Readings:  Psalm 150 (NRSV, The Message); Proverbs 9:1-6 (NRSV, The Message); Mark 16:9-18 (NRSV, The Message)

Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it’s supported by seven hewn timbers.
The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, 
   wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.
Having dismissed her serving maids, 
   Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, 
   and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
“Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? 
   Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!
I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, 
   roast lamb, carefully selected wines.
Leave your impoverished confusion and live! 
   Walk up the street to a life with meaning.”    Proverbs 9:1-6 (The Message)

And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good newsto the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.’     Mark 16:15-18 (NRSV)

It is always a good reminder to hear the great commission. “Proclaim the good news.” Of course, for me this passage always brings up the question why can’t we heal the sick, cast out demons, and handle snakes. Although, some claim they can.

It was the passage from Proverbs that really caught me this morning though. In the New Revised Standard Version it comes across as powerful, but a little harsh. However, Eugene Peterson in The Message renders it as a beautiful invitation. “Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I’ve prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread,  roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live!  Walk up the street to a life with meaning.” Wow! What an invitation. Talking about Good News! So many with whom I come in contact are living in impoverished confusion. As a society, we are the definition of impoverished confusion! And yet here is wisdom (Sophia, logos, voice of God, Jesus Christ) inviting us to a table with fresh-baked bread, a life with meaning. That is an image that is going to stick with me all day.

Readings: Psalm 150 (NRSV, The Message); Hosea 5:15-6:6 (NRSV, The Message); 2 John 1-6 (NRSV, The Message)

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
   his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
   like the spring rains that water the earth.’    Hosea 6:3 (NRSV)

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
   the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.  Hose 6:6 (NRSV)

I can’t tell you how happy I am to learn that many members of your congregation are diligent in living out the Truth, exactly as commanded by the Father. But permit me a reminder, friends, and this is not a new commandment but simply a repetition of our original and basic charter: that we love each other. Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love. This is the first thing you heard, and nothing has changed.                                       2 John 4-6 (The Message)

So here is what is most important: knowing God and loving one another. So simple. In theory.

Readings: Psalm 150 (NRSV, The Message); Jeremiah 30:1-11a (NRSV, The Message); 1 John 3:10-16 (NRSV, The Message)

People conceived and brought into life by God don’t make a practice of sin. How could they? God’s seed is deep within them, making them who they are. It’s not in the nature of the God-begotten to practice and parade sin. Here’s how you tell the difference between God’s children and the Devil’s children: The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test.     1 John 3:9-10 (The Message)

A simple test, indeed. It’s a test I often fail however. Give me any standard and I can excel in not meeting it!

I think the problem is that we often put the cart before the horse. We focus on our righteousness; we force ourselves to love one another. It doesn’t work in the long run. What we have is the opportunity to focus on our relationship with God. Then the righteousness the love flows by God’s grace.

Readings: Psalm 135 (NRSV, The Message);  Isaiah 26:1-15 (NRSV, The Message); Mark 12:18-27 (NRSV, The Message)

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—
   in peace because they trust in you. 
Trust in the Lord for ever,
   for in the Lord God 
   you have an everlasting rock.     Isaiah 26:3-4

People with their minds set on you, 
   you keep completely whole,
Steady on their feet, 
   because they keep at it and don’t quit.
Depend on God and keep at it 
   because in the Lord God you have a sure thing.    Isaiah 26:3-4 ish (The Message)

The passage from Isaiah continues the theme that emerged for me in yesterday’s readings. That if we put our trust in God, we “have an everlasting rock.” I think there will always be a little part of me however, that says “but…” As I engage, as I practice, maybe that part will grow smaller.

Readings: Psalm 135 (NRSV, The Message); Daniel 6:1-28 (NRSV, The Message); 1 John 2:12-17 (NRSV, The Message)

Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom.        Daniel 6:3

Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live for ever.  1 John 2:15-17

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.      1 John 2:15-17 (The Message)

These are two scripture passages I have not read for a while. The story of Daniel in the lion’s den is an old friend to those of us who grew up going to Sunday school. Daniel, just by following his understanding of the will of God gained the appreciation of those around him. Of course, gaining the appreciation of some makes others angry, which is what happened in Daniel’s case.

This passage from 1 John is also a blast from the past for me. In a way it provides some comfort for me. I don’t have to be concerned with what concerns the world. I can look to God and be set for eternity.

