Jesus is stripped before the crowd

Earlier today I was in an email exchange with a dear friend.  We were having an e-discussion about the Tenth Station.  For what it’s worth…this was my contribution to the discussion.

THE TENTH STATION

JESUS IS STRIPPED BEFORE THE CROWD

All: We adore you O Christ, and we praise you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Leader: Physical humiliation isn’t enough. Spitting isn’t enough. Whipping isn’t enough. Crucifixion isn’t enough. We need to shame you. We need to strip away from you any shred of human dignity. We are blind to the dignity in which your Father clothes you. Unable to see your deeper dignity, we revel in the shame we pour out on you.

How many times have we branded someone with a scarlet letter? Drunk, convict, weakling? How many times have we labeled our brother or sister, so as to set them apart, reduced them to nothing by using shame?

Silence.

All: Dearest Jesus, as you stand there, stripped before the crowd, you are more dignified than any of us present. In our blindness, we still believe that shame reduces you. By the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to see the dignity that you have, that every child of God has, a dignity that neither we nor anyone else can take away.

By the crowd you’re stripped and broken,
Jesus, naked as the token
Of our hatred and our pain. Amen.
(www.preachingpeace.org by Jeff Krantz)

Our Lord stripped naked standing before the people.  What a powerful image!  Standing naked with OUR truth revealed.  Standing before the world with the naked reality of Our selves, Our souls and Our lives "hanging out there" for all to see.  Yet, He stood naked.

At times I feel as if I am a voyeur, looking at others and terrified that someone will see the naked truth of my own life.  It's like when you drive past a horrible accident. You see the lights of the emergency vehicles.  You see the twisted wreckage.  You see the blood and shattered glass.  You may see tears and even evidence of death.  You don't really want to look, but you can't help it.  You stare.  You know that you should give privacy and respect to those involved, yet drawn in some kind of sadistic way we turn and gawk to see whatever we can see.  We sit in darkened rooms watching "reality" TV and news stories from around the world, "you tube" and hidden cameras. My God...what if the hidden camera is on me.

For if we stand naked in our world and the truth of the wreckage of our lives and souls is revealed, others (and ME too!!!) in pious "self-righteousness" are all too willing to pick up stones of guilt and judgment, stones of shame and rejection, stones of alienation and disdain and to throw them at the naked and broken one before them.  (“He who is without sin may cast the first stone.” We tend to ignore Christ’s admonition.)  

Yet, our Lord stood naked before those who betrayed him, those who spit upon him, those who said they loved him and yet turned their backs, those who mocked him, those who nailed him to the cross...and without saying a word took our shame, our guilt, our brokenness, our condemnation that we might stand without shame and without guilt that we may have our brokenness healed and be freed from the chains of condemnation. 

For through the grace filled and merciful love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we can stand naked, the truth can be told, all can be revealed and we need not fall to our knees and hide our face in shame, but we can stand with dignity and look directly into the eyes of the one who gave himself for us and see in Him – Love: all consuming love, love which we have never known before, love which heals all, love which forgives all, love which drives away all fear and shame. 

O Lord, Lamb of God, stripped naked standing before the people,

have mercy upon us.

O Lord, Lamb of God, stripped naked standing before the people,

have mercy upon us.

O Lord, Lamb of God, stripped naked standing before the people,

Grant us thy peace.

In Christ,
Paul+

There is no fear in love.

Do exactly what you would do if you felt most secure.

- Meister Eckhart

I'm not sure I can do that?

I don't have the skills.

There are people who are so much more talented than I am.

I just can't.

What if I fail?

What if I make a fool of myself?

How often are our actions dictated by fear, dictated by doubt, dictated by "what if" thinking?  Probably much more that we would like to admit. Fear is a powerful force. Fear of failure. Fear of ridicule. Fear of loneliness. Fear of illness and death. Fear of the unknown. Fear of…there are too many fears to name.  We all have them, those nagging things that whisper in our ears, not loud enough for anyone else to hear, but loud enough to echo through our souls and make us doubt and question.  Living a life guided by fear keeps us from living into the fullness of who God created us to be.

What would you do if you felt truly secure? What would you do if the whisper of fear and uncertainty was replaced with a song of joy and confidence? God did not create us to live a life dictated by fear, but rather a life liberated by love.

