Cultivating Fruitfulness & Letting Go of Empty Productivity

Cultivating Fruitfulness & Letting Go of Empty Productivity

Luke 13:1-9

          At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did." 

          Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"

Jesus’ parable calls us to cultivate fruitfulness and let go of empty productivity.  What is the context of Jesus’ parable in light the awful tragedies reported by Jesus. In the one case Pilot killed Galileans publicly and the other Galileans died by accidental death.   Why does Jesus turn on the crowd?  And what is the fruitfulness we are given a chance to grow in light of the tragedies that Jesus notes?  All of this is summed up in a call to fruitfulness.  

The slaughter of the Galileans, not mentioned outside the Gospel of Luke, presumably refers to Galileans who were killed by Pilate while offering sacrifices at the Temple.  Galilee was known as a province under Pilate’s control for fomenting rebellion against Roman occupation of Palestine.   Do you recall the story of Barabbas being released from crucifixion by the crowds when Jesus was condemned to death?  Barabbas was a political prisoner fighting Roman occupation. These Jewish Galileans came out of the Galilee to Jerusalem and were slaughtered by Pilate as they were worshiping in the temple.  It’s sad to say that we have all too often read about or experience similar tragedies and injustice in our world each week. Jesus is asked to comment on the political issues of the moment, the slaughter of the Galileans, but instead of railing against the oppressive injustice of Pilate, he turns the focus back on the crowd demanding repentance from them. True change begins with us.  

You see God does not enact external punishment on “sinners”. Jesus immediate rejection that the Galileans were killed because they were sinners or that this tragedy was God’s punishment God’s wrath seems much more tied to our choice to change our hearts and minds to accept and share God’s grace than external factors.  Awful things happen, but it is worse to deny or reject God’s love and grace.  (Eric Fistler and Rob McCoy, https://www.pulpitfiction.com/notes/lent3c)

The force of the teaching here is summarized in the twice-repeated conclusion that “unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die”.  The parable emphasizes both God’s patience with the unrepentant and the limits of that patience.  Wesley strongly emphasized the love of God, but he also recognized the limits of divine patience and the reality of judgement.  (From notes, Wesley Study Bible, Common English Bible, 2012.)  What Jesus is calling for is a complete and total change of heart, gut, soul and mind. It’s about being transformed - not about feeling guilty about what one has done. 

In the story, God is the landowner, Christ is the Gardener and we are the fig tree.Remember the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:23 “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  We have all failed to bear the fruit expected of us and, therefore, are deserving to be cut down.  Christ intercedes on our behalf (like the Gardener) and does everything in his power to help us bear good fruit (care, till, fertilize, etc).  “The manure around our roots is the very blood of the one who pleads for our justification before God, the one through whom we may offer up the fruits of the kingdom to our Creator.” Daniel Deffenbaugh,Feasting on the Word – Year C, Volume 2: Lent through Eastertide.  We still have a set time to bear fruit – change our hearts and minds – or face imminent wrath.

I would like to take a deep dive into what fruitfulness may mean.   Arthur C. Brooks, Love Your Enemies, (90) uses the term warm-heartedness to describe fruitful living.  Brooks reminds us that warm-heartedness begins with an understanding of human morality.  Brooks reports that unless you are a sociopath you have morality imbedded into your DNA.  Brooks sights study after study. He comes down to five foundations of morals that each person carries.  I am only going to mention the first two today.  Warm hearted living starts with the understanding that all people who ever have been, who already are and who will be born have 1) fairness and 2) care for others imbedded as the foundation of morality.  Unlike so many political operatives today who start by assuming that their opponents have no moral foundation, Christians start by assuming that all persons in the conversation have fairness and care for others as moral foundations. 

In the Meditations, Marcus Aurelius explains our imbedded morality as the nature of social duty.  he says, [we] are “created [us] for a reason, for some duty, in the same way[s] that the function of a fig tree is to do a fig tree’s work.”  Our primary function, he thought, is to be “rational.  To discover our secondary functions, we need only apply our reasoning ability.  What we will discover is that we were designed to live among other people and interact with them in a manner that is mutually advantageous.”  Musonius Rufus writes in Lectures, “Human nature is very much like that of bees.  A bee is not able to live alone:  it perishes in isolation.” Marcus says, “Fellowship is the purpose behind our creation. To fulfill my social duty – to do my duty to my kind-I must feel a concern for all mankind.  I must remember that we humans were created for one another, that we were born,” says Marcus, “to work together the way our hands and eyelids do. In all I do, I must have as my goal “service and harmony of all.”  More precisely, “I am bound to do good to my fellow creatures and bear with them.” (The Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine, p. 129.)

