Matthew 4:1-11

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.”

This, I have learned, is the seminal passage—written also in the Gospels of Mark and Luke (but not John)—which inspires the season of Lent. Jesus’ fasting for forty days and enduring temptations by the devil before beginning his public ministry is reflected by the Christian practice of taking the forty days before Easter (not including Sundays) to contemplate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, and honoring it with some form of personal sacrifice, repentance, and/or spiritual discipline.

But I have questions…

Immediately before this event Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and identified by God (no less!)—“This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

If Jesus has already been declared Holy and Divine, why does he then need to be taken by his Father to endure a life-ending fast (no human can live forty days without food or water!), and mortal temptations? What kind of father does that? Who is this devil? What is the relationship between the devil and God? Why does the devil have any influence over Jesus, to “tempt” him, if Jesus is already Divine?

After some thought, I am led to wonder:

Does Jesus, the man, fully understand his Divinity?

Is this event a part of his spiritual journey—needing to wrestle with, understand, and reconcile, his somehow being both Divine and human?

Is this something I can identify with? Or even simply begin to understand?

Emmanuel, as I think about these questions, please help me to discern your closeness, love and wisdom.

~Andrew

John 17:20-26

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf that of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one” (vv. 20-22).

Jesus seems to be asking his Father, God, to hold all of those who believe in him as the same. It seems to matter not how the belief was acquired, from Jesus himself, from one of his twelve disciples or from another who learned from one of them, or another who learned from them, or another, ad infinitum.  It is important that the belief in Jesus was acquired rather than from whom it was acquired.

This also seems to indicate that there are not different levels among believers based upon from whom the belief in Jesus was learned. And it therefore does not seem to be very important whether the belief was acquired yesterday or a half a lifetime ago. All believers are equal before God.

This equality before God and Jesus’ love for his followers is spoken of again in verses 23-26. God’s love will be in Jesus and in his followers as well.

O Lord, please help us to respect, value, and love all of those who call themselves Christians, whether they are of the same group as we are or another. And lord, please help us to love, value and respect those of us who call themselves by other titles, such as Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, non-believers and others. We affirm that we are all children of God and have the capacity to love one another as God loves us. Amen.

~Bob

Philippians 3:12-21

“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it on my own; but this one thing I do (know): forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (vv. 13-14).

I certainly “do not consider that I have made it on my own!” I need all the help I can get—and I sometimes hesitate to ask. Asking for help is not easy for me. When I do, what I try to do is not ask blatantly for an answer, but to understand the challenge and what I might learn from it, as well as for the courage to seek the right road toward the solution. Sometimes this is not easy for me.

“Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” makes me smile. Years ago our dear pastor, Forster Freeman, said that in his evening prayers and in meditations, he swept the blackboard clean, or he also put it that he “threw out the garbage,” giving thanks for what he had been given and learned throughout the day and asking for any forgiveness he might need—then he focused on the new day that he would be facing in the morning. Rather than muddling through the minutiae of our days that seem to absorb us, his approach seemed like a simple approach to living, leaving the new day open for new experiences and learning. Discovering this passage was such a treat for me—it affirmed what I had felt for so many years and offered me support not to hesitate in the difficult process of humbly asking for help.

Gracious God, thank you for every day of living and learning and for being there for us on our journeys. We know we are not alone. Let us “hold fast to what we have attained” and guide us as we strive in our lives toward the perfection we know in Jesus, your Son. Amen.

~Sarah

Psalm 37:37-8

“Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the peaceable. But the transgressors shall be altogether destroyed; the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.”

Many of the Psalms trouble me because they assure us that God will destroy the wicked and the righteous shall triumph over evildoers. This passage in Psalm 37 is one illustration of the Psalmist’s faith that goodness will always win out over wickedness. Given the world that I see around me, I cannot believe that this is happening. There is so much warfare, poverty, vindictiveness and cruelty throughout the world, and it doesn’t show any sign of abating, despite the efforts of many righteous people. The passage above assures us that the children of the wicked shall also be cut off and destroyed. If that were true, I would be very concerned because I do not believe it is right for the next generation to be punished for their predecessor’s evil deeds. Thus, I think the Psalms promise goodness to the righteous, which is not in accord with the world as it is.

On a more positive note, I think that that the Psalmists have faith in their writings and believe that at some future time their predictions will come true. And, of course, I see many examples of goodness overcoming evil. The work of many, Christians and others, is encouraging, as there is much being done to help the poor and the homeless, to bring hope and sustenance to the people of struggling nations, and to show love and support for those in need. There is indeed a great deal of caring in the world we live in. My hope is that the faith of the Psalmists will ultimately triumph, but it might take many more generations for it to happen.

