More Than Hearing

Happy New Year!! We’ve been off for a couple weeks to enjoy our family time with now adult children and to get geared up for the new year. Welcome back to all of us! This week’s passages are connected to one another in some obvious ways. Isaiah introduces the mysterious servant whose identity remains a question of interpretation, but with whom God delights. (Draw a line to the Gospel passage where Jesus hears these words spoken to him). The passage also promises that the servant will bring God’s justice and teachings to the nations and the many coastlands. (Draw a line to the Acts passage where Peter speaks of God’s impartiality.) In Acts, Peter has just had a transforming moment with Cornelius, a Roman centurion and his gentile household. He then testifies to Jesus’ ministry, beginning with his baptism and God’s presence with him. (Draw a line to the Gospel again). As Jesus emerges from the Jordan River (Draw a line to Isaiah and Acts in recognition of the Jordan’s place in Israel’s history), he sees the heavens open and hears a voice call him the Beloved Son with whom the One in heaven is well pleased. Each passage can stand on its own with a message of God’s redemptive work for God’s beloved people and creation, yet they share connective elements that could draw an interesting picture. However you choose to go, the servant in Isaiah, the plan for all people in Acts, or Jesus’ baptism in Matthew, you have an outline for grace and mercy. Let us know how you fill in the rest of the work!

Isaiah 42:1-9 [02:00]  – This passage is the first time God’s servant appears in Isaiah. This figure will be fleshed out a bit more in later references, but here the servant is identified as someone who will bring justice. Of all the definitions of justice, the one that seems to come most readily to the front in our U.S. culture is the idea of retributive justice – righting wrongs. Unfortunately, this expression often bleeds over into vengeance or revenge, where the wrongdoer is not corrected but destroyed. In many ways we expect God to do just this – and we spend our time holding down who we deem to be the offender until God can come beat him up. This is not how God chooses to act – a “bruised reed he will not break, a dimly burning wick he will not quench.” In Eye smart, we find illustrations and special effects for the latter example. God intends for the servant to be that light for the nations, and in Body smart we consider how offering one’s hand in a covenant expresses the intention for relationship. In Nature smart, we take the references to the coastlands and God’s redemption springing forth as illustration and special effect.

Acts 10:34-43 [11:18] – As 21st century Christians, we read Peter’s first words in this passage and (mostly) agree with him: of course God shows no partiality! We Americans, land of the Rugged Individual, especially embrace this idea and believe it to be enshrined in our Constitution. [That we are pretty much in error on that is the topic for a totally different kind of post (3/5ths? Really, Founding Fathers?).] Yet for Peter, realizing that God shows no partiality was a huge change in perspective. Peter was a Jew – one of God’s own People. To acknowledge that “anyone who fears God and does what is acceptable” receives forgiveness was a major step outside the boundaries in which he had grown up. We use Math smart to illustrate the impact of this change in logical framework. Peter traces Jesus ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection to support this idea, and we wonder if his testimony can be written as an English sonnet. See Music smart for the formula. In People smart, we explore other major paradigm shifts in history to illustrate Peter’s experience of the resurrection and have some questions for your congregation to use in small group discussions.

Matthew 3:13-17 [18:29] – Guess what? For the Sunday called The Baptism of the Lord, we’re looking at the baptism of Jesus as Matthew presents it. Surprise! The story is fairly short, even though it is the longest account of the Synoptics and includes the conversation between Jesus and his cousin John. When Jesus comes up from the water, he sees the heavens open up, and using Eye smart, we wonder how that experience might be illustrated for listeners? People have often questioned why Jesus insisted on baptism, and in Math smart special effect, we consider using the old game called Don’t Spill the Beans (link below) to show how Jesus decided to participate and tip the scales towards righteousness. Baptism is a physical action, so for Body smart, invite people to dip their hands in water in the baptismal font. The Jordan River is an important place in Israel’s history, and so in Nature smart, we wonder what other natural landmarks are important to a community’s identity. In People smart, we offer a contrast to God’s affirming words to Jesus with a clip from Chef Gordon Ramsay, renowned for his vicious criticism. In Self smart, we ask some questions about what it means to be told someone is well pleased with you.

Image credit: Copyright: lightwise / 123RF Stock Photo. Used by permission.

Welcome back to More Than Hearing! This episode is a special edition that brings together all our “Smart of the Week” segments. Each is a couple minutes’ exploration going into a little more depth on one of the eight intelligences identified by Dr. Howard Gardner. They follow the same pattern of defining the Smart, especially using material from Dr. Gardner and from Dr. Thomas Armstrong, then a bit about how the Smart manifests itself in people’s learning, behavior, and work, and finally a look at how the Smart has found and may find a place in the life and worship of the Church.

These segments are still just introductions, but we hope they will give beginners in multiple intelligence theory a good grounding in each of the eight intelligences. For those already familiar, we hope these will serve to freshen your thoughts and maybe give you another way of thinking about the Smarts and how to use them for your illustrations and special effects.

Eye Smart [05:48] – originally aired in Year C, Advent 2, 2015

Music Smart [08:00]- originally aired in Year C, Advent 4, 2015

Body Smart [11:40]- originally aired in Year C, Baptism of the Lord, 2016

Math Smart [13:51]- originally aired in Year C, Ordinary 3, 2016

People Smart [16:15]- originally aired in Year C, Lent 2, 2016

Word Smart [19:00]- originally aired in Year C, Easter 4, 2016

Self Smart [21:27]- originally aired in Year C, Ordinary 17, 2016

Nature Smart [24:17] – premiering in this episode!

Image credit: Copyright: bimdeedee / 123RF Stock Photo

Welcome back! This is it – the last Sunday in Advent! It seems like we just started this journey a month ago, and here we are! The passages selected for this week have also circled back around to the beginning. In Isaiah, we go back towards the start of his ministry in Judah as he confronts King Ahaz about a shaky political alliance and suggests that God has a different plan for the country – if Ahaz will only ask about it. “Look,” Isaiah says, “God has a sign all ready for you to seek and find guidance.” Ahaz refuses to accept the sign, because he has put his trust in King Sennacherib, not YHWH. In Romans, Paul introduces himself to a Christian community that does not know him by pointing to his credentials as a slave of Jesus, their common Lord. In order for his ministry to be given a hearing by a flock not his own, Paul points to Jesus’ resurrection as the sign of his authority to call apostles. “That’s me!” says Paul.  And in Matthew, Joseph has come to an unpleasant conclusion about his pregnant fiancee when an angel of God comes to him in a dream and reminds him about a sign given to an ancient king – who did NOT pay attention. Joseph is more righteous than Ahaz and takes a massive step in faith by accepting Mary and her child into his home and heart. God continues to give us the signs of Immanuel; hopefully, we are not speeding by so quickly on our rush to Christmas that we miss them.

