1 Corinthians 8:1-2

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Anyone who claims to know something does not yet have the necessary knowledge; but anyone who loves God is known by him.”

In an effort to resolve certain arguments among the church members of Corinth, Paul begins with this admonition. He wanted to emphasize that, although the questions and concerns that had been raised were important, the more important issue was that anyone who claimed to have the answers and was speaking for Christ did not and was not. The real divide was not the differences in opinion that might naturally arise (such as was it acceptable for Christians to eat the meat of animals sacrificed to idols) but that certain individuals had taken it upon themselves to speak and act as if they had divine authority.

Although our current faith questions are different from those of the Corinthians, the issue of individuals or sects or religions claiming absolute knowledge of God’s Will or Jesus’ Way or the Teachings of the Bible remains the single greatest cause of conflict among people and nations.

Paul’s admonition is as appropriate now as it was then. Perhaps even more so, given the impact of electronic media and the ability to transmit “knowledge” to millions of people instantaneously. Those who think they have ownership of the truth do nothing but create conflict. But those who can love others they disagree with, or who have different beliefs, are all recognized by God. He sees us reaching towards him, seeking more closeness, each in his own way on his own way. We are all climbing the same mountain alone together.

Lord, help me discern my individual path to you and be willing to do the hard work of knowing for myself. Amen

~Priscilla

Mark 6:1-13

In this reading for today Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. Many disbelieved what he was preaching: “you should repent, if you have sinned!”

I think that Jesus is saying that people need to have faith, that people should believe in him. And that people should repent of their sins. We should also trust that people will have faith in us, even if some people don’t believe in us.

Dear God, give me the courage and faith to believe that what people are teaching me will be important to me, and that I will be able to turn my life around if I have sinned. Amen.

~Jane

1 Corinthians 7:25-31

“. . . it is well for you to remain as you are.”

As the family “expert” in trying to explore all sides of a situation before making a decision, I can picture myself as a participant in this vibrant, new, religious community at Corinth. I am struggling to determine just what it really means to be called to be a saint.

Paul says that something big is going to take place, and we need to be prepared. What does that mean? I love God, and despite disagreeing with some of these people around me, I want to be a part of His Church. What should I do? What if I do the “wrong” thing? Shouldn’t there be rules that are the same for everyone?

Should I run out and stock up on food … or carpets … or gold coins?
Are only pure single folks eligible to be chosen?
Must I forget all of my sadness at the death of loved ones and behave as if life is perpetually pleasant?
Do I need to withdraw from my worldly connections and spend every minute in prayer?

I have not appreciated everything that Paul has had to say about how I must live to prepare for the new world to come, but in this message there is comfort for me. He is speaking as a trustworthy messenger of the Lord. Not a law. Not a commandment. Rather, an opinion that in light of what is to come, it is wise for me to remain who I am.

Dear God, I am thankful for this hint from Paul that I am acceptable as I am. As I seek to know Your will, may I always endeavor to discover and live the life to which You have called me. Amen

~Ann B.

This fall, members and friends of WCUC gathered to connect to scripture through creative writing.  You can read more here and by picking up a packet of other pieces at church.

This is the list of the descendants of Adam. When God created humankind, He made them in the likeness of God.  Genesis 5: 1

January, 2014

Dear Peter and Siobhan,

Well, your first college Christmas Break is about over.  I loved spending time with you; enjoying the tales of your academic challenges and successes, listening to you share your social adventures, watching you consume mountains of food, observing your pleasure in being together, and noticing very adult changes in you.

Now you are busy gathering your “stuff” for the return trip and I am thinking of you and reading Genesis for a Midrash letter. It is the book that tells “all” about how everything began.  It is so full of fantastic tales, and as you know continues to be the source of lots of theological discussions and disagreements.  Was it really 7 days? How did Noah get all of those animals loaded?  Was Abraham really 100 years old when he fathered Issac; and was Jacob over one hundred thirty years old when he died? What about that “turning into a pillar of salt” bit? Did Joseph of the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat really know how to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams or was he just a good guesser?  Dreams seem to be particularly important.  I wonder if Freud took his cues from Genesis?  Genesis also reads like a biography of the ultimate in dysfunctional families.  Sibling rivalry and sleeping with the baby sitter is clearly not a modern phenomenon, and if your wife does not bear a son, she will give you her maid.  Multiple wives and serial marriages were certainly there at the “beginning.”  Father’s sent children away.  Angels appeared on the roads.  It all makes the extended Bailey Family story seem quite unremarkable.

