Casper the Ghost

 

Do you like stories about ghosts? I really don’t like scary ghost stories, but when I was a young boy, we watched a cartoon show called Casper the Friendly Ghost. Did you know that over 75 years that there were five different TV shows about Casper? There were also comic books and movies. And I still remember the opening lines to the theme song: Casper the friendly ghost, the friendliest ghost I know. …

Well, people did and still do believe that ghosts real. That’s why in our Gospel today, Jesus told his disciples to see his flesh and bones because they were afraid that they were seeing a ghost.

He then asked the for something to eat not because he was hungry, but because he wanted to show them that he was not a ghost. Ghosts can’t eat, but people can.

There is only one Ghost we know that exists. This is the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit. Do you know where you can find the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is here with us now in all the people praying together. The Holy Spirit is in our Word when we hear it read and when we talk about God’s Word. The Holy Spirit is here when we receive God’s grace through the Lord’s Supper. Do you know where else the Holy Spirit is? The Holy Spirit is in your heart, and God has poured His love into your heart through the Holy Spirit. That should make you feel very holy.

With that, let us pray. Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Good Eats!

 

God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My sermon today is entitled, “Good Eats!” and my focus is our Gospel (Luke 24:36-49). Let us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Now that our feet are within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

One of my favorite shows is entitled Good Eats! If you have never seen it, Host Alton Brown explores the origins of ingredients, decodes culinary customs, and presents food and equipment trends. Punctuated by unusual interludes, simple preparations and unconventional discussions, he brings you food in its finest and funniest form.[1]

I mention this cooking show because of Jesus’ question, “Have you anything here to eat?” The question leads to three points about food: in Luke, the Lord’s Supper and the Church today.

First, Luke. After the Risen Lord greeted his disciples with peace, they became startled and frightened because they thought that they were looking at a ghost. Stories of ghosts and other phantoms of the night abounded in Jesus’ time, but one point worth noting is that ghosts lack material substance. You can't shake hands with a ghost or invite him to eat dinner with you.

In this Resurrection account, the disciples were startled and frightened precisely because they thought they were seeing a ghost. So, Jesus invited them to touch Him, underscoring his point by reminding the disciples that His glorified Body has flesh and bones.

To deepen this point, Jesus asked his bewildered disciples for something to eat. This was a sign that he was indeed raised from the dead – body and spirit. Recall that Jesus instructed Jairus and his wife to give their girl something to eat after he had raised her to life. Only the living require food to eat.

But there is something more important here than good eats. In Jesus’ culture dining with someone indicated solidarity with that person. To eat with someone meant you identified with that person. To take a meal with another was to offer that person the right hand of fellowship in the deepest sense of the term.

Meal fellowship is an appropriate image for an incarnational Christianity. Meal scenes and meal imagery (including parables spoken at or about a meal) serve as a “main course" here. There are ten meal scenes in which Jesus eats with others in Luke. Three of them have parallels in the other gospels; seven, however, can only be found in Luke, and are integral to and reflective of Luke’s theological interests.

Now, when it comes to sizing up Jesus' table companions, one has to speak in terms of his democratic eating habits. For Jesus it was not the food but the people he ate with that mattered most. His dining partners were diversified and inclusive. Every meal was a shared meal. Jesus never ate alone, and where Jesus was present, salvation was also. That said, there is no better image for salvation than a feast, the major metaphor for salvation.

Lastly, Luke tells the story of the eucharist in a story of meals and journeys with Jesus. Unlike foxes who have dens and birds who have nests, the Son of Man had “nowhere rest his head” (9:58). His entire life was one great journey in which meals and simple hospitality played a critical part for him as well as for his followers. Jesus, his disciples, all who would follow later, and the church itself are a people on a journey, a people of hospitality, both offered and received. The eucharist is the supreme expression of that hospitality, sustaining them and us on the journey to the kingdom of God.[2]

With that, we move from my first point, food in Luke, to my second, the Lord’s Supper. Every time we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, it is like we are with his disciples, sitting at table with Jesus. We receive Him, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. What we receive is no phantom ghost, but the very substance of the Son of God Himself.

