Resurrection Sunday, For Us

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Resurrection Sunday, For Us

I haven’t written any reflections last week during Holy Week. Yes, I was busy. Yes, I was under the weather. And yes, I had much too much on my plate. I feel badly, because I did not finish the daily readings from the apostle Paul. (I did do two readings last week from Colossians, and appreciated them very much. But, I did not do any others…mea culpa.)

I know I have a poor track record, doing daily devotions. (Perhaps I ought to think of it as a batting average? That way, one day out of three would still be an awesome batting average. Any major league baseball player would be proud of a .333 batting average. *grin*) In any case, God and I will continue to discuss my regular vs. daily prayer, scripture readings, and devotions. Of that, I am sure.

The last reading was from 2 Corinthians 5. Such a marvelous chapter! In almost every verse in this chapter I find a vivid image or stunning word or phrase that speaks directly to my heart and soul. From the tent Paul describes in the beginning of the chapter to the ministry of reconciliation that he closes the chapter with, this is—hands down—one of my favorite chapters in all of the Bible. “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away. See, everything has become new!” And, the three verses following, of course. Such wonder. Such glory. I cannot even begin to describe the magnificence of Paul’s words.

As Prof. Williams says, “Paul write perhaps his most powerful explanation of the importance of Jesus’ resurrection. His point is this. The resurrection of Jesus matters, Paul says, because without it our faith is futile and we are pitiable people….But not only that – it also inaugurates that new creation now, as a reality into which we are invited.” [1]

What an invitation! Imagine, Jesus inviting you and me into His presence, into His new creation. We may come freely, no strings attached. How awesome, how fabulous is that? Truly, a gift given to us all, freely. Thank You, Jesus. “Let us live in this world as foretastes of the new creation to come, a world guaranteed by Your resurrection life. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.” [2]

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my companion blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.  #PursuePEACE. My Facebook page, Pursuing Peace – Thanks! And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er

[1] Meeting God in Paul: Reflections for the Season of Lent, Rowan Williams (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015), 92.

[2] Ibid.

I Live in an Earthly Tent. Boy, am I Aware of That!

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Wednesday, April 15, 2015

I Live in an Earthly Tent. Boy, am I Aware of That!

The analogy of an earthly tent, from 2 Corinthians 5? I have come to relate to it, so much!

I’ve felt an affinity for this analogy for as long as I could remember. Looking forward to having the earthly tent destroyed, since I have a heavenly home waiting for me? Some health crises in my family and in my personal life have impacted me, over the years.

These words of scripture hit home, in a significant way.

Yes, the verses from the beginning of the chapter of 2 Corinthians 5 were on the docket today, in the liturgical lectionary scripture reading.

The frailty of this human body came home to me today, as I had (and still have) a bout of the flu. Talk about being laid low! Yesterday, I was running, doing, traveling around the Chicago area. All cylinders were firing, and I felt on top of the world. Today, starting in mid-morning and just getting worse and worse as the day continued, I ended up feeling bloody awful. Talk about being flattened by a random virus.

After intermittently sleeping and tossing and turning for some eight hours, I woke up. Feeling a bit more steady and stable, I gingerly got up. And now, here I am. Documenting this awful situation. I know, it isn’t one tenth as bad as some people’s continuing situations. But, it certainly felt that way for me, for a while.

I do need to thank some faithful friends who were, and are still, praying for me. Flat on my back, mid-afternoon, I was able to call a senior friend whose number was handy—in my cell phone. (I certainly was not going to be able to get up and find a number!) She in turn called several others, and I feel so much better now. Still only tentative and wobbly, but at least I can sit up! And string sentences together in a halfway cogent manner.

Let’s pray, and come to God. Dear Lord, gracious God, I thank You so much for my health. Currently, generally good, and I am trying to keep it that way. Dear God, thank You for many people’s prayers on my behalf. I appreciate each prayer, and each pray-er! Lord, I earnestly send back prayers and gentle thoughts to each one praying for me. That’s the power of prayer, and mutuality, and positive connection. Lord, help me to continue to model this, as well as to continue to have a close relationship with You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

Passing Through – Sojourners and Strangers

matterofprayer blog post for Saturday, November 23, 2013

The last Sunday of this liturgical year is at hand. Tomorrow, the church where I worship celebrates a special Sunday. This church is steeped in both the Lutheran and the German Reformed traditions, so tomorrow is “Totenfest,” or the day the church remembers all members (and in some churches, friends of the church, too) who have died since the last Sunday of the liturgical year, 2012.

So the church remembers. The recently departed are still fresh in many people’s memories. But not only people depart. The year departs, too. The close of November is the close of the growing season, where the growing things out of doors lose their leaves, shrivel, dry up. Or, go into hibernation and stasis, until the spring comes again. This is a quiet season, a contemplative time. So it is with Totenfest tomorrow, too.

Psalm 39:4 says, “Lord, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days.” Such sober thoughts are a bit challenging. Not the first verses suggested for beginners at this business of prayer and meditation. However, this season and tomorrow’s commemoration of Totenfest encourage us to meditate on verses like these.

Perhaps a verse from the Apostle Paul will be more accessible. “For we are well aware that when the tent that houses us on earth is folded up, there is a house for us from God, not made by human hands but everlasting, in the heavens.” (2 Cor 5:1) Here, Paul talks about our temporary housing, the tent that can (and will) be easily disassembled. We can meditate on the time when our measure of days comes to an end, and look forward to that house from God, where we will dwell with our God forever. No longer sojourners, passing through. We’ll have a real home-coming, to our everlasting, heavenly home.

Let’s pray. Dear God, we remember those who have passed through this life, especially those who died this past year. We celebrate their life and commemorate their blessed memory. We pray for those who mourn, who grieve not only the passing of loved ones, but the passing of the year. Help us to remember that our measure of days is in Your hand, and that You will surely welcome us into our everlasting, heavenly home. In Your mercy and peace we pray, Amen.