Simply Grace

Sermon 2022.12.24

Luke 2:1-20

A conflict was brewing. You cannot have two kings both claiming to have power and authority over the same land and people. Emperor Augustus decreed that everyone in the world would have to return to their hometowns to be registered. This was a power move by Augustus essentially deporting anyone who had ever migrated; forcing them to go back to where they came from. 

Ironically by doing so Jesus is born in Bethlehem the city from which it was prophesied a great king would be born. Then Jesus’ birth as a new king was announced to a group of shepherds who were living out in the fields.  The decree of the angels calls the shepherds in to worship this baby.

Notice how these two kings are already in conflict and do things totally differently:

1.Emperor Augustus’ decree pushes people away from him and sends them back to where they came from

2. The angels’ decree pulls people in to meet Jesus 

Why did the angel announce Jesus’ birth to shepherds? It is highly significant, because a shepherd is a symbol for any human being who is a leader or has power and authority over others. A president, prime minister, CEO, emperor, etcetera are all supposed to be like shepherds who care for their people. 

When a baby is born, no matter how lowly or poor, or what the family circumstance is, a real shepherd is to go and check on the wellbeing of the child. To regard this child as worthy of our praise, adoration, and yes our resources and social programs to ensure its well being. 

Close your eyes for a moment and think. Where are there babies in the world right now? Babies in the Americas, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and in every corner of the world. If you really focus you can see them, and feel them. Each and everyone of these babies is made in the image of God; and is a sister and brother to Jesus. Each baby deserves and demands clean air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, adequate shelter, to be free from threat of harm or violence, and to be loved. Each baby and child is a little caesar exacting our praise and adoration, overriding, usurping, and undermining any political leader that stands in its way. 

Open your eyes. You are the shepherds living in the fields. I am the lone angel announcing to you the birth of these little caesars. In a moment I will be joined by a host of angels and we will sing praises. When we are done singing; you will be sent out to search, and find the babies, the children, and you are to do everything in your power to ensure their well-being. When we succeed in making them happy and secure; we will be happy and secure. And that’s the point of Christmas.

My wife Sheri and I have five kids. By the time we got to babies three, four, and five things were getting pretty hectic. I remember coming home from the hospital after one of them was born, I don’t remember which. My in-laws were with us helping get settled. There was a moment when literally everyone was calling for help at the same time. I turned to my father in law Jim, threw my hands up in the air and jokingly asked, “Who’s the boss?” And he looked at me, smiled, and said, “The baby is the boss.” And that made everything crystal clear.

Boss Babies. Little Caesars. Come adore on bended knees. Christ the Lord the newborn king. Not some distant memory. But actual living human beings. Amen.   

Estudio bíblico para la Navidad 2022. ¡Bendiciones!

Rev. Wesley Menke

Advent 4

2022.12.18

Last week I went to Sedona, Arizona to help my dad take care of my mom after a total knee replacement surgery. I flew between the two waves of a winter storm. We hit some turbulence when we descended into Phoenix and our row of three full size men swayed and bounced off each other like we were on a roller coaster ride. It was fun! 

My mom was doing well after the surgery. I enjoyed helping take care of her and my dad for a few days. My aunt left when I got there, and my sister came when I had to go home. Our neighbors, the Trouts, brought lots of delicious food. Caring, sensitive, faithful people band together to bring out the best in one another. You could call it grace in action.

The second wave of the storm came down on us and it snowed for over a day; followed by icy cold temperatures. I felt like reading during my down time, and there was an author I have been intending to read for quite some time. My grandmother, Jean Nielsen, was a published author of about 13 novels. So I asked for a suggestion from my mom, and it was, “Walk Under the Trees,” published in 1958 by Funk and Wangalls, New York for $2.95. The book is 64 years old, but listen to the opening paragraph,

“Measles!”

“Only measles,” Mother said with a relieved sigh, “Gwen, dear, we should have suspected as much right away, instead of imagining that you had some rare virus. My! It’s such a load off my mind!”

Gwen, a high school graduate, isn’t able to participate in prom, graduation, or give her valedictorian speech. It strikes me as incredibly relevant to what young people have had to deal with in the last three years. Some things never change? Gwen runs away from the Pacific Northwest to live with her aunt and uncle in southern Arizona at a truck stop. She experiences the desert for the first time, and life in a small town. One of the themes of the book is how a small community deals with problems. Caring, sensitive, faithful people band together to bring out the best in one another. You could call it grace in action.