Those of you who were present for Maundy Thursday know that I spoke of Mark’s account of the Last Supper. I am not going to repeat what I taught from Luther’s Small Catechism or The Formula of Concord, however, I am going to cite an even earlier work that I recently re-read.

The Jerusalem Catechesis was one of the first catechisms of the undivided Christian Church. Its 24 teachings, given sometime around 350 AD, reflect the deep, sacramental understanding of the early Christian Church, the meaning of Baptism and all the Sacraments and the beauty of our participation in the life of the Trinity through our participation in the Church, the Body of Christ, of which we are members.

Its use of the word symbol means much more than we westerners tend to think. It means an actual participation by grace. That said, the instruction to newly baptized Christians that “it is with complete assurance that we receive the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. His body is given to us under the symbol of bread, and his blood is given to us under the symbol of wine, in order to make us by receiving them one body and blood with him. Having his body and blood in our members, we become bearers of Christ and sharers … in the divine nature.

Do not, then, regard the eucharistic elements as ordinary bread and wine: they are in fact the body and blood of the Lord, as he himself has declared. Whatever your senses may tell you, be strong in faith. You have been taught and you are firmly convinced that what looks and tastes like bread and wine is not bread and wine but the body and the blood of Christ.”

My friends, through grace Christ invites us to his holy meal to eat his Body and Blood. Through God’s grace and our belief as a Church body and members, we share in the divine nature. What does it mean for us? With that, we move from my second point on the Lord’s Supper to the Church today.

The Gospel passage we heard today is the last meal story in Luke. In each of the previous nine, Jesus was the host. In this one, the Church plays host. The previous passage, the Road to Emmaus, is one which speaks clearly of hospitality. It is hospitality that is vital to the Church today, and to speak to the Church today, I return to one of the Church Fathers recognized by the Synod, Gregory the Great of the 6^th century. Usually, Gregory’s sermons were detailed exegetical commentaries. Here, he dispensed with that which gave him the opportunity to sing the praises of the great virtue of hospitality.[3]

We know that the two disciples were walking on the road and, while not believing in Christ, spoke of him. The Lord “exchanged a few words with them, reproached them with their slowness in understanding, explained to them the mysteries of Holy Scripture concerning him, and yet, their hearts remaining foreign to him for lack of faith, he pretended to go further. … It was necessary to test them to see if, not yet loving him as God, they were at least capable of loving him as a traveler. Truth journeying with them, they could not remain strangers to love: they offered him hospitality, as one does for a traveler.”

Gregory points out that they begged, urged, pleaded, pressed or constrained Jesus to stay with them. He continues, “This example shows us that we should not only offer hospitality to travelers, but to accept it. The disciples set the table, offer food; and God, whom they did not recognize in the explanation of Holy Scripture, they recognize it in the breaking of bread.”

“As you can see, the Lord was not recognized when he spoke, but he deigned to be recognized when he was given food. Love, dear brothers, hospitality, love works inspired by charity.”

Hebrews reminds us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2) As does Peter, “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Pet 4:9), and Matthew, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35). 

After citing these passages, Gregory said, “What great virtue is hospitality. Receive Christ at your tables, to deserve to be received by him at the eternal banquet. Give shelter today to Christ who presents himself to you as a stranger, so that in the day of judgment you are not for him as strangers whom he does not know (cf Lk 13:25), but that he receives you as his own in his Kingdom.”

My friends, I am sure each of us has pressed strangers in our midst to accept our hospitality. It may have been one who was a stranger in our country or community. It may be one who was a stranger to God or the Christian Faith. At times, simply offering is met with resistance or refusal. Perhaps people are reluctant to receive hospitality. Perhaps they think that they must reciprocate a gracious act. But our salvation, as we know, is a free gift from God. That is why we should and do offer hospitality to strangers in our midst – to be channels of God’s free grace to them that they too may receive and enjoy salvation through Christ.

I was thinking about this point as I was waiting for Cindy to pick me up a few weeks ago. I noticed that several cars drove up to the Blessing Cupboard. They came when no one was around to notice, took what food they needed and left. For all I know, they are strangers in our midst to whom we offer hospitality. So, I asked Linda Rodenbeck about this ministry, and she forwarded my request to Barb Kraynie.