I found it interesting these two passages were together. As we follow the will of God, there is the possibility that in so doing we will gain approval. As we gain approval, it increases the temptation to desire what the world tells us is important.

Readings:  Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV, The Message);  Song of Solomon 3:1-11 (NRSV, The Message); Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV, The Message)

Far better to take refuge in God 
      than trust in people; 
   Far better to take refuge in God 
      than trust in celebrities.     Psalm 118:8-9 (The Message)

They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone.              Mark 16:8 (The Message)

Heads swimming and stunned – that would be a good description of how I would feel f the Divine broke into my life in such a dramatic way. Yeah, I read scripture, pray, meditate and otherwise practice my faith. But do I expect resurrection? Do I expect the miraculous? I can’t say that I do. Would I even want the Divine to break into my life so dramatically – to have my head swimming? I don’t know.

I have enjoyed spending time with this Psalm the past few days. I have experienced God as my refuge, and I know it is much better than trust in people.

Readings:  Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV, The Message); Genesis 1:20—2:4a (NRSV, The Message); 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (NRSV, The Message)

Salvation now, God. Salvation now! 
      Oh yes, God—a free and full life!   Psalm 118:24 (The Message)

By the seventh day
God had finished his work.
On the seventh day
he rested from all his work.
God blessed the seventh day.
He made it a Holy Day
Because on that day he rested from his work,
all the creating God had done.     Genesis 2:2-4a (The Message)

Death swallowed by triumphant Life! 
   Who got the last word, oh, Death? 
   Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?
It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.      1 Corinthians 15:55-58 (The Message)

I’m not quite sure where the Genesis passages are coming from this week. It seems that we cycle through it a lot. I always appreciate it however. This time through I am struck with this idea of Sabbath, planted here right a t the beginning of scriptures – a holy day that God rested from work. Eugene Peterson says that Sabbath reminds us that we aren’t God. I am reminded that the world, nor even my little world, will stop spinning if I take a day off.

With all this going for me – sin, death, and guilt are gone!! – I can throw myself wholeheartedly into the work of the Master, confident that nothing I do for him is a waste of time or effort. I needed that today!

Work and Sabbath – both so important!

Readings: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 (NRSV, The Message); Genesis 1:1-19 (NRSV, The Message); 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 (NRSV, The Message)

Thank God because he’s good, because his love never quits. 
   Tell the world, Israel, 
      ”His love never quits.” 
   And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, 
      ”His love never quits.” 
   And you who fear God, join in, 
      ”His love never quits.”          Psalm 118:1-2 (The Message)

Some skeptic is sure to ask, “Show me how resurrection works. Give me a diagram; draw me a picture. What does this ‘resurrection body’ look like?” If you look at this question closely, you realize how absurd it is. There are no diagrams for this kind of thing.    1 Corinthians 15:35-36 (The Message)

Paul’s words in the letter to the Corinthians is fitting for the Monday after Easter. When we wake up hungover from the story and infusion of faith. Did we try too hard to convince ourselves that this one named Jesus died and was Resurrected? As we wipe the sleep from our eyes on this Monday, we may wonder how this resurrection – of Jesus, of us – actually works.

Paul reminds us that “there are no diagrams for this kind of thing.” He then describes resurrected life like the plant that grows from a seed. It’s a great reminder that this isn’t something we can figure out – it is something we live.

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9 (NRSV, The Message); Psalm 36:5-11 (NRSV, The Message);  Hebrews 9:11-15 (NRSV, The Message); John 12:1-11 (NRSV, The Message)

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
   my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
   he will bring forth justice to the nations. 
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
   or make it heard in the street; 
a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
   he will faithfully bring forth justice. 
He will not grow faint or be crushed
   until he has established justice in the earth;
   and the coastlands wait for his teaching.        Isaiah 42:1-4 (NRSV)

God’s love is meteoric, 
      his loyalty astronomic, 
   His purpose titanic, 
      his verdicts oceanic. 
   Yet in his largeness 
      nothing gets lost; 
   Not a man, not a mouse, 
      slips through the cracks.          Psalm 36:5-6 (The Message)

I don’t know that I have paid much attention to the description of the one who is coming in Isaiah 42, but I resonate with what I see. He isn’t crying in the street. He won’t break a bruised reed or quench a dimly burning wick. But he will quietly, consistently, incessantly bring about justice. What an example to follow!