We know that we are born blessed with a duty to serve and have harmony for all. The devil is in the details of our living and we fail.  We choose to break our God-given nature and duty.  We seek out reasons to divide.  We seek excuses not to serve.  We reduce our fellow humans to objects that we can use, abuse, throw away and terminate.  We see the objectification of humanity in the growing pornographic industry, in the growing human trafficking industry, in the warehousing of people.  We see the objectification of humanity in our eye roles and blame games.  It is not a new problem.  It is a problem we need to stop.  The Christian Coptic hermits who lived out their faith and life in the deserts of Ethiopia in the four century knew this, “Love means an interior and spiritual identification with one’s brother, so that he is not regarded as an “object” to “which” one “does good.” The fact is that good done to another as to an object is of little or no spiritual value. Love takes one’s neighbour as one’s other self, and loves him with all the immense humility and discretion and reserve and reverence without which no one can presume to enter into the sanctuary of another’s subjectivity.” (Merton, Thomas. The Wisdom of the Desert (New Directions) (p. 18). New Directions. Kindle Edition.)  Even a hermit in a cell in the desert can objectify a person for spiritual gain.  

Fruitfulness is allowing God to care for ourselves and others through us.  A fig tree is nourished and provides nourishment for others.  It may not even know that it does it.  God’s grace is a gift which is not earned.  God’s grace can only be fully accepted when we change our hearts and lives toward God and neighbor.  Eternal life is living in full relationship with God, self and neighbor. Christ shows us how to live in that fullness of life.  By following Christ’s way we have a chance and a choice to accept God and other centeredness and life or self-centeredness and death.  The “wrath” of God is as much one of our own choosing as it is God’s when we collapse inward upon our self and on our selfish coercion of others.  

When we submit to God and allow Jesus to bring nurture and nourishment to our interior we live out of a warm heart.  We have a wholehearted life. BrenéBrown describes the interior of this heart, “Wholehearted living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness.  It means cultivating the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No Matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough. It’s going to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am also brave and worthy of love and belonging.”

(BrenéBrown, The Gifts of Imperfection, 1.)

Rev. Todd Pick and Rev. Jennifer Pick,( https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/lent-2019-worship-planning-series/march-24-third-sunday-in-lent-year-c/third-sunday-in-lent-2019-year-c-preaching-notes), know what this looks like in a simple way externally. “As faithful folk, we know how to fuel the body and how to make love the central ingredient in almost any dish. When we lack words, we bring food. When we wish to dispense comfort and care, it often comes in the form of casseroles and hot dishes, all seasoned with the spirit of love and garnished with a sprig of hope.”  

There are many who testify to the “before and after’ in their lives.  God’s grace chased them until their lives blossomed with peace, justice, hope, caring and humility.  In Jesus’ story of the fig tree, the gardener offers to put fertilizer around the barren tree.  Growth comes because the gardener works at it.  Wesley believed that God finds ways to nurture and mature us into the fullness of love.  These means of grace – Scripture, prayer, worship , fasting, Lord’s Supper, holy conferencing and acts of mercy – become ways by which God nourishes us toward fruitful living; full love of God and full love of neighbor. (From notes, Wesley Study Bible, Common English Bible, 2012. 1309.)

Cultivating Devotion & Letting Go of Personal Profit and Power

Cultivating Devotion & Letting Go of Personal Profit and Power

Luke 4:1-13

          Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'" 

          Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours."  Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" 

          Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Unless it had come to the mind of Jesus, he would not have been tempted.   By what are we tempted?  We are tempted by an action that gets us to our goals.  Think with me for a moment about a common goal that many of us have, Weight loss.  Over and over again we are encouraged to drop that extra weight that we carry.  Our doctors encourage us to have a Body Mass Index of 28 or lower for a man and 25 for a woman.  A BMI higher then 28 or 25 is overweight.  The statistical odds of having type two diabetes increases dramatically with higher BMI’s.  Heart disease and stroke dramatically increase with higher BMI’s.  Then, there is Madison Avenue and the great weight-loss industrial complex.  Our marketing and retail sectors preach youthful slender bodies.  A great deal of shaming pours into our thoughts for health reasons and social reasons driving the goal of weight loss.  

What would you do to lose weight and quiet the voices of shame? What means are you tempted to use to gain your goal?  Are you willing to risk your life?   Are you willing to starve yourself?  Are you willing to change your diet?  Are you willing to undergo surgery?  Are you willing to obtain your goal to the degree you are tempted to risk your life? An Upwards mom sustained catastrophic organ failure resulting from a mixture of ketosis and diabetes related to a “diet.”   A younger woman from a previous church I served had gastric bypass surgery with complications that resulted in her untimely death.   Another woman from a church I served years ago had laparoscopic surgery to remove fat from her body and became septic.  We had her funeral less than two weeks from the day of surgery. Are you willing to risk bulimia or anorexia to gain your goal?  Millions of people do lose the weight and minimize their health risks and look healthy without falling to the temptations of the extra-ordinary means.  These people devote themselves to a lifestyle to sustain a healthy body.  They practice the daily choices in diet, exercise and rest to give their bodies the best opportunity to maximize its health potential.  Hear the word, “devotion.”  

