Memorial Day: Combat Boots and the Cross

This Sunday I walked into the sanctuary of Mt. Bethel to find a rather unexpected "altar"ation of the altar. In honor of Memorial Day, one of the congregants had obtained a pair of battle-worn U.S. Army issue combat boots. They were laced up with American flag ornaments in between laces and tongue. The cross, the big Bible, the two tall white candles, and two combat boots, with American flags to accent it. This was a substantial symbolic contrast of two very different kingdoms, founded on two very different visions: divisions and violence, and unity and peace. Rather than type a lengthy post of my reflections on this, I'd rather just leave a few bullet points and then if anyone wants to talk further that is always fine with me.

1) It struck me that this problem is very real for those of the lower classes. While academics and liberals may scoff at war, the Army provides a story, an identity, a history, and a family to many people who would otherwise not have many opportunities (by academics and liberals I do not mean the great majority of our professors at the Div School, in fact their work is exactly the type of scholarship which has enabled the church to recognize the moral challenge of warfare). The Church can only advocate peace if we can prove ourselves to be a people capable of providing those same people with a story, identity, history, and family centered on the peaceable kingdom of Jesus Christ in order to replace the very effective story provided for soldiers by the Army. True pacifism has to be an active pacifism which organizes its members for the war of dying to self and loving ours enemies which will take every bit of energy and discipline, ultimately even requiring us to lay down our own lives. The Army turns out, not to be morally vacuous or evil at all. The Army provides a very substantial positive assertion of morality, which rivals that of the Church. The challenge facing the church today is that the Army seems more capable of forming moral bearers of its narrative than the church. The issue is the narrative that the morality is rooted in. The Army does a good job instilling a moral story into its members--the problem is that strong morals which grow out of a violent and divisive story create strong positive moral institutions which are characterized by the inability to break out of the violence which undergirds their story. (If my distracted ramblings don't make sense here, I'd recommend some of the Hauerwas books on the bookshelf above and also a book called War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning).

1a. It strikes me that in light of the Armed Forces ability to cast a positive moral vision of problematic violence through events like Memorial Day, just doing nothing is not an option for the Church. Memorial Day should be an opportunity not to applaud the Armed Forces obviously, however, neither is it appropriate to sit on the sidelines and say nothing. This is an opportunity for the Church to present its witness. There are two potential pitfalls to avoid for the church on a day like today: A. Idolatry--when the Church falls captive to the worship of the state. However and furthermore, B. Quietism--when the Church rolls over and says nothing, implicitly accepting its role as a 'private' institution with no bearing on the 'public' issues of violence, aggression, etc.

2. By way of contrast to a cross that is embraced by the carriers of violence, nationalism, and division, I was assigned to write and deliver the prayer's of the people for the service. Here was my prayer, which hopefully witnessed to a different reality in which humans do not need to kill one another to construct meaning for their lives:

A Prayer for Trinity Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God,

you have given us grace,


by the confession of a true faith, 


to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity,


and in the power of your divine Majesty


to worship this Unity:


Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship,


and bring us at last


to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father;


who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign,


one God, for ever and ever

Lord God, we pray for the universal church, gathering together in worship around the world today, from every tribe, tongue, and nation. We pray, Holy Spirit, that you would enable us to be a people capable of witnessing to the truth and peace of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Overcome the divisions that continually grow up in our midst that we may glorify the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by building up the unity of the global church.

Lord God, we also ask for your sovereign action in ruling over the nations of this world. Protect the innocent and let your justice roll down over the whole earth.

We pray for those this morning around the world who are suffering and in need. We pray that you would come to their aid powerfully and quickly. We also pray that you would use us as your tools to work as representatives of you in this painful and broken world.

Lastly Lord, we pray for your powerful action here among us at Mt. Bethel. We lift up to you our special concerns for our family, friends, and neighbors. Holy Spirit come and fill this place, remind us that we are the family of God. Strengthen us in this time of transition and bless this church with your peace as we continue on this journey of discipleship.

Lord God, we praise you for the free gift of love that you have given to humanity, which flows out of your glorious and mysterious Trinitarian life. Bring this gift of love to its climax soon, we pray, in the coming of our Lord Jesus. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

NFWM

This week I started work at the National Farm Worker Ministry (nfwm.org), a nonprofit, faith-based, grassroots organization that seeks justice for farm workers across the U.S.