Isaiah 7:10-17 [02:00]  – As leaders of God’s flocks, haven’t we all prayed at one time or another “O God, give me a sign!” Wouldn’t it be fantastic to have a prophet come into our office one day and say, “Hey! Here’s your sign!” “That would be wonderful,” we say! “How on earth could King Ahaz have turned that down?” we say. All he had to do was trust God completely – and wait. Ah, yes. Issues facing leaders tend to be quite pressing and sitting still long enough for a woman to give birth and wean her child seems madness – a decision must be made. In Word and Math smart, we consider the choice before the king and the logic of trusting God. In his commentary at Working Preacher, Fred Gaiser remarks that God’s coming presence is both cause for rejoicing and a warning. We have an idea to make this visible with an Eye smart special effect. Since God’s promise is to be with us, we encourage reaching out to one another in Body smart.

Romans 1:1-7 [10:10] – It’s been a while since I’ve had to introduce myself to a new congregation, but I remember clearly the amount of energy it took to do so. I had to repeat some information regularly, was surprised by what information was retained, and have had to desperately search my memory files for information about others on the spot, hoping I would not get a “404” error message. In these first verses, Paul is pulling out all the stops to introduce himself to the Christian community in Rome. He explicitly makes the case that he is an apostle called by the risen Christ and entirely devoted to that ministry. It is the resurrection that makes all the difference, says Paul, and we have a special effect in Eye smart that shows that. In People and Self smart, we suggest ways of using descriptive titles to make our own ministries known.

Matthew 1:18-25 [17:54] – The obvious connection between this passage and the Isaiah one is the prophecy about a young woman about to give birth. But, there is another connection where a man presented with a “lesser of two evils” problem has made a choice, which is then challenged by God. Unlike the ancient king, Joseph considers the information given to him and changes his mind, following after the sign. In Eye smart, we illustrate the difficulty of making a choice using traffic jams and suggest getting out Google maps for a special effect. We offer a song and a poem to illustrate Joseph’s decision in Music smart and suggest writing haikus as a special effect. Joseph’s decision to listen to God’s advice has had significant consequences for the world; in People smart we encourage you and your congregation to discuss that choice and its continual impact. For Self smart, we take this discussion into the personal realm.

A template for opening your epistle (Based on Romans 1):

1. What spiritual gifts do you have?

(Your name:) ________________________,

a servant of Jesus Christ, who (6) _____________________________________________,

equipped by the Holy Spirit with (1) _________________________________ and

called by God to (2) _______________________________ and (3) ____________________________

among the (4) ________________________________,

just as Jesus (5) _______________________________________________________,

to the saints at (your church or others you wish to address) _________________________________________________:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Hey everyone, welcome back to More Than Hearing! We are more than halfway through Advent already! Today, we have three passages with varying degrees of interpretation for the traditional theme of joy. Isaiah doesn’t need much mining to find that treasure in the midst of a joyful return to Judea after the exile. James takes a bit more digging. He encourages patience and gives some final advice for living while waiting for the Lord’s return. If you read the entire letter with this lens, you can see the fertile ground that produces joy. As for Matthew, the encounter between Jesus and John’s disciples and the crowd who once streamed out to see the Baptist does not seem to yield anything other than disappointment and subtle accusations. It is in his response to John’s disciples that the seeds of joy come to light; in Jesus’ ministry, the blind have their sight restored to them, those who could not move are strengthened – the list of those who have been touched by God goes on and sounds very familiar to the list of the joyful returning to Judea in Isaiah. In that passage, joyful healing is a promise. In Jesus, it is fulfilled. 

Isaiah 35:1-10 [02:00]  – These verses from Isaiah are out of time within the history of the people of Israel. This vision of a High Way in the desert with YHWH’s people streaming back into Zion from captivity is included in the run up to the destruction of Jerusalem. Isaiah is looking far beyond what is soon to come and in this vision, he sees God’s promise of deliverance. In Eye smart, we suggest some ways to explore the pathway God lays out in the wilderness using Gilligan’s Island. No, really. Weak hands and feeble knees will be invigorated in those days, so why not squeeze some foam stress balls during worship? YHWH will lead the people back through a dry land on a pathway strewn with a lush, Eden-like landscape so use both Eye and Nature smart and show some photos of deserts in bloom. You’ll be very glad you did! The purpose of the route is to bring the people home, so YHWH makes the path impossible to miss or lose.

{MWD} People –  One of the linguistic realities of Old Testament prophecy is the rare occurrence of the singular second person pronoun when that word is not directed to a specific prophet or king. The God of the Ancestors promises to remember, return, and restore the “people” to the land. American Christianity is often too wrapped up in our mythos of rugged individualism to truly grasp the magnitude of what God is doing here. This return isn’t just a small caravan traveling through the desert; what Isaiah sees is a second Exodus – thousands, tens of thousand, hundreds of thousands (maybe millions?) of people moving through a barren environment, fed and watered by God’s grace until they come back home. Think about how relieved you feel when you pull up in front of your house after your evening commute; now imagine that return magnified by millions of other people at the same time. Kinda makes you want to sing, huh?

{D2} Nature – The prophet paints a beautiful picture for us of God’s reversal of natural depletion and scarcity in the wilderness. At the time when God’s people will need it the most, the desert will provide for their needs with water and beauty and safety from beasts and whatnot. It’s a spectacular portrait, so engaging that this is the imagery we use to identify the text — you know, the one with the desert blooming. The natural imagery is so engaging that we might actually miss the greater miracles nestled in the passage — the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk.

James 5:7-10 [09:10] – The Lord is coming! But not right now, so please be patient. Today’s section of James comes from the end of the letter, wrapping up all previous advice with the assurance of Jesus’ return and a request to remain patient for his appearance. Like a farmer waiting for seeds to sprout and grow, James asks his readers to adopt the same expectant waiting. He also gives advice about how to wait and what to refrain from doing – specifically grumbling against one another. We looked into the benefits of developing patience and found a study exploring the connection between it and lowered depression, which we linked to both Math and Body smart. At the end of verse nine, James refers to the Judge standing at the door as a way to encourage readers to make peace with one another, but we thought of the phrase made popular on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh In – “Here Comes the Judge.” We have an historical look at that phrase in Music smart. Since James mentions farmers, we decided to follow through with his illustration in Nature smart. And for Self smart, we give some other examples of endeavors that require patience.

