Holy Trinity Ankeny

What makes Jesus submit to death on a cross based only on a promise of resurrection that has never happened? It is surely not common sense or logic. Each takes a leap of faith – an act of will rooted in deep trust. What makes you change your life to be who and what God calls you to be? Same thing – a leap into the arms of Christ.

As old as Egypt and as recent as Pittsburgh, it’s the same old, same old thing. Some churches have decided to respond by arming the ushers. But that’s just more of the same old, same old thing – violence meets violence. God promises to “make all things new” (Rev. 21) and end the same old, same old power of death and chaos. On All Saints Day, we celebrate those who have embraced the “new” and rejected the same old, same old.

We live in an age where one of the identities we bear is “consumer.” We are told that to be productive members of the economy and nation we should pursue things that allows us to get what we want. That is our definition of freedom. Unfortunately, we may be consuming ourselves to death and not free at all. Jesus offers a new way of seeing our identity that sets us free – and just may help save the planet!

Our society places a high value on competition and recognition. We want to root for the team that wins. We aim for the top so we achieve recognition for work well done. But Jesus tells us of another way; that of servanthood. Hear about how James and John wrestle with the values of this world and God’s kingdom. Jesus lives the ultimate example of servanthood. Listen to find out more.

Today’s passage about Jesus telling us that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God can be a bit uncomfortable for some (most) of us to hear. Instead of making us uncomfortable, we need to hear the words that Jesus loves us and that with God, all things are possible. Even camels going through the eye of a needle.

And God said, “It is not good that the human is alone.” God, the ultimate community of love, Father, Son & Holy Spirit, provides for companionship and community for our good. Then why are we so bad at living together in peace and love? The sexual harassment of women by men; the 50% divorce rate; the fragmentation of relationships at every level are not what God intends. So, what do we do and say?

Every journey has a destination. The journey of faith begins in baptism and heads toward the kingdom of God. The trouble is, there are lots of things that can derail the journey. Jesus teaches us that nothing – not even your hand, foot or eye – is worth keeping if they cause detours from life in the reign of God. It may sound harsh but remember who says these things: the one who died for us.

It takes time to get to know someone, to know who they really are and not who we want them to be. Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah but doesn’t fully understand what the term Messiah means. Peter placed Jesus into a box of sorts, and that box defined who Jesus was for Peter. What are the boxes that we have placed Jesus into and how do we take him out?

We live in an “us and them” world. Everything is categorized and divided; judged to be good or bad. Scripture tells us this is contrary to God’s intentions. In fact, scripture gives us a vision of all creation – every person, rock, tree, and living creature – united in a song of praise directed to God. God’s world is not “us and them” but “we and thou.”