God, let us be realistic about the promises we read in the Psalms and not expect evil to disappear quickly. Help us to have faith that by working always for goodness and mercy, we are bringing this world closer to the world you want us to be. Amen.

~Win

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

“Give alms…Pray to your Father…Fast without a gloomy face…” (vv. 2, 5, 16)

I need Lent. I require this season of reflection and repentance, and these are good and salutary ways to serve our neighbor and worship God. I need Lent because I’m unimpressed with my own mortality. On Ash Wednesday we are branded with ashes, as a reminder of our mortal nature, and sent out marked to begin a period of forty days and forty nights where we contemplate our relationship to Christ and the world He came to save.

“When you give to the needy” (v. 3). Jesus never commands us to give to the poor, he just assumes that we will do what we can for others less fortunate. That could be in the form of charitable donations, volunteerism, activism or anything that is intended to serve others. We do what we can.

“Beware of practicing your piety before others” (v. 1). I have a ritual that I perform daily; I walk down Rt. 119 to the Acton Coffee House for a cuppa, as my mother called her morning coffee. On the walk I pray aloud, the Our Father, Psalm 23 and the Hail Mary, then I petition God for assistance for those who need it; I’m sure that those who witness this have no idea that I’m practicing my piety before others.

“Lay up for yourself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (v. 19)

“When you fast…” Again Jesus doesn’t command us to fast; he assumes that we will as a mechanism to learn what we hunger for. What do you hunger for? I hunger for social justice. I’ve recently become a vegan and have chosen not to eat meat. If more people would focus on helping their fellow man rather than amassing personal wealth this would be a much better world.

Heavenly Father, please send me the Holy Spirit so that I may better understand your will, so that I may be a better servant, a better Christian, a better father and a better friend.

~Dennis

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.

He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those that were with him in the ark. And the waters prevailed upon the earth a hundred and fifty days. Genesis 17: 23-24

Dear Noah,

I was down by the river washing our clothes when Sarah tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I’d heard the rumor. There was a prediction by, she couldn’t remember who, that the village and everyone in it would be destroyed by fire or flood. I told her there was no truth to it, probably just someone’s silly vision. After all I said, my son-in-law, who is God’s right hand man, would be the first to know, and I would have heard by now. Please give me the inside story so I can reassure Sarah. She’s a nervous wreck.

My best to the boys and my sweet Naamah,
Zillah

Dear Zillah,

How lovely to hear from you. We are very busy these days, but I wanted to take the time to reassure you that I have heard nothing about a fire. Your friend Sarah worries too much. Have Faith, my dear. I will share your news with the family.

Love,
Noah

P.S. I have been looking for a pair of rainbow trout. Did you see any in the river?

Dear Noah,

I am somewhat reassured by your recent letter, but today Rachel arrived at my door in a panic. She was quite beside herself and collapsed in my arms. “Zillah”, she screamed, “we’re all going to die!” Nonsense I told her. My son-in-law Noah said we should not worry our little heads about these rumors. They have no substance. She didn’t believe me. She ran home to pack their belongings and load up the mules.

Please advise.

Your devoted mother-in-law,
Zillah

P.S. Why do you need a pair of rainbow trout? Isn’t one ok?

Dear Zillah,

I thought you would like to hear what your grandsons are up to these days. All three have taken a liking to woodworking. You may see them around the village collecting wood and building supplies. They are quite excited about our new project. I wish I could tell you about it, but it will be a surprise! Naamah is extremely busy gathering food of all kinds. What a hungry crew we have. Hope all is well with you and Lamech.

We all send our love,
Noah

P.S. One rainbow trout gets lonely, I need two.

Dear Noah,

My, my, my, what industrious sons you have. You and Naamah have taught them well. I fear my daughter is working too hard. Can’t I come and help with the food? I am a good baker, as you know. Lamech came in tonight from herding the sheep, and said he’d seen a bad omen. I think he spends too much time alone in the fields. He’s convinced something bad is about to happen. Maybe you could stop by and calm his nerves. I myself have been having great difficulty sleeping these past few nights.

Lamech and I miss you all,
Zillah

P.S. Would another kind of fish do? I can only find one rainbow trout. Someone has been taking all the fish out of the river. Storing up food, no doubt. There are so few to catch these days.