{MWD}  Self – When I was a kid helping my father out with projects around the house, I would sometimes get a flash of inspiration as to why Dad needed a specific tool. I would get excited that I had made the connection – jumping over some necessary steps to get there – and reached a conclusion. Dad (whose name was James, aka “Jim”), being an engineer, would nod his head to acknowledge that I had done so (which was awesome!), but then would say, “Be patient.” It was important to follow the steps so that the project would be done thoroughly and nothing would later collapse. I have since come to appreciate Dad’s meticulousness; at the time, it drove me bonkers. James also encourages patience so that the living being done while waiting for Jesus is complete and joyful. These guys named “James” were pretty wise!

{D2} Self – Patience is almost certainly an internal work occasioned by external circumstances. Whether the cause is one’s neighbor or loved one, the folks at church, work, or school, the political process of the state assembly, the Great Arc of History, or your own soul, on any given day, something isn’t going to be the way you think it ought to be. To make it so takes lots of effort. To wait for it takes a lot of patience. No one can give it to you (except the Holy Spirit, of course), and although someone might exhort you to it and coach you in it, it can only come from within yourself.

Matthew 11:2-11 [17:53] – What an unusual selection for the third Sunday in Advent, sometimes referred to as Joy Sunday. On first reading, there is not much here that is joyful; John the Baptist is in prison, confused by his cousin Jesus’ ministry. He has heard about what he has been doing, and we offer a special effect about hearing clearly in Word smart.  Jesus questions the crowds about why they went into the wilderness to see John, which we illustrate in Eye and Math smart. Jesus concludes that John is a prophet and one of the greatest men born of women. But in the next sentence he seems to undermine that statement by elevating the least of these over him. What is going on here? We illustrate this topsy-turvy ranking in People smart. I think the source of joy in the passage is tucked into the instructions Jesus gives to John’s disciples that echoes the fulfilled promise in Isaiah where God restores people not only to their homeland, but to full health. For people struggling with ailments, here is a word of joy.

{MWD} Math – Jesus has used the Rule of Three to good effect before and seems to pre-date comedic intentions by his use of The Triple in this passage. Comedians can be savvy interpreters of culture and popular sentiment in that they pay close attention to other people’s motivations, find the contradictions in them, and re-present them in a ridiculous over the top manner. Sometimes, as we laugh at the cleverness of the comic, we look down and see a skewer pointing at our own folly. Jesus interpretation of others’ motivations didn’t lead to a guest spot on late night television, though. Rather, it led and continues to lead to deeper introspection for those who receive the offered Word.

{D2} People – This passage is loaded with relational dynamics! John challenges Jesus’ legitimacy, just for starters! Jesus then challenges his followers on their motives for seeking out John. As Molly points out about a good comedian, Jesus knows his crowd well, because he wasn’t just People Smart, he was People Brilliant! Any way, he swings the people wide around his point before pulling them in tight — Yes, John is a prophet and a great one! And if you think that’s something, just you ain’t seen nothing yet! What seems like a swipe at John is a springboard for people to launch toward the kingdom. Pretty good pitch.

Image credit: Copyright: <hakielberry / 123RF Stock Photo

Welcome back to More Than Hearing and the second Sunday in Advent! Even though this is a new liturgical year, we are at the tail end of the calendar year. It’s an odd way to live – one foot in the next year and one foot in the current one. Maybe by living in this off balance way – tipped and unsteady and looking around for something to give stability – we have a chance to perceive the way Jesus is already reigning and coming to reign again in this world. Isaiah saw this new world arriving with glory and peace as the shoot from the stump of Jesse. In Romans, Paul writes about this kingdom giving Jews and Gentiles the capacity to welcome one another as Jesus welcomed them. And in Matthew, John the Baptist sees opponents of this kingdom – or at least those who are worried about upheaval and change – and gives them an ear full about their assumptions of their place as heirs of the promise given to Abraham.

Isaiah 11:1-10  [02:00]  – This vision from Isaiah, particularly verses six through nine, are well known and well represented in art. (See the link “Peaceable Kingdom” below). Christians have re-interpreted the identity of the shoot as Jesus, yet Isaiah didn’t have a particular person in mind. For him, this unlikely character who comes forth from virtually nowhere is a figure representing bright hope in a leader who embodies all the best qualities of God’s spirit. We were intrigued by the image of a rod from his mouth striking the earth, which we discuss in Word smart. The passage shifts abruptly between verse 5 and 6 where the vision of a Shoot from the stump shifts to the vision of animals pairing up in unusual ways. It is possible that the sudden disruption in the natural order of prey and predator now living in harmony is simply a byproduct of this individual’s reign. We have several Nature smart illustrations and special effects for consideration here. And finally, the image of all sorts of animals dwelling together was just too irresistible – we have a fun idea for a special effect in People smart! I wish I had some kids in my congregation to try this one!

{MWD}  Nature – Verses six through nine are difficult to read without pausing to reflect on the kind of world where the natural instincts for predator and prey take a break and a defenseless child walks among them. Something truly amazing is happening in the realm of this world and it has caught the imagination of artists and preachers for generations. I suppose it does so because the animal world seems so very straightforward – you are born, you grow up, you make more of your species, and you die all the while eating or trying not to be eaten. For that instinct to be so muted as to be nullified sparks a lot of questions about this new order – and about our own.

{D2}  Nature – It’s hard to think of anything other than nature when reading this passage. The stump, the shoot, and all the animals – even though they are behaving in unusual ways – these will light up a Nature-smart brain. Even if you are stronger in the other smarts, you are drawn to these images of creatures pointing to God’s glory by their unexpectedly peaceful repose together.

Romans 15:4-13  [09:18] – At the beginning of this passage, Paul stresses the importance of Scripture as a source of hope. In it, we find instruction to confess and sing praises with one voice to God. This seems to be a musical version of the Peaceable Kingdom. We have an idea for joining voices in Music smart. Since harmonious living is a key concept in this passage, we have a special effect in People smart using The Lord’s Prayer. Also in People smart, we suggest substituting a word in the passage as it is read – how does this change the sound and impact of Paul’s encouragement to welcome another? And for Self smart, we have some questions that could be handed out as “homework.”

{MWD}  People – Paul displays not only the importance of hospitality in a life that follows after Jesus but the inevitability of it. Once you understand yourself welcomed by Jesus, it seems the only response is to turn around and offer it to others in his name. Paul writes elsewhere that hospitality is a spiritual gift that manifests in some more than others, but I think this passage from Romans makes it clear that we have an obligation to pass on the grace we have received from Jesus at all times. That we are to welcome one another is clear; how we do that is up to our own creativity.

