrong there! (don't get technical on me - I know there are other New Year's Days in other cultures, but they don't happen during the period of time that I'm talking about - and if they do, well then, that supports my argument!.)
So actually, yeah, as a person of faith who wants to show love to others and respect for their faith, calling this the Christmas Season indiscriminately *does* kind of bother me - I won't go so far as to say offend, because people's hearts are generally in the right place - until they start coming to blows over whether to say Christmas or Holiday. Because I think that shows a bit of arrogance - *my* holiday is the only one that counts. And other culture's holidays count just as much, in my book.
For Christians, the "Christmas Season" starts on Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, and continues through Epiphany. Oh, and just in case you didn't know - the 12 Days of Christmas are the 12 days *after* Christmas, not the 12 days before. I could tell you some Christian interpretations of that song, but it would bore you silly (if I haven't already done so.) So Google it if you're interested.
*gets down off soapbox*
I apologize to anyone who I have offended with this note. It's just my opinion and thoughts and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any Christian denomination or any other Christian, for that matter.
Just out of curiosity though - what do YOU celebrate in November (after Thanksgiving), December, and early January? Inquiring minds want to know.....
It's that time of year - the annual "What do we call December 1-24???" kerfuffle. There are so many larger issues that I should be addressing, but as a person in a mixed marriage with friends of many faiths - and friends who associate themselves with no faith group, this yearly squabble bothers me. So here are my two cents. Well, actually rather a lot more.
First of all - define "Christmas." Lots of people of lots of faiths open presents underneath a decorated evergreen tree on December 25th. I think this is great - I would never want to take that away from anyone. However, this is Christmas as a secular holiday. (all you theologians out there, read on before you jump all over that statement). So in that sense, sure, call the days before December 25 the Christmas Season - just don't then say that you're calling it that for religious reasons. Because if you are a Christian, calling November 28-December 25 the Christmas season is technically incorrect - we are currently in Advent. (if you are an Eastern Orthodox Christian who does the calendar differently, don't start with me. I don't know how your calendar works. But I love you as a sister or brother.)
Continuing the "Christmas Season as a faith statement" argument I think, if we're talking about the whole season (not just one day), in our multi-cultural, multi-faith society we DO need to call it the Holiday Season - because not all of us celebrate Christmas. Telling my Jewish husband to have a great Christmas Season, for example, would be, well, wrong! And there are other faiths that don't celebrate Christmas. And that doesn't even start to cover my atheist friends! So personally, I think it's sensitive, NOT just "politically correct", to wish someone a Happy Holiday if you're not sure what they celebrate. Or even if they celebrate anything at all. But Happy Holidays is a pretty safe bet. I mean, heck, everyone celebrates January 1 as New Year's, so you can't go wrong there! (don't get technical on me - I know there are other New Year's Days in other cultures, but they don't happen during the period of time that I'm talking about - and if they do, well then, that supports my argument!.)
So actually, yeah, as a person of faith who wants to show love to others and respect for their faith, calling this the Christmas Season indiscriminately *does* kind of bother me - I won't go so far as to say offend, because people's hearts are generally in the right place - until they start coming to blows over whether to say Christmas or Holiday. Because I think that shows a bit of arrogance - *my* holiday is the only one that counts. And other culture's holidays count just as much, in my book.
For Christians, the "Christmas Season" starts on Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, and continues through Epiphany. Oh, and just in case you didn't know - the 12 Days of Christmas are the 12 days *after* Christmas, not the 12 days before. I could tell you some Christian interpretations of that song, but it would bore you silly (if I haven't already done so.) So Google it if you're interested.
*gets down off soapbox*
I apologize to anyone who I have offended with this note. It's just my opinion and thoughts and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any Christian denomination or any other Christian, for that matter.
Just out of curiosity though - what do YOU celebrate in November (after Thanksgiving), December, and early January? Inquiring minds want to know.....
Veterans' Day 2010 - Thank You, Veterans (simple words that mean so much to so many)
Greater love hath no man, than that he lays down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (King James Version)
Every Veteran’s Day, I have this Bible verse in my head all day long. In context, it is Jesus speaking about his imminent crucifixion and death at the Last Supper, after he’s washed his disciples’ feet. It’s part of the section of John where Jesus says he is the vine and his disciples are the branches.