Gwen adapts well to her new environment, but gets bullied by a young woman, June, who we find out bullies quite a lot of people. It’s surprising how many people get intimidated and bullied on a regular basis. Even kings can be intimidated. That is what was happening to King Ahaz in Isaiah 7. He is terrified of not one but two enemy kings who threaten to make war with him. God offers Ahaz a word of hope, but Ahaz refuses. Now isn’t that something? Pride can get in the way of faith. So Isaiah offers him a word: a child will be born who will rule with wisdom and righteousness, and the current threats will go away. Who is this child king?

Could it be Jesus? Could it be Hezekiah, Ahaz’s successor? Or could it be us? Could we establish a just and righteous community? Hezekiah is remembered mostly fondly in the Bible for helping the kingdom be more just by complying with God’s laws which had been shoved aside for some years. Leadership isn’t about being exceptional at all, but rather a faithful person who sticks around and tries their best to do what is right. That’s a good description of Joseph.

We read in Matthew that Joseph was engaged to Mary, but before they were living together, she was found to be with child. Oops! So Joseph was going to dismiss her quietly, because he was a “righteous man.” But before he can do so, he is visited by an angel who tells him, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For this child will save the people from their sins.” No pressure at all for Joseph. Some people today have a hard time believing in the virgin birth. Imagine how hard it was for Joseph to believe!

Joseph and Mary are regarded as saints. What did Joseph do that was so saintly? He was faithful. He stuck around, and did his best to create a positive environment for Jesus to grow up in. But it takes a village to raise a child. We can all be like Joseph and Mary. Caring, sensitive, faithful people band together to bring out the best in one another. You could call it grace in action.

It was so important for Joseph to stick around because he was a descendent of King David. It was through Joseph that Jesus is considered a descendant of David and a part of the royal lineage. It’s not about flesh and blood, but the Spirit. That is why through baptism we each become heirs and part of the royal priesthood with Jesus. Jesus shares his nobility and divinity with us. We share in the burden of Joseph and Mary. We are to be caring, sensitive, faithful people who band together to bring out the best in one another. You could call it grace in action.

It wasn’t that long after Sheri and I got married that she got pregnant. We were living in Laguna Hills at the time. I went to get a haircut at this barber I started going to before we got married. He remembered me, and asked how everything was going as newlyweds. I said that my wife was pregnant. He laughed. He was also a married man with a family. He told me, “You are never ready.” We never are fully ready for the responsibilities we are given. But with God’s help: caring, sensitive, faithful people band together to bring out the best in one another. You could call it grace in action. Amen.

Rev. Wesley Menke

Adviento 4

2022.12.18

La semana pasada volé a Arizona tras las nubes del invierno. Vi montañas de nieve como islas blancos en un mar de arena. Descubrí a mi mamá ya con su rodilla nueva y con mucho dolor y mi corazón ardilla con el mismo dolor. Pero la tía, los vecinos, mi papá, mi hermana y yo trabajaban como equipo para la sanación de ella, mi mamá, la abuelita de mis niños. Y sí mejoraba poco a poco.

Descubrí también en la casa de mis padres un estante de libros lleno con las obras de mi abuela, Jean Nielsen. Trece libros escritos y publicados por mi abuela. Tanto el orgullo que tengo yo e inspiración también. Leí uno, con título, “Walk Under the Trees.” Trata de una mujer joven que fue al desierto de Arizona para ayudar a sus tíos por un verano. La protagonista se llama “Gwen.” Ella descubre la manera en que una comunidad de personas sensibles y fieles trabajan juntos para solicitar lo mejor de todos, como gracia en acción.

Los pobres reyes; ricos en dinero y poder no saben cómo aceptar el consejo y amistad de una comunidad de gracia. El rey Ahaz era así. Entonces el profeta Isaias dijo que vendrá otra mejor, un bebé, quién es justo. ¿Quien es? ¿Jesús? ¿Hezekiah, hijo de Ahaz? ¿Nosotros? Un buen líder no es excepcional. Un buen líder es fiel y humilde a las leyes de Dios.

Considera José. José y María eran novios pero todavía no estaban casados ni vivían juntos. Pero luego se da cuenta a José que María está embarazada. Oops. José iba a separarse con ella en secreto porque era un hombre supuestamente justo.  Pero un ángel dijo a José, “No way José. No temas en casarse con María. Tu tienes que ser padre de Jesús, quien es un salvador.” Ay ay ay. ¡Mucha presión!