{D2}  Word – Paul’s reliance on the scriptures in this passage, and his biblical word study, finding so many passages referring to the goyim, and understanding that to mean the Gentiles with whom he was working, leads me to conclude this is a Word smart passage. The demonstration of God’s intention for Jewish-Gentile relations through the written word is a lovely bit of exegesis on his part, and we have much we can learn from his lesson.

Matthew 3:1-12  [17:00] – I’ve read this passage from Matthew many times, but this is the first time I’ve paid close attention to the size of the crowds in verse six. For Eye smart, we have some examples of large gatherings (links listed below). Also in Eye smart as well as Body smart, we suggest using scales to illustrate repentance as rebalancing our lives. In Math smart, we offer a graph to chart God’s grace as an exponential increase – something the Pharisees and Sadducees misunderstood. (For math sticklers, in the show David referred to “y=2^x” as logarithmic, but actually it’s still exponential.) Finally, in People smart, we wonder if the abrasive relationship John experienced with those leaders was something that turned out to be beneficial.

{MWD}  Body – John preaches repentance to the crowds, which scholars have defined less as remorse and a new pious way of living than as a redirection that can happen multiple times. It seems to me very much like a person balancing a yoke on their shoulders with weights at the end. If you’ve ever seen people carrying loads in this manner, you will notice their movements are determined and precise. I think this is because the weight on their shoulders does not allow for extraneous movement. If someone were to come along and either upset or add to one of the loads, that person’s equilibrium would be thrown way off. I think this is what repentance is; the balance of a load is realigned and the person hauling it finds herself suddenly moving in a new direction.

{D2}  Nature – Again, someone with high Natural smarts, this passage has a lot to offer. Here are the wilderness, the camel hair, the locusts, the wild honey, and the Jordan River! Here are snakes, stones, trees, wheat, chaff, and fire! Why, it’s a veritable hiking trip for your mind!

Image Credit: “Peaceable Kingdom,” Edward Hicks, 1844 (public domain)

Hello! Welcome back to More Than Hearing! We are excited to begin our second year of lectionary podcasting! As we said way back in time when we first began (cue flashback music and wavy filter —

— which resolves into me sitting in much the same spot looking very much the same because it was only a year ago after all), we decided to start this project because we thought using the multiple intelligence theory would be an innovative way to approach the lessons. We have used it ourselves and have found this method fun, challenging, sometimes frustrating, and quite memorable! Here’s to year two!

The Old Testament reading comes from Isaiah where the prophet reveals a redeemed Jerusalem shining in the light of God’s righteousness. In the Epistle lesson, Paul encourages the Romans to live in the light of the resurrected Jesus. The Gospel passage from Matthew shows us Jesus urging his disciples to be watchful for the coming dawn of the Son of Man. The dominant theme is Light.

Isaiah 2: 1-5  [01:58]  – For this first Sunday of Advent, Year A, we begin in Isaiah chapter 2 with either a second vision about Jerusalem, or the continuation of the vision begun in chapter 1 – which goes to great lengths to paint a dark picture of Zion’s faithlessness and God’s righteous judgment against it. We have illustrations and special effects for seven of the eight intelligences but decided to talk about three of them in the podcast. To see what ideas or thoughts we had about the ones that did not make it, please click the link for the worksheet below. For Word smart, we look at Isaiah’s vision that people will come to the house of Jacob and be taught by God. We wonder what teachers we have had who have inspired us and how we might honor them. In Isaiah’s vision, people will come from all over the world, and we explore that image with some contemporary gathering places in our world in Eye smart. And for People smart, we use verse four as the source to illustrate ministries with veterans who are laying down weapons of war to pick up instruments of peace.

{MWD}  Eye – While reading this passage, my mind’s eye sees a sweeping scene spiraling over Jerusalem as hundreds of thousands of people stream toward it from every direction. Not only does the visual image appeal, but the spatial relationship of a fixed point with movement radiating out from it and in toward it can illustrate Jerusalem as a focal point for God’s attention.

{D2} Eye, then Body – Like Molly, I find myself “seeing” this passage and the sites in it – temple, mountain, nations – and the movement of people. There is a strong Body image, though, with the work of beating swords into plowshares, and since this is perhaps the most powerful image of the text, it may pull rank in the end.

Romans 13:11-14  [12:12] – In this passage in Romans, Paul strives to convince his readers that Jesus’ return is imminent, and so the time to prepare for it is short. But he is not panicked about this timetable; in fact, he is eager to start this new day. “Wake up, get up, get dressed, it’s time to start!” We are leaving something behind when we prepare for this advent, but what is coming is definitely worth the effort. In Eye smart, we suggest using the lights in your sanctuary to literally lighten and darken the reading of this passage. For Body smart, do you still have that overly large t-shirt with Christ written on it? Try that on again! For Music smart, play the final movement of Les Miserable. And for Self smart, we ask how we might include God as we prepare for events or trips. As with Isaiah, we have other suggestions for the other smarts which can be seen on the worksheet.

{MWD} Eye – Paul wants the Romans to understand that on this side of the resurrection, our vision is different; fundamentally altered, if we are serious about following after Jesus. No longer do we see the world simply with our eyes, but we see it with an awakened awareness of God’s presence. We see people as Jesus sees them which then begins to alter our attitudes and behavior toward them. Using night vision goggles, you could demonstrate how limited human vision really is and how seeing with the eyes of faith can expand our understanding of one another.

{D2} Self – Paul uses imagery of light and dark to drive his Roman readers to self-reflection. Which one is dominating their destiny, light or darkness? Which do their actions reflect? So I think the result is a Self smart passage.

Matthew 24:36-44  [18:09] – There are some interesting definitions for words used in this lesson, which we show in detail on the worksheet. The theme of light is implied in this passage; with the light of understanding, we see the world differently (as in Romans) and are thereby able to see God at work in the world (as in Isaiah). Jesus tells his disciples to be vigilant, watchful, and faithful as they wait for the coming Son of Man. For Eye smart, we suggest illustrating this awareness using the image of soldiers on watch, or animals watching each other in the wild. Use pictures of your parishioners in childhood to demonstrate recognizing faces. In Math smart, illustrate the difficulty with “seeing” because of confirmation bias, and in Body smart, we can talk about how our own anxiety about not knowing the future can limit our vision. The suddenness of the Son of Man coming may be like a natural disaster, so use Nature smart and talk about the quick destructive power of earthquakes or floods.