Barb responded with this. “The blessing cupboard was started in May 2017. I had seen a Facebook page called blessing box. I thought there are many people in our area that could use the help but are not comfortable letting people know. With the cupboard they could come any time anonymously and take whatever they need. It also gives other people the ability to donate any amount anytime that is convenient for them. Not only church members but many people in the community stock the cupboard. We do not keep records of donations and what we give out. Linda has been instrumental in expanding our giving with the Christmas boxes the past two years. She also has used her contacts to get donations from Blackhawk schools and Boy Scouts. When I was working, I drove by the church every day. I would stop and check if food needed stocked. I was amazed the amount that came and went on a daily basis.  I hope this information is helpful.” (Barbara Kraynie)

Friends, this is a wonderful Christian ministry we provide for the community. As we move through this great Season of Easter, open yourself to God’s grace poured into your hearts. Open yourself to divine hospitality, and may the grace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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[1] https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/good-eats

[2] Eugene LaVerdiere, Dining in the Kingdom of God, p. 9.

[3] https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/luke-commentary/gregory-the-great-homily-23-on-the-gospels

Freedom!

 

God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My focus is the Gospel of Mark where we read: “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”[1]

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”[2] Now that our feet are within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

Chris and Dana step to the microphone. Four years after incurring $80,000 of debt from student loans, credit cards, two cars and the birth of two kids, they are ready for this moment. In unison, they shout at the top of their lungs, “We’re debt free!” … On the heels of their debt free scream, a line from Braveheart – “Freeeee…dooommm!!!”

Daily, dozens of couples and individuals echo these screams. Relieved that they are debt free, these people tell the world their stories of incurring debt and paying it off by heeding the advice of one man, Dave Ramsey.

Dave Ramsey fans travel to Nashville to tell their story and scream on his syndicated radio show because they are relieved they worked diligently, budgeted income and expenses, ate beans and rice, and lived like no one else. They proudly paid their debt.

We too are debt free. After incurring the debt of our sins and our parents’ sins – Adam and Eve – our debt is paid. The difference between the debt paid by Chris and Dana and ours is that Jesus Christ our Risen Lord paid our debt. Christ was payer and pay, propitiator and propitiation, and His payment warrants a debt free scream from each of us.

Our freedom from debt involved no effort on our part. We did not budget income and expenses, work two jobs, use the envelope system, or eat beans and rice for two years. All we did was believe. Believe.

Mark recorded the disciples of Jesus did not run from the cave screaming, “We’re debt free!” Rather, when they left the tomb, “they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”[3]

The thought of Jesus rising from the dead did not occur to them because they did not expect a resurrection. … Think of it. Until this moment, the Bible recounts six people raised from the dead – 3 by prophets and 3 by Jesus.[4] Why would resurrection enter the disciples’ minds? That is why Mark recorded that the disciples fled the empty tomb trembling and astonished, and said nothing to anyone because they were afraid.

Resurrection from the dead … furthest thing from their minds. God’s victory over Satan, sin and death … furthest thing from their minds. A debt-free scream … furthest thing from their minds. In other words, Mark pointed out that the disciples realized God’s victory comes not from an experience of an empty tomb, but from an experience of the Risen Lord.

For Mark, the empty tomb in itself is not proof of the resurrection, but simply a source of wonderment. Faith in the resurrection springs from the actual experience of the risen Lord.[5] Only then did the first Christians understand what the empty tomb meant – that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

The Lord has risen indeed! God indeed conquered Satan, sin and death. Christ paid our debt. We are indeed debt free. Alleluia! Amen!

Unchecked excitement ran through the disciples’ veins and down their spines when the risen Lord appeared to them. They saw Him die. They saw His empty tomb. Then, they witnessed Him alive. The unparalleled experience of witnessing Christ alive impelled them to tell the world of the great Paschal Mystery – Christ’s willful suffering, death and resurrection, and what He taught throughout His life on earth. Peter and the disciples remembered and shared their experiences of Jesus the Christ with greater zeal and zest than any Dave Ramsey disciple.