As there has been some ambiguity about what, exactly, this means (I myself am still a bit hazy!), I thought I'd post a helpful description from our website:

NFWM an interfaith organization supporting farm workers as they organize for justice. It began in 1920 as a ministry of charity and service, providing food, clothing, and day care to the farm workers. When United Farm Workers founder César Chávez began organizing in the 1960's, he called on the religious community to change its emphasis from charity to justice. NFWM became the vehicle for people of faith to respond to that call. It brings together national denominations, state councils of churches, religious orders and congregations, and concerned individuals to act with the farm workers to achieve fundamental change in their living and working conditions.

Thus far, my work has been restricted to a small office in the basement of the Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, which has a heavily wooded and summer camp-esque campus (which is, thankfully, dog friendly). I'm learning a lot about things such as immigration, labor unions, agribusiness, Mexican-American relations, food ethics, liberation theology, and lofty ideas such as justice and community empowerment, all of which have only existed as abstractions in my brain until now. When I think about the struggles of this people group (migrant workers), however, I am overwhelmed at its enormity and connectedness to so many other ministry issues... and I'm learning that it's not so much the farm workers who need Jesus (indeed, their faith is often the strongest) but the growers and policy makers.

Office tasks this week have included researching mainline denominations and their stances on social issues, making copies and scanning newspaper articles (from past rallies), and, oh yeah, reading Wendell Berry. If those of you who are well versed in agrarian theology, or whatever you call it, have any book recommendations, send 'em my way!

Next week I hope to visit my first labor camp, which is a basically a shanty town set up by growers for their workers and is usually way below labor standards. It will be an eye-opening and humbling experience. Also, next week I am helping teach children's Sunday School at the UU church...

That's it for now. I hope you guys are all encountering Christ in your various settings. Thanks for keeping us all informed!

bd

Feeding the Hungry

As of this Monday, I've been working at a non-profit organization in one of the poorest counties in the state. Our organization feeds the hungry, clothes the clothes-less, and is there for people in poverty to buy cheap products that they may need.

This is a story that happened on Wednesday:

Yesterday, a young man, only a year older than me, came into the parish with an embarrassed but yet desperate look on his face. His crazy, curly red hair was unkept and he looked like he hadn't showered for a couple of days but I could tell that his pride was affected as he walked in through our doors for help. He didn't want to be here.

He carried with him a referral sheet that he received from social services. He went to them first and they referred him to the parish. This ministry is vital to the community. Without it, what would happen to the poor that need help?

This young man had lost his job a few weeks prior. Where was his family? Did he have friends? We don't know. We don't ask.

The policy to receive food is pretty simple here: you have to live in the county, fill out an application stating how much the household receives in income and why you need the food. That's it. After I type the data into the computer, the client receives 3 packages of almost expired meat (frozen), 5 canned goods, and a lot of almost expired bread. Its a simple process that is based on the honor system. (Do people abuse this? Yes, but that will be discussed in another blog post.)

We had enough food in the pantry to feed many more folks so we could have easily feed this man. However, it was Wednesday and according to policy, we only do the emergency food program on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

My supervisor asked him if he could come in on Thursday which was the next day.

He looked at my supervisor then looked down to the ground. He responded, "Do you guys have anything? I'm really hungry and haven't eaten for... Well... Yeah. Uh... I... I can come in tomorrow."

My supervisor saw that he was in real need and told him that although we don't usually give out food on other days, he would be an exception.

She directed the man to me and I had him fill out an application. He quietly answered the questions and waited patiently for my supervisor to retrieve the food.

In a couple of minutes she appeared with three bags of groceries, enough to last 3-5 days.

He took the bags and thanked everyone. Before he left out the door, he turned around and said, "When I get a job... I'll make sure to donate to y'all."

Thoughts:

1. Feeding the poor is not as romantic as some portray it to be. It is hard work. Some people are really difficult. I have not encountered many yet, most are actually really kind and really in need. This type of work is hard, but it is good work which gives me reason to rejoice.

2. On the flip side, feeding the poor is not as difficult as some make it out to be. A lot of people need help. Sometimes there are pushy folks but the majority really are kind and simply are in need.