I started by saying unless it had come to the mind of Jesus, he would not have been tempted.  You cannot be tempted by that which you do not think about doing.  When Jesus was tempted, Jesus choose devotion.  

In my opening illustration, I spoke of being tempted to gain a healthy body by cutting corners and quick fixes rather than being devoted to simple moment by moment, day by day, choices.  For the most part, we experience the consequences personally or our consequences are shared by our close friends and family.  However, for Jesus the stakes were much higher.  

What do I mean?  Luke writes, “The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"  First of all, yes, Jesus is hungry.  Fasting creates cravings in the body for food.  Spiritual fasting, as in medical fasting, creates cravings.  In the spiritual fast, the person changes their interpretation of the craving. Whereas in the medical fast, the goal is to delay having food in the digestive track so that testing may occur, in the spiritual fast the person interprets the craving to be for God and can only be satisfied by God.   Think emptying the body so that one may be filled by God.  

Secondly, I have not understood Jesus ever to be concerned for himself.  Jesus always has a greater good in his mind.  To be “famished” as Luke puts it, allows for him to feel the hunger that so many poor feel. He will go from these temptations to preach the kingdom of God bringing good news to the poor.  The best news to the hungry poor may be, “Come and get it! Food is on the table!”  How may the son of the living God satisfy the cravings of the hungry poor, simply by turning stones into bread!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy.  In the desert, there are a lot of stones.  The Wilderness of Sin becomes the Wonderland of Bread.  People would be able eat bread until they could eat no more. Jesus must have considered this as an option before the devil could use it as a temptation.  

Jesus chose devotion over the profit and power of the quick fix.  Yes, he could have gained much personal power.  Yes, he could have had tremendous personal profit had he simply set-up the Holy Spirit Bagel Brigade and given everyone free food.  Jesus’ goal was not so much a full belly, but a devoted heart. He chose to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God.  Bring people to the saving grace of God and see what happens.  Having heard the good news, people bring forward what they have to share.  Jesus multiplies the offering to meet the needs of the hungry crowd with leftovers. 

You see, with Moses at the helm of a tough skinned people God did give bread from heaven into the desert for them to eat.  The people ate to their capacity every morning.  The experiment did not result in people being deeply devoted to God.  The experiment resulted in people complaining about the menu.  Check it out in the 16^thchapter in the book of Exodus.  Jesus choose devotion to the word of God over a new manna from heaven.  Jesus did feed the multitudes after the kingdom of God worked in the hearts of people to share what little they had.  God then met their need through multiplication of faithfully given resources. Jesus chose devotion over profit and power.  Israel is unfaithful - Jesus is faithful, Deuteronomy 8:3, “He humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you the manna that neither you nor your ancestors had ever experienced, so he could teach you that people don’t live on bread alone.  No, they live based on whatever the Lord says.”

Luke continues his record of Jesus’ temptation, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours."  Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"  This may well have been an option that occurred to Jesus.  After all, unless it had come into Jesus mind, Jesus would not have been tempted by it.  Think how much good Jesus would be able to do if he were the one in charge of all of the major metropolitan areas and all of the countries of the world. Every civilization would sync up to the same plan of action.  Yet, that would be some type of religious fascism.  We see this type of authoritarian theocracy throughout history.  It mimics Israel’s desire for a human king rather than God as their king.  

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Whenever the religious authorities have taken over a government, inquisitions, witch hunts, public stonings and lynchings occur. People divide and damn those who have contrary opinions, those who look different, who act different.  One example, from the eleventh century, is when the religious leaders in Europe create a crusade to free Jerusalem from the Muslims.   These crusaders landed on the shores of north Africa to advance upon Palestine. They murdered and raped in village after village to destroy the infidels.  Only when they stopped to regroup did they realize that they had laid wasted to Christian communities that had been peacefully living in the land of Jesus for a thousand years.  The crusaders and the victims all had the same faith – differed in culture. 

Jesus rejects theocratic fascism for devotion through worship.  Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:3.  Authoritarian rule does not create a heart that worships.  Worship comes by devotion.  Devotion comes by experiencing the saving grace and goodness of the kingdom of God as it draws near.  Today, billions of people freely choose to worship God through Jesus Christ.  More people worship God today then existed in all of human history up to the time of Jesus, 2000 years ago.  Not because they have to worship God; but because they want to worship God.  Jesus chose devotion over profit and power. 

Luke continues, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"  The devil is quoting Psalm 91:11-12.  Knowing scripture and being faithful are two different things. In Jesus day dreams in the desert, I can imagine him thinking that he needs to do something really sensational to get people’s attention.