The importance of the “begats” interests me…Siobhan, first-born daughter of Brian, son of Tom, son of Nellie…The children of Richard were Peter and Julia born of Kathleen.  I wonder if Shelah, child of Judah had any idea that people would be reading her name thousands of years after she lived? Why was it so important to include everyone? Every ancestor of the twelve tribes must be listed.  I suppose it is a bit like us tracing our family back to the Lord Mayor of London and Braveheart.  We come from a special someone and a particular place.

For me, the unifying theme of Genesis seems to be the meticulously recorded history of people stepping out of their “comfort zones,” undertaking unusual tasks, and traveling far from their homes without any clear assurance of successful results.   They tried to discern what their God wanted them to do; they may have protested a bit, but they took action; and then had faith that God would bring about the desired outcome.

Illinois and Troy are not quite Egypt or Sodom or on the shores of the Dead Sea, and you are not likely to starve, but you, Peter and Siobhan, are leaving your homes and setting out on a new path.  May you pay attention to your dreams and never be afraid to begin something because the outcome is unknown.  You are my beloved descendants and members of my clan.  May God guide your journey.

I love you,

Grandma

~Ann

Genesis 17:1-7
John 4:5-42

The Generosity of God

Strike a rock to quench your thirst? You must be kidding. Try squeezing water from a stone. Living water? Like an artesian well springing up within so you never have to worry about being thirsty again? Born again? Impossible. Such miracles are beyond our comprehension when we can only approach God on our terms.

God’s generous gift of water unites these stories: the Israelites, wandering in the desert, longing for water as proof that God has not abandoned them; and a needy, Samaritan woman who is puzzled by Jesus’ gracious offer of living water. Racial barriers are crossed and gender stereotypes are broken, demonstrating the inclusive generosity of God.

Jesus, in asking a Samaritan Woman for a drink, draws on the resources of an outsider, and turns the promises of life upside-down. After such an encounter, there will be no “business as usual” for this female, gentile evangelist who invites her village to come, meet the Promised One. But that didn’t happen without a revealing encounter, filled with innuendo, misunderstanding, double-talk, and revelations (much like the Gospel story of Nicodemus, baffled by Jesus’ invitation to be born again, born from above). When we’ve got Jesus all figured out, something shatters our world-view and we discover that God’s love is larger than our creeds, concepts, answers, and experiences, and will not be fully grasped.

When our lives are dried and brittle, our throats parched, thirst drives us to scheme and bargain with God. In desperation we put God to the test: God’s ways are not our ways. Defining our real needs, and actually meeting them eludes us, and is solely in God’s hands. We’d love some guarantee, just like the wandering, thirsty Israelites, questioning God’s presence and promises. God’s inviting, generous love graciously sets us free to drink from the gushing fountains of endless life, and be refreshed for the Lenten Journey.

Generous God, splash your life-giving Spirit all over us, that we may bathe in your amazing grace, and journey confidently in your promises to bless and be with us. Amen.

~Wayne

Psalm 27

Today’s readings include one of the most cited and recited psalms in the bible—Psalm 23, a glorious testament to the dedication that David gave to God. Fortunately for the reader we also have Psalm 27 included, as well, with its oft quoted verse, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” This small excerpt from the reading contains so much power when you think about the significance of what “living with God” can mean.

We make a very humble attempt to create this sense of belonging, of nearness to God each week through our Sunday worship experience but David, of course, is saying much, much more in this passage. He goes on to describe the joy he experiences gazing on the beauty of the Lord and purposefully states that he wants to reach out to God during his visits to the temple—as we do each Sunday. But we need to think about what it truly means to “dwell in the house of the Lord.” This isn’t a request to visit with God but to truly live with God, to inhabit God’s world, to experience fully the comfort and care needed to be an intimate part of God’s house. Think about our home lives—the effort that we put into creating a home to make it a loving environment for all who live there. This is the relationship that David wants with God—to be part of God’s world and submit to the conditions and responsibilities that come with this holy state. Can we do the same?

Lord, always be there for me—to open the door, when I knock; to let me enter, when I ask; to let me live with you, forever.

~Dave Se.

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm

The disciples and Jesus were in a boat. Jesus was sleeping on a cushion when a big squall showed up and crashed over the boat. The disciples were afraid of sinking.

When I lost my friend Heather I felt like that, like I have a furious squall in my life. I also worry about always doing a good job in everything, in church and out of church. I pray to God to help me through these rough times; the storms come and go and praying helps me through the storms. I feel like the brighter days are ahead.