{MWD}  Word –  Mark Davis dives deep into the Greek in New Testament passages and searches around for meaningful translations. He often gives me a lot of food for thought, and this passage is no exception. I have always read verse 40 seasoned with morality – for whatever reason (sinfulness), one of the people in these couplets is taken and the other is left behind. Yet, given the different meanings behind the Greek words used here, the taken and the leaving may have a different slant altogether. Rather than the one taken being the righteous one going to heaven, that one may be taken prisoner. Rather than being left behind to deal with the horrible reality of life on earth, the one left may be one who has escaped calamity and will be helping to rebuild the future. Words can be like keys, and in this passage, they unlock some fascinating options for preaching.

{D2} Eye – I picked Eye smart because of the repeated call for watchfulness and awareness of one’s surroundings. While we don’t know exactly what to be watching for, like any sentinel, we are instructed to keep scanning, looking, watching for the unexpected. Compound that with the spatial elements of proximity for those in the field or at the grindstone. As the other senses are left pretty much to themselves here, I think Eye smart is the dominant intelligence of the passage.

Image Credit: Light Bulb from Clipart.me

Welcome back to More Than Hearing! We are at the end of Liturgical Year C – wow. We still have some 2016 to get through but for our Lectionary purposes, we are at the end. For this last Sunday when we recognize Christ as King, the Old Testament issues a warning to the shepherd kings of Israel that God will attend to them the way they have not been attending the sheep, and that is not good news for them. The Good News for the sheep is that a new shepherd is coming, one that will embody God’s righteousness. The New Testament lesson from Colossians shows Jesus is first in everything created and first in everything re-created, and we, as his followers, share in that inheritance now and in the time to come. Finally, the Gospel lesson is Luke’s version of the crucifixion where Jesus is mocked for being the king of the Jews, hanging on a cross. Only one person in the story understands that something else is happening and asks to be remembered in Jesus’ kingdom.

We recorded this podcast the day after the U.S. General Election. We have some words about that in the podcast itself. David wrote a prayer for preachers entering pulpits on November 13 (and subsequent weeks, too), who might find themselves walking a very fine line leading their sheep. We have had a little bit of time pass since then, but I don’t think it is ever a bad idea to hold one another in our hearts and prayers as we lead God’s people and preach the Word. So, here is the prayer we prayed in this week’s podcast that I suspect may still have some relevance. God’s blessing on you all as you listen to the Shepherd and love your sheep.

Jesus Christ, Savior full of grace, as we record this show reflecting on the texts for Christ the King Sunday, wherein we hear once more of your sacrificial death on the cross on behalf of those who acted as your enemies, who taunted and reviled you, who crushed your glorious life, so that by your blood you could reconcile even them to God, grant that same love, mercy, and grace to the people of the United States. While many are hoping for change through this election, many others are deeply afraid of what change may come. So pour out your Holy Spirit to give rise to compassion, unity, justice, goodness, and hope for all your people. Especially, we pray for preachers who must bring words of grace to those who rejoice and those who mourn, to those who exalt and those who tremble in fear, all in the same room. O Holy LOGOS, grant your wisdom and self-giving spirit to all who climb into the pulpit in these days. Rise, O Sun of righteousness, with healing in your wings! Amen.

Jeremiah 23:1-6 [04:47] – David and I both grew up in the suburbs, and while I had the opportunity to travel to my grandfather’s farm every year while growing up, I did not have any exposure to sheep nor the challenges of caring for them. Being “city” kids, we are at a disadvantage whenever Scripture texts turn explicitly to the ovine arts. However, Google is a friend, and for Eye smart, we found some videos of shepherding in action and what happens when the shepherd falls asleep. One of the great advantages of flocks is the sheer numbers of them which means predators have to work hard to find a meal. In Body smart, we remember the difficulties of being “it” playing tag. The promise of God’s attention for the shepherd kings of Israel is truly not a good thing for them; God is coming, and for them this will be like getting near a blast furnace, which we talk about in Nature smart. God promises the people a new leader, a righteous branch, which is also referred to in Isaiah as a shoot from the stump of Jesse. We look at shoots on trees and why that happens. In People and Self smart, we remember times when we felt cared for and ask people to describe safety.

{MWD} People:  We read about God’s desire for God’s people frequently throughout Scripture and many metaphors are applied to illuminate that longing. In this passage, the metaphor is shepherding which points to the responsibility of those in leadership to see to their people on God’s behalf. When that does not happen or happens in a way that actually scatters the flock, God is not happy at all. The promise to attend to the shepherds the way the shepherd did not attend to the flock is similar to saying, “Wait ’til [the authoritative parent] gets home.” To paraphrase Richard Nysse, writing at Working Preacher: If God’s people are hurt, then so is God. The interrelatedness of people in this passage is important.

{D2} Nature: As Molly mentioned, I don’t know much about sheep, but when this passage is read I can’t help but imagine being out on a grassy field somewhere, surrounded by “baaaaahs.” Then, leaning up against a tree in that field, I can’t help but notice that righteous branch sticking out there. I bet I’m not the only one who has that experience. If a passage makes that kind of impression automatically, I’m thinking it may be primarily Nature smart.

Colossians 1:11-20 [14:18] – In this passage from Colossians, Paul reveals what kind of King the Resurrected Christ is – he is first. When we hear “first,” we tend to think of placement in a contest. While Jesus has won the contest between life and death, there really was no chance for the opposition, was there? Paul doesn’t think so – Jesus was first in creation and is first in the new creation. For Paul, there is no contest; the idea of competition is ludicrous. It is important not to fall into the trap of triumphalism here, because while we inherit the light of his glory, he is the one who went to hell to get it. In Word smart, we look at the two steps of Paul’s idea and have a series of liturgical pieces using this passage throughout the service. For Eye smart, we use verse 13 and suggest some ways of revealing an image using other images. Also in Eye smart, we consider spatial relationships between light and dark in stories of redemption. In Math smart, we explore a variety of ways the center holds together with illustrations and special effects. This one could bet a bit messy, so practice them beforehand. Body smart deals with physical expressions but includes some people smart practices. We look at new life emerging from old life in Nature smart.

{MWD} Math:  The logical equation in this passage is life > death. According to biology, this is not true. All life yields death, or life => death. But God (and as a good friend once said, the Good News always starts that way) works with a different equation, where resurrection nullifies death. So, ƒ(death) = {ø} where ƒ = resurrection. Or equations to that effect!! At any rate, God’s action in and through Jesus has brought about an entirely new reality where biological life still leads to biological death but the power of the resurrection trumps that reality.

{D2} Body: The lines that makes me think this is Body smart are verses 15 and 19, for starters. Jesus is the image of the invisible God in whom God was pleased to dwell. That just lights up my body brain! Add to it mentions of birth, death, … oh, and being head of the body! Finally, that the great act of divine reconciliation is accomplished by Jesus’ blood on the cross convinces me that this is one for your bod.