However, unless it had come to the mind of Jesus, he would not have been tempted.   Taking a swan dive from the highest building in Jerusalem unto a stony street and landing with the lightest step of an Olympic gymnast would wake people up to his presence and his power.  Especially, if he performed his high dive during festival times.  Of course, he would not be able to do it once, he would have to make a regular routine of jumping in front of different crowds each festival.  People would soon get bored of his dives and he would have to up his game.  Maybe jumping into a boiling cauldron of oil. Maybe jumping through fiery rings. Maybe jumping blindfolded and chained. The human appetite for sensation has an adaptive response always needing something more stimulating to get the same affect.  

Jesus responds again with devotion, rejecting the power and profit of sensationalism.  Jesus responds with Deuteronomy 6:16.  Jesus lives a life that does not test God.  Jesus devotes himself to God.  Even when circumstances demand Jesus life.  Jesus follows through on his commitment.  Yes, he asks that the cup be taken from him. Yes, he sweats blood thinking about the torture that will come.  Yes, he cries out to God the words of Psalm 22, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus cannot get to the resurrection unless there is a corpse to resurrect.  Now, you want to talk about an act that no big top can match, how about that empty tomb?  Jesus chooses devotion over profit and power.
Unless it had come to the mind of Jesus, he would not have been tempted.   Unless it had come to your mind, you would not be tempted.  Like Jesus, even when we are led into the wilderness by the Spirit and face temptation- the Spirit remains with us to guide us.  The ends do not justify the means.  Jesus makes food to feed the hungry, he does great deeds of power and risks everything even unto death, but when he does these things it is always for the glory of God or neighbor - not for his own glory.  We are in the days of Lent.  These are the 40 great days of going into the wilderness with Jesus.  Not “if” but “when” you are tempted, cultivate devotion.  Let go of profit making and power.  God will do the rest. 

“Cultivating Trust in God's Care & Letting Go of False Intentions”

“Cultivating Trust in God's Care & Letting Go of False Intentions”

Luke 13:31-35

          At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."  

He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.  Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.'  

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"

This is an incredibly hard reading from the Gospel of Luke.  It does not matter in what translation that you are reading this passage, it is just tough. Is Jesus expressing contempt or is Jesus expressing anger?  Here may be a provocative thought for you.  If Jesus is expressing contempt, then we are all doomed and you don’t have to worry about going to hell we are already there.  If Jesus is expressing anger, there just may be a chance for sinners like you and I.  By connecting with the anger of Jesus, we may find a way to building trust in God’s care. If its contempt, we are damned by false intentions.  We want to cultivate trust in God’s care.  We want to let go of false intentions.

Let’s start with contempt.  To begin, I would like to share with you the reading that I have been doing that informs my thoughts.  Most recently, I have been reading Arthur C. Brooks, Love Your Enemies, William B. Irvine, A Guide to the Good Life, BrenéBrown, The Gifts of Imperfectionand anything by John Gottman and The Gottman Institute, A Research Based Approach to Relationships.   

Whereas anger says, “I care about this.”  Contempt says, “You disgust me and I don’t care about you.”  Contempt is accompanied by shame.  Shame is received.  Shame is sent.  Shame is experienced by both sender and receiver.  If you feel shame or ashamed, contempt is in the room.  John Gottman says that he predicts with 94% accuracy if a couple will survive as a couple based on one one-hour session of counseling. If during the session, contempt is displayed, even by the roll of an eye, the odds that the couple will divorce within three years is 94%. “Want to see if a couple will end up in divorce court? Watch them discuss a contentious topic, and see if either partner rolls his or her eyes.”  (Brooks, 23)    

Contempt doesn’t just destabilizes relationships. Contempt destroys our bodies.  It causes comprehensive degradation of our immune systems.  It damages self-esteem, alters behavior, and even impairs cognitive processing. (Agneta H. Fischer and Ira J. Roseman, “Beat Them or Ban Them:  The Characteristics and Social Functions of Anger and Contempt”.)  According to the American Psychological Association, the feeling of rejection, so often experienced after being treated with contempt, “Increases anxiety, depression, jealousy, and sadness”  and “reduces performance on difficult intellectual tasks.”  Being treated with contempt takes a measurable physical toll.  Those who routinely feel excluded “Have poorer sleep quality, and their immune systems don’t function as well”.  The loss of relationships resulting from contempt, according to a study at Brigham Young University, causes premature death by 50 percent from all causes of death. A Harvard University publication compares the ongoing damage to be like smoking 15 cigarettes a day. (Brooks, 35).