Today, more than 2 billion Christians around the world celebrate Easter. More than 2 billion people share their own experiences of the risen Lord. More than 2 billion people share their debt free screams with others. More than 2 billion witnesses.

Are we among them? When did we last witness? When did we last share our debt free screams? When did we last share our experiences of the risen Lord with zest and zeal? Or are we still silently wondering what happened?

Is it because we have not pondered how the risen Lord has appeared to us? Is it because it is more difficult to believe God is present in bread and wine, in baptism and confession, in the Word proclaimed and preached by ordinary human beings than it is to believe Jesus rose from the dead? Indeed, God is present to us today, at this moment, but we do not always feel it or cannot articulate what we feel.

Let me share the brief articulated expression of a woman named Sally who became a baptized Christian more than 30 years ago. During the Easter Vigil 1989, Sally – then 62, frail and legally blind – was baptized and received into the Church. Several days later, when asked to share her experience of Christ’s death and resurrection symbolized in baptism, Sally, whose facial expressions and voice reminded one of Carol Channing, exclaimed, “WOW!”

Wow! Wow, Christ is risen and is present to us right now. Does the wow of that experience impel us into the streets like apostles with tongues of fire to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed? Does the wow of Christ Risen sustain me when I return to the humdrum of life’s work? Does the wow of Easter stay with me at home or hospital, in classroom or lunchroom, at the office or the in-laws? Do I feel the freedom of being debt free? Do I feel Victory even when I feel like a loser?

The wow of Easter should take all of us into the world because the world, America, Pennsylvania needs Christians who know Christ’s Victory and the deeper meaning of being debt free. John’s Gospel says that the truth will make us free[6] - not comfortable and not respected, but free in the real sense of the word: able to see and do what is right.

In the Christian tradition, freedom is to be used in the service of others. Working to defend the dignity of human persons and the dignity of the human family is an obligation of our freedom. As debt-free Christians we are obliged, are we not, to protect the unborn child, the immigrant, the disabled, the elderly. If Christians are not involved in ensuring the dignity and rights of others, then we risk living in a state governed not by justice but by thieves.[7] Bi-partisan thieves at that.

Let me close by asking a question that I pray you ponder as you go out from here and make your way home, hopefully not trembling and astonished. You should know that in recording that the women said nothing to anyone, Mark asked the unexpected question to every Christian who read or heard his gospel. Will you announce Christ rose from the dead? Will you demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit in your life as Jesus did in his? Or will you remain silent when you are afraid?

As church, can we remain silent in public and be faithful to Christ at the same time? Working respectfully and firmly to form the public conscience violates no one’s free will. Actively witnessing to our convictions and advancing what we believe about Christian morality in the public life is not coercion. It’s truth-telling.

Let’s tell the world the truth about our faith, about what we believe. Let’s witness to the point that when neighbors see us walking up their driveway, they will no longer say, “Here come those Holy Rollers,” but, “Here come those Missouri Synod Lutherans.” And when we share with them the good news that we are debt-free because Jesus Christ rose to free us from our sins, may we be overwhelmed by the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, and may it keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

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[1] Mark 16:6-7

[2] Psalm 122

[3] Mark 16:8

[4] 1 Kings 17:17-22; 2 Kings 4:30-37; 2 Kings 13:21;  John 11:38-44; Luke 7:11-17; Matt. 8:28-43 (Mark 5:1-20,

Luke 8:26-39)

[5] Eugene LaVerdiere, Luke. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, Inc. 1986. p. 282.

[6] John 8:32

[7] Attributed to St. Augustine

Death Comes as a Surprise

 

God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My focus is John 19, where we read: “[Jesus] said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”[1] Now that our feet are within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

Death always comes as a surprise. Even when we expect it, the moment one dies always catches us unaware. “I didn’t expect it to come so soon.” … “I thought there would be more time.”

When I recall the death of my parents, I remember my shock when my father died unexpectedly. April 16, 2003. My mother called and told me to come home. She then put my Uncle Ted on the phone who told me the reason. My dad died of a heart attack as he prepared for bed. Because he had no prior history of heart trouble, death came as a surprise, a shock.