Luke 23:33-43 [24:40] –  For the Sunday when we celebrate Christ as King, Luke gives us the pathway to coronation. It isn’t through campaigning for electoral college votes, or through strategic placement of resources, or superior fire power, or smart investment portfolios, or even raising a family that is happy and healthy. Jesus’ path to coronation as King starts on the cross. In Eye smart, we have suggestions to illustrate cultural and Christian images of Jesus’ royal realm. In Math smart, we look at chess and strategic plans that sacrifice powerful playing pieces for ultimate gain. For Body smart, we have some details about crucifixion’s effect on the body and an exercise that provides the barest hint of what it might be like. We have a Taizé chant for Music smart and some thoughts about pelicans in Nature smart. For People smart, we wonder who “they” are that Jesus asks God to forgive, and in Self smart we ask why Jesus seems to have given up hope.

{MWD} Word:  We did not cover word smart for this passage in the podcast, but I came across some Greek translation questions that caught my attention and may be a way to start a discussion about the passage. In verses 35 and 36, people throw an accusation at Jesus about his identity. The Greek word “ei” is usually translated into English as “if.” If you are the Messiah, if you are the King, then save yourself. However, this same word can be translated “since,” which gives a subtle shift to what is happening. “IF you are …” suggests that the person leveling the charge has some doubt, and if it turns out he was the King or Messiah, that person can be forgiven for ignorance or at least failure of nerve. However, if the word is translated as “since,” the accusation reveals confusion about what a king is doing on a cross and ultimately is an outright denial of the claim, because no king would be found there.  

{D2} People:  When we think of the crucifixion, it naturally evokes Body smart reactions, but Luke doesn’t really go into any detail about the physicality of the execution. Instead, he writes about the interpersonal assault being hurled at Jesus: insults, taunting, mockery. The crowd makes it clear why the Romans used very public crucifixion as a means of deterring any would-be rabble rousers. But just when we think that Jesus is utterly rejected by all, one man makes a statement of faith and asks for his mercy, which Jesus promises to deliver. This scene is all about how we treat one another.

Image Credit: Hand Drawn Crown from Clipart.me

Greetings!! Welcome to More Than Hearing! We have made it – one whole year of the lectionary cycle – with a couple skips here and there due to life catching up to us. Whoot! When we started this project a year ago, we had no idea how much fun or work it would be. We both think that our preaching has been energized by these ideas, and we truly hope that you have given one or two of them a spin for your own preaching or leadership. This week is the final Sunday in the ordinary lectionary; next week is the culmination of the year – Chris the King. This Sunday, we are wrapping up with some evocative texts about “the end.” Malachi sees a bright burning sun dawning, bringing healing to the people. Paul is doing his best to redirect a misapplied understanding of Jesus’ coming again to the fellowship in Thessalonica. And Luke presents his version of the Little Apocalypse. All three texts see God in action in the history of time – they also see that time fulfilled, filled with industrious people, and a fulfillment of promises made a long time ago.

Malachi 4:1-6 [01:59]  – The day of the Lord is coming says Malachi. While there is warning about the powerful havoc this day will bring on those who are evil doers, the aftermath of that day will bring hope for the people who have remained steadfast in their trust.  We look at how the rising sun portrays stupendous, magnificent power in Eye smart. Now that we have astrophotography that our ancient ancestors lacked, we can see some spectacular images of Sol! The burning that is promised in the first verses provides some ideas for Body smart illustrations and special effects. For Music smart, we have Handel’s Messiah, the third verse of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, and a poetic form of the passage written by David as illustrations. We have many illustrations and special effects suggestions for Nature smart. We look at old advertisements in People smart and wonder what the healing in God’s wings would look like in Self smart.

{MWD} – Nature:  Chapter four begins with intense images of judgement fire and uprooting evildoers like a field that has been slashed and burned or left in ruins after a natural upheaval. It continues with images of the sun rising on a new day and the people being let out like cattle being loosed from their stalls. The ashes of the wicked will be trampled underfoot. I think Nature smart is all over this passage and is a fantastic way to talk about how destruction and hope are near neighbors.

{D2} – Nature:  Pretty much what Molly said!

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 [12:20] – As we began looking at this passage in depth, we saw how it could be used in a way that brings harm to brothers and sisters who are in financial straits and may be struggling to feed themselves and their families. There is no social commentary about nutrition programs in these verses; in fact, these verses are aimed at a specific group of believers in a specific time. This is not to say we cannot have theological discussion about the role of government and hunger programs, but these verses do not apply. That being said, we look at the Greek form of the verb “work” and have some fun with an English noun in Word smart. In Eye smart, we wonder where places of work and rest differ and how. We do not have an illustration for Math smart, but think the logic of interpretation has a home here. In Body smart, we wonder how our work ethic effects our bodies and the Body of Christ. David has a limerick in Music smart and in People smart, we consider just who the “idlers” are in this letter. Finally, in Self smart, we ask how we may be a good example of faithful living as Paul was for the Thessalonians.

{MWD} – People:  I went with People smart for the Primary Expressed Intelligence because of the interpersonal relationships Paul is addressing in the passage and how we as congregations and disciples can learn from this situation. In the previous chapter, there were people in the area or even in the fellowship who were stirring up trouble by hinting to the Thessalonians that they had missed the coming of Jesus. Nice, guys. Paul addresses this misunderstanding, but the Parousia still seems to be on the mind of some in the group. The ethos seems to be that because Jesus is returning soon, why bother working? But he has been delayed long enough that people still need to eat. Do you see the dilemma? Let those who work, eat.

{D2} – People:  Again, I agree with Molly. Paul is working to shape the practical theology of the Thessalonian congregation, that is how their beliefs shape their actions. That takes some interpersonal skill and promotes healthy interpersonal relationships. Any People smart folk will pick that up quickly and feel at home, I think.

Luke 21:5-19 [20:36] – The Day of the Lord is an ambiguous topic upon which to preach. It can be and has been used as behavior modification in sometimes manipulative and destructive ways. Yet, it is also a day filled with hope and the promise of God’s presence with God’s people. There has always been an element of judgement to it, hence the destruction both to those who are evildoers and those who are perceived to be such. But for those who endure, the dawning day will be glorious. Jesus is well steeped in the mythos of The End – he knows the Book of Daniel. But he is in touch with God’s mercy and grace and encourages disciples to hold on to that dimension of God’s character. We look at some words Jesus uses about that day in Word smart; we suggest a poster for a special effect in Eye smart; and in Math smart, we have an illustration about preparing for debates. In Body smart, we look at pursuit, and in Music smart, we suggest a favorite children’s song. In Nature smart, we wonder how a different preposition lends a sense of history to the passage. In People smart, we spend some time with Jesus’ advice to remain firm and not be led astray. Finally, in Self smart we suggest thinking about Jesus as the best defense attorney ever.