It’s not just the victims of contempt, it’s the givers of contempt.  Because the person who is contemptuous has be vigilant about their contempt, they have to hold themselves in a state of stress releasing cortisol and adrenaline into their body.  People in couples who continually hold each other in contempt tend to die 20 years earlier than people in couples who seek mutual understanding.  So, are you getting it?  Contempt is bad.  Contempt destroys relationships.  It destroys our bodies.  Contempt may even be destroying our country – but that’s another sermon.  

Let me spend just a moment on shame.  Shame is universal.  We all have it.  The only person who does not have shame is a person that cannot feel empathy or have the capacity for human connection. (Brown, 38). “Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.” (Brown, 39).  Hearing the words of contempt, “You disgust me and I don’t care about you”  triggers the shame that we each carry in our heart of hearts.  Contempt and shame take away our humanity and leave us feeling like a worthless object of ridicule.  

I have heard words of contempt in the halls of our church.  I heard words of contempt on the floor of General Conference in St.  Louis. I have heard Christians say, “They all ought to be drowned.”  I have heard Christians say, “They should be swept under the rug.”  These are things that I heard said about members of one or the other political party.  I also heard these things said about persons in the LGBTQAI+ community.  If you want more examples of contempt, read or listen to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, your favorite talk show host.  Or, maybe listen to the voice in your head.  You will find life defeating, life draining, hell celebrating examples all too often.  

Is what Jesus said contemptuous?  God I hope not.  Let’s see. Jesus replies to well-wishers who warn him about Herold Antipas’ desire to kill Jesus.  Jesus says, "Go and tell that fox for me…”  This could be contemptuous.  Jesus calls Herold a fox.  He calls him the name of animal that with great smarts and abilities sneaks around at night to get what it wants.  Ok, it may not be the most flattering thing to be called a “fox” but today it may even be a compliment.  The next line states facts, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.  Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.'” I don’t think that Jesus is telling Herold, “You disgust me and I don’t care about you.”  I think Jesus is saying to Herold don’t use you foxy ways to keep me from doing what I am supposed to be doing.

Does the next part of the reading of Jesus’ words say, “You disgust me and I don’t care about you?”  “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”  This part seems more like an expression of love. Jesus seems to be yearning to love and protect the city even though its history is blemished by bad behavior.  I am happy about this.  If Jesus can love Jerusalem even though it has a history of bad behavior, then there is hope for me. 

Jesus continues, “See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'"”  I am not hearing in the words – you disgust me.  I am not hearing in the words – I don’t care about you.  I think Jesus is hurt and angry.  I think that Jesus understands what is to happen to him when he arrives in Jerusalem.  I think Jesus wants Jerusalem to break its bad habit of killing prophets and welcome him un-conditionally.  Even better, follow him.  

If the controlling message of an eye roll of contempt is “you disgust me, I don’t care about you,” the controlling message of anger is “I really care about you.”  I think Jesus is saying in this passage, “I really care about you.”   Because of the elevated levels of frustration and perhaps not knowing how to handle the defensiveness that comes, a person, even Jesus, expresses anger.  Jesus rebukes Herod.  He says, you cannot kill me here Galilee.  I am going to Jerusalem.  There is where I will meet my destiny.  When Jesus turns his face to Jerusalem, he cries over the city like a parent that cries over a wayward child.  Jesus is not expressing, “You disgust me.”  Jesus is expressing, “I am hurting for you.”  Think about it.  If Jesus was disgusted with Herod, if Jesus was disgusted with Jerusalem, if Jesus were saying, “I don’t care about you,” no one survives.  There is not one of us that stands.  There would be no saving grace, there would be no Paul the apostle. There would be no church.  There would be no songs of praise.  There would be  no heaven.  There would only be hell.  

Let’s back this done a little.

If your spouse says to you, “You spend too much time fishing!” It’s a world apart from, “I don’t give a damn, fish all you want.”  Which statement is toxic?  Which statement is an expression that values the relationship?  Which statement can you work with to grow the relationship?  

“You’re a workaholic, you work all the time!” “Whatever.”  Which statement is toxic?  Which statement expresses, maybe not well, that I wish to have more time with you?   I think you can tell which of these statements are contemptuous eye rolls and which are statements that come from deep caring.  

When is it ok to use contempt – Never!  

Never dehumanize another.  

Never demean another.  

Never shame another.  

It is never ok to use contempt.  

It’s ok to get angry.  We all get angry.  You can only be angry when you are defending something or someone you love. At the core of anger is “I care about you.”  Arthur Brooks calls what we are to do “warm-heartedness” a term he learned from the Dali Lama.  BrenéBrown uses the term “whole-heartedness.”  Jesus simply said, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Let go of false intentions. Cultivate trust in God’s care for you for every person who has lived, is living now and will live in the future.  