Dear God, please help me through my rough times.

~Janice

Mark 4:21-34

Spiritual Gardening

This passage contains the parable of the mustard seed. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a “grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

This is certainly a metaphor for the growth of Christianity, but more interesting to me is that it can also be read as a metaphor for the “seed” planted within us by the Holy Spirit, one that—if nurtured by us—will grow to yield the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

I like that image, of a tiny seed within me flowering into a mighty plant. But as I consider how big my particular plant might be, I realize that I have not been the most attentive gardener. How have I nourished that seed and given it room to grow? Have I watered it with wisdom from regular Bible reading and study? Have I exposed it to the sunshine of worship and reflection? Have I stunted its growth through a preoccupation with “getting and spending” rather than by watching vigilantly for tiny shoots of joy and grace?

Is my fruit going to be tiny and tasteless? I hope not. I’m heading to the garden now.

Holy Spirit, you have blessed me with a seed. I pray now for gardening skills worthy of this precious gift.

~Kathy

Genesis 42:18-28

I cannot say that this reading has meant any more to me than the entire story of Joseph, he of the coat of many colors. Oh, the many pictures I colored of him in Sunday School. Nor do I remember any discussion about him, and Joseph was a colorful character. What a pity for that oversight in my religious education because Joseph’s story is one of intrigue, faith, and forgiveness. It has more twists and turns in its telling than any modern twenty first century tale.

Kidnapped by his older brothers, ripped from the home of his beloved father and his younger brother Benjamin, he was sold into slavery in another country, Egypt. It was years before he was reunited with those he loved. But this is a tale of God’s steadfast presence in a miserable situation. Time after time Joseph was tested physically and emotionally by God, who gave him strength and abilities to help him rise above his environment. An organizer and what is more important an interpreter of dreams, two gifts from God, put him into Pharaoh’s favor and made him eventually in charge of Pharaoh’s kingdom. During a severe famine, when Joseph’s brothers come begging for food from Pharaoh’s vast supply-house, they beg from Joseph whom they do not recognize. This man is powerful, well-dressed and wears the king’s ring, a token of authority. Is Joseph angry, or vindictive? Absolutely not, only anxious to know of and to see his father and Benjamin. He has recognized these brothers, and he has forgiven them for what they did to him so many years ago. And here I am going to say that what Joseph does is so clever and unusual that it must be read to be appreciated. What this story says to me is that no matter how dreadful the circumstances and how hopeless it may seem, God is with us and will see us through the toughest of situations. Never give up hope because God doesn’t—ever.

Lord, my daily prayer is that You will help me to remember that nothing is going to happen to me that you and I, together, cannot handle. Amen.

~Betty

Genesis 42:1-17
1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Mark 3:19b-35

The lectionary readings for a given day usually have a common theme, and today’s theme appears to be “Really Awkward Family Moments.” In Genesis, Joseph sees his eleven brothers for the first time since they sold him into slavery; Joseph then accuses his brothers of being spies and has them thrown in prison. In Corinthians, Paul rails against a man who is sleeping with his father’s wife. And in Mark, when Jesus’ mother and brothers ask to meet with him, Jesus ignores their request and preaches to his followers that they are his mother and brothers.

Families are messy. Families are complicated. Most don’t reach the extremes of slavery and prison, or the Corinthian behavior that sounds like a Jerry Springer show. But the emotions underlying the passages are still common and recognizable. My extended family is nearly as good as Joseph’s at turning sibling rivalry and disagreements into life-long rifts. Or I think about the gospel passage from Mary’s point-of-view, as she is faced with such a stark reminder that her child is now a man leading his own life, with no need for her input. I know I have made decisions in my life that my parents were not comfortable with, but had no power to alter. And I find it disconcerting sometimes to look at my teenage son, as he’s learning to drive the car, and see in him the man who will someday steer the direction of his own life, without me in the passenger seat reminding him to slow down.

Jesus’ message in the gospel that we are part of a larger family, that of his followers, is very fitting. In some ways, such as modern disagreements between Christian denominations, those family dynamics are just as messy and complex and prone to ugly rifts. But no matter how much baggage we associate with the notion of family, we often find a great deal of comfort in being part of a spiritual family whose members care for and pray for one another, and support one another in our efforts to follow Christ.

God, thank you for all the blessings of our families, in all the different families we are part of, and please give us guidance to meet any challenges we face as part of those families. Amen.

~Sharon