Hoy en día José y María son santos. ¿Por qué? Porque en vez de pensar en sí mismo como excepción de esta gran responsabilidad, José aceptó su llamada y su rollo. Él descubrió la manera en que una comunidad de personas sensibles y fieles trabajan juntos para solicitar lo mejor de todos, como gracia en acción.

Hace 14 años yo descubrí que iba a ser un padre. Vivíamos en Laguna Hills, California y estaban muy al gusto con nuestro estilo de vida con tantito de dinero y no muchas responsabilidades, y luego, oops ya viene el bebé. Fui al mismo peluquero que tuve antes de casarme, un hombre Chino. Me dijo, “Nunca estás listo.” Así es. Nunca estamos listos, pero no importa. Somos una comunidad de personas sensibles y fieles trabajando juntos para solicitar lo mejor de todos, como gracia en acción. Amen.

Sermon 2022.12.11

Rev. Wesley Menke

Sheri and I went for a hike on Monday. The trail forked and we went left, up the mountain. The clouds were thick and the terrain was steep. Sheri wasn’t happy. We turned around and went down back to the fork and went right. It went down into a creekbed where water flowed and trees with orange leaves stood proudly in the autumn air. Sheri was happy. 

Isaiah says that there will come a day when the desert will bloom with life. There will be a road in which no beasts of prey will threaten the people. Sometimes humans act like beasts of prey; by taking advantage of others and exploiting their weaknesses. 

So where is this magical path with deserts that bloom and no aggressive personality types intimidating others? It is not hard to find this path, but it is hard to stay on it. Because the devil tries to lure us away and get us lost. The devil tries to fool us into thinking that we can find happiness through the acquisition of beautiful things; and the accumulation of money. 

John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the messiah, or if they should wait for another. Jesus responds by inviting them to observe what is happening. The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. What is good news for the poor? 

It is that we are saved by grace through faith, and not by work. Work of course is necessary. It is how we make money. But it is not what saves us. It is a necessary evil. The good news is that we are saved by grace through faith. Grace is that God loves all humans and creation unconditionally whether you are rich or poor. Faith is believing that this is true and treating one another as if we are all important to God. We would share what we have. Anyone can do this. 

John the Baptist was poor; and he was imprisoned for doing good. No good deed goes unpunished. Jesus said that John was the greatest of all prophets, and yet the least in the kingdom of God. So Jesus is really telling those disciples and us; that we shouldn’t worry so much about who we should follow. We should step up and be leaders ourselves; and we should expect and prepare for the consequences of doing so. The path of peace that Isaiah envisioned is the path that leads to the cross. 

We are living in the time of miracles. After Jesus died on the cross there was a resurrection. And he is still healing people today. I visited with Alicia and Ann this past Friday. Alicia really made a miraculous recovery and healing from some difficult illness. We have been praying for her and those prayers have worked. Thanks be to God!

So be patient. Be faithful and trust that new life will come. Carrying the cross and sticking to the narrow path is so much easier and less complicated than trying to do things our own way. Amen.

Sermón 2022.12.11

Rev. Wesley Menke

Sheri y yo fuimos de excursión el lunes. El sendero se dividió y nos fuimos a la izquierda, subiendo la montaña. Las nubes eran oscuras y el terreno empinado. Sheri no estaba feliz. Dimos la vuelta y bajamos de nuevo a la bifurcación y fuimos a la derecha. Descendía al lecho de un arroyo donde fluía el agua y los árboles con hojas de color naranja se alzaban orgullosos en el aire otoñal. Sheri estaba feliz. 

Isaías dice que llegará un día en que el desierto rebosará de vida. Habrá un camino en el que ninguna bestia de presa amenazará al pueblo. Entonces, ¿dónde está este camino mágico con desiertos que florecen y sin tipos de personalidad agresivos que intimiden a los demás? No es difícil encontrar este camino, pero es difícil mantenerse en él. Porque el diablo trata de engañarnos y hacernos perder. El diablo trata de engañarnos para que pensemos que podemos encontrar la felicidad a través de la adquisición de cosas hermosas; y la acumulación de dinero. 

Juan el Bautista envió a sus discípulos a preguntarle a Jesús si él era el mesías o si debían esperar a otro. Jesús responde invitándolos a observar lo que está sucediendo. Los ciegos ven, los cojos andan, los leprosos quedan limpios, los sordos oyen, y a los pobres se les anuncia la buena noticia. ¿Qué es una buena noticia para los pobres? 