3. I've been thinking a lot about what Campbell said about the "list" in Matthew 25:31-46 and I really do believe that my excuses will not do. I need to be doing these things. Maybe not all of them at one time but I definitely need to be more attuned and intentionally pursuing these things (feeding the hungry, showing hospitality to strangers, clothing the clothes-less, visiting the sick, and befriending prisoners and visiting them). I need courage to come out of my comfort zone. If you remember, please pray that I do.

My First Sermon: "Peace Be With You"

So - here's my first sermon.
I'll be preaching it at our staff retreat this wednesday.
I'd really love some feedback.

The text is John 20:19-23. It's the Gospel Lectionary text for Pentecost Sunday, which is today. I've copied the text below for your reading ease.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

And here's the homily:

“Peace be with you.”

“And also with you.”

In John’s Gospel, these are the first words that the risen Christ speaks to his disciples: “Peace be with you.” His utterance, I believe, must have been quite frightening. Jesus, whom the disciples had thought was dead, has just apparently apparated into their midst. Not only is Jesus not dead, but apparently locked doors are no longer a problem for him either. I imagine that the disciples were quite frightened indeed. But you see, Jesus made sure his point got across, because after all the hooting, hollering and rejoicing dies down, Jesus repeats himself: “Peace be with you.”

These words are also our words. They are, in fact, quite familiar to us. We echo Jesus’ words when we “pass the peace” every Sunday. But what does it mean to turn to the neighboring pew, to shake someone’s hand, and to say, “Peace be with you?” What’s really going on there? What does John’s Gospel have to teach us about such an act?

This phrase, “Peace be with you,” was, and still is today, a rather typical Middle Eastern greeting. Shalom alekem in Hebrew. However, I think in this instance Jesus is trying to communicate more than simply, “What’s up?” This is anything but a mundane hello. As a matter of fact, NO greeting that Jesus could have offered had a chance of being “ordinary.” This man has just been raised from the dead!, need I remind you. So, both when Jesus said it, and when we say it, “Peace be with you,” is loaded with significance.

If we continue to read, John helps us understand what exactly this significance is.

Next, Jesus breathed on his disciples. As he did so, he said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This is John’s, much-less-publicized version of the Pentecost. For John, there seems to be some important connection between the peace of Christ and our receiving of the Holy Spirit. This connection seems to be the fulfillment of Jesus’ earlier promises in this Gospel. In chapter 14 (vv. 25-27) Jesus promised, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything. . . . Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” In chapter 16 (v. 33) Jesus announces to his disciples: “In me, you will have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

So here, as Jesus breathes out his Spirit, he is giving them the peace he has been promising them all along. We may ask: Why here? Why now?

Well, Jesus is leaving. He will soon ascend to the right hand of the Father, where he lives and reigns to this day. But, before he does so, he must breathe out his Spirit onto the disciples, by which, according to John’s gospel, they will do even greater works than Jesus himself (14:12). This is God’s creative breath. God’s creative breath that was first present in his first human creation: Adam. In Gen. 2 the text reads, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Gen. 2:7).

In the same way, here in John 20 the breath of Jesus is profoundly creative. God is again creating something new. God is creating a new humanity – a new creation. This new creation has been inaugurated by the recent resurrection of Jesus – who, in his resurrection, became the firstborn of that new creation. A profoundly new way of living has been introduced to the world.

This new humanity – this new way of living – is characterized by a radically new logic. A logic that is characterized by a belief in the resurrection. This logic explodes the categories of cause and effect that enslave the unbelieving world, because the logic of resurrection assumes this one simple fact: that death is not the end of our lives. As Christians, we believe that, like Jesus, we too will be raised from the dead. “We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come,” right?

This makes us, brothers and sisters, people of the resurrection. And, if we want to be true to that identity, our understanding of resurrection cannot be restricted to a distant hope of the future. But must change the way we live here and now. The logic of resurrection invites us – quite simply – to die. It invites us to follow Jesus to the cross. To die to ourselves and to the desires of the flesh and to be raised again as a new creation. This transformation, which will be made complete when Jesus comes again, is symbolized in our baptism.