I can't tell you how many things I haven't done because I was afraid. How many wonderful opportunities and experiences I've let pass by because I was guided by fear and insecurity rather than trusting in the certainty of God's love to strengthen me.

Take heart, we are not the only ones who have been afraid, not the only ones who have doubted, not the only ones who needed the Holy Spirit to reassure us.  Scripture is full of wonderful words to encourage us along the way, as they have done for countless sinners and saints who have come before us, and through whom God has worked wonders. 

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8: 31b)

"I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. (Isaiah 41:13)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"  (Hebrews 13:5-6)

In this holy season, let us go forward in faith, not with a spirit of fear but of confidence.  Let us not listen to the damning whispers of doubt, but rather let us be open to the Spirit's call to courage.  Let not hide in fear, but rather live boldly in God's promise of love for, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." (1 John 4:18a)

So...what would you do if you felt most secure?  

Every creature is a word of God.

Every creature is a word of God.

-Meister Eckhart.

 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5a, NIV)² 

We are to enflesh through word and deed the transformative message of the Word of God. We are to be living Holy Scripture, manifesting in our daily lives God’s glorious message of hope and life. A wise mentor once told me, “You may be the only Holy Scripture someone ever reads.” Your life may be the only “Word of God” some people are ever willing to open and read. What are the words of our life saying?  What story are the deeds of your life telling? Are they words and deeds of hope? Are they words and deeds of grace? Are they words and deeds of forgiveness? Are they words and deeds of God’s unconditional love? 

Let us never underestimate the power of God’s Word, nor our calling to make this Word manifest in our lives.  Though the Bible is one of the best selling books of all time, for many this powerful work sits untouched on the shelf.  We must not allow that of God which lives within us to remain silent, sitting unopened on the shelf.  Open the book and share the life giving words of God with all whom you meet.  And, may they see in you, may they read in your words and deeds, the wonderful story of God, the Word of God, the light that shines in the darkness, the light that brings life to all.

Lord, please, for the sake of thy people, hear our prayer!

Over the course of the past weeks, we have been captivated by images and stories from New Zealand and now Japan, from Egypt and now Libya. The devastating power of nature.  The amazing power of revolution.  Almost within the blink of an eye, people's lives are literally turned upside down.  I was breathless, as I watched the waters rage with uncontrollable force, leaving a wake of death and destruction.  I was held hostage by images of people marching and protesting, some shouting for revolution while others in passionate support of the standing regime.  Surreal images of iconic leaders, one finally deciding to step aside while the fate of the other still hangs in the balance.   

   

These past weeks have been a harsh reminder of the frailty of our lives, our society and the world in which we live.  In a nanosecond, things can change dramatically whether by natural disaster or human action, our lives can quickly turn from our personal pursuits to a scramble for survival.

On the other hand, I am also reminded of just how amazingly blessed we are and this must not be taken for granted.  We are blessed, indeed!  Let us be ever aware that today while we go about the business of our lives, others are mourning the loss of loved ones and digging through the rubble of what was their lives.  The impact of leaking radiation is still unknown.  People are searching for food and water.  There are people who feel as if they are living a nightmare and are praying that they will wake up and find it was only a horrible, horrible dream.  Others, across the globe, now prepare for what may become full fledged war.  They choose sides and seek weapons.  They know there will be more death and bloodshed, and it could mean their own death, their own blood shed.   

Sisters and brothers, let us give thanks to God for the blessings of this day and every day. Let us hold in our hearts and prayers those around the world who struggle this day, those who weep this day, those who hunger this day, those who will die this day, those who hold anger and hatred in their hearts and would rather bring death than seek peace.  Let us lift up stranger and friend alike, companion and enemy, our neighbors and those who are alien to us that the peace, glory and hope of God will reign.  That places of devastation and despair will become rich fields of life and hope.  That places of warfare and bloodshed will become sanctuaries of reconciliation and healing.    

Lord, please, for the sake of thy people, hear our prayer! 

In Christ, 

Paul+

My peace I give to you...

People who seek peace in external things – be it in places or ways of life or people or activities or solitude or poverty or degradation – however great such a thing may be or whatever it may be still it is nothing at all and it gives no peace.
-Meister Eckhart 

People often say things like, 

“When I get the raise that will be all the money I'll need."  