{MWD} – Self:  Jesus tells his disciples to disarm themselves if they are pressed into defending themselves. I remember reading this as a child and thinking that Jesus was telling me I would only need to open my mouth, and he himself would speak through me. I found that a bit disturbing – I did not really want to be taken over like that. Now, I understand that Jesus is saying to me, “Know me and my ways so well, be so deeply attached to my Spirit, that if you ever find yourself needing to defend your trust in me, the only thing you would need to talk about is how I have made a difference in your life.” I like that idea a whole lot more!

{D2} – Self:  While the passage is about geopolitical, global, and even cosmic upheaval, it seems most to resonate inside one’s own heart and mind. What will become of me? How will I make it through the end? Jesus, like any good mentor, is giving the disciples an honest view of the trouble to come and a list of the tools and resources they have within them to succeed. (I’m thinking of Yoda telling Luke to mind what he has learned, that save him it can, in Star Wars: Episode V.) Jesus is building their inner confidence so they will be strong enough in their spirits to endure to the end.

There once was a Christian named Fran,

Who believed Judgment Day was at hand.

She gave up on work

And was sort of a jerk.

That’s what the Apostle would ban!

Image credit: Copyright: hydognik / 123RF Stock Photo

Greetings!! Welcome to More Than Hearing! The lectionary readings for this episode center around the end of things. In the Old Testament, Haggai is calling for an end to languishing and moping. In Thessalonians, Paul gives some instructions about what will happen before Jesus returns. In Luke, the Sadducees pose a question about the resurrection – which they think is ludicrous – in order to trap Jesus. In all three readings, order has been disordered and people are either in despair or confusion as a result. But God (and the Good News always starts that way!) has other plans and will shake things up once again and bring about something new. We are to stand firm and watch and witness to God’s movement in history.

Haggai 1:15b – 2:9 [02:00]  – In this passage, the word of the Lord comes to Haggai who is sent to officials living in Judah after the exile. Haggai begins his message by pointing to the Temple, which is a struggling rebuilding project, and asking the people who were old enough to see it in its glory days to remember what it looked like. We offer some illustrations and special effects in Eye smart that parallel Haggai’s question. The work is challenging; material and personnel are lacking, people know the rebuilt Temple will never hold a candle to Solomon’s glorious offering, and they are still attempting to get used to living in this strange land called home. In Math smart, Word smart, and Body smart, we look at how God’s promise to be with the people makes a difference. Verse 6, where God promises to once again shake the earth, makes an appearance in Handel’s Messiah, which we recommend for Music smart. In Nature smart, we look at that shaking and God’s intention to bring blessings out of it. We have an idea for a special effect that demonstrates this. In People and Self smart, we wonder how holy, magnificent spaces affect our worship experience, especially when they are damaged.

{MWD} – Eye:  In my first reading of this passage, when Haggai tells the people to look at the mound of rubble that used to be the Temple and remember its glory, I found this rather cruel. For those who could remember, to see what had become of it must have been heartbreaking. They may have seen it go down, or they may have only heard about its destruction. It’s like going back to a house or a loved building after a fire or flood; you just stand there in shock and grieve what was lost. Yet, time does not wait for excessive mourning; it keeps on keeping on, and we eventually need to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Looking at pictures of crumbled buildings allows us opportunity to mourn what was, thank God for the past, and find resolve to move on. Haggai’s promise in verse four gives us a vision to see what can be in the midst of what is.

{D2} – Eye: All the focus here is on the sense of sacred space that the Temple, old and new, represented. Those high ceilings and long rooms, the artwork and artifacts, whether covered in gold as in the first temple or raw and waiting for adornment in the second, created the place where people experienced the covenant of God and the God of the covenant. And, whether remembering its former glory, grieving over its miserable rebuilt condition, or imagining a glory yet to come, it is the visual intelligence that switches on here.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 [11:55] – For people who look for recipes for predicting the Last Days, I imagine these verses from Paul’s letter are found among others in their apocalyptic pantries. If ever there is a need to understand context in order not to confuse a different time and place with our own, this passage is it!  Rather than letting the Thessalonians be thrown off by those who have told them the day of the Lord has already happened, Paul encourages them to remain firm and live sanctified lives, which we examine in Nature and Word smart, respectively. Paul warns them not to be deceived, and in Eye smart we suggest using magic tricks as an illustration. Fear about what is coming next can be devastating to the health of the body, both personal and corporate, which we address in Body, People, and Self smart. We have a hymn suggestion for Music smart.

{MWD} – Nature:  I think Paul’s insistence that the Thessalonians stay grounded in Jesus is the key to remaining calm in face of eschatological panic. Nature smart has plenty of illustrations to demonstrate being grounded or rooted that track very well with rooting ourselves in the promises God made in Jesus’ resurrection. For me, starting with the roots and working our way up is a good way to get into this passage.   

{D2} – People: The Apostle has a keen sense of interpersonal relationships that, even across many miles and months, allows him to pinpoint many of the problems that are plaguing the Thessalonian church. He then tries to impart some of that innate wisdom to the flock, encouraging them not to be drawn off by misinformation but instead to remain firm in what they had first learned from Paul and company. So I think this is a People smart passage.

Luke 20:27-38 [21:37] – In this week’s Gospel passage, Jesus has entered Jerusalem. Since we know the larger story, we understand that his ministry is almost complete. But inside the story, he still attracts the attention of opponents. Since they are all now in one place, the Sadducees approach him in order to discredit him. The Sadducees are strict adherents to the Law of Moses and Torah and do not trust the new fangled theology that has come out of exile and five hundred years of rebuilding the people of God. One of those new ideas is resurrection, which we investigate in Word, Eye, Math, Body, Nature, People, and Self smart illustrations. In Torah, death is death and one lives on afterwards through the sons (and daughters) one leaves behind. To that end, a man is beholden to produce heirs for a brother who should die without a male heir. Keeping all that in mind, the Sadducees ask Jesus a thorny thicket of the thickest relationship question ever, knowing he will not be able to answer it to their satisfaction. Or will he?

{MWD} – Math:  This is the last time a group of officials attempt to trap Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. If his opponents had faster communication platforms back in those days, the Sadducees might have had a different question ready for him, because surely someone would have tweeted about Lazarus in Bethany. As it was, they had their assumptions about how life after death operates, and there was no shifting them off that logic. Thinking they had a rock solid case, I imagine their surprise when Jesus demolishes it using their own Scripture against them.