Es que somos salvos por gracia a través de la fe, y no por obras. El trabajo, por supuesto, es necesario. Así es como ganamos dinero. Pero no es lo que nos salva. La buena noticia es que somos salvos por gracia a través de la fe. La gracia es que Dios ama a todos los humanos y la creación incondicionalmente, seas rico o pobre. La fe es creer que esto es verdad y tratarnos unos a otros como si todos fuéramos importantes para Dios. Compartimos. 

Juan el Bautista era pobre; y fue encarcelado por hacer el bien. Ninguna buena acción queda sin castigo. Jesús dijo que Juan era el más grande de todos los profetas y, sin embargo, el más pequeño en el reino de Dios. Así que Jesús realmente les está diciendo a esos discípulos ya nosotros; que no debemos preocuparnos tanto por a quién debemos seguir. Deberíamos

ser líderes nosotros mismos; y debemos esperar y prepararnos para las consecuencias de hacerlo. El camino de la paz que imaginó Isaías es el camino que conduce a la cruz. 

Estamos viviendo en el tiempo de los milagros. Después de que Jesús murió en la cruz hubo una resurrección. Y todavía está sanando a la gente hoy. Visité a Alicia y Ann el viernes pasado. Alicia realmente se recuperó y sanó milagrosamente de una enfermedad difícil. Hemos estado orando por ella y esas oraciones han funcionado. ¡Gracias a Dios!

Sé paciente. Sé fiel y confía en que vendrá nueva vida. Llevar la cruz y apegarse al camino angosto es mucho más fácil y menos complicado que tratar de hacer las cosas a nuestra manera. Amén.

Advent 2

Sermon 2022.12.04

Rev. Wesley Menke

This past week was cold, cloudy, and with just a little rain. Honestly the lack of sun makes me a bit depressed as I am originally a child of the desert. How have you liked the weather lately? Friday I walked the Cucamonga Creek trail and with so many clouds and mist it was very beautiful. Stormy and rainy weather in the desert is sacred; it is life for the earth.

A very important man lived in the desert; John the Baptist. I remember once attending a Baptist church in Mexico. There were almost only two options for religion: Catholic or Baptist. I didn’t feel comfortable in either. If I could travel to the past to find John, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him either. He was a highly eccentric, different, and special man. John was one of those types of people who has the ability to challenge everyone.

For example it is said in the bible that both Pharisees and Sadducees came to listen to him. It’s like saying that both Catholics and Baptists came. But John greeted both with great criticism, “brood of vipers.” Juan did not participate in the game of religious affiliation.

These two groups fought over who was the most faithful and authentic Jew. Sadducees were kind of like how we think of Catholics: very traditional and priestly. Pharisees were kind of like how we think of Baptists: more focused on right living and innovating religion to appeal to the people. John says it doesn’t matter which you are. God can make Jewish people out of stones. If John were living today, perhaps he would say that it does not matter if the Catholic or Baptist  is more authentic Christian. God can make Christians out of stones. What matters is the fruit they produce. A tree, or a religion, or a nation, can be chopped down, especially if it does not bear fruit. 

How do we produce more fruit? We just finished reading, “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In chapter four Bonhoeffer says that the big problem in a Christian community is the desire to be in control. When people fight for control in a community it makes for a toxic environment. Well, thankfully here at Grace Lutheran Church no one has this problem of wanting control. But maybe in other churches this could be a problem. According to Bonhoeffer the solution is simply to love the people who want to be in control. 

When we say that we are saved by grace through faith, it implies that we need both: God’s grace and our faith. The grace of God is that God loves every good and bad human being. Faith is believing in this grace; and treating people accordingly. Love the brood of vipers. John the Baptist loved the brood of vipers. He did not reject them, he called them to repent, and then offered baptism. So when we talk about loving ourselves and others, we mean that we challenge ourselves to be better.

We have a dog. His name is Albie. The truth is, Sheri and I are better with humans than animals. Albe is very cute, but he is not very well trained. I already said on animal blessing Sunday that he pulls a lot. So we finally bought a prong collar. And if it works, but I left it on the dog all the time. Then someone told us, no you have to remove the prong collar and only put it on for walks. So we removed it, but we didn’t have the regular collar handy. Then it was Thanksgiving, my parents visited, and then the very cold weather. Several days passed in which we did not go on a walk with the dog, and he didn’t wear any collar. Little by little the puppy acted less like a puppy and more like a coyote, that is, wild. Until one day Sheri took a tray of meat out of the refrigerator and the dog grabbed the meat in its mouth and ran off. Sheri said, “Wes you have to do something about this dog.” I thought fast. I said, “We need his normal collar, which doesn’t have spikes.” But where was it? I searched and searched and found it in the garage. It was soft, we put his Christmas bandana with his name on it too. And I’m not kidding when I say that he immediately calmed down and transformed from a coyote to a precious puppy once again. You see? He needed love; a practical love that challenged him to be better.