Do you need some help reframing what you have said in contempt? Here are some really simple things to do.  These you probably already know.  John Gottman puts it this way:  

1.    Focus on the other’s distress.  Keep your mouth closed and listen.  Stop trying to make a point, debate, argue, prove you’re the most Biblical or holy.  

2.    Use the five-to-one rule even on social media.  Say five nice things before saying one criticism.  

3.    No contempt. It is never justified.

4.    Find people who disagree with you and make them your friend. 

Cultivate trust in God’s care for you for every person who has lived, is living now and will live in the future.  

A Tribute to Gael Martin Conway

“Duct Tape and WD 40”

Gael Conway 

April 27, 1964 - March 7, 2019

I would like to share with you some images. Lightbulb, Grill, Truck Tractor, Duct Tape and WD 40.

First, think lightbulb.  Gael was the light upon the path that would show the way for others to go.  As Sam said of Gael, “He was light in the darkness to guide.”  I know this to be true.  I was able to get to know Gael this past year because I asked he and Kathy to help mentor a young couple.  This couple we connected with last August because they were living in a storage unit and were at that time eight months pregnant with a two year old in tow.  I knew enough about Gael to know that he was a man, as the song says, “acquainted with sorrows.”  He rose above the sorrows to make a wonderful life.  Asking he and Kathy to mentor this couple gave the couple a rare chance of a successful life.  I was able to appreciate his no nonsense compassion and straight talk.  

I am just saying, if you were on the receiving end of his counsel and not wanting to be, you may think he was arguing with you, he may say, “I’m not arguing I am explaining why I’m right.” Gael is a diamond, created from the coals of living.  Gael laughed hard and cried well.  He found just the words needed.  In his obit it was written of him, “Gael was a big Toys R Us kid and always said he was never going to grow up. He was always a Smart Alek and had an open and bright outlook on life. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was a people person but expected respect.” “Anytime Kathy would say "Oh my God" Gael would reply with his most noted quote "don't include me"!”

Is it true that Katlyn pushed Gael out of a raft in class IV whitewater? Maybe…  Is it true that Gail loved to blow things up especially on the 4^thof July? Definitely… Is it true that Gale would drive through a blizzard to go to a water park?  Always…  

Now I want you to think about grills, as in smoking and barbecuing.  Gael had a deep religious connection with God.  In the Old Testament, you will learn that the pleasing odor to God is fat burning.  God loves a good barbecue.  Gael loved a good barbecue.  God is really concerned with feeding people who are hungry.  Gael loved to fed hungry people.  Gael is just like God!  Gael cooked for the monthly Friday night meals at the church and for Wednesday night meals.  He would plan and scream for weeks about the menu.  Brisket.  Pulled Pork.  He would make so much food that the leftovers from one meal would feed everyone that came to the next.  This shirt-off-the-back giving to others was seen when he was honorably discharged from the Air National Guard for having fallen in the attempt to help a person at Angel Falls.  He was the angel that fell 50 feet.  He even drove himself to the hospital with a broken knee.  When it came to holiday time, the whole family always looked forward to his mystery meat at Christmas and Thanksgiving. 

            In the writings of Isaiah, we hear these words, 

Even youths will faint and be weary,
   and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

Gael through his cooking and helpful heart renewed people’s strength and restored their soul.

Now think with me about his Truck Tractor.  Gael was a self-employed truck driver for 36 years. He drove a tractor trailer most of his life and was awarded a million mile “no accident safe driving award” in July of 2018. Think of it as a metaphor that Gael could go the distance with his family.  Though a difficult time, Gael and his siblings made the most out of their life together.  I know that if you catch a catfish by hand it’s called “noodling”.  I don’t know what it’s called when you catch trout by hand. Lucky? They used filters from cigarette butt’s to make flies for fly fishing.  They decorated a Christmas tree with snicker bars to surprise their mom. They played cowboys and Indianans with a 22 and live shells.  And learned how to ride a cobbled horse.  It is written, “Gael had a tough childhood, but never backed down or gave up and grew to be a very loving, respectful father, husband, and friend to many. Very smart and ornery.”  “He never met a stranger, had a calming presence, was very supportive, and had a big shoulder to lean on.”

Tim McGraw sings in “Shotgun Rider”,

She said, Rodeo man, where are you going?
Don't you know that the life of a cowboy is no good alone?
If you tear down that fence of rusty barbed wire
Then I'll lay down beside you and be your shotgun rider[1]

            Kathy and Gael knew each other from work.  They connected over “covering a piece for transport to Arkansas.”  Gael kept telling his sister about this woman.  Gael got his hand smacked on their first date when was a wee too fresh.  They enjoyed eating food he cooked, go figure, or going out to eat.  In August of 2009, Gael wrote a marriage proposal by email timing the email to arrive when Kathy started her shift at work.  The emails went on and confessing his love and commitment to her.  When he returned from a trip to Florida, he returned with a ring and lunch.  They were married on December 15, 2009 at the Courthouse in Centerville Michigan.  Kathy says, “The greatest day in Gael's life was "when we married and became a family."  They were  spontaneous, protective, always connected, sending emoj’s and notes continually.  “He smoothed the road for me.”  Jonny Lang sings in "Bring Me Back Home":

Oh it ain't that house we live in

And it ain't that ride I'm fixin'

It's just you babe, that brings me back home

Kathy and kids, you brought Gael back home.  