"When I live in that neighborhood, I’ll know I’ve arrived."
"When I get the promotion, I'll be a success."

"If that person would love me, my heart would be content." 

More often than not, however, we get the raise and soon feel it’s not enough. We move into the neighborhood, and realize it's not the destination we had hoped for. We get the promotion and suddenly find another rung on the ladder that must be climbed.  The person confesses their love, and yet we still feel incomplete. 

Human beings, in our pursuit of things, people, status, power and privilege, ultimately believe that we will achieve a sense of peace and contentment when our "dreams" come true. And yet, after all has been acquired, we find ourselves empty. Or, if nothing has been acquired, we say, "If only, if only...then, surely then, I would have peace."  The human pursuit of peace and contentment is like a hamster running on a wheel as fast as he can, and yet going nowhere. We work tirelessly, but to what end?  We accumulate in excess, but for what goal? We try relationship after relationship, but still feel alone.

This mad pursuit results in frustration, insecurity and restlessness.  We believe that peace, like so many other things, is something we can achieve and obtain.  Peace is another goal we can accomplish.  Peace, however, is a gift, a sacred and holy gift, of the Spirit.  In the Gospel of John (14:27) our Lord says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

The peace of God is something radically different.  It is a peace which the world does not and cannot give.  It is a peace which passes our ability to understand.  It is a peace that cannot be pursued nor obtained, but a gift to be received and accepted which is most difficult for many of us to understand.  We ask ourselves, "What must I DO to find peace?" We don't have to DO anything, we need BE.  We need to BE open God and the movement of the Holy Spirit.  We need to be open to grace, open to love, open to acceptance, open to the possibilities of God, open to the Word of God, open to the gift of Christ.  There is nothing to pursue, nothing to accomplish, nothing to achieve, nothing to acquire, no goal to reach.  We must simply BE in God and God in us.

Can we stop in the maddening pursuit of things?  Can we rest in the gift of God's peace?  Can we trust in God's goodness?  Can we believe that true peace, holy peace, lasting peace can be found only in God?  Only then will we be at peace.

May the peace of God be with you!!!
Paul+

What do I want?

What is it that God wants for me that I do not want for myself? -Meister Eckhart

For as long as I can remember, an obsessing question has been “What do I want to do with my life?” I've spent countless hours envisioning and planning my future. I've dreamed and formulated plans. I've dreamed again and re-formulated the plans. I've tried to look into the crystal ball to see what I was to do and who I was to be. I envisioned myself, at some point in time, satisfied and content for having successfully accomplished my goals and having reached my glorious destination.

As Christians, however, we are called to make a radical paradigm shift. Our EGO, the great Trinity of Me, Myself, and I is to be replaced by GOD, the true Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. As Christians we are called to get our egoistic selves out of the way and to change from an Ego-centric to Christo-centric way of being. The obsessing question then changes from “What do I want?” to “What does God want?”

Even more challenging is the question “What does God want for me that I don’t want for myself?” With this new world view, we ask ourselves very different questions. What does God want me to change that I don’t want to change. What does God want me to be that I don’t want to be? What does God want me to do that I don't want to do?

We fear these questions because we often think that we know what’s best for our lives. If God wants what I want that's great, but what happens when I don't want what God wants? We resist the truth that God's plan for our lives is better than our plan. In fact, it's far better than what we could ever imagine. God only desires what's best for us. God will only lead us in ways that will draw us closer to the fullness of who God created us to be. God's plan is good and perfect for those who will open themselves to the working of God in their lives, and open themselves to the possibilities and opportunities that God presents.

I've spent far too much time and energy trying to answer the wrong question. Instead of "What I want for my life?" the better question is, "What does God want for my life." For the plans and dreams of God for me and my life are beyond anything I could ever imagine...even if it's something I thought I never wanted.

Holy and Loving God replace my trinity with your Holy Trinity, and my desires with your desires, and my longings with your longings, but when they are not give me the wisdom and courage to follow your ways not mine. Amen.

Lent: A time for healthy choices

This past Wednesday, we heard the invitation of the church to the "observance of a holy lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial; by reading and meditating on God's holy Word."

I believe that Lent is a misunderstood season. For some this is a time to put on sack cloth and ashes and to suffer for Jesus. Let's really show God our love by seeing what we can give up or what we can take on, all to prove ourselves worthy, a mad test of endurance and survival until Easter. Lent is NOT the ultimate test in fasting and self-denial, but I believe we are called to something radically different.