On this second Sunday of advent we read prophecies about a good and righteous leader. The prophet Isaiah says that a new shoot will sprout from the trunk of Jesse. In other words, a leader who is fair, who is not corrupt, who is a good judge who has a deeper vision than appearances. This leader will be so good that a child will play peacefully with a brood of snakes. It is a metaphor for the somewhat aggressive controlling people in the world. The “lowly people” that Bonhoeffer spoke of. And this leader that Isaiah spoke of will love in such a way as to create the conditions that people will behave appropriately. This promised leader is Jesus, but it is not only Jesus. Could it also be you?

You could be a good and righteous leader. 

Paul wrote about this in Romans. His point is simple. Jesus is not only the anticipated leader of the Jewish people. He is a leader and example to the whole world. You could be the new branch of the trunk of Jesse.    

Sermón 2022.11.27

Adviento 1A

Rev. Wesley Menke

Grace Iglesia Luterana Upland, California

Orar por la paz y trabajar por el bien

La venida del Hijo del Hombre podría ser la segunda venida de Jesucristo. Pensamos en esto el primer domingo de Adviento. Jesús dijo que cuando venga el Hijo del Hombre, la gente será desaparecida. Jesús compara la venida del Hijo del Hombre a un ladrón que irrumpe en una casa para robar. Y de nuevo Jesús compara la venida del Hijo del Hombre con cuando vino el diluvio y solo Noé y su familia se salvaron a causa del arca que habían construido. 

La venida de Jesús puede no ser lo que esperamos. Probablemente será muy perturbador. Pero nos engañamos a nosotros mismos. Algunas personas dicen que si usted ha aceptado a Jesús como su Señor y Salvador personal, podrá evitar el duro juicio del Hijo del Hombre y podrá ir directamente al cielo. Eso es una ilusión. 

Pablo escribe en Romanos que no debemos hacer provisión para la carne. El mismo grupo de personas que fantasean con un rapto también hacen mucho por la carne. Afirman que los hombres mandan sobre las mujeres. Llegan a afirmar que solo los hombres tienen la autoridad para hacer café. ¿Por qué? Porque en la Biblia dice: Hebrews. ¿Consíguelo? ¡He-brews! 

Es un montón de tonterías. Pensar que una carne es mejor que otra nos hace daño a nosotros mismos, a familiares y amigos. Por eso en el Salmo 122 dice por el bien de nuestra familia y amigos oraré por la paz de Jerusalén; y trabajaré para hacer el bien. ¡Qué concepto! Oren por la paz y trabajen por el bien. 

Richard Fierro es un ejemplo de la vida real de cómo es la fidelidad. Estaba con su esposa y su hija en un club nocturno LGBT, Club Q, para ver un espectáculo de drag. Entonces sucedió lo impensable. Un pistolero con un AR-15 comenzó a matar gente y causar terror. Richard, que es un veterano del ejército de los EE. UU., derribó al hombre con el arma. Lo agarró por la parte de atrás de su chaleco antibalas y lo tiró al suelo. Dirigió a los transeúntes para ayudar a someter al perpetrador. Ricardo salvó vidas. Oren por la paz y trabajen por el bien.

Creer en la venida del hijo del hombre significa estar preparado en cualquier momento para hacer lo correcto. Podemos ver a Jesús en los rostros de quienes nos rodean, y también en nuestro propio rostro. Richard Fierro dijo que todos en ese club se convirtieron en su familia. Ese era Ricardo siendo el Hijo del Hombre. Cualquiera podría ser el Hijo del Hombre. Oren por la paz y trabajen por el bien.

El profeta Isaías dice que las espadas serán convertidas en rejas de arado y las lanzas serán convertidas en podaderas. Hoy, Isaías diría que todas nuestras armas se derretirán en herramientas eléctricas. Oren por la paz y trabajen por el bien. 

Hay un mundo mejor. Las cosas pueden ser mejores de lo que son ahora. La gente de la tierra podría reunirse pacíficamente en Jerusalén para adorar juntos. Podemos imaginar la paz tanto dentro como fuera de nuestras paredes. Oren por la paz y trabajen por el bien.