We must remember though, brothers and sisters, that the death that is symbolized in our baptism, means that we must be ready to ACTUALLY die. This is a hard truth to remember in this country. Jesus actually died. This is what the logic of resurrection – the peace of Christ – allows us to do. This is what makes martyrdom such a powerful witness. St. Tertullian reminds us that it is in the blood of the martyrs that the seeds of the church lie.

Resurrection invites us to die to our efforts to control our own lives and the world around us, and invites us instead to submit to the Lordship of Christ. It invites us daily to spiritually die to the old self and be raised into God’s Spirit-guided new creation. And, it invites us to actually die – if and when that moment presents itself – so that we can be raised into the fulfillment of God’s new creation.

This is the peace that Jesus has been hinting at throughout the course of John’s gospel. This is the peace that has finally arrived at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And this is the peace that you and I are invited to live into, by the power of God’s empowering Spirit. This is the “peace that we pass.”

Here, in John 20, Jesus is telling the disciples that because of this peace, because of His empowering Spirit, because they too will be resurrected, they don’t have to hide in the Upper Room and lock the door. In fact, he says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (!). Now, being armed with the peace of Christ, Jesus is sending his disciples out of hiding and into the world with a new, otherworldly confidence. A confidence that reminds them they will be raised from the dead.

And as Jesus sent his disciples into the world, so too he is sending us out into the world. So too Jesus has armed us with the peace of Christ – with the confidence that we may boldly proclaim his Lordship and follow his commandments with a radical obedience – even unto death.

So, when you turn to the neighboring pew, shake someone’s hand, and say, “Peace be with you,” be reminded of the resurrection. And as you remember the one resurrection in the past, remember your own resurrection in the future. And live in the confidence of that coming reality.

So with the same hands we use to shake our brother’s hand; with the same arms we use to accept our sister in a loving embrace; and with the same voice that speaks the words: “Peace be with you,” let us “Go out into the world in peace, to love and serve the Lord.”

Amen.

the skinny

friends,

just wanted to let you know that I'll also be blogging here. Starting today.

Safe travels, Z! Let us know when you get to sunny florida.

I'll see most of you before I hop on the plane on monday....

love,
E

The First 48 Hours: The Story in Pictures

The Toothpick I learned to chew properly after lunch today:

The Onion Rings I was encouraged to down as a side to...

Two Loaded Hot Dogs (with Texas Pete homemade hot sauce of course):

The Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, and Biscuit for Lunch Monday: (the Mac and Cheese which accompanied them is not pictured)

The Piece de Resistance: The Serving Tray which I helped finish with my new friend in his wood-shop behind his house. He tells me he has sold these trays to people in Germany, England, and Japan:

At this rate, my weight is projected to be around 200 pounds by the end of the summer, only being defeated by my cholesterol, which should be hovering around 3000.

The worst part?

I love every second of it.

As I caught myself saying earlier today: "I think I'm going to go have me a nap."

If anyone catches me wearing any NASCAR apparel, please promise me you all will have an intervention.

News From the Front: The First 48 Hours

Field Ed. is exhausting. That's all I can type for right now.

I'm off to eat lunch at "The Speedway" with my new friend Alton, he is awesome. Pray for my fragile digestive tract.

I have quickly determined how I will know if I am being called to ministry. Either I'll turn a corner and this will become normal and less completely-fatiguing, or I will burn out in a giant propane-tank ball of flame within the next couple of weeks! If it happens at night, Zac will probably be able to see the glow in the northern sky all the way from Tallahassee.

I just wanted to sound off since I'm out here doing this thing. I preach on June 6 for the first time on Luke 7:11-17 or Galatians 1:11(?)-24, whatever the lectionary is. Anyone with any brilliant ideas about these texts, let me know.

You All Everybody.

hola.

So, I've created this blog, the divinity affinity, so we can all keep up with one another throughout the summer. Most of us are doing field ed. Some of us are planning a wedding. Others are actually participating in the real world.

This is simply meant to be a space for everyone to journal about their summer experience. Share about where, when, and how the Spirit is moving in your lives and in the lives of those you come across. Share funny stories from the proverbial "field." Write a book review. Share some pictures. Post your sermons. Tell us your thoughts. Or. Simply let us know that you need to be bailed out of jail. Blake.

Go.