Lent is not spiritual "boot camp" for the truly faithful. It is not a time to be endured, but rather a time to intentionally model healthy Christian living. It is an annual "check-up" in which we take our spiritual pulse and check our vital signs. It is a time for healthy choices for mind, body and spirit. It is not a season solely for fasting, but for feasting, as well. We fast from those things which do not work for our good and we feast on those things which bring us closer to a holy life.

As we live more fully into this season, I invite you to make healthy choices for your mind, body and spirit. Healthy choices which include both fasting and feasting. Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from fear of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from the words that pollute; Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.
Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion.
Fast from gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayers that sustain.
Fast from worry; Feast in faith.
-"Lenten Fast" by William Arthur Ward

Here's to a healthy life in Christ,
Paul+

The truth shall set us free!

A human being has so many skins inside, covering the depths of the heart. We know so many things, but we don't know ourselves! Why, thirty or forty skins or hides, as thick and hard as an ox's or bear's, cover the soul. Go into your own ground and learn to know yourself there.

- Meister Eckhart

As we begin this holy season of Lent, we are invited to embark on a sacred pilgrimage. We are invited to journey into the depths of our soul. A journey many of us may prefer not to take. Perhaps it's because we are afraid of what we may discover. A part of ourselves that we would rather not admit exists. Knowing the truth of one’s self calls for naked openness and vulnerability that we don’t often allow ourselves to experience.

Truth can be a bitter pill to swallow, but as the scripture says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) For far more powerful than the truth of our sins and shortcomings is the truth of God’s abundant love. We need not fear nor dread this journey. It is a journey to freedom. We are held captive by deceptions of our own creation and we are freed by Christ’s loving embrace.

So, as we begin this time, let us hear the call, and accept the invitation to embark on this most holy journey. Let us remember that we do not go on this journey alone. We are invited by God, accompanied by Christ and comforted by the Holy Spirit. And if we dare journey into the depths of our soul, there I believe we will find truth and this truth does not bring condemnation nor captivity, but rather forgiveness and freedom. Freedom to be more truly the people God created us to be.

Let us go into our own ground and learn to know ourselves and there I pray we meet the Holy One and the truth shall set us free. Amen.

La Virgen de Guadalupe

This past Sunday, I had a most remarkable experience. I visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. A caravan made the trip from Minneapolis to La Crosse. Driving a van packed with new latino friends, we made our way to the shrine. It was the Sunday for the monthly Spanish service.

With great eagerness and expectation, latino pilgrims made their way up the hill to the shrine. Our friends were the musicians for the service, an extended family that formed a mariachi group. They had spent hours of practice and preparation, for this was not just another occasion to perform, this was a chance to play for the La Virgen de Guadalupe and they prayed that their offering would be pleasing to God.

Immediately, as the first note of broke through the reverent silence, my eyes began to burn with tears. For I had heard some of their stories. Stories of suffering and hardship. Stories of fear and oppression. Stories of hope and joy. Stories of Christ and redemption.

After the mass had ended they were allowed to play for thirty minutes until the next service was to begin. The group then stood before the altar looking only at the cross and painting of Mary. They were not "performing", they were offering songs of thanksgiving and celebration. They were offering prayers for all those who suffer from the ravages of poverty and oppression. They were lifting up countless millions of people who long for a better life for their children. They held in their hearts all those who find themselves as aliens in a foreign land and dream of home.

When they had finished, I commented on the visibly humble and faithful spirit with which they sang. I said, "They were singing as if they believed that La Virgen de Guadalupe was really there." The leader of the mariachis, Chalio, when hearing this had a curious look on his face and simply said, "She was there."

We say, "We are in the presence of God." We say, "Come Holy Spirit and fill this place." We say, "Christ is here with us." We say, "These are the gifts of God for the people of God. The holy food and drink of new and unending life in him." But do we really believe it, or are these simply "sayings" and things we hope to be true?

May we come before the presence of the Living God with the same eager expectation. May we sing and pray with the same faith and humility. May we long to offer our lives as gifts that are pleasing to God. May we experience the same sense of presence and spirit when we come before the altar of our Lord - for he is there!

Gracias a Dios ahora y para siempre!

In Christ,

Paul+