{D2} – Math: We’re going for the Logical intelligence here more than the numbers part. As Molly has pointed out, the Sadducees were working from a preset conclusion when they present Jesus with this doozy of a logic problem. One can imagine them sitting up late the night before working on this test question, rolling it around every way they could think of, each of them taking a turn to poke holes in it, until they had what they were sure was the ultimate trick question. The problem, of course, was that they were challenging the LOGOS, the Word, the Logic of the Cosmos their puny rhetoric. Jesus easily points out the flaw in their premise, collapsing their house of cards. Good debaters know how to think like their opponents in order to outdo them in logic. Anyone who is Math smart will appreciate this passage.

Image credit: Copyright: damedeeso, 123RF Stock Photo

Greetings!! Welcome to More Than Hearing! The Lectionary readings for this week all share a sense of people being pushed by circumstances that would lead most past the breaking point. In Habakkuk, we have the introduction to chapters one and two – and really recommend reading the entire book to get a feel for the color of the whole work. The prophet has seen truly horrible things and is not at all happy with God, both for allowing it to happen and because there does not seem to be an end to it. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul is writing to a congregation who also has been through a tough patch. He is impressed and gives thanks for their continued faithfulness, though. And in Luke, we read the story of Zacchaeus climbing over the heads of people who are shutting him out. Each passage begins in a murky place and ends with God’s love illuminating the way beyond it into a brighter future.

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 [02:00]  – Habakkuk is a short book that is long on images and passion. In Word smart, we look at cries for help and God’s response as crying babies and political yard signs. We also suggest making a banner. In Eye smart, we see that God does not give trigger warnings; the prophet has seen that which cannot be unseen. Justice has been perverted and we look at how that might be demonstrated with a Play dough press. The prophet is dismayed not only by perverted justice but that the law itself has become slack and the people are surrounded by wickedness which we consider in Body smart. The Beatles’ “Help!” may work well in Music smart and Princess Buttercup’s faith in Westley coming to her rescue may help illustrate God’s devotion in People smart. Finally, in Self smart, we think the prophet’s determination to see God’s plan in action is like someone walking patrol.

{MWD} People: As with most of the prophets, Habakkuk looks at the current situation of God’s people with clear eyes. He is blunt and direct about what is going on and expects God to respond. It isn’t just the voice of a prophet who has received a hopeful word that drives this expectation, either. This prophet is upset with what he has seen and how the people are surrounded by wickedness. He wants an answer; he wants God to be accountable. I am impressed by his outspokenness because it speaks to a relationship that has been around for a while and will continue to be. I think People smart gives us entry to explore the passion and commitment of relationships.

{D2} People: The prophet is keenly aware of the interplay between righteous folk and violent folk in the imagery he sees in his oracle, and consequently he is aware of the suffering that is at hand. He is longing for righteousness and peace but finds none. All of his thoughts are about interpersonal relationships. When God replies at the end of the reading, it is set in terms of those same interpersonal contrasts. That’s why I picked People Smart.

2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12 [11:25] – As he does with several other letters to the faithful, Paul begins this letter to the Thessalonians with thanksgiving to God for reports he has received about their faithfulness to the Gospel. He is pleased enough by their example that he tells them that he and his co-workers boast about them to other churches. For a Word smart special effect, you might get a taste of this by asking anyone in your congregation about their grandkids. We also suggest making a poster. In Eye smart, we borrowed an idea from Amy Loving for decorating your worship space with expressions of thanksgiving. Pull out some engineering principles about stress and strain in Math smart and for Body smart, remember how the Strong Man in a carnival would be so cheerful enduring his own trials. For Nature smart, look to grapes, olives, apples, and coffee beans as natural illustrations of the good that can come out of difficulties. Remember watching your favorite sports team pull off an upset? Use this as an illustration in People smart. In Self smart, reflect about how a comeuppance is a well used trope in movies and why.

{MWD} Self: I think Self smart becomes the PEI if we don’t shy away from the seemingly gleeful call for vengeance in the verses that the Lectionary omits from the reading. In fact, since verses 3 through 12 are one long sentence in Greek, we don’t really understand why Paul is so pleased to keep the Thessalonians in prayer if we cut most of it out. Is looking for the “bad guy” to fall like a ton of bricks the best for our own spiritual health? Is schadenfreude a dish best served over ice cream? No, probably not but there is something in us that takes some pleasure in justice timely served. 

{D2} People: I’m going with People again, this time because Paul is boasting about the love of the Thessalonians, announcing the Lord’s vengeance for their persecutors, and encouraging the Thessalonians to continue in their faithfulness. These are all about people skills and relationships. I appreciate Molly’s thoughts on Self, though.

Luke 19:1-10 [21:28] – Zacchaeus means “clean” or “Innocent”. This sets up a deep irony in that he has come to be considered both unclean and guilty. In Eye smart, we ponder how seeing Zacchaeus hanging from a tree branch might bring to mind the ancient curse and wonder who else might have been hung unjustly. Zacchaeus insists that he will – or has already – given half his wealth to the poor, so in Math smart we think it could be interesting for people to estimate their net worth and see just how much half of that would be. We also look at the double twist in this passage; truly this story bend a lot of expectations. In Body smart, we recommend an exercise that could be both tricky and very revealing that involves looking at pictures of ourselves. If that is too intense, we have a less risky option. Nature smart has rivers, forsythia, and spider plants as illustrations. We have a reader’s theater in People smart and in Self smart, we look at how a miracle occurs in this passage.

{MWD} Body:  What is the first thing most people remember about Zacchaeus? He was a wee, little man, of course. If he were not shorter than most, he would not have climbed a tree, and we would not have this tale. Our bodies have a close connection to our life story; how we are perceived by others as they first encounter us, how we perceive ourselves as we come to learn how to control out bodies as children, and how our bodies grow and mature and eventually begin wearing down will play a significant role in shaping who we are. That Zacchaeus was short is a physical description of the man – and sets the stage for his memorable encounter with Jesus.

{D2} People: Again, Molly makes a good point. Nevertheless, I’m going for the triple by picking People Smart for all three texts this week. There is so much rich interplay between Zacchaeus, the crowd, and Jesus that I can’t do otherwise. The hopes, expectations, grumbling, and redemption that show up, mostly bouncing between Zacchaeus and the crowd here really just call out one’s interpersonal awareness. There are many other elements from the other intelligences, ’tis true, but I think the People connections are the strongest.

Image credit: © Copyright Peter Bond and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.