El otro día alguien me dijo que sufría de culpa y que no podía hacer nada para deshacerse de ella. Le dije: “Bien. Deberías sentirte culpable. La culpa es una señal de que tienes conciencia y te preocupas por el bien y el mal. Tal vez Dios quiere que te sientas culpable para que aprendas de tu error y nunca lo vuelvas a hacer”. Se rieron de mí, sonrieron y dijeron que estaba bien.

Entonces, ¿cuándo vendrá Jesús?

Mírate en el espejo.

Oren por la paz y trabajen por el bien.

Sermon 2022.11.27

Advent 1A

Rev. Wesley Menke

Grace Lutheran Church Upland, California

Pray for Peace and Work for Good

The coming of the Son of Man could be the second coming of Jesus Christ. We think about this on the first Sunday of Advent. Jesus said that when the Son of Man comes people will be taken away, or disappeared. Jesus compares the Son of Man coming to a thief breaking into a house to steal. And again Jesus compares the coming of the Son of Man to when the flood came and only Noah and his family were spared because of the ark they had built. 

The coming of Jesus may not be what we expect. It will probably be very disruptive. But we fool ourselves. Some people say that if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior then you will get to bypass the harsh judgment of the Son of Man, and you get to go directly to heaven. That’s wishful thinking. 

Paul writes in Romans that we should make no provisions for the flesh. The same group of people who fantasize about a rapture also make a big todo about the flesh. They claim that men rule over women. They go so far as to claim that only men have the authority to make coffee. Why? Because in the Bible it says: Hebrews. Get it? He-brews! 

It’s a bunch of baloney. Thinking that some flesh is better than others hurts ourselves, relatives and friends. That is why in Psalm 122 it says for the sake of our family and friends I will pray for the peace of Jerusalem; and I will work to do good. What a concept! Pray for peace and work for good. 

Richard Fierro is a real life example of what faithfulness looks like. He was with his wife and daughter at an LGBT nightclub, Club Q, to watch a drag show. Then the unthinkable happened. A gunman with an AR-15 began to kill people and cause terror. Richard, who is a US Army veteran, took the man with the weapon down. He grabbed him by the back of his bullet proof vest and slammed him to the ground. He directed bystanders to help subdue the perpetrator. Richard saved lives. Pray for peace and work for good.

Believing in the coming of the son of man means being prepared at any time to do the right thing. We can see Jesus in the faces of those who surround us, and in our own face as well. Richard Fierro said that everyone in that club became his family. That was Richard being the Son of Man. Anyone could be the Son of Man. Pray for peace and work for good.

Isaiah the prophet says swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears will be beaten into pruning hooks. Today, Isaiah would say that all of our guns will be melted down into power tools. Pray for peace and work for good. 

There is a better world. Things can be better than they are right now. The people of the earth could peacefully gather in Jerusalem to worship together. We can imagine peace both within and outside of our walls. Pray for peace and work for good.

The other day someone told me that they were suffering from guilt, and there was nothing they could do to get rid of it. I said, “Good. You should feel guilty. Guilt is a sign that you have conscience and care about right and wrong. Maybe God wants you to feel guilty so you learn from your mistake and never do it again.” They laughed at me, smiled, and said okay.

So when is Jesus coming?

Take a look in the mirror.

Pray for peace and work for good.

Sermon for 20 November 2022

Cancer cells are exceptional. They over function. They are our own cells that act narcissistic, they think that they are so important that the replicate and over function to the point that they stop being helpful to the body, they are toxic. This is what we mean when we talk about “works righteousness.” Sometimes we as people act like cancer cells, when we over-function and try to be exception. Maybe being exceptional isn’t so good.

Consider grace. Grace is unconditional love, and relief. What is normally expected of a cell is not that much, just exist, perform some very basic functions that are built into you, and that’s it. The life of a non-cancerous cell is a much easier less frenzied life. The same is true for us as people. God really doesn’t expect that much out of us. Maybe we try too hard. Maybe we would be more faithful if we could be at peace just being ourselves; who God made us to be.

What is faith for the person who has cancer. First of all remember that God is not in the business of punishing and smiting you. Jesus died on the cross and there our notion that God punishes for sin ought to die too. So a faithful person believes this. A faithful person does everything they can do be healthy. We use modern medicine, we take care of ourselves. That is faith.

When Jesus was dying on the cross one criminal criticized him for not being exceptional. “Get yourself down and save us too,” he said. The other one though; had compassion and felt Jesus’ pain rather than criticizing. So Jesus said to the one who showed compassion, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Today. Not in some distant future. Not in some alternate universe, but here and now. Even on death’s doorstep full of physical pain it is possible to be in ultimate paradise when your conscience is at ease and you know you are using what precious life you have to be part of God’s body, to be you, maybe even unexceptional, but blessed by grace. Amen.