Dear Zillah,

Please give my regards to Lamech. We must get together sometime. I’m afraid I am much too busy right now for a visit. The boys need my help every minute, as well as Naamah. God is a hard taskmaster, and He counts on me, so I must not disappoint Him.

It would be lovely for you to bake some bread. Have it delivered by one of the young boys in town, to the synagogue. I’ll pick it up there. Thank you for your kind offer.

Gratefully,
Noah

P.S. Actually, we have all the fish we need. I have had trouble finding a pair of those allusive Blue Footed Boobies, however. Any chance you’ve seen any out by the rocks along the river? Once again, I need two – male and female.

Dear Noah,

I think I know what the surprise is. The boys are building a big enclosure, so we can all enjoy the animals, birds and fish. Really, we must see it! Lamech and I will come just as soon as we can. This is wonderful news! Can we tell our neighbors?

With love,
Your devoted mother-in-law, Zillah

P.S. No Blue Footed Boobies down by the river. So many animals and birds have disappeared. They say they are delicious when roasted over the fire.

Dear Zillah,

You must not come to visit. The boys would be very upset, never mind Naamah. We are not finished yet with our project. You guessed wrong. It is not for the villagers to see. Only God knows when this project will be completed.

Naamah says thank you very much for the bread.

Noah

P.S. I now have all the fish, birds and animals I need.

Dear Noah,

Most of our neighbors have moved away, such is the panic in our village. It is so quiet around here. Today the air is still, the sky gray and threatening. I can see the rain, coming fast in a sheet across the river. I miss my friends and my family. Why can’t I see my beloved Naamah, and my grandsons? What are you hiding from us? Worry has overtaken us. Lamech and I will leave for the safety of the mountain caves tomorrow. Take care of my Naamah. Tell her we love her so. I fear God has forsaken us.

Good-bye,
Zillah.

~Marcia

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

Mary: What just happened? Was I daydreaming? I can’t believe my eyes and ears. Pregnant? How will Joseph and I face the elders of the village? Or will Joseph even believe what I tell him and stand by me during this ordeal? Probably not; I’ll have to face it alone. It has been a strange courtship, but nothing can top this. Pregnant? Pregnant! Yes, I think I’m beginning to feel and accept it as reality. But how do I tell Joseph? Or do I tell Joseph? I must tell Joseph. But he’ll never be able to withstand the shame and humiliation. What’ll I do? Do I run away and hide? I’ll go visit Elizabeth; people must be saying strange things about her weird pregnancy in old age. I’ll seek her wisdom and advice as to how to share this news with Joseph, and the world. The angel did say “Good News for all people!” Right? Let’s see how Elizabeth responds. I’m sure her wisdom and support will help me find good news in this dilemma.

Joseph: Wonder what’s the matter with Mary? She suddenly seems distant and withdrawn, and now she decides to make a sudden visit into the hill country to visit her cousin Elizabeth, and she doesn’t want me to go with her. I’m getting mixed signals: at times others congratulate me and say she seems radiant and jubilant. But when I draw near, she seems stuck in a dark cave, struggling to find her way out. And I can’t get through to her. I can’t imagine – oh, wait a minute. Now I get it. Maybe she’s having second thoughts about the marriage; cold feet. I thought she was solidly behind all the arrangements we had made, even though she had no real dowry. I’m getting old, and this seemed to be my last chance for wedded bliss. What’s happened? I must have done something wrong to turn her against me? Should I come right out and ask her if she wants to call it off? She’s already reacted to my brusque, abrupt manner. My dilemma: to find a gentler, subtle way.

Mary: I can’t believe it — Zechariah is mute; couldn’t say a word about what was happening with this strange and miraculous pregnancy late in Elizabeth’s life. She had felt cursed; now it seems to be lifting. But I am wondering how folks will see my pregnancy as anything but a curse. Maybe we should just be silent like Zechariah, and wait and see what happens. But Elizabeth was comforting and consoling. She reminded me of angelic messengers that had prepared her husband for this life-changing event. Gabriel was straightforward and direct with me: “Fear Not!” But even with angelic voices of jubilant hope, I am still terrified. I can’t keep this from Joseph any longer. I think he has already picked up signals that I am somewhat at a loss about the way this journey towards marriage is unfolding. And now this — is there any way out of this dilemma? Should I go to him? Or wait until he comes to visit? I’ll be in deep trouble, so I don’t want to seem forward and step out of line. Yes, that’s the way; he’ll come soon after I return, and we can have a heart to heart talk. But will he still want me?