So why do I think about this on Veteran’s Day? Because I remember all those Veterans, of many wars, who volunteered (mostly) to go to a distant land where they might have to lay down their lives – for all of us. In my opinion, no matter what your view on wars (past or present), every single Veteran should be honored for this. Now, I’m not comparing Veterans to Jesus – exactly. Obviously, Jesus lay down his life to give us the gift of eternal life.
But Veterans go to war, knowing that they may die or be changed forever, and for so many of them the reason is “to keep America free.” In other words – they fight for us. If you think about it, it’s pretty awe-inspiring.
So this week, I challenge you to find a Veteran, and say thank you for your service. That’s all. It will mean so much to them – especially if you’re a stranger to them, I think! I see so many Veterans proudly wearing caps commemorating their service. If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see them, too. A simple “thank you for your service” is a profound way of honoring these men and women.
But you know what? I think there’s an equally important way. And that’s by advocating and working for peace, so that maybe, sometime, all our men and women who are in harm’s way can come home – for good. So there’s my other challenge – find a way to work for peace. Think this is just wishful thinking? Well, “you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
Have a blessed week, my friends!
John 15:13 (King James Version)
Every Veteran’s Day, I have this Bible verse in my head all day long. In context, it is Jesus speaking about his imminent crucifixion and death at the Last Supper, after he’s washed his disciples’ feet. It’s part of the section of John where Jesus says he is the vine and his disciples are the branches.
So why do I think about this on Veteran’s Day? Because I remember all those Veterans, of many wars, who volunteered (mostly) to go to a distant land where they might have to lay down their lives – for all of us. In my opinion, no matter what your view on wars (past or present), every single Veteran should be honored for this. Now, I’m not comparing Veterans to Jesus – exactly. Obviously, Jesus lay down his life to give us the gift of eternal life.
But Veterans go to war, knowing that they may die or be changed forever, and for so many of them the reason is “to keep America free.” In other words – they fight for us. If you think about it, it’s pretty awe-inspiring.
So this week, I challenge you to find a Veteran, and say thank you for your service. That’s all. It will mean so much to them – especially if you’re a stranger to them, I think! I see so many Veterans proudly wearing caps commemorating their service. If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll see them, too. A simple “thank you for your service” is a profound way of honoring these men and women.
But you know what? I think there’s an equally important way. And that’s by advocating and working for peace, so that maybe, sometime, all our men and women who are in harm’s way can come home – for good. So there’s my other challenge – find a way to work for peace. Think this is just wishful thinking? Well, “you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
Have a blessed week, my friends!
Speak your mind - even if your voice shakes (originally posted October 2010)
This week, as articles and videos and news about deaths by bullying have flooded the internet, I can do no better than to offer you this link. Please click on it and read the blog entry:
http://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/post/october-6-12-2010/
I shared it on my Facebook page, and I know many of you saw it, but I want to share it again – and encourage you to take up (or continue) the challenge. I say continue, because I know you, and I know how compassionate and kind you already are. I’m asking you to be intentionally compassionate and kind to the “outsiders” – and you know as well as I do that every school has them. Show God’s love to those who are being hurt by others. Find a way – large or small, it doesn’t matter. Be a link in the chain of love around these outsiders so that together, we can show them they are not really “outsiders” – they are our brothers and sisters. Demonstrate to bullies by your kind actions that we will not put up with that kind of cruelty.
At this point, you might be thinking, “Well, yeah, but if I get in the middle of something, I could get hurt!” or “If I snitch on the bullies, then they’ll come after me!” And you know what? I get that. I remember middle and high school, I remember retribution, and I remember being the object of teasing at times. So what I’m asking for you to do is what you can do. It may just be a small thing. But please, don’t choose to do NOTHING. That’s all.