Wesley Menke

Sermon 2022.11.13

Last night we enjoyed a sublime concert featuring Tatiana Thibodeaux and Rachel Vetter-Huang. All of the compositions were breathtaking. The quality of music was such that it wasn’t just heard, but the notes themselves painted landscapes of color before our eyes. The last piece though. It left us in a stunned silence. It was a piece composed about war and the ravages of war. This was purposeful because the concert benefited the resettlement of refugees. 

Jesus said that there will be wars, insurrections, earthquakes, famines, plagues, and that nation will rise against nation. The question we have to ask ourselves is if this is descriptive or prescriptive? 

If it is prescriptive then we go down a road thinking that Jesus intends for there to be war. This leads to Christian nationalism: a belief that Jesus desires certain nations to go to war against others. Martin Niemuller, a German theologian reflecting on World War One commented that the problem was that everyone thought God was on their side. Maybe that’s true, but when God is on your side, God is urging you to de-escalate, and walk toward peace.

I believe that Jesus is not prescribing war; he is describing war. The closing piece of music we heard last night was not a call to war. No way no how. It was a painful retelling of war. Jesus too is preparing us for the worst so that we can strive for something better. One way that we can be peacemakers is to practice less-violence. You have no doubt heard of non-violence or pacifism. I have no problem with pacifism; but I also understand that it is too rigorous for many. If you find yourself to be someone who just can’t get on board with pacifism or non-violence consider less-violence or de-escalation. 

In a nutshell de-escalation or less-violence resists aggression through a measured response that uses less violent force than what was perpetrated. How does this work? It works only if there is wide solidarity; that is people in a movement who share and practice the same conviction. 

A practical example would be when a gunman attacked a church in Orange County, the parishioners subdued him using not weapons but hymnals, folding chairs, microphone wires, etc. Another example would be how massful peaceful protest has brought wars to an end. 

Thinking about the war in Ukraine for a moment. Occasionally I hear people criticize the Russian people for not organizing mass protests to stop Putin. First of all they have. Secondly, where are the peaceful protests here? Why don’t we march in the streets here in solidarity with the Ukranians who suffer innocently and with Russian people who are now being conscripted against their will to fight? We can protest here against that. If we have constitutional protection to protest against our own government, why not protest against other governments? I think maybe we should. 

Do we hesitate because of the risks involved? Are there costs involved for publicly denouncing war? Remember that protest is our history. We are protest-ants after all. We are a resistance movement. Consider the costs of not doing anything.

Paul warns us of this in 2 Thesselonians; of idleness. He says don’t be idle. Think of what happened to the Temple in Jerusalem. It happened just like Jesus said, not one stone rested on another. We don’t have the luxury of working for a solution.

Work is nice and all, but the problem with work is that it is too focused on money and merit. When we focus on work we think that we will be compensated properly for what we do. Oftentimes we won’t get what is fair. That is why faith is so important. Faith is about being faithful. If you have faith then you will take your responsibility seriously. Grace tells us the divine nature of all of creation. Grace invites us to love our enemies. 

Jesus wouldn’t lie, would he? Because they said that we wouldn’t lose a hair from our head. I wonder if Jesus ever had to clean out a bathroom drain? There is plenty of evidence that we all lose lots of hair on a regular basis. So what did Jesus mean? He meant that our body is his body. We are the body of Christ. We won’t ever lose a hair because nobody can ever be separated from the body of Christ. This matters because sometimes it feels as though we are separated one from another.

Today we say Farewell and Godspeed to a member: Jim Hobgood. He is moving to Kansas. But while we are sad of this geographical separation, Jesus tells us that we are still members of the same body of Christ. 

There are other kinds of loss. Sometimes there are estrangements for philosophical differences. This is such a problem that many of us self-censor ourselves. We are afraid that we may offend someone and they no longer choose to associate with us. Jesus tells us that we don’t have to worry about what we should say. “Lead us not into the time of trial” is a phrase we use in the Lord’s prayer. But even if we are, we will have the right words to say. Rev. Jeff Frohner would say, “The best part of the truth is: it’s easy to remember!” That’s what Jesus says here, just tell the truth plain and simple. Make it plain. We don’t need to be overly creative with what we have to say. We don’t have to overly strategize on how to message something. Just speak the truth. If people are offended by the truth; and if they decide to separate themselves from you; know that not even a hair will be lost from the body of Christ. Even though you might be separated from a person against your will; that person is not lost to God. 