Three and a half years later, I leaned over my mother, reading Scripture and reciting prayers for the dying. Moments later, a woman from our church, who had volunteered to watch her on that day, said, “I think she’s gone.” Mom took several more breaths. “Not yet,” I replied, and then a moment later when she breathed her last, “Now she’s gone.” Multiple myeloma and amyloidosis, her death sentence, worked its last. November 1, 2006. All Saints Day. Although I waited for death for more than a week, its inevitable arrival still surprised me.

Scripture reminds us that the death of Jesus seemed to come as a surprise for those around him. Even to the end, those who loved and accompanied Jesus, must have been surprised, even shocked that he was dead, dead on a cross.

Scripture also tells us that his closest friends and family members gave Jesus a proper burial. Given the circumstances of the Passover, they anointed his body, wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid him in a new tomb. His community of believers accompanied him to the end.

As a faith community, we accompany our deceased family members and friends to the end. They ask us for the Prayer of the Church and the Lord’s Supper in order to be strong and absolved of sin. We oblige. For their mourning friends and family, they ask for a proper, public viewing and a Christian burial. We oblige. We gather at funeral homes, churches, cemeteries and social halls. We accompany them to the end and remember them. On their birthdays and anniversaries, at the next Christmas and Easter, at family gatherings and on the Day of the Dead, we remember the dead.

Externally, the death and burial of our parents, siblings and friends resembles Jesus’. Yet, his death was different. Jesus did not simply die of a heart attack or a lingering disease. Scripture reminds us, “He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.” Because of his death, “We have an advocate with the Father; Jesus is the propitiation for our sins.”

He was the propitiation for our sins, and he was the propitiator. He was our paid debt, and he paid our debt. A debt we could never pay.

Because our Advocate was delivered for our sins, we should, as one hymn reminds us, ponder his passion. When we meditate on Jesus’ last moments, we know our God is compassionate. Verse Five of the hymn, Jesus, I Will Now Ponder, closes with these words: “Help me see forgiveness won By your holy passion. If for me He slays His Son, God must have compassion!”[2]

Jesus’ death, which in John’s Gospel, is his moment of glory, reveals God’s infinite compassion for me, a poor, miserable sinner. Because God is compassionate to me, should I not be compassionate as Jesus taught? We read in Luke, chapter six: “Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”[3]

With that hymn and passage in mind, find time today to meditate on Jesus’ passion. Reflect upon the depth of His Father’s compassion. Reflect upon the compassion our Father has for you and yours, and how He is the Author of all life – eternal life and human life.

May God bless you in your prayer this Good Friday, and may the Holy Spirit make you a believer in the power of God’s love poured forth from the Cross into your heart. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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[1] Psalm 122

[2] Jesus, I Will Now Ponder, #440 LSB.

[3] Luke 6:36-38

Disturbing, Institutional, Personal Words

 

God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My focus is on three words from the Gospel of Mark: Disturbing Words, Institutional Words, Personal Words. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Now that our feet are within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

My hope is that you are having a peaceful, easy feeling; that you’re feeling easy like Sunday morning; and that all is well with your soul. If you are, I hate to disturb you. None of us likes to hear disturbing news whether it’s personal – “You have cancer.” “You’re fired.” “I’m leaving you.” – or communal – “President Kennedy has been shot.” “The Challenger has exploded.” “A second plane has crashed into the South Tower.”

Disturbing news causes feelings of worry, concern or anxiety. The word disturb means to frighten, alarm, break up the tranquility. The Latin word disturbare means to throw into disorder, from dis, meaning completely, and turbare or turba, meaning turmoil. Disturbing synonyms include aggravating, annoying, pesky, rankling and vexing to name a few.

I begin our Triduum – our three-day observance of the Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection – with Disturbing Words because that is what we hear from Jesus. But before I get to that, allow me a few moments to set the scene.

Jesus’ instructions to two disciples regarding where to eat the Passover seem a bit out of place. A man carrying a water jar will be looking for them. First, men in Jesus’ culture did not carry water jars; women did. Second, what are the odds of this man knowing who these two disciples are. Know this about the Evangelists: they don’t explain everything.