Have a blessed week, my friends – I love you!
http://blogs.elca.org/faithlens/post/october-6-12-2010/
I shared it on my Facebook page, and I know many of you saw it, but I want to share it again – and encourage you to take up (or continue) the challenge. I say continue, because I know you, and I know how compassionate and kind you already are. I’m asking you to be intentionally compassionate and kind to the “outsiders” – and you know as well as I do that every school has them. Show God’s love to those who are being hurt by others. Find a way – large or small, it doesn’t matter. Be a link in the chain of love around these outsiders so that together, we can show them they are not really “outsiders” – they are our brothers and sisters. Demonstrate to bullies by your kind actions that we will not put up with that kind of cruelty.
At this point, you might be thinking, “Well, yeah, but if I get in the middle of something, I could get hurt!” or “If I snitch on the bullies, then they’ll come after me!” And you know what? I get that. I remember middle and high school, I remember retribution, and I remember being the object of teasing at times. So what I’m asking for you to do is what you can do. It may just be a small thing. But please, don’t choose to do NOTHING. That’s all.
Have a blessed week, my friends – I love you!
Words for a great man - child of God, husband, father, grandfather, and evangelist - Ray Seibel (originally posted September 2010)
From Lisa: I wish all of you could have known Ray. He was a special man. Of course, we are all special, and there are many great men who deserve to have their homilies on Facebook or elsewhere, but he was one of those 'angels among us.' Below is the text of Pastor Cynthia Krommes' homily at Ray's memorial service. There is nothing I can add except the funny image that comes to mind when I think of Ray in heaven - although he of course is ecstatic at being reunited with his beloved Shirley and meeting his Lord face-to-face, I can't help but think that he is a tad disappointed (if such a thing is possible in heaven) that there is no one to evangelize to! I hope you'll take the time to read this and meet Ray; we all can learn so much about love from him.
*****************************************************************************************************
Memorial Service for Raymond Seibel
St. John’s Lutheran Church
September 28, 2010
John 1: 35-51
Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.”
Just seven weeks ago we gathered here for a memorial service for Shirley, Raymond’s beloved wife, and now here we are again, this time for Raymond. To lose Shirley and Ray to death – one to cancer, the other to prolonged heart disease – is not fair, and in fact is overwhelming, especially to their family. They were trying to adjust to living without Shirley, now Ray is gone too. This is grief upon grief, sadness upon sadness, sorrow multiplied that is almost too much to bear. During my last visit with Ray, just before leaving for Tanzania, he confessed that he still cried for Shirl every day. I told him that was O.K., it was part of grief. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop crying,” he replied. Now we cry for him too. Our tears started flowing with Shirley’s death and now they roll on with Ray’s, united as they were for 47 years of marriage, grief mingled as one. And so today we while we mourn Raymond, our grief at the lost of Shirley is renewed too. It is a grief compounded, in part because God gave us so much through them, just as God gave them each other and their wonderful family.
Ray loved to tell how the gift was given on Christmas Eve during the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. That’s when he proposed to Shirley and she said yes. I don’t know if he did it during the sermon, but I would not be surprised, because if Ray had something important to say, he said it, often leading Shirley to declare, “Not now, Raymond.” For all the years since that Christmas Eve, their marriage continued to be a gift to each other and to us. I remember how when we had some Evening Light candles that had burned down too far to use, and I put them in a box marked “free,” Ray snatched them up, took them all home to surprise Shirley. When she came in from work, dinner was on the table, and the whole house was full of candlelight. “I love my Shirl,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. God’s gift of love given to us in the Christ Child, was alive in their marriage and family.
This gift of love mattered so much to Raymond that he unabashedly shared it. An extrovert, Ray loved being an evangelist. No matter where he was, he invited others to “come and see” God’s love at work, especially here at St. John’s. He had an evangelist uniform – his St. John’s hat and his St. John’s tee shirt which he wore with great pride and enthusiasm. Once he told me that he had taken to roaming the aisles of the Acme and when he came across a pregnant woman, he’d invited her to have her baby baptized at St. John’s. He’s the only person I’ve ever known to evangelize those yet to be born. Then while in the check out line, he’d converse with the other folks in line, the cashier, anyone who would listen, about church and invited them to worship. He did this with such joy because he was sharing the love of God – love freely given to him in the gift of faith, the gift of Shirley, the gifts of Alicia and Jimmy, Charlie, Jeanne, and his beloved grand-daughters, Jeanette, Rachel and Sarah as well as Jason, Peter, Stephanie and Zachary and the gift of the Church. “Come and see the gift of love alive,” Raymond would say to almost everyone he met. Later when he and Shirley retired to North Wildwood, he shared God’s love by shopping for the poor. It was his job and he did it with joy.