Joseph: Guess I’ll stop by when Mary returns, pretending to check on her after her visit with Elizabeth. Then I’ll try to lead into her recent moodiness around me. No, that’s not right. Maybe I should just jump right in: do you still love me? Still want to get married? But I’m never that direct. She’ll be suspicious that there are already rumors flying around the village. Many thought from the beginning that we were mismatched; she was wasting her life on an old man like me. Is my joy and happiness slowly slipping through my fingers? I’ve got to stop thinking about this and do something. But it’s got to be the right thing, or I’ll make things worse. What a dilemma.

Mary: Guess I ought to rehearse my story. There’s no way Joseph is going to believe any of this. After all, he’s a carpenter: “measure twice; cut once.” Everything is measurable . . . carefully worked out . . . each detail is important . . . it’s out there right before your eyes . . . none of this mystery, magic, dreams and stuff. What about, “Surprise.” No, that won’t work; he’s always teasing me about my sick sense of humor. Oh, Lord, give me a word; some direction to get things started. Deliver me from this dilemma.

~Wayne Parrish

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5th. We will be marking Lent on this blog by sharing devotionals written by members and friends of WCUC. You may also wish to pick up a printed booklet of these devotionals at church.  Here’s an introduction by the editor:

Forty.

There is something in this number.  Noah endured forty days and nights of rain on his life-raft of animal life and humanity.  Moses fasted for forty days and nights while meeting with God on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 34:28)  The people of Israel endured forty years of nomadic privations and deferred promises before returning to Canaan.  Elijah walked for forty days and nights to the mountain of the Lord, Sinai (1 Kings 19:8).  After his baptism in the Jordan, Jesus—in the accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke—went into the desert to fast and be tempted for forty days before beginning his public ministry.

Lent, traditionally the period of forty days before Easter, was practiced in various ways since the early days of the Christian church, likely since the second century.  According to Eusebius, writing to Pope Victor I in 203 CE, there was little agreement on how, and for how long, Lent was observed.  “Some think that they ought to fast for one day, some for two, others for still more; some make their ‘day’ last 40 hours on end. Such variation in the observance did not originate in our own day, but very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers.”  That is, since the time of the disciples.  After Christianity was legalized in 313 CE, the practice of some form of fasting or privation for forty days was widely observed, and by the end of the fourth century, it seems Lent as we know it was established.

Beyond the spiritual significance of forty, what does Lent mean?  Whether our fasting is rigorous—one meal a day to sustain strength was the standard in monastic communities—or a symbolic self-denial, during Lent we surrender part of ourselves to remember how Jesus—and  Elijah, Moses, and Noah—found renewed strength in God through suffering and prayer.  Lent is our release from desire into the life of our risen Lord.

Hallelujah!

~David

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

This is the day that the Lord has made. Psalm 118:24

Darn… someone took “my” space near the door. I must be late.  The escalator is filled…the parking ticket cash line is four  deep…should I rummage in my bag and dig out my credit card?  I can’t run down the stairs anymore so just won’t make it onto the first train…Thank God for escalators.

Ah… not my favorite seat at the end of the car… but at least a seat near a pole so I have something to help me stand up…glasses on…Sun Magazine open…quiet time in the crowd.  Maybe I should get an I Pod so I can really shut out the world like most of my companions on this journey to the city?

Davis Square…more seats filled…Porter Square…every seat filled…two baby strollers, pushers and pushees clearly sleep deprived… one bicycle…Harvard Square…smoosh together…keep reading and try to avoid looking at the standing crotch directly in front of me…Central Square…depart slowly…very slowly and STOP!

“There is a health emergency and there will be a short delay…”

Not in my car, I hope. Did someone get pushed onto the tracks? Minutes pass…must concentrate on my reading. More minutes…why don’t they tell us something? Anything would be better than the silence. I’ve finished my magazine…now what do I do? The Kendall Square hard-charging start-up type beside me slams his computer shut. The U Mass student- type with the crotch in front of me says “Shit, late for class.”

Still more minutes. Conversations seem to have ended.

Ten or fifteen minutes…someone sneezes…do we have enough oxygen in here for all of us to breathe…maybe we need gas masks like the Japanese. No one is speaking…we’re in worlds of our own.

Why am I doing this?  I am retired…don’t need the aggravation or the money. Help, I am surrounded by angry frowns.