What we can surmise from the preparation is that people seldom finished eating the Passover meal before midnight. Note that Jesus and the Twelve did not arrive until evening. So, that night he was within the jurisdiction of the priestly authorities who planned to arrest him secretly and then kill him, and if he was close to Mount Zion, he was near Caiaphas’ house. That in itself is frightening, but here are the disturbing words from our Lord.

Imagine, now, you’re gathered with Jesus and as the meal begins the first words out of his mouth are, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” Imagine sitting down for Easter Dinner with your closest family members and dearest friends, and the host says that you will betray him. Is it no wonder that Mark records their upset feelings – distress, grief, sorrow and sadness – and their responses: “Surely, you don’t mean me?” “Am I the one?” “Is it I?”

Jesus’ disturbing words isolated him from the Jewish authorities and his own disciples. Though surrounded by enemies and followers, he is alone. A more chilling effect comes when he says, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.” This is the deepest sort of betrayal.

His words are prophesied in Psalm 41, where we read, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. But you, O LORD, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!” In more familiar words, we recall, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Ps 23) In other words, all is going according to divine script for Jesus’ life. The irony is that during a meal where bonding and celebrating occur, the participants will betray, deny and desert Jesus.

Jesus goes to the cross without his closest allies and support group. The Twelve were upset at Jesus’ words, and Mark portrayed them accurately as a self-concerned bunch, undiscerning to the end. And though Mark makes no mention of Judas’ departure, the punishment for his deliberate breach of faith is described in verse 21, “For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” There is no exoneration for him. Disturbing words, indeed!

Now, because Holy Thursday marks a transition within Holy Week and Lent as the first of three sacred days known as the Holy Triduum, Latin for three days, it serves as the beginning of the Paschal Feast. As we are fed and nourished at His table, we are strengthened to take up our cross, follow Him, loving one another in real and significant ways as He has loved us. With that, we move from Disturbing Words to Institutional Words.

Before commenting on the Institutional Words, a few remarks about the passage. This is the earliest Gospel description of the Last Supper. Yet, the earliest written account is 1^st Corinthians 11:23-26.

Though this is a Passover meal, there is no mention of what is customarily consumed – lamb and bitter herbs – for the focus is on bread and wine. Jesus is not participating in the temple-centered feast of Passover. Instead, he discarded its symbolic ritual meal in order to narrate his new story – that of the Human One who gives his life for the people. Blood was the ultimate pollutant in the Jewish purity system. Yet, the blood of Jesus is the means of ultimate cleansing of people from their sins.

The Words of Institution are symbolic to the disciples. Otherwise, how difficult it would be for them to drink human blood. Even as a symbol, it would offend the sensibilities of any Jew. Still, they eat and drink the bread and wine offered by Jesus.

We cannot overlook the significance of the verse that follows. When Jesus says, “I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God,” he anticipated that he would share no more Passover meals nor drink any more wine. He would drink new wine in the messianic banquet for his death was instrumental in bringing forth God’s Kingdom.

In heaven we won't receive the Lord's Supper because we will have Jesus — the Bread of heaven — in all his fullness. As Lutherans, we believe this messianic banquet – Eucharist – as one of our sacraments. The Words of Institution are an historical report: this is what Jesus did and what he said. According to Christ’s command, we celebrate the Lord's Supper not as a meal of remembrance but as a Sacrament by which Jesus himself comes to us.

In Luther’s Small Catechism, we read that the Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and to drink. These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. Whoever believes these words, and eats and drinks Christ’s Body and Blood, has exactly what they say: “forgiveness of sins.” But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, because the words “for you” require our hearts to believe.

Martin Luther placed the highest priority on Jesus’ instituting words. He wrote: “You must above all else take heed to your heart, that you believe the words of Christ, and admit their truth, when he says to you and to all, ‘This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life.’ … Everything depends … upon the words of this sacrament. These are the words of Christ. Truly we should set them in pure gold and precious stones, keeping nothing more diligently before the eyes of our heart, so that faith may thereby be exercised. . .. If you would receive this sacrament and testament worthily, see to it that you give emphasis to these living words of Christ, rely on them with a strong faith, and desire what Christ has promised you in them.”