Ray discovered that God’s love multiplies when it is shared and he delighted in that. In fact it was so important to him, that almost every Monday morning, he come to my office to talk about how Sunday had gone at St. John’s. Our “Monday-morning Quarterback,” Ray wanted to improve our welcome to guests, to encourage the ease in which they could follow the service and to make sure we never ran out of bulletins. Sometimes he would be critical of a hymn that had too many verses or a sermon that went on too long, but it was always said in love, to help us be a congregation that live in, grew through and shared God’s love. However there was this one Monday, nine years ago. He had been down the shore for the whole summer and during that time we welcomed Abdul and Kamal Fahar, our first set of refugees. “So, why did we have to go to Somalia to help someone when we have so many people who need our help right here in Phoenixville?” Ray bluntly asked. It was a good question and so I reminded of him all the ways St. John’s already helped in our community, from PACS to St. Mary’s Shelter to the new Clinic. He nodded, but I could see he wasn’t convinced. So I said, “You know, Ray when we look at the world we see all the divisions between peoples and nations, but when God looks at the world, God sees everyone.” With that he smiled this huge smile, “Everyone?” I could see him imagining the evangelism possibilities, and responded, “Everyone.” When I walked him down the hall, there were Abdul and Kamal. They had ridden their bicycles over to meet Pastor McMullan. I introduced them to Ray. He firmly shook their hands, gave them friendly hello and invited them to join the Church. I explained that they were Muslims and not Christians and they worship God four times a day. Ray said to them, “That’s better than me, I just do it on Sunday.” With that he said good-bye and was out the door – on to Acme with love to share.
Which is what is going on in our Gospel for today – John the Baptizer points Jesus out to two of his disciples who then follow him. One of them, Andrew then tells his brother Simon Peter and brings him to Jesus. Next, Jesus finds Philip and invites him to follow and Philip finds Nathanael and tells him to “Come and see.” One to another to another to another, until Jesus promises Nathanael, indeed promises us all that we will see even greater things, and tells us of heaven opening and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
“Come and see,” our Lord said to Raymond and Raymond said to us. But Jesus promises even greater things – the kingdom of heaven with dancing angels and the fullness of God. Shirley was given the reality of this promise first and Raymond followed shortly after. While that causes us grief for we miss them so much, let us also embrace the promise of new life in Christ that they both enjoy. Given to them in their baptism, lived out in their lives, the promise sustained them and gave them joy.
“Come and see,” Raymond said to us – sharing God’s gift of love. May we say it to others through our words and deeds, now and forevermore. Amen.
Pastor Cynthia Krommes
*****************************************************************************************************
Memorial Service for Raymond Seibel
St. John’s Lutheran Church
September 28, 2010
John 1: 35-51
Philip said to Nathanael, “Come and see.”
Just seven weeks ago we gathered here for a memorial service for Shirley, Raymond’s beloved wife, and now here we are again, this time for Raymond. To lose Shirley and Ray to death – one to cancer, the other to prolonged heart disease – is not fair, and in fact is overwhelming, especially to their family. They were trying to adjust to living without Shirley, now Ray is gone too. This is grief upon grief, sadness upon sadness, sorrow multiplied that is almost too much to bear. During my last visit with Ray, just before leaving for Tanzania, he confessed that he still cried for Shirl every day. I told him that was O.K., it was part of grief. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop crying,” he replied. Now we cry for him too. Our tears started flowing with Shirley’s death and now they roll on with Ray’s, united as they were for 47 years of marriage, grief mingled as one. And so today we while we mourn Raymond, our grief at the lost of Shirley is renewed too. It is a grief compounded, in part because God gave us so much through them, just as God gave them each other and their wonderful family.