Sermon 2022.11.06 All Saints Sunday

Grace Lutheran Church Upland, California

Pastor Wesley Menke

This past week at Bible Study we finished reading the book of Leviticus. That really is an interesting book. It’s like a handbook for priests who functioned like public health experts, as well as keepers of religious rituals, and civil law. So there is very little story in the book of Leviticus. It is dry reading to be sure, but near the end of the book there is a story. It says that one day there was a man whose mother was Israelite, and father was Egyptian. This fellow got in a fight with another man who was Israelite. At some point during the altercation the man with mixed heritage blasphemed God. That means he used offensive language either about God or about the man he was fighting using God’s name to do so; or maybe both. The case was brought before Moses; and before God. The command was given to take the man outside of the camp; for all the witnesses to lay their hands on his head; and then to stone him to death. Can you believe that? 

Its texts like this from the Bible which cause us to wonder why there aren’t more atheists. How could we in this situation say that God is love? Where is the grace of God? Furthermore it seems like this man is being scapegoated, partly on the account of his marginal ethnic status; and that’s ironic because the ritual of the scapegoat is articulated earlier in the same book of Leviticus. The ritual of the scapegoat was supposed to be humanitarian insofar as it spared punishing humans, but accumulating all of their sin on a goat which would be turned out into the wilderness at least having a chance. But that doesn’t spare the man who was stoned for blaspheming God. No scapegoat saves him. He is the scapegoat. 

It occurred to me then, and remains true now, that this man was a lot like Jesus. Jesus was not regarded as a “normal” person. His parentage, while sacred to us, would have been very suspect during his lifetime. His mother was Israelite and his father was unknown or unaccepted by many of his contemporaries. When he was bold in his ministry to call himself the Son of God; he was accused of blaspheming by both Romans against Caesar and by certain religious leaders claiming he blasphemed the God of the Israelites. He was publicly executed and functioned like a scapegoat. In fact he is the ultimate scapegoat: he is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. 

Jesus didn’t do anything wrong; and yet was killed for it. Again how can we say that God is love? How could a loving father demand the death of his son who did nothing wrong? Seems cruel and abusive; not loving. There is of course an answer. The answer is that Jesus was God as clearly as any human could be like God. So if we regard Jesus as God; and Jesus died on the cross; then our whole notion of God is more fragile and vulnerable than we would perhaps like to admit to ourselves. 

Consider the resurrection of Jesus. After the resurrection he still left. Some people have briefly seen him. But he still left and everyone had to figure out how to get by without him. That is the “duelo” or grief we feel when we miss someone. There is just one consolation; the Holy Spirit. This is like a personality made up of a contagious set of behaviors. 

You know that both good and bad behaviors are contagious? Abuse is a contagious behavior. When we think about people who have died we might remember both good and bad behaviors. We might act like our spiritual ancestors. Their Spirit lives on in our actions. So does Jesus’ Spirit: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a practical sign of the resurrection. And you know what? The Spirit is freely given to you constantly if you wish to have it. There is also a physicality with resurrection. We carry physical genes. We are the resurrected Christ. Holy Communion is a physical spiritual nourishment by and for the resurrected Jesus. 

The fact is, when we talk about being saved by Grace, we mean that this life in and of itself is a miracle beyond which we can fully comprehend. We are living the resurrection. We are the body of Christ resurrected.

According to astronomers we’ve got about a billion years left on planet earth until it will naturally break down and not be inhabitable. The question is: what are we going to do with this time? Each of our life spans is so short; so extremely short, but if each generation works together then what might we be capable of? 

We might be able to accomplish the beatific vision: that which Jesus described in the gospel reading this morning. 

Luke 6:20-31

20Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25“Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

27“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Religion is a kind of practically constructed eternal life. On All Saints Sunday we think about and feel for people who have died. Where have they gone? Their soul goes to heaven. Then what, and what does it have to do with life here on earth?

A couple of weeks ago I went to Arizona for the funeral of my aunt Dottie. There were a lot of people missing. Where did they go? We carry our ancestors in us spiritually, physically, and mentally. We have some limited choices in terms of what we choose to carry forward, and what we choose to leave behind. There are some behaviors I’m guessing you observed in your ancestors that you admired; and some others that you didn’t. What difference does resurrection make if it makes no difference in the living? This is the primary theater of our concern. 

Make the most of the time that you have by learning from your ancestors. Remember and emulate the best of what you have inherited. Change what you can. Don’t worry about anything; Jesus’ Spirit is there to guide you. Amen.