To further appreciate why Luther valued the Words of Institution to this degree, it is necessary to remember the controversies that emerged surrounding the Lord’s Supper. Amidst the errors of the Roman Catholic sacrificial interpretation and the Reformed rejection of the bodily presence, Lutherans continued to confess that the Lord’s Supper is the very body and blood of Jesus, given in bread and wine, not as a sacrifice for sins, but for the forgiveness of sins. The foundation and defense of their confession were Jesus’ own mandating words. Like Luther before, the next generation of Lutherans ardently held fast to the words of institution: with these words Jesus instituted this sacrament and shows what is given in it.

The authors of the Formula of Concord followed Luther in their fervent confession of Jesus’ words of institution: “This very opinion on the Lord’s Supper … is founded on the only firm, immovable and undoubtable rock of truth. It comes from the words of institution, in the holy, divine Word. … We are certainly duty-bound not to interpret and explain these words in a different way. For these are the words of the eternal, true and almighty Son of God, our Lord, Creator, and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. … With simple faith and obedience, we receive the words as they read, in their proper and plain sense.”

From Institutional Words to Personal Words. Most people consider Easter as one of their top ten holidays. Throughout the US and the world, people place Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Independence Day, Hanukkah, New Year’s and Ramadan ahead of Easter. Personally speaking, Easter has been my favorite holiday ever since I came to know and love Jesus Christ. The three days preceding the Resurrection of the Lord are the most solemn and mystical days on our calendar. And as decades pass, my opinion, like concrete, has solidified about the solemnity and celebration of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection, otherwise known as the Paschal Mystery.

My thoughts exclude any of the Easter trappings: chocolate bunnies and baskets, children’s clothing and egg hunts. They do include what enhances our worship – singing joyful alleluias and smelling fresh flowers – to the point that years ago I said that whenever I am buried, I want it to be on Easter Monday: the pain of death experienced on a Day of New Life.

In 2003, I experienced the pain of death against the backdrop of new life. In that year, on April 16^th, Wednesday of Holy Week, my father died suddenly and unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. Ironically, we buried him on Easter Monday. I speak of this not to garner sympathy, but to offer an insight. By now, we have all experienced pain, grief, sadness, unbelief and all those emotions that occur when one we love dies. Though we may be able to mask those emotions temporarily while receiving guests at the funeral home or leading worship during the Triduum, we do not escape them. At some point, they overcome us and leave us feeling broken, empty and maybe even hopeless. Yet, life goes on, and we realize that though we are feeling loss, most of the world outside our circles of family, friends and church, have no clue that we lost our loved one.

We turn to whatever helps us cope. Some turn to unhealthy habits and develop addictions. Others find healthy activities to fill their days – volunteering in the church or community. Still others develop new relationships. Humanly speaking, all good. Yet, what I found, years removed from the sudden death of my father, is that the emotional experience of loss can lead to deeper reflection and appreciation not only for what my father did for family, community and church, but more importantly for what Jesus Christ did for us as Savior and Redeemer.

Reflecting on the Paschal Mystery from the perspective of loss deepens our appreciation and love for Christ knowing the depth of his love not only for his family, friends and disciples, but also for us, brothers and sisters of the Lord.

My friends, what I am asking you to do between now and Easter Sunday, amidst all the activity which engages your time and attention, is to spend some time reading and reflecting upon the passion narratives found in the Gospels. Take time for prayer and meditation not only publicly in church, but also privately at home. May the Passion of Jesus mark your Triduum. And may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Palm Sunday 2021

             

            God’s grace, peace and mercy be with you. … My focus is the Gospel of Mark, where we read, “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, the psalmist wrote, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” Now that our feet are within your gates, we rejoice to hear your Word. As we listen, may your Spirit enlighten our minds and move our hearts to love deeply as Jesus loved. This we pray to you, Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

The disciples were happy as they walked along under the stars. It was a bittersweet happiness. Jesus said too many sorrow-shadowed things. His final words, especially, kept ringing in their ears: “Do this in memory of me.”