Ray loved to tell how the gift was given on Christmas Eve during the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. That’s when he proposed to Shirley and she said yes. I don’t know if he did it during the sermon, but I would not be surprised, because if Ray had something important to say, he said it, often leading Shirley to declare, “Not now, Raymond.” For all the years since that Christmas Eve, their marriage continued to be a gift to each other and to us. I remember how when we had some Evening Light candles that had burned down too far to use, and I put them in a box marked “free,” Ray snatched them up, took them all home to surprise Shirley. When she came in from work, dinner was on the table, and the whole house was full of candlelight. “I love my Shirl,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. God’s gift of love given to us in the Christ Child, was alive in their marriage and family.
This gift of love mattered so much to Raymond that he unabashedly shared it. An extrovert, Ray loved being an evangelist. No matter where he was, he invited others to “come and see” God’s love at work, especially here at St. John’s. He had an evangelist uniform – his St. John’s hat and his St. John’s tee shirt which he wore with great pride and enthusiasm. Once he told me that he had taken to roaming the aisles of the Acme and when he came across a pregnant woman, he’d invited her to have her baby baptized at St. John’s. He’s the only person I’ve ever known to evangelize those yet to be born. Then while in the check out line, he’d converse with the other folks in line, the cashier, anyone who would listen, about church and invited them to worship. He did this with such joy because he was sharing the love of God – love freely given to him in the gift of faith, the gift of Shirley, the gifts of Alicia and Jimmy, Charlie, Jeanne, and his beloved grand-daughters, Jeanette, Rachel and Sarah as well as Jason, Peter, Stephanie and Zachary and the gift of the Church. “Come and see the gift of love alive,” Raymond would say to almost everyone he met. Later when he and Shirley retired to North Wildwood, he shared God’s love by shopping for the poor. It was his job and he did it with joy.
Ray discovered that God’s love multiplies when it is shared and he delighted in that. In fact it was so important to him, that almost every Monday morning, he come to my office to talk about how Sunday had gone at St. John’s. Our “Monday-morning Quarterback,” Ray wanted to improve our welcome to guests, to encourage the ease in which they could follow the service and to make sure we never ran out of bulletins. Sometimes he would be critical of a hymn that had too many verses or a sermon that went on too long, but it was always said in love, to help us be a congregation that live in, grew through and shared God’s love. However there was this one Monday, nine years ago. He had been down the shore for the whole summer and during that time we welcomed Abdul and Kamal Fahar, our first set of refugees. “So, why did we have to go to Somalia to help someone when we have so many people who need our help right here in Phoenixville?” Ray bluntly asked. It was a good question and so I reminded of him all the ways St. John’s already helped in our community, from PACS to St. Mary’s Shelter to the new Clinic. He nodded, but I could see he wasn’t convinced. So I said, “You know, Ray when we look at the world we see all the divisions between peoples and nations, but when God looks at the world, God sees everyone.” With that he smiled this huge smile, “Everyone?” I could see him imagining the evangelism possibilities, and responded, “Everyone.” When I walked him down the hall, there were Abdul and Kamal. They had ridden their bicycles over to meet Pastor McMullan. I introduced them to Ray. He firmly shook their hands, gave them friendly hello and invited them to join the Church. I explained that they were Muslims and not Christians and they worship God four times a day. Ray said to them, “That’s better than me, I just do it on Sunday.” With that he said good-bye and was out the door – on to Acme with love to share.
Which is what is going on in our Gospel for today – John the Baptizer points Jesus out to two of his disciples who then follow him. One of them, Andrew then tells his brother Simon Peter and brings him to Jesus. Next, Jesus finds Philip and invites him to follow and Philip finds Nathanael and tells him to “Come and see.” One to another to another to another, until Jesus promises Nathanael, indeed promises us all that we will see even greater things, and tells us of heaven opening and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
“Come and see,” our Lord said to Raymond and Raymond said to us. But Jesus promises even greater things – the kingdom of heaven with dancing angels and the fullness of God. Shirley was given the reality of this promise first and Raymond followed shortly after. While that causes us grief for we miss them so much, let us also embrace the promise of new life in Christ that they both enjoy. Given to them in their baptism, lived out in their lives, the promise sustained them and gave them joy.
“Come and see,” Raymond said to us – sharing God’s gift of love. May we say it to others through our words and deeds, now and forevermore. Amen.
Pastor Cynthia Krommes
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