And then in the heavy worried silence a sweet young voice…

“This is the day…This is the day…
This is the day that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice…Let us rejoice…
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Where is that sound coming from?  Angels on the “T?” She is about six or seven…sitting quietly beside her mother…backpack on her knees…singing only to herself…but the whole car becomes her audience…I need a Kleenex…tearful smiles slowly spread around me…except maybe not to the homeless drunk’s face who probably rides the train to stay warm.

The car is moving now… I would love to hug and thank our young singer for her holy message on this miserable ride…and tell her Mother that her daughter changed the day for some very lucky riders…but of course that sort of thing is not done on the MBTA.

Finally… Downtown Crossing … climb the stairs…I just hope that Grassfields Café still has a warm greeting and a bran muffin for me.

~Ann B.

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

“The very basis of nonbelief in soul comes down to nonexperience of soul.”
Francis Bacon, O.F.M.

When mother died her soul passed over my right shoulder rushing upwards through the window of New York Hospital.  I felt her say “I can’t stop, Priscilla, I have places to go.”  And go she did.  She left me standing there, a firm nonbeliever, with the sudden and terrible burden of knowing.  I couldn’t tell anyone.  My family, which moments before I had been part of, were all atheists.  My experience would be attributed to a psychological coping mechanism. After all the years of fighting off mother’s manic rages about God and Jesus and the Bible she tagged me one last time and left the game.  It was unfair. I put the new truth in an unused corner of my mind. It was an unexpected and unwelcome gift.

As much as I grieved when she died I was also glad the battle was over, and not just with lung cancer.  We had been fighting a lot over what I felt were her unrealistic expectations about how much time I should spend with her.  We stopped talking for three months until my sister made us make up.  But now that she was dead I was free.  Or so I thought.  Come to find out all the tasks of differentiating and separating from parents were still there.  But now I had no adversary.  Once again she had left the battle prematurely, on her terms, and left me unresolved.

Weeks later when I was canoeing at a friend’s lake house mother’s spirit suddenly materialized over me.  She was pretty high up but still powerfully present.  She didn’t say anything, just hung around for a while.  I was angry and resentful that she had inserted herself back into my life and told her so.  I was also anxious she would randomly keep revisiting me.  She did continue to hover from time to time, but didn’t stay too long.  She seemed to respect my discomfort.  Still, it was intrusive.

Months later I took the train home to New Britain to visit my father.  I knew her spirit was traveling with me but, as I was disembarking from the train in Berlin, she rushed off.  She headed in the direction of the house.  I realized then that after so many years of divorce she didn’t know how to get back to him.  I was her conduit.  I felt compassion for her but was also relieved.  I’m not sure how long she hung around my father.  He never said anything about it and I didn’t ask.  I doubt he was even aware of it.  She never visited me again.

My last experience with Mother’s soul was when she was reincarnated.  One day I was walking down Madison Avenue when I suddenly became aware that she had just been born again.  I knew she was a girl child and wondered who her parents were.  I was pretty sure they lived in New England.  I didn’t have any major emotional reaction.  I don’t think I was even particularly surprised, which is pretty remarkable considering I didn’t believe in reincarnation.

Years later I started to deal with the knowledge I had been given.  After various encounters with God I had a conversion experience and saw the risen Christ.  Jesus was the image I was most familiar with, having been raised a Christian, but I have no doubt others perceive the Divine Embrace in personas or symbols more familiar to them.  Over the years I have come to believe that we are all part of one Soul we call God, and that we each carry a piece of it within us.  It is what gives us life.

People have written about trying to recognize the face of God in everyone and, though it is sometimes hard to do, they are right. It is there, though maybe badly scarred or hidden from the Light. Helping others heal through acceptance and compassion is part of our own spiritual work.  We grow the soul within us when we love others, and we grow their souls as well.  And that is what we have all come here to do.  Grow souls.

When we die we can choose to stay in the realm of spirit or become flesh again on earth. I’m not sure why people choose to come back.  Perhaps there is unfinished business, or a need to make amends.  Or maybe they just like growing souls.  Nor am I sure why mother came back. But I suspect it was because she loved and lived life with so much passion not even Heaven could contain her.  Since her rebirth I have kind of kept track of how old she would be now and wonder if I would recognize her if we met.  I’m pretty sure I would. It would be a welcome gift.  And not totally unexpected.

“After all, it is no more surprising to be born twice than it is to be born once.”
Voltaire

~Priscilla