I love the promise that Jesus makes to his disciples to prepare them for his own death.  Jesus tells them, ‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live.”  The love that Gael has given, the love that Jesus gives, continues.  It’s not over.  The truck tractor keeps rollin’ on. 

Finally, think with be about Duct Tape and WD 40.  “If it moves and it shouldn’t – duct tape it. If it should and doesn’t – WD 40.” Here is the first rule of fatherhood and the first rule of being a husband: make the way easier for your kids and for your wife.  When you are home, you will never be more than a few inches away from his finger prints on things he made, fixed or made better.  Be a duct tape/WD 40 kind of dad and husband.  Gael liked to fix things.  He could also fix anything out of seemingly nothing.  He was a fixer.  “How can I help?”  He was a mechanic of more than cars.  Ozzy Osbourn in “Crazy Train” sings, 

Crazy, but that's how it goes

Millions of people living as foes

Maybe it's not too late

To learn how to love and forget how to hate[2]

Gael was all about learning and teaching how to love and forgetting how to hate.  In my last conversation with Gael, he was talking about people with which he disagreed. He waved his hand and said, “That’s ok, whatever they want to do or think, that’s ok for them.  It’s just not me.”  How much better would our country be today if more folks had that grace. Gael and his family characterize themselves as  having “love endless love; always doing for others.”

When you remember Gael, remember simple things that became extra-ordinary in his hands: Lightbulb, Grill, Truck Tractor, Duct Tape and WD 40.  You honor Gael most by living as he did.  In the end, be like God; be like Gael.  Cook a lot of food.  Feed hungry people.  Love without limit.  

---

[1]Songwriters: Marv Green / Troy Verges / Hillary Lindsey Shotgun Rider lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management

[2]Songwriters: O. Osbourne / R. Daisley / R. Rhodes Crazy Train lyrics © S.I.A.E. Direzione Generale, Blizzard Music Ltd., Kord Music, Blizzard Music Limited

Astounding

Grace and Peace, from the One who is was and shall be, world without end.

Candy and I had an experience in St. Louis this past week. I want to thank Pastor Bob for preaching a Sunday ago so that we could attend all four days of the special called session of The General Conference of the United Methodist Church.  The General Conference typically meets only once every four years.  This special session was held to consider changes to our traditional stance of marriage being only between a man and a women in addition to allowing a person who is a self-avowed practicing homosexual be ordained. 

The General Conference voted to uphold our current practices on both subjects.  We passed the “traditional plan”  meaning we will continue not performing same sex marriages and we will not ordain people who are self-avowed practicing homosexuals. 

On both sides of the debate, many scripture filled speeches implored churches not use this vote as grounds to exclude any person from any church.  

For you and I here in North Webster, Indiana, this means, nothing changes.  

If you want to hear more about the decision, I invite you to listen to the live broadcast of our Bishop Julius Tremble talking about the decision today at 5:30 pm.  I believe that the information is in your bulletin.  If you want to watch the live feed on Facebook at home you can.  If you would like to go to Mishawaka and listen to the live feed with our Conference Superintendent, Larry Whitehead, you may come to the church at 4:15 pm and we will car pool up to Coalbush United Methodist Church.  

During our prayer time today, Pastor Candy will be reading a letter that the Council of Bishops requested to be read today in all of the United Methodist Churches.  

Luke 9:28-43a

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. 

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

This morning I am going to push the concept of transformation.  A very wise and faithful man once said, if fact he said it last week right here in this room, Bob Dailey preached, “But Jesus didn't come from heaven to earth to be reasonable.  He came to be transformational.  He came to make a difference.  He came to change us and our world.  And, to the extent that we follow his teachings, he does change us and our world.”

In the Gospel story from Luke that you heard read, Jesus – empowered by the knowledge that he is God’s beloved - is transformedand then becomes an agent of transformativelove in healing the boy.  This is a story about transformationwhich is the hoped for outcome of the Church- the transformationof people into disciples and the transformationof the world into the Kingdom of God.

I would like to start with the ending of the sermon.  Peter and the disciples are not transformed, they don’t “get it” (see Luke 9:43b-50). Therefore, because the good news has not changed them, they are unable to affect change in others.  

So, I ask you a simple question, how has the good news changed you (and if it hasn’t-then perhaps we haven’t been sharing the good news)? 