Years after the Last Supper, Paul wrote, “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death until he comes.” Paul’s point is important. Jesus is present in a mysterious way in every celebration of the Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper, but the fullness of his presence will be realized only when he returns in glory. Until then, the Lord’s Supper will always be a paradox of presence and absence.

It will be a call to mourning as well as feasting, to sadness as well as to joy, to longing as well as to satisfaction. … When you attend church and come to the Lord’s Table to receive Christ’s Body and Blood under the form of bread and wine, why is it so meaningful for you? Do you mourn or rejoice? Are you sad or satisfied? Perhaps your feelings are influenced by life’s events and affect how Christ comes to you in the Lord’s Supper. Is it the birth of a grandchild or the death of a grandmother?… Before you retire this evening, take time to speak to Jesus about the opportunity to share in His Supper.

Next, the discouragement Jesus must have felt. We have all experienced discouragement. It may have been as a child or as a parent, in our personal or professional lives. Like Jesus, we have all experienced discouragement.

In the vein of Paul Harvey, I tell you the story of a mother who experienced great discouragement when one day her partially deaf son came home from school with a note from his teacher. Little Tommy handed the note to his mother.

Mother opened the note slowly and read it. As she did, she choked back tears. The note suggested her son was too dull to learn. He was holding back the entire class. It would be better if she would withdraw him from school.

The mother finished reading the note. At first, she felt discouraged, then awkward and finally challenged. She said to herself, “My son is not too dull to learn. I’ll teach him myself.”

When little Tommy died many years later, the entire nation honored him in a remarkable way. At exactly 9:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in late October 1931, every home turned off its lights for one minute as a tribute to the man who invented those lights.

Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the electric lightbulb, the movie projector and the record player, the boy “too dull to learn,” died with a thousand patents to his credit.

From the outset of his ministry, Jesus faced opposition. He was opposed not only by the devil, but also by those he called. “I mean, really,” said one of his disciples, “could anything good come from Nazareth?”

As a follower of Jesus, I am certain you experienced discouragement. This week, recall those moments, and speak to Jesus about how he handled discouragement.

I close with a quote from Harper Lee’s main character in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Atticus Finch. One of the memorable lines in her book is often memorized and quoted like a confirmation verse. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. … This week, ask the Lord for the grace to accept life’s trials with the same courageous acceptance that he demonstrated in Gethsemane. Contemplate Jesus’ suffering the way the evangelists contemplated it. … May the Passion of Jesus mark your Holy Week. And may the peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Wish Lists

 

If a genie granted 3 wishes, what would your first one be? Some may think: “My first wish would be an unlimited number of wishes!” But, as in Aladdin, Genie says, “Three wishes, to be exact. And ixnay on the wishing for more wishes. That's all. Three. Uno, dos, tres. No substitutions, exchanges or refunds.” This is what James and John thought when they said to Jesus, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” (Mark 10:35)

They were treating Jesus like an ice dispenser. Every time I press the button, I get as much ice as I wish. Well, Jesus challenged them, and they quickly said that they would pay the price for the honor they sought. Do you think they knew what “drinking the cup” meant? Do you think it contained ice?

It’s easy to go to Jesus with a wish list what favors we want granted, but with little desire to be one with Him. Now, what would you do if Jesus came to you and asked for a favor?

Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He is the Servant who stoops down to wash our feet; the One who looks at us with love and fills our hearts with what we really need; the Shepherd who asks us to take up our cross and follow him.

Because Jesus gives us everything we need, He asks us not to give him a list of favors, but everything we have. Give Jesus what you did last week, your talents and relationships with family and friends, and your needs and wants. Go to Jesus like He comes to you – as one who gives instead of one who receives. Then rest in his grace like you do in your mom’s arms, and like Jesus, you will be lifted up by our Father in heaven.

Heavenly Father, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and earth is named: Bless these and all children, and give their parents the spirit of wisdom and love, so that the homes in which they grow up may be to them an image of Your Kingdom, and the care of their parents a likeness of Your love. We pray in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.