Another question to ask is how has this community of faith transformed the North Webster community?  

How about a third question, what measurable ways will we transform our church and community in the future?

Eight days before Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” and disciples answered saying John the Baptist, Elijah, or another ancient prophet. Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. Then Jesus warns of the rejection, death, and resurrection that is to come. Immediately before another warning about arrest and Luke writes to us that Jesus is “determined to go to Jerusalem.”  

This story of transfiguration transitions us between Jesus’ Galilean ministry and journey to Jerusalem and Passion.  This story transitions us from the birth narratives of Epiphany to Lent.  The Transfiguration identifies one of five pivotal events of Jesus’ life:  Baptism, Transfiguration, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension. 

We are told, “On the Eighth Day” Jesus went up the mountain to pray. ‘Eighth day’ could be allusion to Resurrection, which happened on the ‘eighth day’ – the day after the Sabbath. Also could be seen as the second ‘First Day.’ The start of a new week, a new creation.  Fred Craddock points out that “As he was praying” confirms Jesus’ prayer life as an important part of his ministry. Linked to his baptism in Luke 3:21, where the Spirit comes “while he was praying.” For the Gospel of Luke think Spirit driven leadership through prayer.   For the Book of Acts think Spirit driven community through prayer. 

Linda Furtado[1]writes, that the disciples were not ready for what this time away with Jesus would bring, as he went for prayer. They knew they had journeyed up the mountain with Jesus.  They had no expectation of seeing Jesus’ glory as he prayed.  They lacked awareness and understanding of the mystery of Jesus’ chosenness.  They could not comprehend that something was worthy of the wait on top of the mountain. 

Peter, James and John, were overcome in their weariness.   Then shock. Suddenly, they were shocked by the glory that shone brightly. The familiar experience of Jesus in prayer revealed a truth that they were too tired to process. Glory transformed the appearance of Jesus’ face. Glory transformed the appearance of Jesus’ cloths.  Glory revealed the fulfillment of the Moses and Elijah in Jesus.  Glory set the path Jesus would walk. 

Peter is not sure what to do so he offers to build a booth for Jesus, for Moses, and for Elijah. Curiously, this glory is not bound to the persons of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, and cannot be restricted to “dwell in houses made with hands” (see Acts 7:48-50). Jesus is the light of the world, the glory God.  

After the shine dulls, Jesus remained.  The disciples senses returned.  The dulling may have been more then just the light having gone out.  In Peter, we see how the disciples seemed to be dull, to have missed something.  Proof of their lack of “getting it” comes as soon as they return to the crowds.  Perhaps a lesson for Peter, James, John, you and I, is not so much about understanding. Perhaps it’s more about:  Trust God.  Look to Jesus.  Bring the power.  

Peter and the disciples are not transformed, they don’t “get it” (see Luke 9:43b-50). Therefore, because the good news has not changed them, they are unable to affect change in others.  His disciples could not heal the son who was brought to Jesus from among the crowd, and Jesus did not mince words in his frustration.

Jesus does something his disciples should have been able to do. As a disciple of Jesus, we are to be faithful to God and committed to people, that we may  “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” by God’s power. If we like the disciples remain dull, if we don’t get it, if we remain unchanged by the good news, we cannot affect change in others.  We cannot make disciples of Jesus Christ. We are not a part of transforming the world. 

The transfiguration of Jesus need not be left for the mountain-top experience. Disciples bring the transfiguration to people.

If we concern ourselves with following Christ, then we may live by faith and lead people to do the same. 

By faith, we will be ready whenever God’s glory shines, no matter how sudden and no matter how brightly.

The disciples who could not heal the boy taught us that being present is not enough. 

Knowing of the needs of the people we encounter is not enough. 

We do more than look around for God’s glory to shine.

We are to bring the transforming power of Jesus to people. 

Peter and the disciples are not transformed, they don’t “get it” (see Luke 9:43b-50). Therefore, because the good news has not changed them, they are unable to affect change in others.  So, I ask you a simple question, how has the good news changed you?

How has this community of faith transformed the North Webster community?  

What measurable ways will we transform our church and community in the future?

Eternal God,

you revealed to the disciples

the everlasting glory of Jesus Christ.

Grant us, who have not seen and yet believe,

the gift of your Holy Spirit,

that we may boldly live the gospel 

and shine with your transforming glory,

as people changed and changing 

through the redeeming presence of our Savior. Amen.

---

[1]Linda Furtado is the wife of Rev. Jefferson Furtado and mother of Sueli, Cintia, and Emma Furtado. She is a member of Belmont United Methodist Church, a United Methodist General Agency staff person, and a seminary student at Asbury Theological Seminary in the process to become ordained as an elder in The United Methodist Church. Learn more about Linda on her website www.MusicaLinda.net.